iCrowdNewswire Mar 5, 2021 6:26 AM ET
The cannabis industry has seen tremendous growth over the years, following the continuing legalization for both medicinal and adult recreational use. A recent research shows that, by the year 2027, the global market size shall have reached USD 73.6.
Just less than a decade ago, cannabis was illegal in all the U.S. states. Fast forward today, it is legal in more than 30 states and the trend is set to continue. In as much as its decriminalization began in 1973 in the U.S., cannabis was first legalized in 1996.
California was the first state to legalize medicinal cannabis, which paved way for the rest of the states to also push for the legalization of medical marijuana. However, in as much as marijuana is hyped, most people still don’t know what it is in terms of composition and methods of consumption.
Here is a basic guide differentiating between the two most active components of cannabis.
What is CBD and what does it do?
CBD(Cannabidiol) comes in second as a renowned active component in cannabis. CBD is a key component of medicinal cannabis. There are also a range of ways to ingest CBD meaning that there’s probably a suitable modality no It is important to note that, CBD is non-psychoactive and, therefore, not responsible for the feeling of being high after using marijuana.
Being non-psychoactive, CBD makes for an excellent therapeutic cannabis element. When ingested into the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), CBD benefits the body in many ways.
The ECS is a complex system in the human body that affects several important processes within the body, such as memory, mood, sleep, and appetite, among others. Examples of the health benefits are;
- Treatment of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
- Reduces chronic pain
- Used as a remedy for depression and anxiety
- Treatment of nausea, vomiting, and pain in chemotherapy patients.
- It is believed to be an efficient and safe way to combat acne
- Used in the treatment of neurological disorders like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis
Although CBD is generally considered safe, it may cause adverse reactions such as diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. It could also interfere with certain medications.
What is THC and what does it do?
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol and is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces the high sensation. It is also responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects.
THC brings about ecstasy, by triggering the brain to produce dopamine.
However, when used in controlled doses, THC possess medicinal values which include;
- Treatment or prevention of nausea and vomiting among cancer patients
- Increase appetite among patients with AIDS
- May be able to improve memory when taken in small doses.
When consumed, THC can bring about hallucinations, change your thinking process, and cause delusions. THC takes between 10 to 30 after consumption to make an impact with the effects lasting for about two hours. However, the psychomotor impairment may continue after the “high” has stopped.
Reported side effects of THC include;
- Anxiety
- Elation
- Loss of short-term memory
- Can trigger relapse in schizophrenic patients
- Decrease in IQ, memory, and cognition, especially in younger people
The psychoactive effects of THC are the ones that make marijuana the most popular drug.
Different ways to consume both THC and CBD
Just as there are numerous strains of cannabis, there are countless ways to ingest it for its effects. Here are some of the ways;
Smoking: Smoking is a widely used mode of consumption. A pipe, bong, or joint is usually used to smoke. The onset of THC or CBD reaction happens almost immediately. Smoking cannabis may not be so healthy because the smoke generated from burning papers contains carcinogenic compounds, which may compromise your immunity and lungs.
Vaping: This mode of ingestion is smokeless. Vaporizers are used to heat the elements at a high temperature such that, the trichomes are released through evaporation. Vaping is one of the safest modes of ingesting cannabis.
Other modes of consumption include; edibles, tinctures, topicals, Full Spectrum Oils(FSO), and dabbing.
Conclusion
The main active ingredients in cannabis are, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and, Cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis has been a popular drug worldwide for years. Today, many states have legalized the medicinal use of cannabis with the rest still pushing for its legalization. There are numerous modes of consuming both THC and CBD. It can be through, smoking, vaping, edibles, tinctures among others. That said, anyone who is considering using cannabis should first check that it is legal in their state. You should also consider its possible effects on your mental and physical health.
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