Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of approximately 113 known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant and the principal psychoactive component. It’s also one of the main chemicals responsible for the psychological effects of marijuana and functions similarly to the cannabinoid chemicals our bodies naturally produce.
THC works by stimulating brain cells to release dopamine and can also impact how the hippocampus processes information. Some people also experience hallucinations and changes in thinking, which can kick in within 10 to 30 minutes and last for around two hours.
It’s only natural to be intrigued by THC, especially if you haven’t yet explored the many product options and want to be well-informed before buying. If the time has come to explore new THC goods, you might be surprised to learn the following facts about THC.
You Can Put It In Food
While you can purchase THC within cannabis flower that you can put into any number of products, you can also buy it already processed for convenience. If you click here, you can learn more about the various options available, such as THC gummies and chocolate that have been manufactured to high standards for your peace of mind.
Many people prefer to smoke cannabis in its flower form, but having the choice to eat it in a sweet treat or as a meal addition is something more people are considering as manufacturers become more innovative with their processing.
There Is More Than One THC Type
You might only hear about THC in cannabis, but there is more than one THC type present in the leaves, stems, and flowers of cannabis plants. Instead, there are four: THCA, THCV, Delta-8 THC, and Delta-9 THC.
THCA is the only one of four that has no psychoactive effects and is the source of the other three THC types. Currently, researchers are looking into its potential to be helpful for chronic pain, nausea, epilepsy, and a range of other conditions.
THCV is similar to THCA in that it doesn’t have mind-altering properties in low doses. However, you might experience a stimulating high with high doses. In contrast to most other THC types that have been known to enhance your appetite, THCV functions as an appetite suppressant.
Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC are among the most well-known THC types on the market. Delta-8 has been known to produce feelings of euphoria and might also assist with alleviating nausea, anxiety, and pain.
Delta-9 is the main psychoactive component in male and female cannabis plants and has no mind-altering properties in its raw form. However, heat and decarboxylation allow the molecules within Delta-9 to bind with our bodies’ cannabinoid receptors, leading to euphoric feelings. More detailed information about delta 8 vs delta 9 can be found on Google.
People Rely On THC for Pain Relief
While there are many different pain relief methods for people to tap into, THC within Delta-9 products is one that many people are starting to rely on, especially for nerve-related pain, neuropathic pain, and chronic pain.
Studies are still in their infancy, but it appears to work by activating central nervous system pathways that prevent pain signals from being sent to the brain. Trials have even confirmed its potential in an FDA-approved trial where a low Delta-9 THC dose reduced pain intensity compared to a placebo. According to the study, the analgesic effects of a low Delta-9 THC dose in patients experiencing neuropathic pain was a ‘clinically significant outcome.’
It Might Assist With Sleep
Many people struggle to sleep at night and experience frequent sleep interruptions. While there are several effective sleep remedies available and lifestyle changes people can make to improve their sleep, some people have found relief with THC. Early experimental studies with insomniacs found that those who consumed THC could fall asleep faster and woke less in the first half of the night.
It Can Increase Your Appetite
If you suffer from a medical or mental health condition that causes appetite loss, THC might be something you consider to start feeling hungry again. Three of the four main THC types interact with a hormone called ghrelin, which can stimulate hunger. If you’re struggling to consume food, it might be worth trying a THC product to see if it kick starts your appetite to help fuel your body with the essential nutrients it needs to perform at its best.
THC Helps the Plants
We take THC from plants for our own benefit, but very few people consider why it’s actually in cannabis plants in the first place. Surprisingly, it might play a number of roles throughout a plant’s lifetime. THC has high UV-B absorption properties to potentially protect the plants from sun exposure, but it might also protect them from fungi and microbial infections that might otherwise lead to a plant’s failure to thrive or even its death.
It Might Prevent Nausea
Most of us do our best to look after our health, but that doesn’t mean we don’t feel nauseous from time to time due to a bug or medical condition. If you’re tired of experiencing nausea, you might like to explore your options around cannabis use.
According to animal studies, manipulation of the endocannabinoid system can regulate nausea and vomiting in both animals and humans. These studies have also found that cannabinoids might be helpful in treating the more difficult-to-control systems of nausea that conventional pharmaceutical agents fail to manage.
It’s Beneficial as PTSD Treatment
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a disorder that can present itself after a traumatic event. Sufferers often experience symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, depression, and nightmares. While many treatment options are available, such as medication and therapy, federal studies have shown that cannabis might also be effective.
Evidence from a non-randomized study found that cannabis was associated with a reduction in overall PTSD symptoms and was well-tolerated by most participants. However, the 2024 study just scratched the surface of its potential, and further studies with larger sample sizes might be required to explore a broader range of patient outcomes.
Given the prevalence of cannabis products on the market, it’s only natural to be curious about what you can purchase and the effects and benefits you might experience. If you haven’t yet tried cannabis products like Delta-9, now might be the right time to take note of this information above and purchase products from safe and reliable stockists to see if they’re right for you.
