Is Cannabinoid More Potent Than THC?

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Although marijuana has become recreationally legal in many states, and medicinally legal in many more states, it is possible to suffer from a cannabinoid addiction. This is because a cannabinoid still has the potential to provide feelings of relaxation.

Research has found that the cannabis plant produces anywhere between 80 and 100 cannabinoids. The two main cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, known more commonly as THC, and cannabidiol, known more commonly as CBD.

Research has also shown that a cannabinoid like CBD has anti-anxiety effects, but it is important to be on guard when using marijuana-derived substances.

What is Cannabinoid?

When we talk about cannabinoids, we are talking about one of the hundreds of natural components found in the Cannabis sativa plant. These can also be synthetically developed. THC is the most well-known cannabinoid.

Cannabinoids affect the user by interacting with different receptors in the body. The interactions between a cannabinoid and the receptors generally can affect your memory, cognition, pain perception, and motor skills, but also your feelings of reward and pleasure.

Subclasses of Cannabinoids

• Cannabigerol, known as CBG
• Cannabichromene, known as CBC
• Cannabidiol, known as CBD
• Tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC
• Cannabinol, known as CBN
• Cannabinodiol, known as CBDL

The main difference between these subclasses of cannabinoids is that some are known to be psychologically addictive while others are not. CBD, CBC, and CBG are not known to be psychologically addictive. Alternatively, THC, CBN, CBDL, and some others are known to be addictive in different ways.

Learn More About Whether Cannabinoid is More Potent Than THC or Not

THC vs Cannabinoid

THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. THC is different from another cannabinoid because THC causes the “high” that you obtain when you use marijuana.

CBD is another cannabinoid, and it has been used to alleviate different conditions. It is known to help with seizures, inflammation, and other medical properties. It also has a lack of side effects. This is why the cannabinoid CBD is nothing to be alarmed about, while THC is dangerous.

THC and CBD, as well as other cannabinoids, bind to cannabinoid receptors in your body’s endocannabinoid system. This is why you feel high from some cannabinoids, while others do not produce any response at all.

Is It Legal to Use Any Form of Cannabinoid?

Marijuana has been around for a long time. It was used medicinally in the United States until it was found to be addictive in different ways. Marijuana itself was federally banned in 1937 but CBD, another cannabinoid, was made federally legal in 2018.

CBD is a cannabinoid specifically derived from the hemp plant. It is used in creams, oils, and other products. In the past ten years, doctors have actually begun to use antipsychotic cannabinoid treatments for the following:

• Pain relief
• Anxiety treatment
• Epilepsy
• Treatment for nausea and vomiting
• Muscle spasms
• Glaucoma

Is Using Cannabinoid Addictive?

There are a few specific cannabinoids that are addictive, specifically THC, CBN, and CBDL. Chronic use of cannabinoid can lead to serious substance use disorders. It has been found that one in ten people that use marijuana will become addicted, and if you begin using before the age of 18, you will be up to seven times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder.

Dangers of Cannabinoid Use

Despite the use of cannabinoid as a medical treatment, as well as the increased legalization of these drugs, it still contains a large potential for abuse. When recreational users are legally able to abuse large amounts of it regularly to get high, it can increase the amount of cannabinoid addicted persons nationwide.

Signs of Cannabinoid Addiction

There are a few signs of marijuana use that are not always obvious. If someone is abusing cannabinoid products, you may see signs of:

• Taking larger amounts of cannabinoid drugs
• Using drugs more often than intended
• Wanting to stop using, but being unable to
• Spending most of your time using, thinking about, or obtaining the drug
• Having cravings and urges to use
• Being unable to manage personal responsibilities, or becoming lazy due to use
• Continue to use even when it causes problems
• Give up activities because of using marijuana
• Continue to use the drug even if it were to put you in danger
• Continue to use even if it causes psychological problems
• Needing more of a drug to get the effects you want, which is known as developing tolerance

Can Cannabinoid Use Cause Mental Illness?

Long-term use of marijuana can increase the risk of some psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. It is hard to determine when this occurs, but there has been research to suggest that using high-potency marijuana often increases this risk.

In some cases, it was found that smoking high potency marijuana every day could increase the chances of developing psychosis by nearly five times compared to others who never used marijuana.

Genetic Variations

Other influences on mental health include the amount of marijuana used, the age at first use, and genetic vulnerability. Correlations with marijuana use along with mood and anxiety disorders come from a genetic variation. Known as the AKT1 Gene Variation, it was found that people who use marijuana and carry this gene, are at risk for developing psychosis.

This gene specifically affects the striatum. The striatum is an area of the brain that becomes activated and flooded with dopamine when certain stimuli are present. Because the risk of psychosis among those with this gene was seven times higher than those who do not have it, it is a serious risk.

Treatment For Your Addiction

Depending on how severe your addiction is, you may need to go to a medical detox program. Specifically, with marijuana and cannabinoid addiction, you typically do not need a detox. The only case that you may need to participate in detox is if you have severe withdrawal symptoms, as well as a co-occurring disorder. This means that if you are having symptoms of withdrawal such as depression or anxiety, detox might be helpful for you.

Depending on how severe your addiction is, after detox, you may end up going into a residential cannabinoid rehab or an intensive outpatient program. By choosing a program that works best for you, you will be able to change the causes of your addictive behaviors. You will also be able to begin making long-lasting changes for the rest of your life.

Finally, you should enroll yourself in a sober living program, or an aftercare program. These programs can provide you with a safe place to live, or support in early sobriety. Rather than be pushed into the world on your own, you will be able to slowly transition into daily sober life outside of rehab.

Are You Struggling With a Cannabis Use Disorder?

If you or a loved one is struggling with a cannabinoid addiction, we can help you.

At Resurgence Behavioral Health we offer free insurance verification for treatment along with a variety of different treatment options.

If you feel like you are too deep into your addiction, know that It is never too late.

Contact us today to speak with an addiction treatment specialist today.

Allow us to determine what you need to be successful, live a healthy life, and stay sober.