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

The business of legal cannabis is rapidly growing on both medicinal and recreational fronts. In fact, last year legal cannabis sales soared in the United States to $5.4 billion, a 17.4% increase.

However, cannabis itself is a fairly perplexing substance. It has close to 500 active compounds, and at least 113 of these belong to a family of diverse chemical compounds called cannabinoids.

Of this group, the two most common and researched compounds are THC and CBD – but they are vastly different. As new strains and product offerings become available in the legal cannabis sector, it is more important than ever before for investors to understand the difference between these two compounds.

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

The following infographic comes to us from food sciences company Lexaria Bioscience (OTCQB:LXRP) (CSE:LXX) and it shows the key differences between THC and CBD. It provides fundamental knowledge for investors, patients, and regulators that want to better understand this quickly growing sector of business.

In the comparison of THC vs. CBD, it’s clear that the two compounds are vastly different. While they both interact with receptors in the body, they produce different effects.

To start, THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a psychoactive compound while CBD, or cannabidiol, does not affect the mind in the same capacity.

THC has the following effects on a user:

• Analgesic: Relieves pain and inflammation
• Relaxing: Creates sense of relaxation and well-being
• Drowsiness: Induces sleep
• Euphoria: Creates “high”
• Appetite Stimulant: Creates urge to eat

While CBD’s medicinal effects are making CBD-heavy strains a popular choice for patients:

• Anti-inflammatory: Combats inflammation and pain
• Anticonvulsant: Suppresses seizure activity
• Antiemetic: Reduces nausea and vomiting
• Antipsychotic: Combats psychosis
• Anti-oxidant: Combats neurodegenerative diseases
• Anti-depressant: Combats anxiety and depression
• Anti-tumoral: Combats tumor and cancer cells
• Neuro-protective: May protect neurons in the brain

As a result of these effects, THC is typically used to treat pain, nausea, sleep apnea, or stress disorders, as well as to combat the symptoms or side effects of chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, AIDS, or spinal injuries.

CBD, on the other hand, is being used to treat inflammation, stress, depression and anxiety, while also being used to combat cancer, epilepsy, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, migraines, arthritis, and the side effects of cancer treatments.