Are you a newbie to cannabis? For starters, you need to know the difference between THC and CBD. Both cannabinoids are derived from the cannabis plant, but they are vastly different.

THC is characterized by how cannabis makes you feel, while CBD's effects are intangible. The critical difference is that, unlike THC, CBD does not cause intoxication. It also tackles one of the most common reasons for using CBD: pain relief.

CBD can also counteract some of THC's intoxicating effects. It prevents THC from activating cannabinoid receptors by binding to them, which leads to a milder psychoactive effect, which is why products containing both CBD and THC are ideal for newcomers. This does not mean that CBD doesn't have an impact of its own. CBD in high doses can have a profoundly calming effect. Your body can feel tingly and comfortable, and your mind may be calm, like getting out of a hot tub.

CBD vs. THC: Psychoactive Differences

When comparing CBD vs. THC, one of the most important distinctions is whether the cannabis product can produce a euphoric or psychoactive effect when consumed. The following table compares the effects of CBD and THC.

What are the side effects of THC?

THC is the cannabinoid responsible for cannabis's intoxicating effects. It is a cannabinoid one receptor (CB1) direct agonist found predominantly in the brain and central nervous system of the endocannabinoid system. THC activates CB1 receptors, which produce the intoxicating and euphoric effects of medicinal and recreational cannabis.

What are the side effects of CBD?

CBD does not bind to CB1 receptors and is therefore classified as a CB1 antagonist, which means that no amount of CBD, no matter how much is eaten, will ever cause intoxication. CBD also suppresses the CB1-activating properties of compounds like THC, which means that using CBD and THC together may reduce THC's psychoactive effects.