The term “THC” is common amongst cannabis connoisseurs, but not many know what it means. Understanding the why and the how of cannabis can enhance your experience to a new level. Here are some important things to learn about THC and THC-infused goods.
What is THC?
Cannabis is typically categorized by sativa and indica, as well as their hybrid crossbreeds. One of the main differences between them is the cannabinoid content and terpene profiles.
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis plants. THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is the most understood and well-known cannabinoid when it comes to intoxicating effects, but other cannabinoids and terpenes also play a major role in the entourage effect.
Delta-9 THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It’s responsible for the intoxicating feelings associated with consuming cannabis products that contain THC.
First discovered in the 1960s by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam1, THC is one of the most thoroughly studied cannabinoids. Over the last 60 years, THC has been studied for its potential properties to help aid certain medical conditions such as nausea, chronic pain, anxiety, lack of appetite, and inflammation, among other ailments.
How THC interacts with the body
Research is ongoing into the precise mechanism of action by which cannabinoids, including THC, influence our bodies. Current evidence suggests that THC works by binding to receptors in the endogenous cannabinoids system (ECS).
The ECS is composed of cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids produced by your body, and enzymes that work together to regulate your mood, appetite, digestion, and more major functions. This system is responsible for many of the therapeutic effects of cannabis.
As of now, two types of receptors have been identified in the ECS: the CB1 receptor and the CB2 receptor. These receptors are located throughout your body, with particularly large concentrations in your nervous system, skin, immune system, and other places. They’re responsible for regulating many psychological functions, like mood, appetite, sleep, and pain management.
When you consume cannabis, THC binds directly to these receptors and influences things like our mood, sleep, and memory. In fact, THC closely resembles anandamide, an endocannabinoid produced by our bodies, in structure2. There’s also research that suggests THC stimulates neurons in the reward system to release higher levels of dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for functions like pleasurable reward and motivation.
What is CBD?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) isn’t the only cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. There are over 100 different cannabinoids, each with potential therapeutic benefits, including pain relief, appetite stimulation, and anti-stress.
The second-most important cannabinoid is CBD (cannabidiol). The structure is like THC, but both cannabinoids interact with different receptors in the body.
CBD is mainly derived from the hemp plant, a variant of the Cannabis Sativa plant. The difference between regular cannabis plants and hemp is the THC content. Any plant with less than 0.3 percent of THC is considered hemp.
Some cannabis products are balanced in their cannabinoid content, while others are THC-dominant or CBD-dominant.
Other well-known cannabinoids include:
- CBG (cannabigerol): A nonintoxicating cannabinoid that may reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and potentially helps with glaucoma and inflammation
- CBN (cannabinol): A cannabinoid that can produce mild psychoactive effects when taken in higher doses and offers sedating effects, pain reduction, and neuroprotective benefits
- CBC (cannabichromene): A nonintoxicating cannabinoid with potential anti-inflammatory, pain relief, and mood regulation benefits
- THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin): A mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that may reduce appetite
THC vs. CBD: A comparative view
Both THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), each interacting with specific cannabinoid receptors in different ways. The main difference between the two cannabinoids is how CBD and THC affect the body, as one of them is intoxicating and the other is not.
| THC | CBD | |
| Produces a high | Yes | No |
| Pain management | Yes | Yes |
| Reduces nausea and vomiting | Yes | Yes |
| Helps with seizures | No | Yes |
| Helps with insomnia | Yes | Yes |
| Managing depression symptoms | Depends | Yes |
| Shows up on a drug test | Yes | CBD can result in a positive test if the product contains THC, which is common in full-spectrum formulas |
| Side effects | Dry mouth, dry eyes, increased anxiety, and paranoia | Fatigue, dry mouth, dry eyes |
| Legality | Depends on the state | Legal in most states |
Legality of THC and other cannabinoids
Currently, there is no federal law allowing the legal use of THC across the United States. Each state has specific laws and regulations regarding the use of medical and recreational cannabis. Checking state laws is crucial before buying and consuming THC products to avoid breaking any laws.
Many CBD products contain THC, but those products are legal at the federal level if they contain less than 0.3 percent THC and if they are considered to be hemp-derived CBD products. Under the federal law, CBD products that contain more than 0.3 percent THC are considered marijuana-derived CBD products.
THC is a psychoactive compound in cannabis, known for producing different effects and therapeutic benefits, which makes it a key element of cannabis consumption.
