What Seniors Should Know About Medical Cannabis vs. CBD
Introduction
When people think of the word cannabis, they usually correlate it with the feeling of being “high” or impaired. Research and studies have found that a medical cannabis patient may receive many benefits from products made with THC or CBD, without receiving feelings of discomfort.
The key is talking to your patient care specialist about the goals you’re trying to achieve by using cannabis as medicine, they will be able to assist you in choosing the right products that will be the best fit.
What is THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main psychoactive component in medical cannabis, it is one of the most common cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant.
Our brain has cannabinoid receptors that are responsible for controlling many factors of our body such as pain, mood, and more. These receptors react to THC when used and may lead to solutions our body is looking for, such as pain relief, nausea, inflammation, and seizures.
THC comes in a variety of forms & methods of administration, some of which include:
- Flower
- Oils
- Tinctures
- Edibles
- Capsules
- Cartridges
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is also a main component in the cannabis plant, yet it doesn’t create any psychoactive effects. Like THC, CBD also works with neurotransmitters in your brain that control your mood, memory, thoughts, etc. CBD is a great alternative to getting the benefits of THC, without having to use products containing the component itself.
CBD doesn’t cause any euphoric feeling, instead, it works with other elements in your body linked to personal health & overall well-being. CBD products have been proven to help in the relief of ailments including arthritis, diabetes, chronic pain, insomnia, and more.
CBD comes in a variety of forms, some of which include:
- Gels
- Supplements
- Edibles
- Oils
- Tinctures
- Flower
What is the difference?
THC and CBD are the two main cannabinoids in medical cannabis products, but they affect different parts of our body. While THC and CBD both work with neurotransmitters in our brain, they affect different receptors in the brain.
These neurotransmitters are messengers inside of our brain that send signals to nerves in our bodies. They play an important role in how our body functions, some of which include sleep, appetite, mood, and even our immune system. THC and CBD are very similar and even have the same molecular structure, but since they are arranged differently, they have different overall effects on our bodies.
Conclusion
While THC and CBD are both found in medical cannabis and similar in chemical make-up, the biggest difference is that THC includes a psychoactive component while CBD does not, both of which have health benefits cannabis patients and non-patients can utilize.
At Peninsula Alternative Health, we have an incredible team that can assist with any of your cannabis needs, questions, or concerns for FREE; we’re here to help you along every part of your medical cannabis journey! Visit our campus at 1003 Mt. Hermon Rd. Salisbury, MD, or email patientservices@peninsulamd.com to get started today!