THC: the substance that makes you high
THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol: the substance that makes you high or stoned. You take in THC by smoking, vaporising, eating or drinking. How much THC something contains varies a lot and is often unknown with edible forms.
CBD: no high
CBD is short for cannabidiol and, after THC, it is the most common substance in the plant. CBD does not make you high or stoned. CBD probably has no effects that you notice in your feelings, behaviour or thoughts.
CBD does not protect against THC
Researchers used to think that CBD could reduce the negative effects of THC, such as anxiety or paranoid thoughts. The latest studies find no evidence for that. You lower the risk mainly by using less each time and using less often.
CBD oil and medicines
CBD oil can reduce the effect of medicines or actually strengthen side effects, for example with sleeping pills, sedatives and strong painkillers. If you take medicines and want to use CBD oil, check with your doctor or pharmacist first. Some combinations can lead to liver damage.
What has been proven
There is still little scientific evidence for positive effects of CBD on health. There is only evidence for anxiety at high doses and for certain forms of epilepsy. More research is needed into pain from osteoarthritis.
The law and the label
The Opium Act has two lists. Pure THC is on List I and therefore counts as a hard drug; hash and weed are on List II, the soft drugs. CBD products without THC are legal, but spot checks sometimes found more THC than stated on the label, or no CBD at all.
Sources
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