We’ve talked before about how medical cannabis is far different from other medications. While physicians may provide guidance, the day-to-day choices of what cannabis medications to use are ultimately up to the patient. These choices can be overwhelming, especially with the variety of products available in Florida. After nearly four years of working with patients, we’ve seen patient after patient overlook the role of CBD when working out their medical cannabis routine. And we get it, it’s easy to do. In this post, we’ll cover some of the differences between THC and CBD and why CBD should no longer be an undervalued part of your medical marijuana regimen.
CBD is Misunderstood
One of the main reasons CBD is overlooked - the dispensaries don’t prioritize it. The lineup at an average Florida dispensary will typically consist of about 80-90% THC products, with only a handful of CBD products. THC sells itself, so it’s easy for companies to prioritize it over CBD medicines.
But, it’s just not the dispensaries that overlook CBD.
We’ve also heard from patients who discount CBD or won’t give it a chance. Some have tried it before and tell us that it just doesn’t work for them. When we dig a little deeper, we often find a reason why it didn’t work. Sometimes it’s because they bought it from a questionable source (over-the-counter CBD is notoriously mislabeled), other times it’s because they didn’t give it a long enough time to work. Sometimes it’s because they weren’t taking enough. For many patients, the skepticism and belief that CBD isn’t or hasn’t worked is because CBD is fundamentally different from THC and we can’t gauge the experience in the same way.
THC vs CBD: They Are Actually Very Similiar
I know, we just told you part of why CBD is overlooked is because CBD and THC are fundamentally different - and they are. But they are also very similar. Hang with us and we’ll explain.
CBD, or cannabidiol, has the same molecular structure as THC. They are both made up of 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. However, small changes in their arrangements account for the difference in effects and how they influence the body.
CBD and THC are both phytocannabinoids. When consumed, they target your endocannabinoid system and act similarly to the natural endocannabinoids produced within the body. This means that cannabis molecules are able to target cannabinoid receptors that are already in our bodies. When CBD and THC interact with these receptors, they trigger a chemical process in which our bodies release neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that can send messages to cells to regulate various processes within the body; like pain, immune function, stress, and sleep.
CBD and THC are also both absorbed by your body fat, which means they’ll both be visible in your system long after dosing, and both have long-term effects and benefits on the body.
The Difference Is…
While there are clearly many similarities between the two, CBD and THC have starkly different psychoactive profiles.
Often, you’ll hear CBD described as non-psychoactive. This isn’t exactly true. CBD is still psychoactive, just not in the way THC is. When most of us think of a psychoactive substance, we think about the experience of being high. CBD won’t get us high, but it is still psychoactive and interacts with the brain, helping with things like anxiety and seizures.
Let’s break down how it works a little deeper.
While THC and CBD both like to hang out with CB1 receptors, they don’t all get along at the same level. THC is the life of the party, activating the CB1 receptors with a strong bond. This connection, and the subsequent release of neurotransmitters, is what triggers the profound psychoactive experience and impairment that is common with THC use.
CBD and CB1 don’t quite click in the same way. CBD can only bind very weakly with the CB1 receptor, sometimes not bonding at all. In fact, it even gets in the way of THC, making it harder for THC to find a groove with CB1. While this sounds like a drawback, making room for everyone results in a much smoother psychoactive experience for most consumers. When you take CBD and THC together, you’re much more apt to report a more mellow and relaxed high, with less likelihood of experiencing paranoia or any negative side effects of THC. It’s not all about CB1 receptors though. CBD and THC also have other friends in the body, interacting with different receptors and pathways, working together to provide a synergistic effect.
Because CBD doesn’t have the same pronounced psychoactive effects as THC, patients often assume it’s not working. For many of us, we are so accustomed to pairing the onset of euphoria from THC with feeling better that we overlook other cues in our body that show improvement.
With many of us so accustomed to the quick response of THC, we also tend to get impatient and just don’t give CBD long enough to work. The beneficial properties of CBD compound over time, requiring 4-6 weeks at the proper dosage for most patients to truly see a difference.
You can think of the differences between the two like this: THC is like calling the fire department for help. When they show up, you know it - lights & sirens are blaring and you get immediate assistance. CBD is more like calling a therapist for help, it takes time, commitment, and multiple sessions to see results. The benefits are much more subtle and build up over time. Sometimes we don’t even realize how much it’s helping until we stop.
Benefits of CBD
By interacting with the endocannabinoid system to promote homeostasis, regular use of CBD may help seizures, inflammation, pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, migraines, cancer-related symptoms, inflammatory bowel disease, and more.
When used topically, patients report stunning anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxing, and pain-relieving effects. When dosed orally or by inhalation, it can be calming and relaxing - effects that may be particularly helpful for patients under high stress or those suffering from anxiety.
CBD works synergistically as part of the entourage effect. When paired with THC (and/or other cannabis plant compounds) the sum of all the parts is much more impactful than THC or CBD by itself. Patients report this experience to us regularly - sharing that when they use whole plant medicine and/or THC and CBD together, they experience far better results than using one or the other. We also hear often that patients are able to save money by introducing CBD - it’s usually less expensive than THC counterparts and can help reduce the amount of THC and cannabis in general need to manage symptoms.
Don’t forget, CBD is also the psychoactive equalizer. When taken in amounts greater than THC, most patients will not experience any impairment or euphoria. Many patients don’t want to experience a high or prefer to avoid impairing medications during the day. Taking specific CBD to THC ratios can allow patients to achieve all the benefits of cannabis, at their desired psychoactivity level. This enables patients to use cannabis in a way that suits their individual needs.
How to Get Started
While every patient is different there are two easy ways to bring more CBD into your routine - consume an oral oil or tincture 2-3x daily and mix CBD flower into your THC flower to make your own ratios. For specific guidance and recommendations, be sure to reach out to your cannabis physician or medical provider. If you need a Florida Medical Cannabis Physician, check out our services.
Post Written By: Josh Kerrigan, Patient Educator, and Kristina Risola, MA, CRC, NBC-HWC
