When using Cannabidiol (CBD) for pain management, a common question arises: what’s the difference between CBD from hemp and CBD from marijuana? The short answer is that hemp CBD won’t get you high, whereas marijuana CBD will. However, the answer isn’t as straightforward as one would think.
Hemp CBD vs. Cannabis CBD
Hemp and marijuana are both Cannabis plants but represent different varieties within the Cannabis Sativa plant family. One of the most common strains is industrial hemp, used for CBD oil and to relieve various health concerns. Another strain is marijuana used both medically and recreationally.
Examining these plants closely reveals differences in leaf shapes and colors. Hemp leaves are longer, skinnier, and more fern-like than marijuana leaves. Hemp leaves typically remain at the top of the plant, attached to long stems. In contrast, marijuana has round buds, grows lower to the ground, and resembles a bush more than a houseplant. Industrial hemp leaves come in a variety of colors but are usually a lighter green than marijuana.
Hemp and marijuana have different growing conditions. Hemp is easier to grow in diverse environments, while marijuana prefers a warmer climate. Marijuana plants need to be spaced farther apart and have a shorter life cycle, whereas hemp can thrive when planted closer together and has a longer life cycle. If hemp and marijuana are planted close together, hemp can overtake marijuana, reducing its psychoactive effects.
Despite these key differences, hemp and marijuana share a similar smell. Both hemp and marijuana have the familiar scent of weed, thanks to terpenes. However, the process of making hemp oil often removes this scent, with some CBD users reporting hints of vanilla and cinnamon.
Psychoactive Effects
One key difference between marijuana and hemp is the levels of the phytocannabinoids Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis oil has higher levels of THC and lower levels of CBD, while hemp has lower levels of THC and higher levels of CBD.
Although hemp-derived CBD contains THC, the psychoactive effects are so minimal that getting “high” or experiencing the psychedelic effects is impossible. Countries producing hemp and CBD oil products regulate THC amounts to ensure they stay below 0.3%, making the products legal. On average, marijuana contains 15 to 25% THC, which guarantees a high. The benefit of CBD is that it doesn't impair daily activities like driving, studying, or operating machinery while still offering health benefits.
Entourage Effect
The whole-plant or entourage effect refers to the synergistic impact of using the entire plant rather than isolating specific compounds like THC or CBD. Common medications like Marinol (dronabinol) and Cesamet (nabilone) are synthetic versions of these compounds and often take longer to produce effects. In contrast, CBD oils use the whole plant, providing quicker results.
Research shows mixed results: some studies suggest isolating one compound can effectively target specific diseases, while others argue that the full spectrum of the plant's compounds provides the most therapeutic benefits. Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist and cannabis researcher, supports the synergistic effect of combining CBD and THC.
The debate over the Entourage Effect gained attention when a CBD-only strain was developed to help treat children with epilepsy hit the media. Parents of epileptic children demanded treatment using CBD and lawmakers listened, leading to CBD-only laws in some states. As CBD became known for treating epilepsy, its potential for other ailments also garnered interest.
Health Benefits of CBD Hemp Products
CBD and medical marijuana are often associated with numerous health benefits. Research has led to the discovery of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which optimizes emotions, movement, and cognition.
While more research is needed to determine the full spectrum of the importance of this Endocannabinoid system, it's clear that cannabinoids play a crucial role in this system, particularly in regulating pain management. In essence, CBD provides more juice for the Endocannabinoid system to operate with, easing everything from sore muscles to cancer-related symptoms.
Using CBD from hemp or CBD from marijuana have very similar health benefits. Scientists would argue that since cannabis plants contain a variety of compounds, other than CBD or THC, that different combinations target specific problems more than others.
CBD helps alleviate conditions such as:
- Anxiety and depression
- Chronic pain (lifestyle and disease-related)
- Mood disorders
- Memory loss (Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia)
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Migraines
- Colon Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Is CBD Legal?
A common misconception is that CBD is illegal to purchase. In reality, CBD oil is legal in all 50 states. Some people mistakenly believe that because marijuana isn't legal everywhere, CBD isn't either. However, CBD's low THC levels mean it lacks psychoactive effects, making it legal.
Hemp CBD and Marijuana CBD Dosages
Determining the right dosage can be tricky due to individual differences in body makeup and pain tolerance. While marijuana-derived CBD causes high-like effects, the dosage is still crucial, as is the dosage for hemp-derived CBD. It's essential to follow your healthcare provider's advice and the product's package instructions to minimize the risk of adverse effects.
Bottomline
In conclusion, CBD from hemp and CBD from marijuana have similarities, but key differences remain in their chemical makeup, especially regarding CBD and THC content. Regardless of the source, CBD offers significant health benefits without the psychoactive effects, making it a valuable option for many.
Cannabis and Pain: A Clinical Review. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2017.0017
Comparison of outcome expectancies for synthetic cannabinoids and botanical marijuana. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2019, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/00952990.2015.1135158
DementiaCareCentral.com. (2019, January 29). Using CBD (Cannabidiol) to Treat the Symptoms of Alzheimer's & Other Dementias. Retrieved February 16, 2019, from https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/aboutdementia/treating/cbd/
Facts & Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2019, from https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
Flachenecker, P., Henze, T., & Zettl, U. K. (n.d.). Nabiximols (THC/CBD oromucosal spray, Sativex®) in clinical practice--results of a multicenter, non-interventional study (MOVE 2) in patients with multiple sclerosis spasticity. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24525548
Genaro, Fabris, F., A. L., Crippa, S., J. A., Prado, . . . Antônio W. (2017, June 06). Cannabidiol Is a Potential Therapeutic for the Affective-Motivational Dimension of Incision Pain in Rats. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2017.00391/full
Johnson, J. R., Burnell-Nugent, M., Lossignol, D., Ganae-Motan, E. D., Potts, R., & Fallon, M. T. (2010, February). Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of THC:CBD extract and THC extract in patients with intractable cancer-related pain. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19896326
Ligresti, A., Moriello, A. S., Starowicz, K., Matias, I., Pisanti, S., De, L., . . . Di, V. (2006, September). Antitumor activity of plant cannabinoids with emphasis on the effect of cannabidiol on human breast carcinoma. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16728591?dopt=Abstract
Massi, P., Solinas, M., Cinquina, V., & Parolaro, D. (2013, January 10). Cannabidiol as potential anticancer drug. Retrieved February 15, 2019, from https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04298.x
Massi, P., Solinas, M., Cinquina, V., & Parolaro, D. (2013, January 10). Cannabidiol as potential anticancer drug. Retrieved February 16, 2019, from https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04298.x
McCoy, B., Wang, L., Zak, M., Al‐Mehmadi, S., Kabir, N., Alhadid, K., . . . Snead, O. C. (2018, August 01). A prospective open‐label trial of a CBD/THC cannabis oil in dravet syndrome. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/acn3.621
Xiong, W., Cui, T., Cheng, K., Fei Yang, S. C., Willenbring, D., Yun Guan, H. P., . . . Zhang, L. (2012, June 04). Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors. Retrieved February 16, 2019, from http://jem.rupress.org/content/209/6/1121