Guides
THC vs. CBD: What’s the Difference?

These days, it seems that everyone is talking about THC and CBD. You’ll see it on the news, advertised in convenience stores and coffee shops, and even in your aunt’s Facebook posts. But with so much talk out there, there is also a lot of misinformation.
When it comes to THC vs CBD, what actually is the difference? Are these substances healthy for you? And will they get you high?
These are common questions and people tend to end up confused when looking for answers. Luckily for you, we’re here to help.
So if you would like to learn more, then keep on reading and we’ll walk you through what THC and CBD are and how they differ.
What Is THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, is a chemical compound that is responsible for most of the psychological effects of marijuana. THC is a cannabinoid and acts a lot like the cannabinoid chemicals that are naturally made in the human body.
What Is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system, also known as the ECS, is a complicated and intricate system in the human body. It was first discovered by scientists several decades ago as they were trying to better understand THC.
While we are still trying to fully comprehend what the ECS is and how it works, we do know that it plays roles in regulating a variety of processes and functions. These include:
- fertility and reproduction
- memory
- appetite
- mood
- sleep
The endocannabinoid system exists and is active in the body, even if you don’t use cannabis.
How the ECS Works
There are three main components that make up the ECS: enzymes, receptors, and endocannabinoids.
Endocannabinoids, also known as endogenous cannabinoids, are molecules that are created by the body. They are very similar to cannabinoids, except they are naturally made in the body.
There are two main endocannabinoids that we know of: 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA).
These endocannabinoids help to keep internal processes running properly. Your body makes them as needed.
Endocannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body. Endocannabinoids bind to these receptors in order to signal that the endocannabinoid system needs to take action.
There are two key endocannabinoid receptors: CB2 and CB1.
CB1 receptors are mainly found in the central nervous system (CNS). CB2 receptors are mainly found in the peripheral nervous system, especially immune cells.
Endocannabinoids are able to bind to either receptor. The effects that result from this binding will depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid does the binding.
Enzymes are then needed to break down endocannabinoids after they’ve carried out their function.
There are two key enzymes that are responsible for this. First, there is the fatty acid amide hydrolase, which breaks down AEA.
There is also monoacylglycerol acid lipase. This enzyme usually breaks down 2-AG.
What Are the Functions of the ECS?
The ECS is a complex system and experts aren’t sure about exactly how it works or what all of its possible processes are. We do currently know that the ECS is related to the following functions:
- skin and nerve function
- stress
- reproductive system function
- liver function
- bone remodeling and growth
- cardiovascular system function
- muscle formation
- sleep
- motor control
- learning and memory
- mood
- inflammation and other immune system responses
- metabolism
- chronic pain
- digestion and appetite
All of these processes are related to homeostasis. When your body reaches homeostasis, everything internally is balanced.
The current belief is that the job of the ECS is to maintain homeostasis.
How Does THC Interact With the ECS?
The reason why cannabinoids from plants are able to have medicinal and psychoactive effects within the human body is that they can interact with the ECS. THC is able to get a person high because it activates the CB1 receptor in the brain.
Endocannabinoids also activate the CB1 receptor. So why aren’t we high all of the time?
There are a few reasons for this. First off, THC does not interact with ECS receptors in the exact same way as internal endocannabinoids do.
Also, the metabolic enzymes break down endocannabinoids very quickly. The enzymes are not as effective on THC, so THC is able to affect the brain for much longer.
THC’s Effects on the Body
THC is able to create a sense of euphoria in people because it is able to stimulate brain cells and help release dopamine. It also affects how information is processed in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that is in charge of forming new memories.
THC can also produce hallucinations. It can cause delusions and change a person’s thinking.
The effects of THC typically last for around two hours. They likely kick in between ten and thirty minutes after consumption.
After the felt high has stopped, psychomotor impairment might continue.
In some instances, side effects of THC can include:
- pain relief
- relaxation
- sedation
- issues with recalling short-term memory
- rapid heart rate
- anxiety
- elation
Other kinds of cannabinoids, as well as terpenes, can reduce and mitigate negative effects.
Medicinal Uses
The marijuana plant has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Many states have legalized the plant for medicinal uses and some have even legalized it for recreational use.
THC is usually extracted from marijuana. But it can also be synthesized in a lab. Synthesized THC is used to prevent or treat vomiting and nausea that is associated with cancer treatment. It can also boost the appetites of people who have AIDS.
THC can also bring many other medical benefits. For example, in small doses, THC can improve memory.
