People around the world have been using cannabis for medical purposes for centuries. In fact, the Chinese started recording their therapeutic use of marijuana around 2900 B.C.
These days, two-thirds of Americans support the legalization of marijuana. However, there is still a long list of states where neither medical nor recreational use is allowed.
Whether you’re an old pro or a newbie, the science behind cannabis can be a bit complicated. If you’re curious to learn about how marijuana impacts your brain and body, the first place you’ll want to start is learning more about THC.
What is THC and what kind of THC products are available these days? Let’s take a look at what you need to know.
What Is THC?
There are at least 113 cannabinoids, or active compounds, in the cannabis plant. The most famous of these is THC.
THC stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and it is the main psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana. This cannabinoid signals the release of dopamine, a brain chemical, to activate the reward system in the brain. Dopamine plays an important role in pleasure and mood, and THC can cause people to have feelings of euphoria.
This compound was first discovered and isolated in Israel in 1964. It is believed that THC attaches itself to endocannabinoid receptors that occur naturally in the brain. These receptors are responsible for a number of vital processes, including pleasure, coordination, thinking, movement, and memory.
THC Vs. CBD: Understanding the Difference
The second most well-known cannabinoid after THC is definitely CBD. CBD exploded onto the U.S. market after the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp at the federal level. Both THC and CBD are cannabinoids that are derived from the cannabis plant, however, legal hemp cannot contain more than 0.3% THC.
Both CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system in your body. However, they don’t have the same effects.
The chemical structure of CBD and THC is molecularly the same. However, there is a slight difference in the arrangement of the atoms. Chemically similar to the endocannabinoids in your body, both of these cannabinoids can impact the release of neurotransmitters in your brain.
Neurotransmitters are responsible for sending messages between your cells. They play a role in immune function, sleep, stress, pain, and a number of other processes.
One of the most notable differences between these cannabinoids is that their psychoactive effects are different. While CBD is technically psychoactive, it doesn’t create the mind-altering “high” that is often associated with marijuana.
Both CBD and THC have a number of the same medical benefits. However, some patients prefer to use CBD to alleviate their symptoms because they prefer to avoid the intoxicating effects of THC.
The Legality of THC
The cannabis laws in the United States are constantly evolving. This has left a bit of a confusing situation, where the legality of THC isn’t always entirely clear.
Cannabis is still considered a Schedule I drug at the federal level. This means that it is in the same category as heavy-hitting drugs like heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.
However, as of 2021, there have been 36 states in the U.S. that have legalized marijuana for medicinal use. In addition, four territories also allow medical cannabis and THC products. There are also 18 states and two territories that allow for the use of recreational cannabis, as well as the District of Columbia.
In states where THC is still not legal for medical or recreational use, some people will use delta 8 THC instead. Because delta 8 can be extracted from industrial hemp, it can be available to people where THC is not. Follow this link if you’re wondering should I use Delta 8 Vape Carts, Flower, or Edibles?
What Kind of THC Products Are There?
When you’re thinking about using THC, you might get quickly overwhelmed by the wide variety of delivery systems and types of THC products available. Let’s break down the options to help you decide what’s right for you.
Flower
There has been a lot of innovation in the world of THC products, but many users stick with the old-fashion way of consuming cannabis. Marijuana flower is also referred to as bud, which is the part of the cannabis plant you can smoke.
This is one of the most affordable ways to use THC. It can be smoked using a pipe or bong or some users prefer rolling blunts or joints.
Concentrates
These are concentrations of cannabis plants, leaving primarily the cannabinoids and terpenes and getting rid of the rest of the plant material and other impurities.
People use concentrates by vaporizing them using dab rigs or sprinkling them on top of a bowl of cannabis flower. Concentrates are incredibly potent and have a rapid onset. This means that you need less to feel the effects and it can be easy to overdo it.
Edibles
Cannabis edibles are food or beverages that are infused with marijuana. You can either buy these from dispensaries in states where it’s legal or you can make them yourself using the flower. Edibles don’t hit you as quickly as other forms and the effects last longer, too.
You can also find THC products in the form of tinctures and topicals. Tinctures are typically more expensive but they allow for precise dosing. Topical THC products won’t produce an intoxicating experience, but they can help relieve pain and reduce muscle soreness.
Are You Looking For the Best THC Products?
As you can see, the way THC interacts with the body can be quite complex. On top of that, the number of THC products available on the market can leave your head spinning. However, it’s worth noting that everyone responds to cannabis differently, so ultimately you will want to experiment a bit when it comes to finding the THC products that are right for you.
Did you find this article about THC and THC products helpful? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog!