Cannabis without THC: what exactly are we talking about?
THC, the salutary acronym for the barbaric formula "delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol", is a chemical compound found naturally in the cannabis plant in all its forms: Cannabis L. Sativa, Cannabis Indica, Cannabis India and Cannabis Ruderalis. It is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis. In good French, its consumption causes euphoric and psychoactive effects, often referred to as "high" or "high effect".
To induce this sensation, THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and elsewhere in the body, thereby altering sensory perception, mood, appetite and motor coordination. In the long term, THC can cause much more serious damage such as anxiety, paranoia, depression and more or less marked cognitive problems.
To sum up: cannabis has interesting virtues for health and well-being… but THC ruins everything, with a very unfavorable benefit/risk ratio. This is why THC-free cannabis, perfectly legal, is an ingenious alternative that will allow you to activate the benefits of hemp without its psychotropic effects. Several formats and packaging are available:
- Hemp flowers: This is by far the most popular non-THC cannabis product among consumers. THC-free cannabis flowers are marketed as dried buds that look a lot like weed buds. However, unlike marijuana, hemp flowers contain less than 0.3% THC. They are therefore legal, non-psychotropic and non-addictive;
- Hemp oil: THC-free cannabis oil is extracted from hemp seeds. It is the second most popular form of non-THC cannabis product. This product is ultra-practical, insofar as it can be consumed sublingually, by depositing a few drops under the tongue, to almost instantly benefit from the thousand and one virtues of weed without THC!
- CBD Capsules: This is the other "convenient" format of THC-free cannabis. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, along with CBG, CBN and CBC. Discreet and concentrated, these capsules can be consumed orally at any time of the day, without the fuss!
- CBD Edibles: CBD edibles, edibles, or edibles are food products that contain cannabidiol and other non-psychotropic cannabinoids: chocolates, candies, gummies, energy bars, various drinks… CBD edibles are playful formats that have introduced a new generation of consumers to the joys of THC-free cannabis;
- Topical CBD products: These products are applied directly to the skin to treat muscle and joint pain, skin irritations and inflammatory skin conditions . We are talking here about CBD creams, gels, serums and other balms.
7 ULTIMATE reasons to consume cannabis without THC
To consume weed without THC is therefore to unlock all the health and well-being potential of cannabis without the psychotropic effects. It is also (and above all) to remain legal, insofar as cannabis products without THC with less than 0.3% THC are perfectly legal in France, as we detail in our article dedicated to the question of the legality of CBD in France.
#1 Cannabis without THC to neutralize stress and anxiety
A study published by the IFOP in 2022 reveals that 95% of French people aged 18 and over are stressed or anxious... a worrying figure, insofar as chronic stress is the royal road to the decline of the body and of the mind, including high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disorders, chronic depression, various digestive disorders, weakened immune systems and even certain types of cancer.
Pervasive, day-to-day stress can also aggravate existing illnesses and increase the risk of developing long-term chronic conditions.
Are you naturally stressed or anxious? Is your job demanding? Are you bound by impossible deadlines? Do not panic. Cannabis without THC mobilizes its soothing and relaxing virtues to relieve you of the weight of stress and anxiety that undermine your daily life.
CBD and other non-psychotropic cannabinoids from the hemp plant work on the adrenal glands by reducing levels of cortisol, a hormone produced in response to a stressful situation that helps you deal with "danger" perceived. Also, CBD regulates the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating many physiological functions, including the stress response.
#2 Cannabis without THC: soothe the pain without risking addiction
According to a recent study published by the Syndicat Professionnel du Chanvre et du Bien-être, 80% of the French population is in favor of the legalization of therapeutic cannabis, in particular to improve the management of pain, especially when it is is borderline unbearable.
Let us be clear: Cannabis without THC is not as effective as cannabis with THC, used in a strictly therapeutic setting, with rigorous medical supervision, in relieving pain. But it can be of great help to you in overcoming mild to moderate pain that undermines your daily life, whether in the muscles, joints, dental pain, migraines, etc.
CBD and other non-psychotropic cannabinoids from hemp are indeed excellent painkillers. They bind to pain receptors in the nervous system to reduce its perception and reduce inflammation, if any. It is for this reason that cannabis without THC is increasingly recommended by health professionals to relieve pain related to fibromyalgia, headaches and menstruation.
Finally, note that cannabis without THC is a very interesting way to fight against addiction to opioids, painkillers with very high addictive potential. According to L'Assurance Maladie, at least one French person dies every 42 hours from an opioid overdose.
#3 Cannabis without THC: overcoming stubborn inflammation
An US study revealed that 52 % of people who use CBD do so to relieve inflammatory pain, especially in the muscles and joints (back pain particularly).
CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory, which makes THC-free weed an excellent product to live better with certain chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis. Cannabis without THC is also the ally of athletes, amateurs and professionals alike, to relieve muscle and joint inflammation and speed up recovery.
Topical THC-free cannabis products, such as creams, massage oils, and gels, are also useful for fighting inflammatory skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and acne. adult.
#4 Cannabis without THC to overcome free radicals
Polish researchers have shed light on the action of CBD against oxidative stress by blocking the formation of stubborn free radicals and boosting the level of non-enzymatic antioxidants.
What's the point of fighting free radicals? It's simple: free radicals are highly reactive molecules that have an unpaired electron in their outer shell. This lack of pairing makes them very unstable and capable of interacting with other molecules in a destructive way, potentially leading to cell and tissue damage and causing, over time, premature cell aging.
Although free radicals are produced naturally in the body during normal metabolic processes, factors such as exposure to radiation, air pollution, smoking, and stress can increase their production exponentially. If free radical levels get too high, they can cause overt oxidative damage, causing damage to cells and tissues.
Free radicals can also cause mutations in DNA and contribute to the appearance of serious diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular pathologies, premature aging and certain neurological diseases. Cannabis without THC is not a miracle cure, but it will actively help protect you from the impact of free radicals.
#5 Weed without THC to finally find the arms of Morpheus!
It's a fact: the French have never slept so little and so badly. According to Ipsos (2023), 63% of French people have more or less serious sleep disorders. The latest Sleep Barometer from Public Health France affirms that the average night of the French is barely 6 hours and 32 minutes, i.e. between 28 and 88 minutes less than what is recommended by health professionals.
Also, we would have lost up to an hour and a half of sleep per night in the space of fifty years. Amazing!
If you're the type to turn over countless times in your bed to find Morpheus' arms, we've got something for you. By neutralizing stress and anxiety, the main contributors to insomnia, CBD can help you fall asleep faster, especially if you consume it at the very beginning of the evening.
Then, CBD participates in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle by acting on the endocannabinoid system, involved in the regulation of many physiological processes, including sleep. CBD also manages levels of melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, which can improve your sleep quality. As explained here, numerous studies have shown the ability of cannabis without THC to fight against REM sleep disorders such as nocturnal verbalization (talking in sleep), sudden movements, etc.
Finally, CBD can help relieve pain and inflammation that logically disrupts your sleep. What a great way to snore and enjoy a productive tomorrow!
#6 Weed without THC to boost your cognitive abilities
As we explain here, cannabinoids like CBD, CBC, CBN and CBG also regulates concentration and memory, two cognitive functions linked to the endocannabinoid system.
Studies have indeed shown that CBD can have neuroprotective effects, protecting the brain against degeneration caused by aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Cannabis without THC can also improve brain function and memory by increasing synaptic plasticity, which translates to a better ability to learn, retain new information and concentrate!
Finally, CBD and other non-psychotropic cannabinoids indirectly help boost motivation and mood by neutralizing stress and anxiety. Further research is needed, however, to better understand the mechanisms underlying these effects and to better understand how CBD may affect cognitive function.
#7 Cannabis without THC… to take advantage of its exceptional organoleptic properties
We also consume cannabis without THC to have fun and revel in its simply exceptional organoleptic properties!
THC-free cannabis strains have unique aromas and flavors, ranging from fresh weed to more fruity or spicy notes, which can provide an interesting sensory experience for legal cannabis enthusiasts.
Some CBD flowers are real odes to the pleasures of the senses:
- Cheese CBD: a pronounced cheesy aroma and a pungent, musky flavor;
- Lemon Haze CBD: A fresh, tangy lemon flavor;
- Strawberry CBD: A sweet and fruity strawberry aroma and flavor;
- Amnesia Haze CBD: a strain with a spicy, earthy aroma and a flavor of lemon and mint;
- Blue Dream CBD: A fruity, floral aroma and a sweet flavor of berries and herbs;
- Gorilla Glue CBD: an earthy, pungent aroma and a sweet flavor of coffee and chocolate;
- Pineapple Express CBD: A tropical strain with a pineapple aroma and a sweet, fruity flavor;
- Wedding Cake CBD: an aroma and flavor of sweet vanilla and spicy cake;
- Bubble Gum CBD: A strain with a sweet and fruity bubble gum aroma and flavor;
- Cherry Pie CBD: sweet and fruity cherry aroma and flavor;
- Sour Diesel: A tangy diesel flavor with hints of lemon. It is appreciated for its energizing and stimulating effect.