Many consumers also prefer marijuana to prescription pills because it is more natural and less addictive.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a chemical compound from the Cannabis Sativa plant. Both marijuana and hemp are varieties of the Cannabis Sativa plant.
The main difference between marijuana and hemp has to do with how much THC each plant has. In order for a Cannabis Sativa plant to legally be considered hemp, it cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC.
Because of this, marijuana plants tend to have high concentrations of THC and low concentrations of CBD. The opposite is true for hemp plants.
CBD is a naturally occurring substance and is one of the main cannabinoids of the cannabis plant, along with THC.
How Does CBD Interact With the ECS?
Thanks to the ECS, CBD is able to affect a wide variety of symptoms. CBD is able to bind to both CB2 and CB1 receptors.
CBD can also interact with the body via several biological channels. The fact that it can activate several channels at one time may be why it’s able to produce distinct therapeutic effects.
CBD also has a very interesting relationship with THC. At a molecular level, CBD acts in an opposite way to THC. While THC is an agonist of CB1 receptors, CBD is an inverse agonist.
When THC and CBD are taken together, CBD has the ability to curb the negative side effects of THC. It does this by activating an inverse response from CB1 receptors.
CBD Won’t Get You High
Perhaps the biggest difference between CBD and THC is that CBD cannot get you high.
While CBD is psychoactive, it is nonintoxicating. This means that you won’t have any euphoric or paranoid effects. You won’t feel altered or sedated in any way.
It should be noted that there are some possible exceptions to this. First off, some people simply react differently to CBD. These same people tend to feel side effects from drugs like Tylenol and Advil.
You never know just how your body is going to interact with a new substance. So you should also start small and under supervision.
It is also possible that the CBD product that you buy actually has THC in it. This is why it’s very important that you buy your CBD from a reputable source like Muddy Boot Botanicals.
What Are the Health Benefits of CBD?
Scientists are still learning about the possible health benefits of CBD. Many CBD retailers will claim that CBD is a panacea that can cure just about any ailment. While this isn’t true, we can also confidently say that CBD isn’t just some snake oil with zero benefits.
Out of all of the possible health benefits that CBD brings, it’s perhaps most effective at treating seizures and epilepsy.
CBD’s efficacy was made famous by the case of Charlotte Figi. Charlotte was a young girl who would experience hundreds of seizures every week. After taking CBD, she only experienced a couple of seizures every month.
In fact, the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that uses CBD as the main ingredient is Epidiolex, which is used to treat epilepsy. CBD is so effective at treating epilepsy because it uses unique pathways to reach the brain, which other medications don’t do.
CBD has also been known to treat a variety of other health issues, such as arthritis, muscle soreness, and even cancer.
CBD and Inflammation
CBD is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. CBD is able to reduce inflammation because it inhibits an enzyme known as COX2. NSAID drugs, like Aspirin and Advil, also target COX2 in their method of action.
By inhibiting inflammation, you can relieve joint pain, reduce tumors, and even treat acne.
CBD Won’t Make You Fail a Drug Test
There are currently no drug tests out there that test for CBD. Because CBD doesn’t get you high, it shouldn’t interfere with your work at all. If you take THC before a drug test, you will likely fail the test.
With that said, there are CBD products out there that might contain traces of THC. Even if the packaging says that it is pure CBD, it still might contain some THC. And even though it is likely not enough THC to get you high, you can still fail a drug test from it.
The legality of THC and CBD
The legality of both THC and CBD in the United States is very confusing. At a federal level, THC is illegal to possess, both medically and recreationally.
However, there are many states that have legalized THC, both medically and recreationally.
After President Donald Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, he also legalized CBD, so long as it came from a hemp plant that contained less than 0.3 percent THC.
However, CBD is also outlawed in several states. In order to make sure that you are on the right side of the law, it’s very important that you research the legal status of these compounds in your city and state.
Also, thanks to a loophole in the Farm Bill, Delta 8 THC is also technically federally legal. Make sure to check out this page to learn more about Delta 8 THC.
The Importance of Knowing the Difference When It Comes to THC vs. CBD
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now understand the differences when it comes to THC vs. CBD. As we can see, THC and CBD both come with positive aspects.
However, each compound also interacts differently with the human body. By understanding these differences, you can make more educated and confident purchasing decisions. This will help you better treat your own health issues in a natural and effective way.
Are you looking for other helpful articles like this one? If you are, then you should make sure to check out the rest of our site today for even more!
Guides
Travel for Germaphobes
If you are terrified of germs and getting sick from contacting foreign surfaces, travel doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Here are some awesome things to pack that will help you feel cleaner while you travel the globe and expand your worldview.

