CBD vs THC: the same start, a different story.
CBD explained
CBD and THC both come from the hemp plant, but THC is psychoactive and CBD is not. That difference determines how the two compounds act, how the law treats them and why the THC content of a CBD product is measured.
What are CBD and THC?
CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two best-known cannabinoids from the plant Cannabis sativa L. Chemically they are alike, but they behave very differently in your body. THC causes the familiar high. CBD does not.
The differences in one table
| Feature | CBD | THC |
|---|---|---|
| Psychoactive | No, it doesn't get you high | Yes, it causes the high |
| Origin | Hemp and cannabis | Hemp and cannabis |
| In CBD products | The main compound; the amount is on the label | Only allowed as a trace; the amount is in the batch report |
| Legal status in the Netherlands | Not listed in the Opium Act; products fall under the rules for food | Listed in the Opium Act |
| In a drug test | Standard tests don't look for it | Standard tests do look for it |
Why does THC get you high and CBD not?
THC binds to receptors in your brain, the so-called CB1 receptors, and in doing so temporarily changes your perception. CBD hardly binds to those receptors at all. Incidentally, non-psychoactive does not mean the same as no effect whatsoever: it means the substance doesn't alter your consciousness or perception.
What about THC in CBD products?
Hemp naturally contains a small amount of THC, so a hemp extract can contain traces of THC. Producers can remove those traces during production or bring them down below the laboratory's measuring limit. How much THC a specific product contains is not something you read on the pack, but in that product's batch report. What Renova means exactly by 0.0% THC, and how that relates to the measuring limit, is on the page about THC-free.
What does this mean for a drug test?
A standard drug test looks for THC and its breakdown products, not for CBD. How much THC a CBD product contains differs per product and per batch; the batch report is where you check that. Nobody can make promises about the outcome of a drug test. More context on careful use is on the safety page.
A common mix-up: hemp is not the same as marijuana
Hemp and marijuana are the same plant species, but the word hemp is used for varieties with negligible THC, grown for fibre, seeds and CBD. Marijuana is bred for a high THC content. So a CBD product made from hemp is something different from a cannabis product sold in a Dutch coffee shop.
Frequently asked questions about CBD and THC
Does CBD get you high?
Is there THC in CBD oil?
Is CBD legal in the Netherlands?
Want to know for sure what is in your product?
Renova brings the THC content down to 0.0% for every batch and has each result measured externally. See what that means, or go straight to the oils.