THC Oil vs. CBD Oil

THC is the main psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, which can affect perception and senses, and can be described as a “high.” Due to the way THC activates receptors in the brain, it can offer potential wellness benefits regarding managing discomfort, mental wellness, and mood [1,2].

Unlike THC, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that comes from the cannabis plant. This means that it can offer health benefits without inducing a high. This is especially favored for those who have to undergo regular drug tests or don’t react well to intoxicating substances.

Both CBD and THC oil are similar in that they are both derived from cannabis plants — and have a similar chemical structure. Many people find that oils are a convenient way of benefitting from cannabis, as you can take them sublingually, in food, or applied topically.

CBD: Effects and Benefits

To understand CBD’s effects and potential health benefits, you need to know the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This network balances your mood, sleep, and motivation. CBD supports the ECS by interacting with your cannabinoid receptors, enhancing brain-body communication.

Scientists are just scratching the surface when it comes to CBD products and their potential benefits. While CBD is not an FDA-approved cure for any medical condition, research shows it may be helpful in two main areas: stress management and inflammation.

Main Benefits of CBD:

• Supports sleep quality
• Promotes relaxation
• Aids in muscle recovery
• Supports brain health
• Supports healthy inflammation

CBD for sleep: Studies have shown that CBD may have a positive effect on our sleep cycles. If you are looking to fall asleep, high doses of CBD are associated with a calmer, more relaxed state of mind, which may make falling asleep easier [3]. In lower doses, CBD has been reported to assist with alertness and focus.

CBD for stress: CBD indirectly interacts with 5-HT1A receptors in our body. As these receptors help to keep our emotions balanced, CBD may assist in mood balance and managing stress [4].

CBD for inflammation/pain relief: CBD indirectly interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors [5] which modulate pain perception. CBD can possibly offer pain-relieving benefits due to this interaction, especially for neuropathic or inflammation-related pain.

Does CBD Oil Contain THC?

CBD oil can contain THC, but that depends on whether the product is labeled as full spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate.

• Full spectrum CBD Oil: this is CBD oil with trace amounts of THC (up to 0.3%) — it will also contain other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids from the hemp plant to maximize the effects of CBD. Note that even trace amounts may be enough to show up on a drug test.
• Broad spectrum CBD Oil: This is CBD oil without THC, but it will still have other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
• CBD isolate Oil: this oil is made with up to 99.9% pure CBD with no other cannabinoids, terpenes, or THC.

CBD: Possible Side Effects

You may be wondering if you’ll experience any adverse effects from taking cannabis-derived compounds like CBD — the good news is that it’s highly unlikely. CBD is generally safe to use for most people, even in high doses. Studies have shown that CBD has an overall low risk with short-term use, but more research is needed for side effects in the long run.

In rare instances, potential temporary side effects of CBD can include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• An upset stomach

Is CBD Oil Legal?

CBD oil derived from hemp (≤0.3%THC) is federally legal in the US under the 2018 Farm Bill. However, if the CBD oil is marijuana derived — which is not common — then it would only be legal in areas where marijuana has been legalized.

The legality of cannabis products varies worldwide. We recommend checking what your state allows to put you 100% at ease before purchasing.

CBD Oil: The Fan Favorite

As we mentioned earlier, CBD isn’t an approved cure for any condition, but many of our customers have shared that it has helped them manage their anxiety.

One of our customers, Mihail, said that our High Potency CBD oil is really helpful for calming his mental chatter:

“​​When my mind's going a mile a minute, just a bit more than a quarter dropper and poof, the stress is gone. Early evening, a few drops team up with my nightly dose of dream tincture, setting me up for the most restful sleep ever.”

A lot of medications used for sleep and stress can leave you feeling drowsy or a bit disoriented — which can be annoying if you need to be on your A-game throughout the day. Our CBD oil could provide a great natural alternative to keep you calm and level-headed at the same time. With 100mg of high-quality CBD per serving, you’re getting double the amount of CBD compared to other high-strength products on the market.

Some CBD oils, like this full-spectrum option, contain trace amounts of THC, which can enhance the entourage effect — boosting benefits without strong psychoactive effects. But if you’re looking for something with a bit more of a kick, THC oil offers a different experience. We’ll get into that next.

THC: Effects and Benefits

What you’ve likely heard about THC is that it’s the main psychoactive compound that gets you high — and in high doses, that’s true. Most THC products will give you a euphoric buzz and your senses may be sharpened. But you probably haven’t heard of all the ways in which THC can help our bodies function.

THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system differently than CBD, binding more strongly to brain and nervous system receptors. This can help boost mood and ease serious discomfort.

Main Benefits of THC:

• Discomfort support
• Euphoric feelings
• Stimulates appetite
• Enhances sensory perception
• Supports healthy inflammation

THC for sleep: Studies show that THC’s interaction with the ECS can influence our sleep patterns. In low doses, THC may help people fall asleep faster, but in higher doses, it may make it harder to fall asleep [2].

THC for pain relief: As we mentioned before, THC binds strongly to CB1 receptors located in the brain and nervous system. This interaction shows promise in providing relief from acute pain, neuropathic pain, and chemotherapy-related pain (including nerve pain) [2].

