The Basics: What is THC?
If you're a CBD or THC newbie, we are here to help! Here we are covering the basics of THC. You can learn more about CBD here.
What is THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is a naturally occurring compound of the cannabis flower. THC is responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis while CBD is not intoxicating (a.k.a. it doesn’t create a high). Can’t pronounced Tetrahydrocannabinol? You can just think of THC as The High Creator.
A little pre-work…
Before we start talking about getting high, we have to understand our bodies a little bit better. Our bodies are constantly trying to maintain homeostasis, a stable balance of all our functions. It’s the Endocannabinoid System, a nerve signally system throughout the human body, that is responsible for maintaining our physiological, emotion, and cognitive stability.
Cannabinoids, compounds found mostly in cannabis, interact directly with, you guessed it... our Endocannabinoid System. The ability of cannabis to help “regulate our regulation system” is the distinct value that cannabis provides and why it is such a useful medicine. In fact, humans have known this since the end of the last Ice Age (for at least 12,000 years!), when humans were cultivating cannabis for fiber, medicine, and inebriation long before they were cultivating any other plants. Betsy Ross sewed the first United States flag on hemp cloth and the Deceleration of Independence is written on hemp paper. (I could go on!)
And doctors agree. Cannabis was effectively made illegal in 1937 with the Marijuana Tax Act. Prior to that time, the plant was the 3rd most prescribed ingredient by Pharmacists and pharmacies were stocked with marijuana oils and creams to treat everything from menstrual cramps to pain and anxiety. In 1942, the American Medical Association found to maintain the ability to prescribe cannabis to patients. But despite its long history as a safe and effective treatment, they lost that battle. The war on drugs was born here along with the war for drugs which gave birth to drug cartels and the violence we now associate with drug use. (More on the history of the war on drugs and its devastating impacts in an upcoming post).
How does THC work?
We have two types of cannabinoid receptors in the Endocannabinoid System (CB1 and CB2). THC binds with one of those receptors (mostly in the brain) that controls pain and mood. That's why THC can make you feel euphoric and give you that “high.” CBD doesn't cause that high sensation because it interacts with the other cannabinoid receptor that is linked to feelings of well-being. One brain region that doesn’t have many CB1 receptors is the brain stem. This is the part of our brain responsible for respiration and circulation. This is the primary reason why cannabis overdoes do not cause respiratory depression and death, unlike opioid overdoses.
What are the benefits of THC?
THC is known to have medicinal properties that can reduce inflammation and relieve pain. And of course it provides that famous “high” or euphoric sensation. Unlike alcohol, there are very few “hangover” symptoms associated with THC, making it a popular choice for people who want to have a chill night and not regret it in the morning.
What are the side effects of THC?
Like almost all medicines, marijuana can induce its own set of side effects. The most common side effects are dry mouth, red eyes, hunger, and sleepiness. But the side effects can vary depending on the specific strain and method of consumption. Think of strains like wines, there are a ton of different varieties that all have slightly different tastes and impacts based on the grapes that are used. Similar to alcohol, there is a difference between taking a shot of vodka, having a vodka soda, or enjoying a light beer. Most adults are aware of how different alcohols impact them, but we are not as educated about cannabis so it’s important to start your journey slowly and learn what works best for you.
Studies have shown that there is a very wide range in the effects of cannabis on different patients based on several factors: usage patterns, genetics, and method of consumption. When ingested orally, the amount of THC absorbed by the body will vary from 4-12%, meaning the same does could impact one person 3 times more than another.
Although very unlikely, it has been found that 10% of regular cannabis users can become dependent on the substance but most uses are not, and do not, become addicted to cannabis. Also, to date, there have not been any reported deaths resulting only from cannabis use, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
It’s still possible to consume too much cannabis and have a negative experience, so we are here to help and share what has worked on our journey from newbies to advocates.