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table of contents
1. What is the difference between CBD and THC?
2. Differences in the chemical structure of CBD and THC
3 What is CBD (Cannabidiol)?
3.1 CBD supports health maintenance
4. What is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)?
4.1 THC has psychoactive effects 4.2 THC has risks such as dependence
5 What is the legal status? Is it legal? Is it illegal?
What is the difference between CBD and THC?
CBD has been attracting attention recently as a component that can be extracted from cannabis, but among the components called cannabinoids that can be extracted from cannabis, there is another well-known component called THC.
Both CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are natural compounds found in cannabis plants called cannabinoids. It is said that there are more than 100 types of cannabinoids, but THC is the most abundant and CBD is the second most abundant.
The differences between CBD and THC can be summarised as follows:
| name | effect | Side effects | Regulations (Japan) |
| CBD (Cannabidiol) | No psychoactive effects. Mainly has a relaxing effect. | No serious side effects have been reported. | Extracts from seeds or stems are not regulated |
| THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) | It has psychoactive effects and produces a feeling of euphoria. | Addictive | Subject to regulation under the Cannabis Control Act |
I think the biggest difference between CBD and THC is whether or not they have psychoactive effects. CBD is a non-psychoactive ingredient, so it has no psychoactive effects, but THC has the psychoactive effect of making you feel "high."
And while CBD is legal in Japan, THC is prohibited. We will explain the differences between CBD and THC in more detail later.
Differences in the Chemical Structure of CBD and THC
CBD and THC have very similar structures and the chemical formula is the same. Below are the structures of CBD and THC, which are very similar. (This is a technical discussion, so it's fine if you just recognize that they are similar.)
CBD and THC have almost the same molecular structure: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. Slight differences in the arrangement of atoms result in different effects on the human body.
The human body is born with a self-sustaining mechanism called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates many bodily functions, including the immune system, digestion, and sleep.
The ECS is composed of endogenous cannabinoids such as anandamide and 2-AG, and cannabinoid receptors such as CB1 and CB2 (see the diagram below), and the endogenous cannabinoids interact with the receptors to regulate the body.
Both CBD and THC interact with the ECS, which in turn affects the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals involved in communicating between cells and are involved in pain, immune function, stress, sleep, and more.
Next, we will take a closer look at the differences between CBD and THC.
What is CBD (Cannabidiol)?
CBD is one of the natural active ingredients called cannabinoids contained in the cannabis plant. CBD is said to act on the endocannabinoid system, regulate bodily functions, and maintain balance between the mind and body. CBD can be legally used in Japan.
Learn more about CBD here .
CBD helps maintain good health
CBD's effects on the body come from activating endocannabinoids and indirectly acting on the ECS.
This interaction is said to affect neurotransmitters in the brain and restore balance to the body, resulting in a variety of benefits including a relaxing effect.
In addition, its effectiveness in treating symptoms of various diseases has been proven or suggested, and research is ongoing.
What is THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)?
THC, like CBD, is one of the natural active ingredients in cannabis called cannabinoids. It has psychoactive effects such as a feeling of euphoria, which is characteristic of cannabis, and a change in the sense of time and space.
THC is one of over 100 naturally occurring active compounds found in cannabis called cannabinoids, and is one of the most well-known compounds along with CBD.
It is said to have effects such as relieving pain, increasing appetite, and suppressing nausea, but it also has psychotropic effects that make you feel euphoric, which is characteristic of cannabis, and cause a so-called "high," such as altering your sense of time and space.
In Japan, anything that contains THC is legally considered "cannabis" and is strictly regulated under the Cannabis Control Act, so its use and possession are prohibited.
THC has psychoactive effects
THC binds to the cannabinoid receptor CB1, which is widely distributed in the brain and nervous system, and therefore THC, which interacts directly with CB1, has a strong psychoactive effect.
Therefore, when you ingest THC, your vision, hearing, taste, and other senses become clearer, you feel elated, and your desire increases. These effects are the symptoms of getting "high" from marijuana.
Because THC is the main component of marijuana, attention tends to be focused on its psychoactive effects, but in fact that is not the only effect it has on the body.
In addition to the effects caused by CB1, THC also interacts with a receptor called CB2, which is distributed in peripheral nerves, immune cells, visceral tissues, etc., and is said to have effects such as analgesia, sedation, hypnotic, and appetite stimulation.
For this reason, some countries, such as Canada, allow the use of medical marijuana. However, this is for medical purposes, and is different from smoking marijuana as a recreational drug.
Overseas, in countries where THC is legal, it can be purchased in stores or on the ECO website. In some countries, medical marijuana containing THC is approved as a medicine. In Japan, THC-containing products cannot be used or purchased. THC-containing products used overseas include the following:
THC-Containing Products for Medical Use
| name | explanation |
| Nabiximols (Sativex) | Developed by GW Pharmaceuticals (UK), this oral spray contains CBD and THC and is used to relieve symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis. |
| Dronabinol (Marinol) | It is effective in treating nausea during cancer chemotherapy and in treating loss of appetite and weight loss in AIDS patients. |
| Nabilone (Cesamet) | It helps with loss of appetite and weight loss in AIDS patients. |
Please note that medical marijuana is not currently approved in Japan. An organization called Green Zone Japan is working to promote medical marijuana in Japan.
THC carries the risk of addiction
Ingesting THC can produce a high feeling, but there is also the risk of dependency. THC strongly affects the brain's reward system, which is the pathway that causes people to feel pleasure from stimuli resulting from actions or experiences, and to seek those stimuli repeatedly.
The brain's reward system is necessary for human survival and prosperity, including through eating, excretion, and reproduction, but in some cases it can have a negative effect, such as making us addicted to these activities.
What is the legal status? Legal? Illegal?
Although the use of cannabis is prohibited in Japan, the use of CBD, a cannabis component extracted from the stems and seeds of the cannabis plant, is permitted. The use and possession of products containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is illegal.
Cannabis Control Act Article 1
"Cannabis" refers to the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) and its products.
However, this does not include mature cannabis stems and their products (excluding resin), as well as cannabis seeds and their products.
There have been several cases in Japan where THC has been found to be mixed into CBD products, causing problems.
References
Notes
| The information on the effects, efficacy, and side effects of CBD provided by our company is provided for informational purposes. The scientific studies described are for the ingredients of CBD, not for the products we handle, and have no direct relationship to the effects of the CBD products we handle. CBD products are not medicines. None of the products are intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or symptoms. The articles and information provided by our company are created and provided based on sources that we deem reliable, but we do not guarantee completeness, accuracy, etc. |