CBD vs. THC: What’s the Difference?
Potency is one of the most important factors that cannabis users consider when choosing their favourite marijuana strains.
In many peoples’ minds, the most potent cannabis strains have a high THC content.
Because of the powerful effects of THC, cannabis strains with high THC content have always been in high demand.
But this is gradually changing.
Many customers are moving to less intense flowers, essentially ones with lower THC content and high CBD (Cannabidiol) content.
While THC is known for its fast and effective high, CBD is non-intoxicating. Both CBD and THC are extracted from the cannabis plant.
Although they come from the same plant, these two compounds are technically different in many ways.
Their differences might influence your next cannabis purchase.
What are high-CBD cannabis strains?
In most cases, CBD is the second most abundant cannabinoid in the marijuana plant.
A cannabis strain might have CBD and THC content within the following ratios:
- High THC content, low in CBD (for example 10-30% of THC and trace amounts of CBD)
- Balanced THC/CBD (eg 5-15% of CBD content and THC)
- Low THC, high CBD (eg. 5-20% of CBD content and under 5% of THC)
While high THC strains deliver euphoric highs, high-CBD strains are known for their clear-headed effects.
Strains with high CBD are the natural alternatives for consumers who are sensitive to the strong side effects of THC (including paranoia, anxiety and dizziness).
Additionally, if you need medication throughout the day to control inflammation, pain and anxiety, your ideal choice would be a high CBD strain.
Balanced THC/CBD strains tend to give more euphoric effects than CBD dominant strains, although they less commonly induce paranoia, anxiety or any other negative side effects.
Such strains are effective pain relievers and are also good for patients who feel they are too sensitive to THC.
There are many ways of consuming CBD strains, including smoking and vaping. You can also eat CBD-infused edibles, apply CBD lotion, swallow an oil capsule rich in CBD or use a CBD tincture.
It’s important to note that CBD can also be found in hemp, although this source is inefficient as it lacks the beneficial chemical components available in cannabis-derived CBD products.
What are the medical benefits of CBD?
CBD is well suited to treat a variety of conditions and the list seems to keep on growing.
We have listed the most common conditions and symptoms that can be combated using CBD products.
- Epilepsy and seizure disorders
- PTSD and anxiety
- Pain and inflammation
- Multiple sclerosis
- Opioid withdrawal
- Crohn’s disease
Although there’s clinical evidence to show CBD’s effectiveness in managing different conditions, CBD became popular after it was successfully used to combat a rare form of pediatric epilepsy known as Dravet’s syndrome. This condition is resistant to approved treatment methods. People with this condition experience seizures, which can sometimes reach over a hundred in a day. Seizures often worsen as patients age and can even become life-threatening.
The currently approved methods of treating Dravet’s syndrome include putting children on special diets, having them wear an eye patch, or having them undergo brain surgery. All of these treatment methods have mixed rates of success.
CBD strains seem to effectively treat this syndrome. One of the earliest recorded success stories involved a girl named Charlotte, who ingested oil that had been extracted from Charlotte’s Web, a CBD strain specifically developed to give all the benefits without giving a high.
It took less than two years for Charlotte to move from over 1,200 monthly seizures to just three.
Her case opened doors for many more patients and parents are now speaking out in support of the CBD-rich drugs. The most vocal parents are the ones desperate to get their hands on these effective drugs.
While CBD has no known lethal side effects, it’s still banned in the US & many other countries around the world.
CBD is not widely used to treat Dravet’s syndrome because the idea of using cannabis-based products to treat children is frowned upon by a society that stigmatizes cannabis consumption.
And while THC is best known for its powerful and euphoric effects, it also has some medical benefits itself, of course.
Although there’s a fine line between what THC and CBD can treat, THC has proved to be effective in treating the following conditions: cancer, headaches, nausea, nerve, insomnia, and many more.
Many patients prefer balanced THC and CBD drugs as these offer the best relief for most of their symptoms proving CBD and THC can work together effectively to relieve symptoms.
What are some high-CBD strains that I can try?
It’s worth noting that CBD content may vary from plant to plant, or from crop to crop. However, some strains are bred to contain high CBD levels and could be a perfect place to start.
Check out our Super Mario CBD strain today if you’d like to experience a high-CBD, low-THC marijuana strain: