What are the differences between using put options and shorting when it comes to investing in the stock market?

Using put options involves purchasing the right to sell a stock at a specific price, while shorting involves borrowing and selling a stock with the expectation of buying it back at a lower price. Put options limit potential losses to the price of the option, while shorting has unlimited potential losses. Both strategies can be used to profit from a stock's decline, but they have different risk profiles and costs.