CBD and THC – Understanding the Benefits and Effects of the Main Cannabinoids
Cannabis Sativa is an intriguing plant by many standards, which has fascinated people for long and has been recently studied extensively. There are many lines of thought that different people have regarding the plant’s use, but the limelight is on how medicinally helpful it can be.
After the Proposition 215 of 1996, there has been a steady and now an incremental rise in legalizing the use of not just medical cannabis, but recreational use too. With that said, there are now more than 35 states that have legalized the use of medical marijuana in some form with the use of recommendations and a medical cannabis card.
But what can be the reason behind how marijuana works? What drives the effects of marijuana are the chemical components present in it, namely cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are present in great quantities in the cannabis plant. Out of the many cannabinoids that are found naturally in the plant Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are the two most prominent ones. Each cannabinoid has a slightly different chemical structure, hence a slight change in how it affects the human body.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
As mentioned, cannabidiol is a cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants, which when used, has been studied to have medicinal benefits. The reason why cannabinoids produce their effects is that our bodies produce endocannabinoids, similar to the phytocannabinoids by the plant. After the compound interacts with the ECS, it produces effects that have been studied to provide pain relief and other medical benefits.
Benefits of CBD
After all the talk, let us now finally look at the benefits of CBD –
- CBD Can Be an Effective Painkiller
Cannabis has been used as a painkiller since Ancient China and is still being used as a promising cure for pain and inflammation. Studies show that CBD interacts with neurotransmitters to produce anti-inflammatory properties and pain reduction effects.
- CBD Helps Reduce Mental Disorder Symptoms
Anxiety disorders and other mental health disorders can have devastating impacts on overall health and well-being. CBD oil has shown promise as a treatment for some mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorders, leading many people who live with these conditions to become interested in this natural approach.
- Neuroprotective Properties of CBD
CBD has been researched to be very helpful to people with neurological disorders. It is so effective in treating epilepsy that the FDA approved the use and production of a CBD-based drug called Epidiolex. CBD has been shown to be a safe and effective way to reduce muscle spasticity in people with MS. It reduced spasms in 75% of 276 people with MS who were experiencing muscle spasticity that was resistant to medications.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Of almost all the stereotypes associated with consuming marijuana, most of them are the effects produced by THC. THC is the main psychoactive compound present in the cannabis plant and interacts with the Endocannabinoid System. Unlike CBD, THC has a very different effect range when consumed and can be medicinally beneficial too.
Benefits of THC
Even with its psychoactive properties, there are many plusses that shine out for the compound. Here are some –
- THC Can Be Very Helpful With Glaucoma
Using Tetrahydrocannabinol can reduce intraocular pressure and increase blood flow to the eyes. This relieves the pressure on the eyes and can reduce pain significantly in patients with glaucoma.
- THC Can Help Counter Insomnia
People with trouble sleeping can get a sigh of relief with the use of cannabis rich in THC. Many studies suggest that THC along with other cannabinoids can be more than effective in inducing sleep. Not just that, new studies show that THC can also improve breathing during sleep and reduce interrupted sleep.
- THC Can Act as an Appetite Stimulant
THC interacts with the Endocannabinoid System in an effective manner that encourages people to eat more. People recovering from chemotherapy and the use of other post-surgical medications can make people lose their appetite. THC helps regain the lost appetite.
