CBD vs THC: what is the difference?
CBD and THC both come from the cannabis plant, but they do very different things: THC gets you high, CBD does not. Vader makes THC vapes with 95% total cannabinoids and no CBD. Here is the short version: how the two compare, whether CBD can get you high, what "CBD with THC" means and how a CBD vape differs from a THC vape.
CBD vs THC at a glance
| THC | CBD | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | tetrahydrocannabinol | cannabidiol |
| Intoxicating (gets you high) | yes | no |
| Typical products | flower, hash, THC vapes | CBD oil, CBD e-liquids, cosmetics |
| Legal status | controlled in the UK and most of Europe | legal in many countries with only trace THC |
| Drug test | detected | pure CBD no, THC traces can show |
| In a Vader pen | 95% (1 ml of distillate) | 0% |
What are THC and CBD?
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound behind the cannabis high. It binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, part of the endocannabinoid system, and changes perception, mood and the sense of time. CBD (cannabidiol) is also a cannabinoid, but it barely binds to those receptors, so it does not intoxicate. Hemp grown for fibre and CBD is rich in CBD; cannabis grown for its effect is rich in THC.
Does CBD get you high?
No. Pure CBD does not get you high, not at a high dose and not in a vape. In its 2018 critical review of cannabidiol, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that CBD shows no effects in humans that point to abuse or dependence potential. If a "CBD" product gets you noticeably high, it almost certainly contains a real amount of THC or another cannabinoid such as HHC.
What does "CBD with THC" mean?
"CBD with THC" usually means full-spectrum products: CBD oils or flower that also contain a little THC. Hemp grown in the EU may contain up to 0.3% THC, in Switzerland the limit is 1%, and in the UK CBD products may contain only trace amounts. These products normally do not get you high, but they can show up on a drug test.
If you are after the effect of THC, a CBD product with traces will not give it to you. That takes a THC product, and THC is a controlled substance in the UK and most European countries.
CBD vape vs THC vape
- CBD vape: CBD e-liquid or CBD distillate, often with terpenes. No high.
- THC vape: THC distillate. The effect starts within minutes and usually lasts two to four hours. A Vader pen holds 1 ml (about 1000 mg) of distillate extracted from the plant, with 95% THC and up to 800 draws, and 0% CBD.
From the outside the two pens look the same. What differs is what is inside, the effect and the law. Vader sells THC vapes only and no CBD products. More about the pens on our disposable THC vape page.
Which Vader THC vape should you pick?
Three popular flavours from the Classic line:
Vader THC Vape Blueberry Cookies
Indica, blueberry, an evening pick · 4.84/5 from 31 reviews
€ 89,99
View productEvery flavour is in THC vapes.
CBD vs THC: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CBD and THC?
THC is intoxicating and gets you high, CBD does not. Both are cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, but they act on different receptors in the body.
Does CBD get you high?
No. Pure CBD does not cause a high. If a CBD product gets you noticeably high, it very likely contains a significant amount of THC.
Does Vader contain CBD?
No. Vader is a THC vape with 1 ml (about 1000 mg) of distillate with 95% THC, with no CBD. Vader does not sell CBD products.
Is CBD with THC legal?
It depends on the country and the THC level. Hemp grown in the EU may contain up to 0.3% THC, in Switzerland the limit is 1%, and in the UK CBD products may contain only trace amounts. Products with more THC fall under drug laws.
Can CBD show up on a drug test?
Pure CBD will not, because drug tests look for THC. CBD products with traces of THC can still give a positive result.
CBD vape or THC vape: which is stronger?
They cannot be compared directly: a CBD vape does not get you high, a THC vape does. A Vader pen has 1 ml (about 1000 mg) of distillate with 95% THC.