What is THC?

What is THC?

THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical responsible for most psychological effects of marijuana. Acts as cannabinoid chemicals made naturally by the body, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Cannabinoid receptors are concentrated in certain areas of the brain related to thought, memory, pleasure, coordination and perception of time. THC attaches to these receptors and activates them and affects the memory, pleasure, movement, thought, concentration, coordination and sensory perception and time of a person, according to NIDA.

THC is one of the many compounds present in the resin secreted cannabis plant glands. More of these glands are located around the reproductive organs of the plant than in any other region of the plant. Other unique marijuana compounds, known as cannabinoids, are present in this resin. A cannabinoid, CBD is non-psychoactive, according to the National Clearinghouse on Biotechnology, and effectively blocks the strong associated with THC.

Effects on the body

THC stimulates cells in the brain to release dopamine, which creates euphoria, according to NIDA. It also interferes with how the information in the hippocampus, part of the brain responsible for the formation of new memories are treated.

THC can cause hallucinations, change thinking and cause delirium. On average, the effects last for about two hours, and kick in 10 to 30 minutes after ingestion. However the psychomotor deterioration can continue after the perceived high level is stopped ,.

"In some cases, reported side effects include THC exultation, anxiety, tachycardia, short-term memory problems, sedation, relaxation, pain relief and much more," said AJ Fabrice, an expert in the Terra Tech Corp., a California farming company focused on local agriculture and medical cannabis. However, according to a study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, other cannabinoids and terpenes (compounds producing aromas and fragrances in plants) can modulate and reduce negative effects.

risks

The effects of marijuana make it a popular drug. In fact, it is considered one of the most commonly used illicit drugs in the world. But these effects also affect mental health advocates. THC can trigger a relapse of the symptoms of schizophrenia, according to NIDA.

Another potential risk of consuming THC is impaired motor skills. Marijuana can affect driving or similar tasks for about three hours after consumption and is the second most common psychoactive substance in drivers after alcohol, reports the National Road Safety Administration. People who take medical marijuana are advised not to drive until it has been established that can tolerate and successfully perform motor tasks.

Consumption of marijuana can cause problems for youth and long-term problems. "Some of the side effects of THC include decreased IQ, memory and cognition, especially in young people," said Dr. Damon Raskin, Medical Director of Cliffside Malibu Treatment Center. "However, the jury is still on the long-term effects because it has not done enough research on it todavía.Hay speculations that could harm fertility in men and women and also compromise the respiratory tract Of a person we do not know ".

A study conducted at the University of Montreal published in the Journal of Development and Psychopathology in 2016 revealed that the early use of marijuana can affect adolescents. Smokers who start around age 14 do worse in some cognitive tests than non-smokers. The study of nearly 300 students found that marijuana smokers also have a higher rate of dropping out of school. Those who have waited to start around 17 years old do not seem to have the same obstacles.

NIDA reports that rats exposed to THC before birth or shortly after birth in adolescence showed problems with specific tasks of learning and memory later in life.

The drug may also interact with certain drugs.

Medicinal uses

According to the National Cancer Institute, marijuana has been used in medicine for over 3,000 years. In early 2017, more than half of the US legalized the use of medical marijuana. Several states have legalized the drug for recreational use, too.

THC can be extracted from marijuana or synthesized, as medication by the FDA, it has approved dronabinol. Dronabinol is used to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting associated with cancer drugs and to increase the appetite of people with AIDS, according to the National Library of Medicine in the United States. It is a light yellow resinous oil.

Other studies show evidence that when used properly, THC has many health benefits. For example, THC may be able to improve memory when taken in small doses, according to a 2016 mouse study.

People are playing with marijuana as a better prescription for drug pills because it is "all natural". This can not be true. "Just because something is considered" natural "does not mean it is healthy," said Raskin. "For example, poison ivy may be harmful because it only grows in the soil does not mean it is good for you or healthy. "

overdose

Edible, foods that contain THC, have become a major problem in states that have legalized pot due to overdosage.

"Edible can lead to an overdose sometimes because people often eat a full serving of a cookie instead of a small amount diagnosed," Raskin said. "I mean, who eats an average cookie?" It is easier to swallow a cookie and is very attractive to young people or those who do not want to inhale the smoke. "

Raskin also explained that edibles are extremely high potential, and when ingested in the gastrointestinal tract, the drug may last longer and more intensely. "The effect of inhaled THC will last 45 minutes to a few hours, but the food can last six to eight hours and are more likely to make a trip to the emergency room with an overdose," he said.

Concentrations of THC in cannabis

When exposed to air THC, cannabinol degrades, a cannabinoid that has its own psychological effects. The concentration of THC also depends on the cultivation of the cannabis plant, known scientifically as Cannabis sativa L.

One type of cannabis that has a minimum amount of THC, as low as 0.5 percent, is hemp, according to the North American Industrial Hemp Council. Hemp is used for industrial and medical purposes.

Some strains of cannabis can have as little as 0.3 percent by weight of THC. In other strains, THC is 20 percent by weight in a sample. The National Traffic Safety Administration indicates that the average concentration of THC in marijuana is 1 to 5 percent; Haschisch, is 5 to 15 percent, and hash oil, with an average of 20 percent. THC at recreational doses of marijuana is very variable and the higher the THC content in marijuana, the user must consume more to produce the desired effects.