Where are all my Germaphobes? I won’t ask you to raise you hand because you might touch something gross. It is not easy to travel as a germaphobe. There are so many gross things out in the world and leaving our comfort zones is hard enough. Even if you are terrified of germs and getting sick from contacting foreign surfaces, travel doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Here are some awesome things to pack that will help you feel cleaner while you travel the globe and expand your worldview.
Travel with sheets
If the idea of sleeping in a hotel room creeps you out then we have the perfect solution. Pack your own sheets and you won’t have to worry about sleeping in filth. Hotels rarely wash the comforters and duvet covers so I generally toss those into the corner and keep my vacation moving. I tend to keep an extra set of sheets in my car so why not pack them on trips as well. There is nothing grosser to germaphobes than sleeping in a dirty bed.
Hotels around the world treat cleanliness a little different than we do in the states. Their standards of cleaning can be below our standards, but that all depends on your destination. If you are going to London, their hotels are generally cleaner than say Bulgaria, so you may want to pick your destination carefully.
Simply pack a set of sheets in your luggage that you don’t mind losing or throwing away. Use them on your vacation and if repacking them grosses you out, toss or donate them. Some orphanage would love some slightly used sheets, I’m sure.
Surgical Masks
If you are a real germaphobe, chances are you already own a few surgical masks. You see surgical masks all over Asia where the general populations are overcrowded, so why not travel with one? They are cheap, usually a few cents and for germaphobes they are lifesavers. Wear them when you are on crowded subways or airplanes and you can rest easy knowing you won’t catch anything that’s airborne.
Pack Medicine
If the congested airplanes or groups of people gross you out then make sure you prepare by packing some emergency and airborne with you. These medicines will boost your immune system and ease your worries of contracting some crazy foreign illness. I get it, people are dirty and gross and being jammed packed with them on a plane tends to gross me out as well. I never travel without these two over-the-counter drugs.
Sanitize
Hand sanitizer should be on you at all times if you are a germaphobe. These convenient pocket sized sanitizers are awesome and keep germs at bay while you can explore foreign cities. Buy them anywhere and travel with some extras just incase you lose one. Shoot, I should invest in one of the companies, since I use them so often.
Water Filters
Germaphobes really hate drinking dirty water and I understand that. Water around the globe is not as clean as our water, unless you are from Flint Michigan. If you’re from Flint, drinking motor oil is probably better than drinking your city water, but I digress. When I travel I always pack my own water bottle with a filter on it. Its great, I can take river water and drink it without worrying about getting Giardia or any other water born illness. A great brand is Potable Aqua with PA+Plus. These are germicidal tablets that you can place in water and it cleans it without any weird aftertaste.
Destinations
Best U.S. Casinos Not in Las Vegas
There are awesome casinos all around the US that offer the same experiences as Vegas without a lot of the hassles. Check out this list of the best casinos not in Las Vegas that won’t need your passport to visit.

