As CBD oils and edibles are becoming more popular by the day, many question their effectiveness and whether they can work without THC, making them more convenient for regular use. Even though both CBD and THC interact with our endocannabinoid system, they have different effects. For many people, CBD is still a bit confusing, especially when it comes to figuring out how to use it, its effects, benefits, and so on.

For some, the biggest concern might be whether using CBD oil will make them “high”, and whether it will affect their daily life, especially at work. Nowadays, you can find CBD in almost anything, from CBD lattes to cosmetic companies using CBD oils in their lotions. But, the question concerning people who want to start using CBD products stays the same – does CBD oil work without THC? Let’s delve into this issue better and learn more about the uses and benefits, and of course, whether they work or not.

Photo by CBD-Infos-com from Pixabay

The difference between CBD and THC

Even though both CBD and THC are chemically similar to the human body’s endocannabinoids, they do not have the same psychoactive effects. For example, CBD is a psychoactive substance that does not produce the high which is associated with THC.

CBD is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant and it’s a natural element that people use in products such as oils and edibles. It has been proved to help with migraines, inflammation, seizures, nausea, and different mental issues such as depression and anxiety. As well as the numerous health benefits, it can also have some side effects which include fatigue and irritability.

THC, however, is a cannabis compound that causes the well-known “high” feeling. Unlike CBD which doesn’t cause hallucinations, THC attaches to the neurons and modifies the process of normal brain communication, affecting memory and concentration. On the other hand, THC’s relaxing effect may be helpful in situations like insomnia, glaucoma, low appetite, and many more.

Working together or not?

Although CBD can work well on its own, recently it has come to light that its effectiveness has been increased when combined with other cannabis compounds like THC, which creates a reaction known as the entourage effect. If you are looking for such experience you can try a full-spectrum product, offering many benefits like reducing inflammation while being relaxing at the same time.

People who consider using CBD want to know how much THC is in it and whether it can do without. For example, legal CBD oil in the US which is derived from the hemp plant contains less than 0.3% THC. And while many people use the terms marijuana and hemp interchangeably you should know that these are different for various reasons, like the fact that hemp is high in CBD and low in THC, and marijuana is the opposite.

The question everyone wants to know is whether they can do without each other. The simple answer is, yes they can. While some consumers prefer to use them both, others want to experience only CBD. You can enjoy the CBD effects in CBD oil without experiencing THC and its psychoactive effects. For those who are seeking this, they can use a CBD isolate which will provide them with pure CBD without any traces of THC because it’s the purest form of the cannabinoid.

Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis from Unsplash

Benefits of not including THC

CBD acts differently within the body compared to THC, and this provides a positive impact on our physical and mental health. Let’s look at some of the benefits of using THC-free CBD products.

• Helps anxiety

Many people want to start using CBD mainly for this reason. Having anxiety can be very stressful and the use of CBD has proved to be effective in reducing social anxiety as well as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). However, it’s best to consult a doctor about the dosage that works best for you. What’s great about CBD is that except for CBD oils, you can use edibles, or tinctures (under the tongue application). So, you have different ways of using it and you can choose what suits you best.

• Healthy functioning of the nervous system

CBD functions as an agonist of serotonin receptors, also known as 5-HT1A receptors which are responsible for regulating the mood. This means that when CBD interacts with serotonin receptors it promotes a healthy mental state resulting in feeling calmer and happier. Bear in mind that you can feel sudden mood changes if the nervous system is thrown out of balance, but by consuming pure CBD without THC you can control your mental state, regulating the functioning of the nervous system.

• Insomnia

Many people have trouble sticking to a regular sleeping regime or are suffering from insomnia, due to which it can be very difficult to complete some of our daily routines and responsibilities. This can be frustrating and cause more stress and trouble sleeping. Even though there are many ways of resolving this like listening to music, or using sleeping apps, many people turn to CBD because it’s a natural remedy and better than taking prescription drugs. CBD oil can help you without using THC, and also relieve stress and anxiety during the day which will later help you sleep better.

Just imagine working all day, coming home and treating yourself with some CBD oil for massage, or giving your loved ones a massage, making their problems and stress go away in a matter of minutes.

• No trace in drug tests

This is a huge concern for people considering using CBD. The good news is that CBD doesn’t show up on drug tests. Drug screenings usually look for THC in the blood and not CBD. So, if your job requires regular drug tests then the right choice would be to choose products that have pure CBD, meaning without THC in them.

Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

Final thoughts

In this day and age, people have many ways to enjoy the benefits of CBD without experiencing the side effects of THC. Remember that using only CBD doesn’t reduce the effects like when using both of them, and even though they are considered safe don’t forget to think about the side effects and interactions with other drugs. The right thing to do is consult a doctor or a cannabis specialist before starting your journey with CBD. Bottom line is that CBD can do without THC, and if you feel more comfortable using this kind of product then go ahead and delve right into the world of CBD!