What is THC?
Cannabis and Marijuana comprise more than 400 phytochemicals; however, you might have heard of only two THC-tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD-cannabidiol. These cannabinoids provide many therapeutic benefits that scientists are still exploring; however, their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties have been acknowledged for a long time.
Here is more to learn about THC and its possible health benefits.
About THC
THC, an acronym for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the intoxicating ingredient in cannabis. THC is what causes you to experience “high” when taking Marijuana.
Apart from its buzz, it is a cannabinoid, a molecule that interacts with your body to regulate different bodily functions. THC stimulates neurotransmitters that impact happiness, cognition, learning, coordination, and time perception by binding to receptors in the brain.
THC can be helpful to cure various medical ailments as well, according to some studies and anecdotal data. It can also be excellent from a recreational perspective, bringing pleasure and calmness in some people. All in all, THC brings more health benefits than side effects.
How does THC Work?
Your body has an innate cell signaling system called Endocannabinoid system-ECS. This system has three main ingredients: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. The working of the ECS is the same as lock and key. With a specific key (endocannabinoids), you can unlock a particular lock (receptor) to trigger a function within the body.
Now note that your body has two receptors, CB1 and CB2. THC works by binding to the CB1 receptor. The CB1 receptor is present across your body and nervous system. It regulates hunger, pain, inflammation, cognitive abilities, and memory.
How Long Does It Take for THC to Drain Out from Your System Completely?
THC stays in the brain and body for way too long than most other psychoactive components (approximately 20 hours after administration), despite the euphoric symptoms only lingering a couple of hours.
THC is also retained for three to four weeks in body fat and tissues. And it can be detected in hair follicles even after extended durations, approximately three months. However, most drug tests go through Urinary testing, but it has been discovered that it is an inconsistent means of diagnosis.
What are the Benefits of THC?
THC is a psychoactive compound that is used to treat a variety of ailments. However, since cannabis is banned in the United States, THC study is severely constrained.
The majority of the clinical information available is anecdotal findings or data from doctors in areas where medicinal Marijuana is legal. Moreover, Marijuana is a schedule 1 chemical, precluding much scientific study work.
These are some of the significant advantages discovered by scientists so far:
1. Alleviates pain
The most general purpose of consuming medical Marijuana is to relieve chronic pain. THC raised the likelihood of pain relief by roughly 40% in a significant 2015 systematic evaluation of cannabis research in individuals with chronic pain.
Although medical studies show that cannabis can help with chronic pain, authors concur that additional investigation is required to determine what dosages, types, and combos of cannabinoids are particularly effective for chronic pain sufferers.
2. Diminishes nausea from chemotherapy
In a limited 2010 report of chemotherapy participants, individuals that received a THC-containing drug in addition to regular medication had better nausea and vomiting control than others that took conventional medicines only.
Moreover, the THC use for nausea is not new since two THC-infused medicines named nabilone and dronabinol have been around for 30 years. These drugs were primarily prescribed for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
3. Reduces muscle spasms in paraplegics
THC compounds have been shown in trials to lessen muscle spasms, which are a classic indication of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and partial paralysis.
In addition, a major systematic review published in 2015 found that THC combined with additional cannabinoids reduced self-reported muscle contractions greater than a control group; however, the benefit was not clinically meaningful.
4. Improves sleep
Sleep disorders are common in people suffering from illnesses such as MS and chronic conditions. THC products have been shown in investigations to help with short-term sleep issues, sleep disruptions, and the time it takes to sleep. Nevertheless, it’s uncertain if THC has an immediate effect on sleep quality or if sleep is better due to the reduction in chronic discomforts.
What are the Side Effects of THC?
When someone consumes THC, they may experience various short-term side effects. These include symptoms like:
· Dry mouth
· Sore eyes
· Sluggish response times
· Feeling high and euphoric
· Memory loss
· Cognitive impairment
· Rapid heart beat
Becoming intoxicated can have negative psychiatric consequences for teenagers, specifically since a teenager’s brain is still maturing.
As per a study, frequent or heavy doses of THC can raise the likelihood of getting schizophrenia in some persons inclined to it.
THC does not appear to have any significant adverse effects. If administered correctly, it cannot be harmful. Also, it seems that persons who use THC recreationally have a low risk of becoming addicted to it.
What is the Legal Standing of THC?
Many jurisdictions in the United States have allowed medical Marijuana on a controlled scale.
Every state has its definition and regulations for the authorized consumption, administration, and sale of Marijuana.
There is still no national statute that allows medical Marijuana to be used legally. Consequently, in any jurisdiction that does not have a law authorizing it, it is unlawful to consume or recommend medicinal cannabis.
Cannabis use for recreational uses has been legalized in some states. Recreational marijuana use is prohibited below the federal Law umbrella, just as medicinal cannabis.
Before purchasing medical Marijuana, you must research the legislation in their area. You might encounter legal issues if you are getting or consuming cannabis for medicinal or other purposes since the jurisdiction does not officially authorize it.
The laws governing the consumption of medical and recreational cannabis are continuously evolving. So if you are considering taking CBD or THC must verify their local regulations frequently since they may have changed or are in the process of updating.
The Takeaway?
THC is the psychoactive component in cannabis that makes you feel high. According to some research, it can help with chronic pain and other medical problems. However, THC also brings side effects like anxiety, intoxication, euphoria, mouth dryness, and sore eyes.
So it is always best to proceed with caution. Above all, it is your responsibility to check the legal status of the THC in your state since it varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
But as you might know, any product containing less than 0.2% THC is legal under most of European countries law so KANNASTAR we provide a wide range of low THC products that are legal and safe to use. Check out our products today!