CBD Without THC Does it Work?

The short answer is yes. The reported health benefits of CBD are widespread & are fast becoming a household medicine cabinet essential… even with zero % THC content.

Navigating the complex and ever shifting landscape of the evolving CBD market can at first glance seem like a labyrinth of legal lingo & long worded medical terminology. Throughout this article we will take a high altitude birds eye view of the CBD scrabble table and shed some light on the commonly misunderstood and head scratching question; 'CBD Without THC Does it Work?'.

The legalisation of medical marijuana (for users with a valid prescription) in a growing number of US states spawned a booming industry of derivative medicinal hemp derived CBD products. Despite its rapid mainstream acceptance there are still many misunderstandings about the different components & medicinal applications of the cannabis plant.

CBD is short for “cannabidiol.” It is one of the many chemical compounds that can be found in the cannabis plant. THC is the infamous component that is associated with user reported ‘highs’, however CBD without THC can also offer numerous health benefits minus the intoxicating ‘high’ associated with its big brother; marijuana.

CBD or THC, What’s The Difference?

CBD and THC are the most active compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa plant that sits at the top of the CBD food chain. From the Cannabis Sativa plant two sibling plants are derived; Hemp and Cannabis or Marijuana, both of these plants contain CBD and THC but in different ratios.

Hemp; contains a dominant amount of CBD with only trace amounts of the THC compound making it first choice for product manufacturers. With Hemp’s dominant CBD to THC ratio, trusted suppliers are able to virtually eliminate any intoxicating and psychoactive THC effects allowing users to enjoy all the medicinal benefits of CBD without the often unwanted ‘highs’ associated with THC.

Cannabis or Marijuana derived CBD has a much higher ratio of THC to CBD. A higher concentrated THC level is known to give users a more intoxicating experience, making it not only more sought after for recreational users but also among chronic pain sufferers needing more potent pain relief solution. Regulation for Marijuana derived CBD products is understandably much tighter and legal penalties can be an obvious hazard to avoid, so be sure to research both local and federal legislation in your country before shopping for CBD with THC products.

Is CBD Psychoactive?

This is entirely dependent on the THC concentration level of the product. The ‘psychoactive’ effects of CBD are only felt when a product contains high levels of THC. By law, British CBD products must contain a mandatory 0.00% THC content, however in the US 0.03% THC is the FDA approved regulation for completely removing the psychoactive effects from CBD products.

To summarise, in the US, provided a CBD product contains below 0.03% THC it is not considered to be psychoactive. In the UK, CBD products must contain 0.00% THC.

CBD Without THC vs CBD With THC

CBD products fall into 2 categories; CBD with THC and CBD without THC. It really comes down to the consumer & what exactly they are looking to get out of each product.

Both CBD without THC and CBD with THC affect the neurotransmitters in your brain, which are responsible for the body’s reaction to stress, pain, and sleep, among several others.

With regard to the chemical structure, these variants interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system in different ways.

CBD without THC has been used to help with inflammation, seizures, pain, anxiety, IBS, glaucoma, muscle spasms, physical pain, insomnia, nausea, decreased appetite and headaches.

CBD with THC (above 0.03% THC) also benefits sufferers with all of the above conditions however it also comes with a more potent psychoactive effect that is widely considered illegal in most highly regulated countries.

When it comes to the medical benefits, both product variants are beneficial, but CBD without THC will not give you the euphoric & psychoactive effect thats associated with higher % THC content products.

As far as side effects, CBD with zero THC is generally very well tolerated and has little to no drug interactions. Rare side effects may include nausea, dizziness or fatigue.

CBD with THC on the other hand has several side effects, but also mostly are well tolerated. Those include red eyes, dry mouth, increased heart rate, slow reaction times, coordination problems, or memory loss.

To date, there have been zero recorded fatalities attributed to CBD related products.

Which US States is CBD Legal in?