Updated: September 13, 2023
In the U.S., both the recreational and medical use of cannabis is legal in 19 states. An additional 36 more, including Missouri, allow marijuana use just for medicinal purposes. As the legal use of cannabis products grows, more people are becoming curious about their options, specifically when it comes to which cannabis compound they can use.
Cannabis Compounds: Your Options
When you buy your medical marijuana from a dispensary in Missouri, you have two options: THC or CBD. Both of these are compounds found in the cannabis plant and they each have different effects on the body.
The THC or tetrahydrocannabinol compound mainly gives the “high” sensation when you smoke or ingest marijuana any other way. Meanwhile, the CBD or cannabidiol compound does not have the same psychoactive content as THC. Instead, the CBD compound is more popular for its health benefits.
THC vs. CBD: The Medicinal Benefits
Although THC is more known for its psychoactive properties, science has demonstrated that this compound does have medicinal purposes.
First and foremost, THC provides pain relief. With 50 million Americans living in chronic pain, this characteristic of THC is vital in relieving people’s pain. This ability was proven in an FDA-approved study in 2013, which showed THC’s effectiveness to activate pathways in the central nervous system that prevents pain signals from being carried to the brain.
What’s more, medical THC can also be used to calm people with Autism when they experience episodes of anxiety and meltdowns. The compound’s ability to relax muscle not only helps people with anxiety but also those who experience muscle cramping or suffer from multiple sclerosis. This very property can also help people with insomnia sleep better.
CBD Flower vs. THC Flower
On the other hand, cannabidiol’s more publicized medical benefits include its anti-inflammatory properties, anxiety and stress reduction, as well as diabetes and obesity risk reduction.
The CBD compound’s anti-inflammatory property helps treat arthritis, atherosclerosis, and periodontitis. Inflammation is also associated with certain types of cancer, so CBD has the potential to reduce the risk of cancer.
The compound also helps reduce stress and anxiety, at least for the short term, according to several studies. It’s still unclear, though, what properties of CBD work towards treating anxiety disorders. Meanwhile, the risk of obesity and diabetes for cannabis users was a third lower than non-cannabis users, as was demonstrated in a 2011 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
CBD VS. THC for Anxiety
CBD and THC are both compounds found in the cannabis plant, and both have been studied for their potential to treat anxiety. While THC is the psychoactive compound that causes a “high,” CBD does not produce this effect. Both have potential therapeutic applications for anxiety but differ in how they work.
THC acts directly on the endocannabinoid system, which is the body’s natural receptors for cannabis compounds. This direct activation of the endocannabinoid system can produce a wide range of effects, including relief from anxiety.
CBD, on the other hand, works more indirectly to help reduce anxiety. It works by blocking enzymes that break down anandamide, a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in the body and has been linked to reduced
Which is Right for You?
Because both THC and CBD have therapeutic qualities, it may be difficult to choose which one is right for your particular ailment. If you’re considering using any type of cannabis for medicinal purposes, you must speak to your doctor or to a cannabis professional who can help you determine which to choose. Please Contact Us for THC and CBD today!
What’s more, you should also research how to take your cannabis if you’re going to use it. Today, cannabis products not only come in the form of dried leaves that can be smoked but also as a variety of products. There are now edibles such as gum, tea, and coffee, and topical oils that are all cannabis-based.
If you’re looking for a safe and reliable source of cannabis products, don’t hesitate to visit Latitude Dispensary in Osage Beach, MO. We provide a wide array of premium cannabis products and a safe and inviting environment with excellent customer service.