CBD Oil vs THC Oil: What is the difference?
When you make a Google search for the term “cannabis oil”, you will come across listings of various CBD and THC products. Whilst they may be derived from the same plant and even have the same chemical makeup (21 carbon, 30 hydrogen, and 2 oxygen atoms), the difference is that they do not have the same chemical arrangement; therefore, the body receives them as entirely different compounds.
There is a fair amount of confusion about the difference between CBD and THC oil, especially with current cannabis laws. Please find out more about the critical differences between these oils today with our helpful guide.
Firstly, what is a Cannabinoid?
A cannabinoid is a natural compound that is found in the cannabis plant. There are many different varieties of cannabis plants, but within Europe, it is typically only legal to grow the Cannabis Sativa variety which produces two main cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
There are actually over 100 cannabinoids present within the plant, such as CBDa, CBGa and CBN. When taken, Cannabinoids interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a significant role in regulating the body’s processes. There are two primary cannabinoid receptors in the body: type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2).
If you are interested in learning more about cannabidiol’s effect on the Endocannabinoid System or cannabinoids, click on the link to our blog posts.
What is THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol is one of the most abundant cannabinoids in cannabis found in high concentrations in the Cannabis Indica plant. Discovered by Israeli organic chemist Raphael Mechoulam in 1964 is the substance that gets you “high”.
THC binds to CB1 receptors, which are located throughout the body. The effects of tetrahydrocannabinol are widespread, and they include appetite stimulation (munchies), euphoria (feeling high) and altered memory. More unpleasant side effects also include ‘dry mouth’ and an increased heart rate.
For non-medical purposes, products containing more than 0.2% THC are illegal in the UK. It can, however, be prescribed for medical use, such as in the medicine Sativex, a spray prescribed to those who have Multiple Sclerosis, and the first cannabis-based medicine licensed in the UK. The regulated product contains both THC and CBD relieves muscular spasticity.
What is THC Oil?
It is often referred to as hash oil, or honey oil, due to its likeness to the sticky sweetener. THC oils often have a very high tetrahydrocannabinol concentration, with almost no cannabidiol. With most such oils, the purpose of taking them is to get “high”. While this makes up around 40% of revenue for cannabis retailers in California, THC oils are illegal in most of Europe.
THC oil is illegal in the UK
You may also have heard of vape oils sold in cartridges or e-liquid bottles for use with vaporisers. Many believe that vaping THC oil is ‘healthier’ than smoking weed, but this is not the case. Vaping has not been around long enough for us to fully understand how it affects the body. What is more, many oils are mixed with harmful additives. When heated, these can produce cancer-causing compounds, including formaldehyde and some young people are already developing life-threatening illnesses from these oils, such as bronchiolitis.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid with many unique properties. This means that it does not get you “high”. It is one of over 113 naturally occurring cannabinoids in the Cannabis Sativa plant and in the UK and many other countries, CBD is entirely legal. Early scientific studies suggest that cannabidiol may bind to CB1 receptors differently to tetrahydrocannabinol and research is ongoing.
What is CBD Oil?
They are typically produced by mixing isolate or distillate cannabidiol with a ‘carrier’ oil such as hemp or coconut oil. Cannabidiol oil can be consumed in a variety of ways – tincture bottles, capsules, gummies, and sprays, to name a few, and is widely available in UK pharmacies, Boots, and high street retailers.
In most countries, CBD Oil must contain below a certain level of tetrahydrocannabinol. In the UK, cannabis oils that contain no more than 0.2% THC are legal. Each CBD product for sale must not contain more than 1mg of THC.
Compliant brands will select Cannabis Sativa strains that are naturally very low in tetrahydrocannabinol to ensure that this standard is met. Reputable cannabidiol experts and producers, such as Dragonfly Biosciences, will also use specialist extraction techniques to ensure that all THC is removed from their products before hitting the high street shelves.
What’s the difference between CBD and THC?
THC oils, as their name suggests, mostly contain tetrahydrocannabinol and most do not include CBD. They are illegal and likely to cause the ‘high’ feeling.
However, pure oils will not induce a ‘high’ and are legal food supplements used widely in people’s wellness routines.
If you are ever in doubt about the CBD oil you have taken or thinking about purchasing, ensure to check the lab reports. You can trace the batch number of every Dragonfly Biosciences product to its third-party test results.
If a company does not provide independent third-party lab reports, it is impossible to know for sure what their products contain.
Dragonfly CBD Oil
Dragonfly CBD produces the finest organic cannabidiol products. We control the production process from seed to shelf, ensuring quality at every step to ensure that there is no THC present in any of our products. It is part of our mission to build trust, transparency and education in CBD oil and why we make our batch-specific third-party lab reports easily accessible for anyone to read.
Dragonfly CBD oils can be bought at the UK’s largest retailers and pharmacy chains, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Boots and Amazon. Find out where you can buy CBD near you, or read some reviews from our customers!
Feel free to contact us for more expert advice.