Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most well-known psychoactive and psychotropic chemical compound found in cannabis plants. It's a naturally occurring compound that has been used medicinally and recreationally for centuries. In this Comprehensive Guide to THC, you will learn more about Tetrahydrocannabinol than the majority of all mankind.
As mentioned earlier, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a chemical compound known as a cannabinoid and since it’s naturally-derived from a plant, it is a phytocannabinoid (phyto = from a plant).
THC is the main active compound of cannabis plants that is infamous for giving consumers a “high” sensation, but is now growing in popularity worldwide for its potential use in medicine, specifically, the medical marijuana industry.
THC is known to have psychoactive and psychotropic effects, meaning it can be mind-activating and state-of-mind altering, respectively, and can causes changes in perception, mood, and behavior.
There are many different types of THC like THC analogs and THC cannabinoid derivatives, which we will get into right after we chat about the history.
The use of marijuana dates back thousands of years and has been used both medicinally and ceremonially by many cultures around the world.
The topics I’ll cover in this section are vast, informative, and what I believe are very important pieces of information to know about THC. The topics include:
To start this off, I want to give you the best resource I’ve found online. Seriously, I was awed at the amount of information I found here, Phytocannabinoids: A Unified Critical Inventory. This white paper is the most in-depth analysis and breakdown of all the different cannabinoids I’ve ever found
I hope you enjoy it!
For now, let’s jump into the first topic from the list above.
THC’s complexity lies in its many varieties. All these alternatives, or analogs, have a similar molecular structure with one major difference – the placement of atomic double bonds. This subtle alteration is enough to create vastly different effects when used by consumers!
The definition of a derivative cannabinoid, which I will paraphrase according to Utah’s state legislature.
Derivative cannabinoids are chemical compounds, enabled through man-made processes that use existing cannabinoid compounds to create new compounds.
With each derivative, the atomic structure changes, and if the derivative can associate with the ECS (later discussed in this article) it could offer a unique potential for medical and therapeutic applications.
We’ve listed the THC-types from strongest to weakest in regards to potency
Did you wonder why THC has numbers associated with it? A lot of people might not pay attention to this subtle common characteristic but in regards to THC, it’s kind of important or at least, very cool to know.
To find out how the different types of THC obtain their number, we have to go to the atomic level and look at the carbon molecules, specifically.
THC has an important double bond associated with its molecules and based on where this double bond is located, is how each THC-type received their number. I.e.
See? I told you its kind of cool.
It binds to receptors in the brain and can produce feelings of euphoria, relaxation, altered perceptions of time and space, as well as increased appetite.
THC also has some purported medicinal and therapeutic benefits such as reducing nausea and improving pain relief for certain conditions (source).
Another way THC works in the human body as well as the majority of all living creatures is by interacting, influencing, and/or supporting the ECS.
Endocannabinoid System, AKA ECS, is broken up into the following three categories:
To learn more about the Endocannabinoid System, click here.
First and foremost, any information shared here ARE NOT MEDICAL CLAIMS, I am just reporting on the information that is publicly available.
Furthermore, as I share information in this section, please note that I am cover Delta 9 THC, specifically. The reason for this is because each type of THC offers its own unique properties. Their individual atomic structures results in very specific ways on how each type of THC interacts with the body when consumed.
For example, Δ9-THC is very psychotropic, but it’s reported that THCP seems to have 30x stronger psychoactive and psychotropic effects compared to Delta 9. While THCV has little psychotropic effects and also seems to act as an appetite suppressant or stimulant depending on dosage.
As you can see, these are all THC molecules, but each with their own effects and benefits. Long story short and for sincere clarity, any “THC benefit” or potential “medicinal/therapeutic application” listed in this section should be automatically insinuated as a Delta-9 THC reference.
The terpenes in cannabis.
Check out this Systematic review from the British Journal of Pharmacology. They mention all of the following but much more explicit in detail:
If this information interests you, please continue learning our article on The Benefits Of THC Gummies.
When combining CBD products with THC products, studies show that it may be beneficials in the management of symptoms of chronic pain relief.
You see the potential benefits, but are there effects of marijuana on the human body and brain?
Historically, the use and consumption of Cannabis, which goes hand in hand with the consumption of THC for both recreational use and medical use has been connected to several risks and adverse health effects that you should know about.
The long term negative effects are horrible, but are there serious short-term adverse effects?
We offer a deep dive into the side effects of THC gummies which covers both the short-term and long-term effects of THC. With that said, a topic we must address here is THC overdoing possibilities/THC intoxication.
After ingestion, its important to weight 2-3 before your next edible because as THIS DOCTOR SAID, the second dose gets taken too soon and now the consumer unknowingly took an unneeded double dose.
Back in the day, people had two methods on how they would consume THC; smoking marijuana flower buds and infusing THC into oils and foods. In 2023, the THC product market is vastly more advanced.
Based on the number of online searches and national volume of dollars spent per product, the following are the most popular THC products in 2023:
There are a few things that make these two differ from each other so lets take a look at each one.
Here are three important topics that we’ve dedicated individual articles to that we recommend reading. If you’re interested in learning the THC timeframes of specific questions that we get all the time, below I’ll introduce each one and offer a link for your convenience.
You’re about to partake in a brand new experience with one of the latest THC products on the market for the first time. It could be a THC tincture, THC Beverage, THC capsule, Marijuana Strain (proper term = cultivar), or our personal favorite, a THC gummy, and now you want to know the onset time of when euphoria is supposed to kick in. If you find yourself in this category, we recommend the following for a clear look at How Long Do Edibles Take To Start Working?
Perhaps you are planning on taking a THC gummy, brownie, or any other edible for the first time or maybe you’re already super stoned and you are worried about how long the high will last, either way, this article is for you – How Long Do The Effects Of Edibles Last?
As the THC product industry continues its growth, more and more consumers are worried about failing their job-required, THC-triggered drug tests, or for any other particular reason. If this is one of your concerns or if you simply want to know how long Tetrayhydrocannabinol will be detectable after taking a THC edible product whether it be via urine, hair, or sweat test, please read How Long Do THC Edibles Stay In Your System?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the most popular compounds found in cannabis plants due to its intoxicating effects when consumed or applied topically through products like oils or balms.
There are several different types of THC products infused with specific cannabinoid analogs and derivatives that are available online; each having their own unique properties. For example:
You see, with the right knowledge about phytocannabinoids, and for this article, THC specifically, you can make an informed decision about which THC product would be best suited for your needs; whether it be recreational or medical in YOUR OPINION.
Ultimately though, all forms should be approached with caution since they all have potential risks associated with them due to their varying levels of potency, age on the market, or lack of authoritative research on the specific THC-type of product in question.
Speak to a medical professional before considering to add THC to your diet and as always, ENJOY RESPONSIBLY!
All informational sources and references were citied throughout the article, any additional sources not cited can be found below:
