What is THC 

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short, is the best-known chemical compound in cannabis. It was first isolated in 1964 by Israeli scientists Raphael Mechoulam and Yechiel Gaoni at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

THC is the cannabinoid that produces the psychoactive effects associated with ingesting cannabis - in other words, it’s what gets you high. It has the ability to change mood and behaviour and many say it helps expand their consciousness. However, ingesting too much THC can also lead to an intense or unfavourable experience, so it’s best to follow the golden rule: start low (percentage) and go slow.

Structurally, THC is almost identical to anandamide, a naturally occurring chemical in our brains. Anandamide works as a neurotransmitter, which sends messages between nerve cells throughout the nervous system.

Because THC structurally mimics an anandamide, it transforms the brain’s communication, affecting the regions of the brain associated with thought, pleasure, sensory awareness and more.

THC floods the brain’s reward system with dopamine, leading many users to feel euphoric and relaxed.
 

What is CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in the resinous flower of cannabis, a plant with a rich history as a medicine going back thousands of years. Today the therapeutic properties of CBD are being tested and confirmed by scientists and doctors around the world. A safe, non-addictive substance, CBD is one of more than a hundred “phytocannabinoids,” which are unique to cannabis and endow the plant with its robust therapeutic profile.

Both CBD and THC have significant therapeutic attributes. But unlike THC, CBD does not make a person feel “stoned” or intoxicated. That’s because CBD and THC act in different ways on different receptors in the brain and body.

CBD can actually lessen or neutralize the psychoactive effects of THC, depending on how much of each compound is consumed. Many people want the health benefits of cannabis without the high – or with less of a high.

The fact that CBD is therapeutically potent as well as non-intoxicating, and easy to take as a CBD oil, makes it an appealing treatment option for those who are cautious about trying cannabis for the first time.