Medical marijuana is the same product as recreational marijuana but it is widely used to treat illnesses, disorders, or conditions. It contains over 100 compounds called cannabinoids and each one has a separate effect on the body. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main compounds used in medicinal cannabis.
The difference between THC and CBD is that THC produces the “high” feeling people experience when they smoke it or consume it in foods or oils. It can increase appetite, decrease pain and inflammation, muscle spasms, and nausea. CBD causes no “high” but is mostly used to aid in inflammation, chronic pain, and managing epileptic seizures.
Cannabinoids are active compounds in medical marijuana and the body produces its own cannabinoid compounds. This plays a role in how the body regulates cannabis. CBD acts upon CB1 and CBD2 receptors located throughout the body to produce a variety of potentially positive outcomes. By stimulating the endocannabinoid system, it promotes homeostasis, reduces pain sensation, and decreases inflammation. It produces positive effects in regulating pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, body movement, awareness of time, appetite, pain, and senses.