When you think of casinos in the United States, you automatically think Las Vegas, well, that’s your first mistake. Sure Las Vegas is great but it’s not the end-all be-all for casinos in the US. There are awesome casinos all around the US that offer the same experiences as Vegas without a lot of the hassles. Check out this list of the best casinos not in Las Vegas that won’t need your passport to visit.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Biloxi
If you are in the south, why waste money on airfare and save that to waste at the tables instead. Don’t visit Vegas for your gambling needs, just head to Biloxi and have the same experience, without hopping on a plane. The Hard Rock in Biloxi is a rock n roll themed casino, just like any other Hard Rock, but this one is massive. Covering over 50,000 sq ft and with outstanding views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Nevada
Tahoe is such a special place that you should visit with or without going to the casino. How many casinos have a private beach? Not many, but the Hyatt Regency in Tahoe certainly does. Not only can you gamble away your life savings here, but you can also enjoy water sports and fishing, take that Vegas.
Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Niagara Falls
How many casinos are located next to incredible water falls? One that I know of, the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. Take in the falls by day and play in a huge casino with over 100 gaming tables by night. You get a Vegas style experience with none of the desert heat.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City
Surprisingly Atlantic City is still hanging on. Many resorts here have closed down but the Borgata stands strong. The elite Atlantic City resort, the Borgata has all you could ever want from a Vegas style resort without leaving the East Coast.
An easy drive form many huge metropolitan cities, The Borgata should be a top choice.
Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno
Reno is the little sister to Las Vegas with it’s own feel and identity. Much cheaper than an average Las Vegas vacation, Reno offers a slower pace and chiller vibe. If the all night parties aren’t for you, maybe check out the Peppermill. The Tuscany styled resort will make you relax while losing all your money.
Talking Stick Resort, Arizona
Talking Stick is a killer Indian Casino with tons of fun activities to keep you entertained while not spending money at the tables. Table in a round of golf or hit up the award-winning spa.
Foxwoods resort and Casino, Connecticut
New Yorkers already know just how awesome Foxwoods truly is. Foxwoods actually offers six different casinos in its little empire in Connecticut. There are two golf courses, two arcades for the kids and tons of live entertainment options. A short drive from New York City makes Foxwoods an easy winner as the best US casino, not in Las Vegas.
Destinations
Hawaii Vacations Easier Now for Visitors

Hawaii opens its doors to vacationers. However, there are still several protocols that tourists need to follow.
On 15 October, Hawaii started providing visitors an easier alternative. Instead of requiring tourists to undergo a 14-day quarantine, would-be visitors must undergo testing, at least 72 hours before mainland departure, proving that they are free from the COVID-19 virus. Although this new Safe Travels protocol was supposed to start on the first day of September, the State of Hawaii had to suspend the program due to the sudden spike in cases. Yet, does Hawaii really want visitors now?

“I want people to come if they are fully prepared to test, know that they are healthy and are prepared to wear a mask,” mentions Lt Gov Josh Green, one of the leaders of the program. “If they do all those things, we are excited to resume our relationship with old friends,” he continues. He adds, however, that “…we are very mindful of risk, and we’re just trying to begin the process of a healthy restoration of our economy. We are not pushing for any large numbers. We just want to begin to kind of shake off the rust.”
To participate in the program—and to be given the chance to enter the state, all would-be visitors are required to undergo testing. This is a mandatory protocol that includes testing children who are aged 5 and above. Aside from the tests being done at least 72 hours before leaving the mainland, they should also be undertaken by accredited testing centers or health care agencies.
Green advises travelers to consult their chosen accredited testers regarding their own testing protocols. He mentions that some of these testing centers do not provide testing for children. Some merely offer COVID-19 tests to children who are 12 years old and above.

Nevertheless, the COVID-19 home testing kits from Hawaiian Airlines can also be used for testing purposes. Vault Health mentions that children can do their saliva-based COVID-19 test, as well. Big airline companies that provide Hawaii flights also offer travelers the option to take the test at the accredited clinics or have them done at the airports. They can also opt to do the home tests, as well.
A few of these airlines provide faster test results, too. For a fee of $250, United Airlines offers rapid testing at the San Francisco International Airport. For this kind of test, results are provided in a few minutes. Travelers can also obtain the tests from Walgreens and CVS.
However, the tests may only allow travelers to enter Hawaii. Traveling between islands may require vacationers to undergo additional COVID-19 tests, though. This is a protocol that applies not only to tourists but to Hawaiians, as well. They will also need to do the necessary 14-day quarantine each time they reach a new island.

Additionally, a second COVID-19 test may be requested from visitors, four days after arriving in Hawaii. This allows the government to make sure that visitors are, indeed, negative from the virus. Records suggest that 1 out of 1000 visitors are known to have come up positive during the retesting.
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