Tetrahydrocannabinol vs Cannabidiol: what is the difference?
THC and CBD share one formula, but tetrahydrocannabinol closes a ring that cannabidiol leaves open, so only THC activates CB1 and intoxicates.
Sources and notes
- The sentence under the titlefrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notesThe pair's answer line.
- The two drawingscomputedMoleculeFinder rule (RDKit MCS)Drawn the same way round on the skeleton they share. Aligned; 22 atoms differ, too many to mark as one group.
- Structural similaritycomputedRDKit Morgan/Tanimoto0.57 of 1, a Morgan fingerprint Tanimoto coefficient. It measures shape, not effect.
Side by side
| Tetrahydrocannabinol | Cannabidiol | |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weightCalculated PubChem | 314.5 g/molC21H30O2 | 314.5 g/molC21H30O2 |
| Hydrogen-bond donorsCalculated PubChem | 1 | 2 |
| FamilyEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Terpenoids | Terpenoids |
| Everyday groupEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Plant | Plant |
| Chemical groupsCalculated Found by rule (RDKit) | Aromatics, Phenols, Ethers | Aromatics, Phenols |
| Hazard labelReported ECHA via PubChem | Warning | Warning |
| The supplier-filed hazard label's signal word, not a statement about ordinary use. | ||
Sources and notes
- Molecular weightcomputedPubChemComputed from the structure; the formula is under each weight.
- Hydrogen-bond donorscomputedPubChemThe hydrogens on nitrogen or oxygen that each molecule can lend to a hydrogen bond, counted from its structure.
- Familyfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Everyday groupfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Chemical groupscomputedFound by rule (RDKit)Each group is found in the structure by a chemical pattern.
- Hazard labelfrom sourceECHA via PubChem
- ECHAfrom sourceAttributionSource: European Chemicals Agency, echa.europa.eu.
- Identifiersfrom sourcePubChemPubChem CID 16078 (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and 644019 (Cannabidiol).
In more detail
The formula is C21H30O2 for both, and the weights are identical. The difference is that THC's molecule closes into a ring that CBD leaves open, and only the closed form fits the CB1 receptor in the brain in a way that activates it. CBD instead acts indirectly at CB1 and on a scattering of other targets including serotonin receptors and TRPV1. THC is the compound cannabis is regulated for, and CBD is sold widely as a supplement in jurisdictions where THC is not. CBD is also the one with an approved prescription medicine built on it, for specific childhood epilepsy syndromes.
Sources and notes
- The paragraphfrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notes
Questions
- What is the difference between Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol?
- THC and CBD share one formula, but tetrahydrocannabinol closes a ring that cannabidiol leaves open, so only THC activates CB1 and intoxicates.
- Do Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol have the same formula?
- Yes. Both are C21H30O2 at 314.5 g/mol. They are isomers: the same atoms arranged differently, which is why they behave differently despite weighing the same.
Sources and notes
- The answersfrom sourceMoleculeFinderThe first is the pair's answer line; the others are read off the table above.