The hemp plant is characterized by its wide range of applications, whether in healthcare, the beauty industry or agriculture. Cannabis contains around 500 active ingredients and this text takes a closer look at two of them: Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The natural substance cannabidiol in particular enjoys great popularity due to its supposedly low side effects compared to THC. But is this really the case? Let's take a closer look at both substances.
Let's start with a look at tetrahydrocannabinol. THC can produce an intoxicating, i.e. psychoactive, effect that intensifies depending on the content. Users report a strong pain-relieving and euphoric effect. Other benefits can include muscle relaxation and an increased appetite.On the other hand, we have cannabidiol (CBD), which has impressive positive properties and can also be consumed legally (with a maximum 1% THC content in Switzerland). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cannabidiol is generally very well tolerated. In contrast to THC, CBD has no intoxicating effect and can even reduce the effect of THC. CBD can reduce nausea, have an antispasmodic effect and dampen the appetite. CBD also scores highly with consumers thanks to its anti-anxiety, antispasmodic and pain-relieving properties.
Although THC has many benefits, it is also capable of triggering side effects. For example, THC use can cause impaired consciousness and anxiety.Thus, THC can be particularly harmful to mental health. Cannabis use with a high THC content can cause depression and psychosis, especially if started early and/or used frequently. Genetic factors in particular play a role here. Are there cases of mental illness (especially schizophrenia) in your family? If so, carefully consider this issue before using.Physically, you may notice an increase in your heart rate, a drop in blood pressure and possibly dizziness when using THC. Tiredness, mood swings and difficulty concentrating are also not uncommon. Due to the possible psychological dependence, responsible and possibly medically supervised use of this substance is of great importance.
But what about CBD? As with everything in life, CBD also has positive and negative aspects that should be considered before consumption.CBD is generally well tolerated. Consumers rarely report negative experiences/side effects, although these cannot be 100% proven. For example, you may experience dry mouth due to reduced salivation. This happens because our body's own cannabinoid receptors are affected. However, not everyone perceives this dry mouth as particularly troublesome. It can encourage increased fluid intake.In contrast to THC, CBD reduces appetite. If your goal is to lose weight, you can use this negative property to your advantage. Consumption is not recommended if people are already seriously ill and severely emaciated and already suffer from a loss of appetite. In addition, some people report drowsiness and dizziness after taking it. You need to listen to your body and adjust the dose accordingly, as everyone reacts differently. What is relaxing for one person can make another drowsy. A tip: simply consume in the evening to test the right dosage for you.
According to clinical studies, more than 10% of CBD users report diarrhea. Our bodies need time to get used to newly administered substances. This can be the reason for gastrointestinal complaints. Again, listen to your body.Another important point to consider before consumption is the interaction of CBD with other medications. It is possible that CBD in combination with other medications can have undesirable effects. Talking to a doctor is the right way to go here.As far as pregnancy is concerned, it is also better to keep your hands off it. Unfortunately, there is not yet enough research available in this area.Coughs, pneumonia or urinary tract infections are less common with CBD consumption.In general, you should know that everyone is different and tolerates CBD differently. The motto is: the dose makes the poison. To experience a pleasant effect when consuming CBD, you should pay attention to your body and its signals. What is good for me? What dose will give me the best results? Here at Sainfort, we want to accompany you on exactly this journey to more relaxation and bring more enjoyment and peace into your everyday life.