Adult-use marijuana is now legal in Missouri – and medical marijuana since 2018. What a great time for many, with more options to treat pain, nausea, and other health problems – not to mention just plain fun with adult-use weed now legal! However, there’s a lot to learn, like the two most important cannabinoids: CBD and THC. Education is the key to understanding what products could be right for you. This is especially true for new marijuana users who are just getting started.
CBD and THC – the basics
CBD and THC have the same molecular structure but they are arranged a little differently. This explains why the two compounds have different effects on your body. Because THC and CBD are chemically similar to the body’s endocannabinoids, they can interact with our cannabinoid receptors.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that relay messages between cells. The interaction between THC and CBD with your receptors affects the neurotransmitters. This, in turn, can affect many systems of the body — monitoring pain, immunities, stress, and sleep.
The More You Know
We learn more and more amazing facts about the human body every day. For example, the endocannabinoid system is a recent discovery that will help unlock more new treatments that will improve the health of so many people. And the two most famous cannabinoids – CBD and THC – play an intricate part in this system’s overall effectiveness.
There’s a lot of information about CBD and THC treatments out there. You might be asking yourself — what should a new user do to help digest all the information? When you have basic questions – like what are THC and CBD? – you can always count on this blog to help you navigate the whole new world of med and rec marijuana. You can also always count on your budtender at your favorite weed dispensary.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC
THC could be the part of cannabis you’ve heard the most about because of the psychoactive component – THC provides the “high” that marijuana is famous for. However, since marijuana has been illegal for a long time, most of us don’t have experience with it.
The portrayals in films such as Cheech and Chong movies or Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, are funny but don’t really reflect how legally available THC is used nowadays.
THC (also known by its scientific name: tetrahydrocannabinol) is one of the natural compounds found in cannabis. THC binds with cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain to produce the sensation of being high. More recently, THC has been formulated to help people in non-recreational ways.
THC can help with the following conditions:
- Pain
- Glaucoma
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Loss of appetite
- Sleep issues and insomnia
- Muscle spasticity
THC products are available in gummies and edibles, concentrated oils and extracts – as well as actual weed and pre-rolled joints.
With medical and recreational cannabis becoming increasingly accepted throughout the country (and hopefully soon on the federal level!), scientists and researchers will be able to do actual and accepted research on more of the benefits of THC.
Cannabidiol, or CBD
CBD is another compound found in cannabis, and CBD doesn’t have the psychoactive effects that THC does. CBD was recently (2018) approved by the FDA for rare and hard-to-treat forms of epilepsy. CBD binds weakly to the CB1 receptors, but it does help calm some of the psychoactive effects of THC.
CBD has been known for conditions such as:
CBD products are available in gummies, chocolates as well as topicals creams, and gels. Note: most actual marijuana flower (“weed”) will almost all have large amounts of THC. Therefore it’s not really possible to “smoke” CBD-only cannabis.
Navigation of New Info on CBD and THC
You can find a plethora of information on the internet, but no one knows the benefits of THC and/or CBD – or any component of cannabis for that matter – like a passionate budtender at a marijuana dispensary. Therefore, it’s always best to ask your budtender at your favorite dispensary. No post or web article can convey the passion for these benefits like a real person who likely is also a patient.
People with real experience using medical marijuana are the best resource in the world about how products containing THC or CBD can help with real pain and actual health problems.
Lean on Your Budtender
We know that health concerns are deeply personal. Your questions need to be very specific to find products that can address your particular concerns. Questions like — How long does this product take to take effect? What are the potential side effects? How might this product interact with my other medications? – deserve good answers.
Don’t worry – your budtender will be able to help you with these questions and more. The staff at most (all?) dispensaries are highly trained and are always up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in all-things marijuana. They will listen and understand, and most importantly draw from personal experience and knowledge will help you find the answers you’re looking for!
What about CBD and THC?
We thought you’d never ask! Check out our blog on how Marijuana Ratios Work and learn more about benefits of these two powerhouse cannabinoids.
