Most people know that THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical compound in cannabis responsible for a euphoric high. But what more is there to know about cannabisโ primary psychoactive component? Whether the question comes as a newbie to the cannabis world or an experienced consumer who would like to know a bit more about the most famous of cannabinoids, THC has likely been synonymous with cannabis in your mind for as long as youโve known about the plant.
Letโs dig a little deeper into what THC is and how it works.
THC is a Cannabinoid, but Whatโs a Cannabinoid?
The first step to understanding THC is to understandย cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that interact with receptors in the brain and body to create various effects. There exist dozens, and potentially more than 100, cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, but THC is most widely known among these due to its abundance and euphoric attributes.
The isolation of THC came from an Israeli chemist by the name of Raphael Mechoulam. In 1964, Mechoulam isolated and synthesized THC from Lebaneseย hashish, marking the beginning of cannabis research that would lead to the discovery of many other cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, and โendocannabinoidsโ โ the THC-like compounds our body naturally produces to maintain stability and health.
Why does cannabis produce cannabinoids? Cannabinoids are known as secondary metabolites, which means they are chemicals the plant produces that have no primary role on the plantโs development. However,ย the leading hypothesisย is that secondary metabolites act as an immune system for the plant, fending off predators, parasites, and pests.
Because humans (and many other animals) have receptor systems that THC binds to, we can also reap the benefits of cannabinoids for both health and enjoyment. This system, called the endocannabinoid system (or ECS), is a group of specialized signaling chemicals (think โkeysโ), their receptors (think โlocksโ), and the metabolic enzymes that produce and break them down. These endocannabinoid chemical signals act on some of the same brain and immune cell receptors (CB1 and CB2) that plant cannabinoids likeย cannabidiol (CBD) and ฮ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) act on.
How Does THC Produce Its Effects and Get Us High?
Simply put, THC works by binding to cannabinoid receptors concentrated in the brain and central nervous system to produce intoxicating effects. But does that mean our bodies evolved for cannabis?
Well, not quite. Before envisioning a symbiotic relationship between cannabis and humans, itโs important to be introduced to โendogenous cannabinoidsโ such as anandamide and 2AG โ the human bodyโs naturally occurring cannabinoids. You may be familiar with anandamide if youโre, say, a runner and have experiencedย the wave of euphoriaย after a successful jog, commonly known as โrunnerโs high.โ
The bottom line? Our bodies evolved to interact with natural cannabinoids such as anandamide, but this same system is responsible for the effects experienced from THC and other cannabinoids.
What to Expect from a THC High
THC has a wide range of short-term effects which may or may not be experienced depending on the individual. For example, while some may find that THC elicits strong feelings of calm and peace, others may noticeย an increase in their anxiety levels. The difference can be as simple as oneโs own body chemistry, but certain strains and varying concentrations of THC can also create different outcomes in how one feels.
If one cannabis strain elicits unpleasant feelings, another may be just the right medley to induce a very enjoyable sensation. Consider consulting aย thorough strain databaseย to find whatโs right for you, and as always, itโs wise to โstart low and go slowโ โ ย consume a little at a time and then wait to see how you feel. Remember, a cannabis high can last for a few hours, but itย willwear off.
Some short-term effects of THC include:
- Elation
- Relaxation
- Sedation
- Pain relief
- Memory impairment
- Energy
- Hunger
- Drowsiness
- Increased heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Slowed perception of time
- Laughter
- Dizziness
- โCouch-lock,โ or feeling heavy
- Anxiety/paranoia
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