Is CBD a compliment or replacement to THC?
Truth is that it's not a binary yes/no answer. To help determine what is ideal for you, examine for which parts of the body you are seeking to affect.
To answer this we look at how each molecule behaves in the body. Cellular receptors called CB1 are found in the neurogenerative areas of the body, which is your brain and nerves.
CB2 receptors are the other type of ECS receptor and found in tissues that are not the brain and nerves. That means the heart, skin, bones, intestines, and generally most of the important organs in your body, other than the brain.
For instance if someone has lot of inflammation in bone or muscle tissue, then CB2 receptors would probably be a primary target instead of CB1.
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In that case CBD might be more appropriate since it tends to bind to CB2 and doesn't make you high. This assumes no neuro-related treatment is also sought.
In contrast, THC will bind to both CB1 and CB2, and has a tendency to quickly bind to CB1 first but can and does bind to CB2 as well.
CBD has a lower ability for ECS binding overall, and targets CB2 while ignoring CB1.
This explains why you don't get high with CBD, because those molecules will not activate the CB1 receptors in your brain and thus no perception of highness can be felt.
CBD Products and Availability
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There are two primary types of CBD product classifications, which are either hemp-derived and cannabis-derived products. It's a little strange because as we've discussed in the cannabis history section, hemp and cannabis are the same plant. The only difference is how much THC is produced by the plant.
Federal law permits hemp-derived CBD with 0.3% THC (in dry weight) or less throughout the US. However, as of January 2024, Idaho, South Dakota, and Wyoming haven't explicitly adopted this definition, creating a legal gray zone for residents seeking these products.
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Plants used in CBD production have been selectively bred to produce higher amounts of CBD and lower amounts of THC. When the THC amount constitutes no more than 0.3% (dry weight) then it's called a hemp-derived product, but when you increase THC beyond 0.3% then it's called a cannabis-derived product.
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So what is the difference in the body between these two products? There is evidence supporting the entourage effect, the interaction between CBD and THC, and other cannabinoids and terpenes, may result in unique therapeutic benefits. Some research indicates that low to moderate THC levels alongside CBD might be more effective for pain management, epilepsy, and certain mental health conditions, compared to pure CBD.
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While the evidence for the entourage effect is promising, it's still too early to say definitively whether CBD with higher THC is less effective than pure CBD without THC, for the exact same conditions. ​More research is needed. If you would like to read some of the current research yourself on CBD, click this link.
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Certified Products
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Regarding CBD product labeling, there are relatively few CBD producers that certify organic and produce a full analysis report of their product. As we're describing in great detail here, the molecules that you put into your body have an effect. If you want a specific result that's based on the right mix of molecules, then be certain of what you're consuming.​
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We're always on the lookout for brands with an appreciation for organic quality and following the science of cannabinoids. One such brand that we can highlight is CBDPure. They are amongst the relatively few who provide a complete analysis of their specifically certified organic products. They even provide a 90-Day money-back guarantee!
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While we're not saying at this time that you can create your custom CryptoBuds® avatar using CBD data, if we do decide to include a category for CBD then you will need to find product like CBDPure that has a full analysis report.
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