CBD is completely non-psychoactive and will deliver the healing properties of the cannabis marijuana plant without getting you high. While THC is psychoactive and can cause sedation, lethargy, dysphoria, and other negative effects; CBD will not.
Everything we are is essentially controlled by our Central Nervous System (CNS), which consists of our brain, our spinal cord, and our nerves. These components are connected throughout our entire body and control everything we do and experience. Within the CNS are different systems of receptors that carry out different functions of our body.
One of the most important ones is the Endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a group of endogenous cannabinoid receptors located in the mammalian brain, that researchers believe control our appetite, mood, pain sensation, memory, and more. Within the ECS, are several different receptors, one of which is the CB1 receptor.
When the CB1 receptor comes into contact with THC, it causes the psychoactive effects associated with “getting high;” however, when the CB1 receptor comes into contact with CBD, CBD actually blocks the THC from engaging with the CB1 receptor, effectively canceling the psychoactive effects of THC.
While inhibiting the effects of THC, CBD also activates other receptors in our brain, such as the adenosine receptor (controls “Fight or Flight” syndrome ie. anxiety), the serotonin receptors (which controls our mood, and how we feel), and the vanilloid receptor (which helps to regulate pain).
So while THC does provide the healing properties of the marijuana plant, it also causes negative side effects; while CBD actually inhibits these side effects and provides a wide variety of benefits.