For years, people have talked about the federal legalization of marijuana and the problems it might solve. But only recently have Republicans been taking the lead to introduce new bills.
A South Carolina Republican congresswoman, Nancy Mace, recently introduced a bill to decriminalize THC marijuana at the federal level, though it wasn’t entirely well-received.
But it may cast a light on the long-term future of THC use in the United States.
The possibility of federal legalization, as well as new THC products popping up in certain states, has led many to wonder what are the differences between THC and CBD?
In this article, we’re going to consider THC tincture benefits and how they compare to CBD extracts.
What Is THC?
With a variety of cannabis products and new isolates hitting the market, many people are confused, once again, about what makes cannabis marijuana in the first place.
THC is tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD is cannabidiol. Both compounds come from the cannabis plant, though CBD may also come from hemp.
Hemp is simply the fiber of the cannabis plant, grown for mostly industrial reasons because it has very low THC.
Legal hemp contains 0.3 percent THC or less. Legal marijuana contains more than 0.3 percent THC (also called delta-9 THC), which is psychoactive and much more potent than CBD.
You might have also seen legal delta-8 and delta-10 products advertised in states where marijuana is still illegal. These are chemically altered analogs of THC-9 (or real THC, as this article at AireHemp.com explains.
THC vs CBD
When CBD and THC oil is absorbed sublingually (under the tongue) via tincture, both compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system. These compounds also produce different sensations and benefits.
THC produces feelings of euphoria (and sometimes panic, if overdosed) because it binds directly with the CB1 receptor in the brain.
High THC effects also include well-known “pot high” symptoms like short-term memory, elevated heart rate, increased appetite, and uncoordinated speech.
In contrast, CBD has very mild effects, because the 0.3 percent THC level is very low, and also because CBD doesn’t bind to CB1 receptors as well as THC does.
The main difference is that CBD produces feelings of relaxation without intoxication.
Medical Benefits of CBD
There is still debate in the medical and cannabis community about whether CBD cures or treats any medical or psychological condition. Many individual users claim CBD treats:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Inflammation
- Seizures
- Pain
- IBS
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Migraines
The FDA remains unconvinced, however, stating CBD is untested.
Benefits of THC
Bear in mind that while THC and CBD do “crossover” and address many of the same physical/mental conditions, there are a few major differences between the two compounds.
CBD is more effective in treating seizures, which is the reason the FDA approved prescription CBD “Epidiolex” a few years ago. CBD is also better at treating anxiety, since high THC causes more psychoactive and stimulating effects.
THC, on the other hand, is better for appetite stimulation. More importantly, high-THC medical marijuana has shown promise in treating major diseases and psychological problems.
According to various studies, medicinal THC has shown promise in treating:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Some forms of cancer
- Cancer symptoms
- Cancer treatment symptoms
- Chronic pain
- Muscle diseases like Parkinson’s
- Fibromyalgia
- Endometriosis
- PTSD
- HIV
- Crohn’s disease
However, not enough studies have been conducted to prove these benefits, which is why many campaign for more cannabis research.
THC Tincture Benefits
If you’re interested in trying newly legal THC tinctures in the near or distant future and are not a THC or CBD smoker, there are some unique benefits with this delivery method.
THC tinctures have a faster absorption rate than edibles. You can also better manage the dosage and learn your tolerance.
Because tinctures deliver THC directly to the bloodstream, the effects last longer, and the shelf life is extended longer, compared to other delivery methods.
If you can legally buy THC or CBD tinctures in states where it’s legal, why not try both to see if you can experience any positive effects?
For more on cannabis research or to learn more about THC tincture benefits, keep reading and following our blog!