CBD vs. THC: How cannabis interacts with the body
The cannabis plant is unique because it produces a family of chemicals called cannabinoids. These chemicals all have a similar three-dimensional shape. However, subtle differences in the shape of these chemicals can have a big impact on how they make us feel.
The two most common cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis plants that produce mind-altering effects are typically high in THC, and cannabis plants with high CBD (and little or no THC) are legally defined as hemp.
How does THC work, and what does it do?
Most of the mind-altering effects and side effects of cannabis are caused by THC. THC is the primary psychoactive molecule in the cannabis plant.
THC causes mind- and mood-altering effects because it binds to special proteins (receptors) that cover the surface of most of our brain cells. The reason THC fits into these receptors is that its three-dimensional shape is very similar to a natural molecule made by our own brains, called anandamide.
THC’s effects are mostly due to binding at the CB1 receptor. The CB1 receptor is found in many brain regions involved in:
• Thinking
• Planning
• Pain
• Bodily movements
• Learning
• Emotions
THC is even involved in the pain-relieving effects of cannabis. Generally, there are dose-dependent effects of THC. That is, there are more unwanted side effects at higher doses of THC. Over the last several decades, there has been a consistent increase in the strength or amount of THC present in cannabis.
What can CBD help with?
The second-most-common molecule in the cannabis plant is cannabidiol, or CBD. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause problems with body coordination or thinking. In laboratory settings, CBD can reduce the negative side effects of THC such as anxiety and paranoia.
Many people report that CBD helps with pain and sleep, but it’s possible these effects could partly happen because of the placebo effect. At very high doses, oral CBD can relieve anxiety, but anxiety-relieving doses are nearly 10 times higher than a typical dose recommended by doctors.
Much more research is needed, but CBD may be an important tool to protect brain cells and support mental health. Although studies are ongoing, CBD may one day be considered a therapy for psychosis, addiction, and traumatic brain injury, as well as other neurological disorders.
What are the medical benefits of cannabis?
Human research for cannabis’s effectiveness for many diseases is still ongoing. The most well-studied benefits of cannabis are:
• Pain relief
• Improved sleep
• Reduced nausea and vomiting
• Improved appetite
• Improved quality of life
One common finding among many studies is that although cannabis may not treat the main symptoms of a disease (cancer, for example), it improves a person’s quality of life. That is, although their disease itself does not get better, people are able to cope with daily life more easily when they use cannabis.
For neurological conditions and multiple sclerosis
There are several FDA-approved cannabis-like medications. That is, these medicines are cannabinoids, or cousins of the unique chemicals produced by the cannabis plant.
In fact, cannabidiol (Epidiolex) — prescription-level CBD that is used to treat a rare form of epilepsy in children — is made directly from the plant.
Cannabis is also used for diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). Research is ongoing, but some studies suggest that cannabis may also help neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
For nausea, vomiting, and low appetite
Two other FDA-approved medications with medical benefits are nabilone (Cesamet) and dronabinol (Marinol). These are synthetic cannabinoids, not made from the plant. They are prescribed for nausea, vomiting, and low appetite.
For pain
In addition to these FDA-approved medications, the cannabis plant (and products made with cannabis) have genuine health benefits. The most common reason people use cannabis is to manage pain.
Recent research suggests that cannabis could be a safer choice compared to other pain-relieving drugs such as opioids and benzodiazepines. Cannabis may be safer because its side effects are not life threatening. Opioids and benzodiazepines, however, cause thousands of accidental drug overdoses and deaths every year.
For sleep
Both people with and without chronic diseases report that cannabis improves their sleep.
Some studies show that cannabis may help people fall asleep faster, but it may not prevent waking up in the middle of the night.
Although research is still ongoing, cannabis could also be helpful for people with sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome.
For mental health conditions: Anxiety and PTSD
People also commonly use cannabis for anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although anxiety and depression are often experienced together, research suggests that prolonged periods of cannabis use could actually make depression worse.
People use cannabis to treat many other health ailments, such as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. More research is needed to understand how effective cannabis is for these conditions.