THC: Possible Side Effects

How THC affects you comes down to how your body responds to its psychoactive properties. This will vary from person to person. In some cases, potential side effects of THC may include:

• Dry eyes and mouth
• Upset stomach
• Feelings of anxiousness
• Forgetfulness
• Impaired motor control

While THC is psychoactive, it is not physically addictive like alcohol or caffeine. However, some users can develop a psychological dependence.

It’s important when trying THC products for the first time to start low and slow. For a beginner dose of THC oil, we recommend about the size of a grain of rice. You can increase this dose over time if you see fit.

Is THC Oil Legal?

If THC oil is hemp-derived, then it is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. But, in your search for THC oil, you might find that there are a lot of marijuana-derived THC oils out there which may not be allowed in your state as it is a controlled substance.

THC Oil: Our Recommendation

There are a lot of THC oils out there which focus on a “high” as their main benefit.

But, we found that there was something missing on the market — an oil which would give you a functional buzz plus additional wellness benefits.

So, we created a potent full-spectrum THC oil that lets you experience the benefits of THC along with other cannabinoids. By packing all of the plant’s potential benefits into one bottle, many of our customers have found relief from persistent pain.

One of our customers, Lisa, finds that the oil really helps her with chronic back pain in particular:

“Last night I tried this for my chronic, severe, back pain and was surprised at how well it worked. It completely eased my pain, as well as helped me relax. I will be turning to this product again when my back pain gets out of control. Thank you!”

There are a lot of “cannabis-cowboys” out there, so it’s important to know where the THC oil you’re buying comes from. Poorly sourced THC can contain harmful additives or inconsistent potency, making it less effective and potentially unsafe. To ensure a potent but pure product, we source all of our THC from non-GMO hemp.

Note: As everyone’s bodies are different, we recommend consulting with your healthcare practitioner before incorporating a THC product into your daily routine.

Is Cannabis Oil the Same as CBD Oil?

Cannabis oil is not the same as CBD oil. Cannabis oil is a broad term that can refer to any oil made from cannabis — including both hemp-derived and marijuana-derived oils. All CBD oils will fall under the cannabis oil umbrella, but not all cannabis oils will fall under the CBD oil umbrella.

For example, you may get THC isolate oil, which would be a cannabis oil but wouldn’t be classified as a CBD oil.

Hemp Oil vs. THC Oil: Understanding Hemp Extracts

Hemp oil, hemp extract, and THC oil are completely different compounds with key differences.

Hemp oil or hemp seed oil is made from hemp seeds, which are rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Because hemp seeds don’t have high amounts of cannabinoids in them, hemp seed oil will contain no THC or CBD (unless labeled otherwise). This oil can be used for cooking, similar to olive oil, or in beauty products.

Hemp extract, on the other hand, is made from the entire hemp plant. As cannabinoids are located throughout the hemp plant, if a product is full/broad spectrum, then it will likely be classified as a hemp extract — as many parts of the plant make up the finished product. This would include full-spectrum hemp-derived THC oils.

We know that all of these categories may be confusing, but the key terms you need to look out for on a label are — “hemp-derived” or “marijuana-derived,” and “full spectrum,” “broad spectrum” or “isolate.” This will give you a clear picture of the legal status of your product, and whether or not it contains THC.

Choosing Between CBD Oil or THC Oil

Now that we have explored the power of CBD vs. THC, let’s explore which oil will work best for you.

CBD oil is the everyday helper:

CBD oil may relieve daily stress, sore muscles, or general discomfort. If you’re heading into a stressful work day, then a few drops of CBD in your green juice could help calm the nerves. Or, if you’ve got a fun day of activities planned, CBD oil could offer you some added relaxation, making you more present and blissful.

THC oil is the nighttime superman:

THC oil may offer relief from chronic discomfort and make falling asleep easier. If you are someone who has tried everything for physical pain but can’t find a solution without intense side effects, THC could provide a more natural alternative. Taking a drop of THC before bedtime could help relax your body and guide you into a deep, restorative rest.

What We Suggest

Finding the right oil for you all comes down to understanding what works best for your body and lifestyle. Let’s quickly refresh your memory on the main differences between THC and CBD:

• THC oil: psychoactive oil best used for falling asleep, chronic discomfort, or appetite loss. It will give you a buzz and a mood boost.
• CBD oil: non-psychoactive oil best used for managing stress, supporting healthy inflammation and mild discomfort — will give you a sense of ease and calm.

If you’re looking to benefit from either THC or CBD oil, consider checking out our full collection — where we offer you some of the most potent, pure formulas on the market. We also ensure that all of our products are third-party lab tested (independent labs have confirmed the purity of our ingredients) — saving you the question marks.

Before you make your decision, we advise doing two things: consulting with a healthcare practitioner to make sure that THC/CBD will work with your regimen, and checking your state laws, to ensure that the product is allowed in your area.

References

1. Zou, S., & Kumar, U. (2018). Cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system: signaling and function in the central nervous system. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(3), 833.
2. Vučković, S., Srebro, D., Vujović, K. S., Vučetić, Č., & Prostran, M. (2018). Cannabinoids and pain: new insights from old molecules. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 416167.
3. Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series. The Permanente Journal, 23, 18-041.
4. Haney, M. (2022). Cannabis use and the endocannabinoid system: a clinical perspective. American Journal of Psychiatry, 179(1), 21-25.
5. McKenna, M., & McDougall, J. J. (2020). Cannabinoid control of neurogenic inflammation. British Journal of Pharmacology, 177(19), 4386-4399.