Tracy The cannabis market is booming. From niche group meetups with red wine and “420-friendly snacks” to alternative products like coffee, tea, and honey – there’s a growing variety of ways to enjoy cannabis.
Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most commonly known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Both have been extensively studied for their potential benefits in aiding everything from pain management to epilepsy, MS, anxiety attacks, psoriasis, nausea, and chronic inflammation.
Anecdotally speaking, it seems as though more people have heard of THC than CBD. This makes sense because THC has psychoactive effects while CBD does not. However, THC and CBD have many benefits that you might not know about.
Let’s dive into what they are, along with some different types of products that each one comes in:
Contents
What are the benefits of CBD?
CBD has become known as the “Goldilocks” cannabinoid – because it has been shown to have a minimal psychoactive effect. This is excellent news for people who are looking for the health benefits of cannabis without the high.
CBD is extracted from both hemp and cannabis plants. It’s one of the phytocannabinoids your body produces naturally: studies have shown that it activates the receptors in your body that regulate pain, anxiety, and immune response.
CBD is also non-toxic, non-addictive, and has few side effects. In terms of specific benefits, CBD has been shown to help with everything from chronic pain and inflammation to anxiety and sleep disorders.
What are the benefits of THC?
THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the “head high” sensation you get from smoking or ingesting cannabis products like edibles or tinctures. It’s a significant part of what makes cannabis an enjoyable and relaxing recreational experience.
THC is also anti-inflammatory and an anti-oxidant. It’s been shown to help with everything from insomnia to chronic pain, nausea, and even MS. It’s also been used to treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and anxiety.
Some people also use THC to cope with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Tourette’s, epilepsy, and Huntington’s.
THC Edibles
Edibles are one of the most common forms of cannabis consumption. They’re easy to make, can be highly potent, and come in various tasty forms. You can find everything from chocolate bars to gummy candies, cookies, and even peanut butter.
Unfortunately, eating cannabis edibles is a different experience than smoking or vaping them. The process takes longer, the high lasts longer, and you need to be extra careful that you don’t overdo it.
You may have also heard that edibles are very risky and can be very dangerous. This is true, but it doesn’t have to be. You can eat edibles safely if you know what to look for.
When it comes to edibles, it’s best to start with a low dose. And you should wait at least two hours for the effects to kick in before you eat more.
THC Topicals and CBD Topicals
Topical products are applied directly to the skin. They can be used in a variety of ways but are commonly used to treat pain and inflammation. You’ve probably heard of arnica cream, a common topical product used to reduce muscle soreness.
Topical cannabis products are helpful for types of pain that aren’t easily managed with an edible or tincture. Because they’re applied to the skin, they are easily absorbed into the bloodstream.
CBD topical gels and creams are effective against many skin disorders and diseases, including psoriasis, eczema, acne, and shingles. They work by supplementing your body’s endocannabinoid system and increasing blood flow to the areas where the topical is applied. This has been shown to reduce pain and swelling dramatically.
Delta 8 THC products
Delta 8 THC products are made using a specific process that converts some of the THC found in the plant into another chemical known as Delta 8 THC. Delta 8 THC is a cannabinoid similar to THC but has a longer duration.
Delta 8 THC products are available in edibles, tinctures, topical creams, and gels. They have been shown to provide pain relief for up to 12 hours, which is an hour longer than THC alone.
These types of products are great for long-term chronic pain and sleep disorders. The downside to Delta 8 THC products is that they are more expensive and harder to find.
Conclusion
Regarding cannabis, THC and CBD are two essential cannabinoids. There are many types of cannabis products and ways to consume them. When choosing a product, you should consider your health, needs, and desired effects.
