THC vs CBD: What's The Difference? | Pennsylvania Marijuana Card
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are two natural cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are a group of chemical compounds in marijuana that are mainly responsible for producing medicinal benefits. While they are both parts of the cannabis plant, THC and CBD both have their own unique health benefits.
What Is the Difference Between Using THC and CBD?
THC is the compound in cannabis that produces the psychoactive effects, or the ‘high’ feeling patients experience. While some patients enjoy this feeling, others prefer the medicinal benefits of marijuana without the psychoactive effects.
Conversely, CBD does not evoke any psychoactive effects. This is why CBD’s legality has been appropriated more broadly across the U.S. While the majority of CBD oils or products will contain small traces of THC, it is usually below 0.3%, and patients will not experience any cognitive side effects.
What Medicinal Benefits Do THC and CBD Provide?
Both THC and CBD can help improve the health of patients and alleviate symptoms associated with debilitating medical conditions. ​
CBD can be used to help treat the following:
THC can be used to help treat the following:
Can I Use a Combination of THC and CBD Together?
Yes! Using THC and CBD together can help patients reap greater benefits from medical marijuana treatment. There are two main ways that patients can benefit from a combination of THC and CBD:
Research has found that using a combination of THC and CBD can produce substantial effects rather than using either compound on its own. Studies have also shown the two cannabinoids together can help with relief of conditions such as epilepsy and chronic cancer pain.
2. Limit THC’s Psychoactive Effects With CBD
A number of patients who are new to medical marijuana treatment often raise the concern about the psychoactive effects of THC. They may not want to experience the possible side effects like mental impairment or anxiety. Fortunately, studies have shown that CBD can help counteract the psychoactive effects produced by THC.