What does THC stand for? If you’ve mastered our cannabis seeds 101, you’ll know that it’s an abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol, the superstar compound of marijuana plants.
What does tetrahydrocannabinol do, then? It produces the psychoactive effects of smoking pot, but that’s a very short version of the story.
The effects of THC are the reason for the reputation weed has today. It’s an illicit drug in many parts of the planet and yet among the favorite herbs worldwide.
Myths claim that it cures cancer and causes brain damage, depending on which side of the aisle you’re on. So much information might confuse and deter you from the very idea of learning more. This guide is here to help.
Today, we define THC and explore its ins and outs. We’ll discuss how it interacts with your mind and body, what health benefits it brings, and the potential consequences of excessive usage.
Understanding THC
Is THC weed? No, but given its notoriety, there’s nothing strange about the misconception. THC is only a cannabinoid (a compound in cannabis) and not the only one.
There’s a total of 113 cannabinoids found so far. This one is simply the best-known, most-researched, and most prominent of the bunch, supplying cannabis all its trademark qualities.
Those fresh off our marijuana plant anatomy lesson know that THC mostly exists in resin-filled trichomes on weed flowers. We all love those sticky, potent buds, but that doesn’t answer the question. What does THC do during the smoking session?
Cannabinoid, endocannabinoid
The main way weed distinguishes it from other, less exotic plants is through its interplay with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS for short—it’s a mouthful).
The ECS is a modulatory network that sustains homeostasis (the organism’s way of maintaining stability). It also plays a major role in regulating various physiological processes, including:
- Appetite and metabolism
- Bone development
- Cardiovascular system
- Central nervous system
- Cognition (learning and memory retention)
- Immune system
- Mood (stress levels and responses)
- Muscle formation and growth
- Pain responses
This system consists of numerous chemical receptors. Compounds bind to them, triggering certain responses in the body. Sometimes, the glands produce chemicals that bind to the ECS themselves, and other times, they come from outside sources, such as THC.
These effects vary from person to person—what you feel isn’t necessarily what your smoking buddy experiences. The interaction can also fluctuate depending on the product, dose, how you ingest it, and how you’re feeling on any given day.
How do we know what you’ll get from a strain, then? Well, the science on this is still in infancy, but it seems that terpenes, the essential oils of weed, do more than affect its smell and taste. They steer THC into chemical pathways to produce different results.
We also have word of mouth from a worldwide stoner community to testify to the general trends and provide a practical answer to the simple, age-old question—what’s THC?
You can’t tell with absolute certainty what’ll happen after it enters your bloodstream, but what we know about the overall influence of THC is a good general pointer. Let’s break down what THC means for your brain and body.
How it affects the brain
If you’ve ever taken a puff of a sweet sativa, you’re already aware that THC can influence the brain. There’s clear science to back this up, explaining why this compound can make you feel like you’re on top of the world. What does THC mean for your brain, then?
Your brain has various receptors, but only two concern us in this context—CB1 and CB2. Consuming cannabis introduces THC chemicals into the body, and those cannabinoids quickly enter the bloodstream.
From there, they’ll bind to CB1 in the central nervous system and CB2 in the peripheral nervous system. Once the receptor binding is all done, two things happen:
- Regarding CB1, THC mimics a naturally occurring molecule called anandamide. As a response, the ECS pushes the brain to release dopamine. It over activates mood, appetite, and perception, letting all those fun elements enter the picture.
- When it comes to CB2, THC affects your pain and immune responses by blocking inflammation signals.
In simple terms, THC stimulates the part of your brain responsible for pleasure. It unleashes dopamine for those moments of pure relaxation and euphoria while easing pain and tension. Other potential effects include:
- Heightened senses
- Altered perception of time and space (brighter colors, slower passage of time)
- Lowered inhibitions
The sum of all these influences sets the tone for your high. It also explains why no two individuals have identical weed experiences.
How it affects the body
Psychosomatic effects aren’t powerful enough to explain the profound relaxation cannabis delivers to the body. It’s your receptors again, working their way around the system and creating the effects we know and love.
The interplay between THC and the ECS impacts the communication system in the brain, altering the release of neurotransmitters. These chemical messengers relay signals between cells, and when THC issues an order, they obey.
The cannabinoid can’t affect what information gets sent, but it modifies the processing, involving itself in pain detection, mood, sleep, and immune function.
There are receptors all over your body, and the influence varies with the affected area. Thus the munchies in your gut, topical cream-style release on the skin, and the relief from inflammation in immune cells.
Health benefits
CBD products have been all the rage in alternative medicine recently (check our ‘What are the medical benefits of CBD?’ report to learn more). People often forget THC in these discussions, but there’s a lot to this compound beneath the psychoactive effects that take the limelight.
Also, the interaction between THC and CBD does wonders for medical marijuana users. CBD can reduce the adverse effects of THC and provide the best of both worlds.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse recognizes some health benefits of THC, and a vast body of research is there to expand that list. There’s still much to be learned about where THC stands for medical purposes, but here’s what we do know.
Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation is a mighty beast. It contributes to a wide range of diseases and complicates those unrelated to its immediate effects.
The anti-inflammatory properties of THC mean a reliable replacement to synthetic drugs. While it can’t cure autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, a puff or two can significantly ease the pain that comes with them.
Appetite disorders
The FDA recognizes the ability of THC to reduce nausea and pain in those with gastrointestinal issues. Plus, since it acts as a hunger booster, it’s fantastic for anybody suffering from an eating disorder or appetite loss.
Cancer treatment
‘Cannabis is cancer therapy’ might be the most overstated advantage of THC, but there’s a grain of truth to the claim. It won’t cure cancer, but it’ll help with the harsh side effects of chemotherapy.
Some animal studies are taking things to the next level, seeking to prove that THC can cause tumor cells to shrink. There’s still a lot of research ahead before weed replaces radiation as a primary treatment, but THC means a lot to cancer patients already.
Glaucoma therapy
Glaucoma is a progressive illness caused by fluid pressure in the eye. What does tetrahydrocannabinol do for the eyes, you might wonder. Since THC lowers blood pressure, it could counter one of the primary causes of this ailment.
There’s a need for a lot of further research to fully back this claim. Still, as new strains of cannabis come up, it can become invaluable to those suffering from glaucoma.
Mood disorders
Cannabis can’t cure depression, anxiety, or ADHD, but its short-term effects ease the symptoms of these disorders. THC means a great deal to those needing a kick to make the world seem like a better place.
Note: Marijuana can’t replace therapy and psychiatric medication. Always consult with your doctor, and especially if you suffer from severe disorders that include paranoid thought.
Pain relief
Thanks to its analgesic properties, THC-heavy medical marijuana acts as a fantastic pain-reliever.
For many, THC means a more natural alternative to dangerous, heavily addictive opioids. It can diminish acute and chronic pain, greatly improving the quality of life for those struggling with neuropathic or simple muscle pain.
Sleep disorders
The euphoria and relaxation that THC stands for in your average person’s mind do magic for sleep disorders.
Medication can be ineffective, dangerous, and addictive. Cannabis, especially its potent indica strains, has strong sedative effects that guarantee a night of peaceful rest.
Short-term side effects
We’re sad to admit this, but not everything that happens upon smoking weed feels fantastic. The high is sometimes too strong for your own good. It can happen because you overindulged or bit off more than you can chew in terms of potency.
The enjoyable mind-altering effects can get intense and unpleasant when they get too far off the rails. Too much THC means:
- Altered judgment and lowered inhibitions
- Distorted perception of time, sounds, and visuals
- Difficulty retaining information
- Fear and paranoia
On the physical side of things, your high might cause:
- Bloodshot eyes and eye dryness
- Cottonmouth
- Difficulty breathing and chest pain
- Impaired coordination and motor skills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heart rate
The solution: If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t worry, they go by quickly. Even better, they’re pretty easy to avoid.
All you need to do is toke in moderation, stay hydrated, and tread the limits of your tolerance with careful feet. If you sense anything negative on the horizon, drop the blunt, breathe some fresh air, and you’ll be fine.
Long-term side effects
Sometimes, you can have too much of a good thing. Science has found a link between prolonged heavy exposure to THC and some detrimental physical and mental conditions. The nastier of the long-term side effects are discreet and develop gradually, but they add up in the long run.
The severity of these effects depends on the age when you start and the potency of the pot you’re smoking. Several journals of medicine and independent studies associate long-term marijuana use with many troubling risks. The most notable and well-corroborated include:
- Addiction potential. While highly unlikely, compared to other drugs, Cannabis Use Disorder does exist. It can lead to problematic behaviors and a tendency towards other intoxicating substances.
- Anxiety and depression. Controlled, low-dose weed usage can help with these issues in the short term. In the long run, chronic use of THC means that you might face worsening conditions.
- Cardiovascular issues. The increase in heart rate and drop in blood pressure after smoking could lead to cardiovascular ailments.
- Cognitive impairment. Adults who started smoking early might face a neuropsychological decline in cognition, memory, and learning, resulting in an overall lower IQ.
- Hallucinations and paranoia. Those susceptible to schizophrenic disorders might feel the symptoms grow more potent due to long-term pot usage.
- Respiratory infections and pneumonia. Pot smokers run the risk of damaging their lungs. Other respiratory complaints, such as wheezing and coughing, are also potential hazards.
Apart from these physical factors, or perhaps due to them, many social studies connect marijuana use with:
- Dropping out of school
- Reduced class mobility
- Other types of addiction
The solution: Responsible and safe consumption massively reduces the risk of any of these outcomes. Smoke in moderation, exercise your brain, avoid pot if it doesn’t benefit your mental condition, and mix things up with alternative ingestion methods to keep your lungs healthy.
Also, if you notice a dependency developing, take some time off weed. That way, you’ll reap all the delicious benefits while bypassing the pitfalls.
Knowledge is power
The essential takeaway of this ‘what is THC?’ ABC is straightforward. An informed stoner is a happy, healthy, secure stoner.
It’s always a good idea to know what the things you ingest do to your body. Whether you’re a veteran or an absolute newbie fiddling with their first blunt, such awareness is key.
It lets you keep every smoking session safe and sound. As a bonus, understanding the THC meaning is fantastic for learning how to choose the best cannabis seeds for your needs and preferences.
We hope that this guide answered the question of ‘what does THC stand for’ and helped you develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of this magical marijuana compound. Stay tuned to our blog for all things weed and light up with confidence.
