What is the difference between medical cannabis and CBD?

How is CBD different from medical cannabis?

CBD is one of the many cannabinoids produced by the Cannabis sativa L. genus.

Along with THC (the psychoactive compound responsible for that "high" feeling), there are over 100 other cannabinoids found in different strains of cannabis and hemp plants. CBD and THC are the two 'major' cannabinoids, meaning they are found in far higher concentrations than the others.

What are the legal distinctions?

Both medical cannabis and CBD products can be sourced from cannabis strains, but CBD products (here in the UK) are mostly made from extracts of hemp plants that produce less than 0.2% THC.

THC content is what sets CBD products and medical cannabis apart. Over-the-counter CBD products are required to have less than 1 mg of THC per container, while prescription cannabis-based medicines can contain higher levels of THC.

Is CBD better than THC, or the other way around?

It's not a matter of one being better than the other, but rather what your individual health goals are.

CBD products offer certain therapeutic benefits, as do medical cannabis products containing THC. There are also a variety of prescribable cannabis-based medications that offer patients a balanced concentration of both CBD and THC.

Why choose one over the other?

That comes down to your reasons for taking therapeutic cannabis options. But you don't have to choose one over the other, medical cannabis is now legal in the UK.

CBD products have you covered if you're looking for a natural supplement to promote overall wellness. CBD has also been shown to:

• Reduce chronic inflammation
• Activate serotonin production, producing an anti-anxiety effect
• Help with sleep issues
• Lower addictive cravings for tobacco and opioids under certain conditions

Medical cannabis products can contain the same (or more) CBD, but offer the added therapeutic benefits related to THC:

• Pain relief
• Nausea reduction
• Appetite stimulation
• Muscle spasm reduction for conditions such as multiple sclerosis

The above lists are just a small subsection of the documented therapeutic benefits associated with CBD and THC. For a more in-depth write-up, check out our education section.

How do you find the best option for you?

The best option is to speak with a specialist who is not only registered to prescribe medical cannabis in the UK but also has experience doing so for your specific condition.

Here at Releaf, we have a team of cannabis expert clinicians who offer consultations to assess if medical cannabis is right for you. We also have a free eligibility checker that takes less than 30 seconds to complete, giving you a clear idea if you meet the initial criteria for medical cannabis.