¿Qué es el THC? Definición y efectos del tetrahidrocannabinol

What is THC? Definition and effects of tetrahydrocannabinol

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Where does the acronym THC come from?

It's important that you understand what THC is, because in the world of cannabis, you'll often face a crucial decision: whether to choose CBD or a strain with a higher THC content.

This decision is important not only for the immediate effects you'll feel when trying it, but also for the long-term effects you might experience and because there are also legal consequences involved.

In this article, we'll tell you what THC is and its effects. Let's get to it!

➡️ What does THC stand for? Definition and basic concepts

Let's start with the essentials.

The hemp plant contains a large number of substances known as cannabinoids (113, specifically). Cannabinoids are compounds that produce various effects by acting on receptors in our body.

The most well-known and abundant cannabinoids are:

CBD (cannabidiol).
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, although the chemical formula for THC is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).

The proportion of these substances depends heavily on the specific plant variety and the cultivation process. Some plants will have a much higher percentage of CBD than others, and some will have much more THC.

➡️ Effects of THC

THC predominates in many cannabis strains and is famous for its psychoactive effects.

It is the substance credited with the famous "high," an effect perceived physically and psychologically:

Feeling of well-being.
Heightened senses.
Relaxation of body muscles.
Altered perception of time.
Euphoria.
Sedation.
Increased appetite.

While known for a long time, it wasn't until 1964 that chemist Raphael Mechoulam successfully isolated and synthesized THC from Lebanese hashish, at which point all the effects of THC began to be studied systematically and individually.

It was then discovered that, in addition to its known psychoactive effects, this substance also has various adverse effects (which one should be aware of before consuming it).

✅ 1. THC: adverse effects

Several short-term adverse effects of THC have been known for quite some time:

Drowsiness.
Dry mouth.
Dizziness.
Headaches.
Paranoia and anxiety.

These effects are common, and generally do not represent more than a simple bad experience that ends as soon as the THC level in the body decreases (something like a hangover after drinking alcohol).

However, these are not the effects that should concern us the most.

Now that more thorough research is being conducted on the effects of THC, alarming long-term effects are being identified.

A study has shown that prolonged THC use alters how the hippocampus (the part of the brain that forms memories) processes information, causing memory problems derived from this substance to become permanent.
A relationship between THC use and psychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia has also been established. Some studies suggest that if a person has a predisposition to psychotic conditions like this, THC consumption would cause symptoms to appear much earlier.

The most serious part is that, like any other substance, the body can develop a certain resistance to THC (psychological addiction).

This implies that the consumption of this substance will increase over time to continue experiencing the same effects, and with it, the aforementioned adverse effects will also worsen.

✅ 2. How long the effects last

When talking about the duration of THC effects, we must make an important distinction.

The duration of perceptible effects (the feeling of being "high") is not the same as the duration of imperceptible effects (THC effects on the body).

Generally, the psychotropic effects of THC are felt almost immediately after smoking, as the substance directly enters the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body. The "high" lasts about one to two hours.

However, if an edible product (like cookies or brownies) has been consumed, the body first has to digest it, and the effect can take up to 2 hours to be felt. On the other hand, the chemical reaction that occurs in the liver when this happens allows the effects to last up to 6 hours.

Imperceptible effects, however, go much further.

This means that THC stays in the blood much longer than the psychoactive effects last.

Even if you are not a regular user, THC can remain in the body for several weeks. If you are a habitual user, it can even remain for a couple of months.

➡️ THC vs. CBD, which is better?

Due to the adverse effects of THC, it has not yet been approved as a viable therapeutic option in most cases. In fact, in most countries worldwide, it is an illegal substance.

However, the hemp plant has much more to offer, like CBD. Its greatest advantages include the following:

It doesn't get you "high" because it has no psychotropic effects.
It is not addictive.
It has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

That's why it has been classified as a therapeutic substance by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is, therefore, a legal substance.

➡️ Now that you know what THC is, you can better choose which products to buy

Knowing all about THC, from its effects to its general legal status in the world, you can make an informed decision about which hemp products to purchase.

We always opt for safety: CBD with a THC percentage below the legal minimum. This way, you not only ensure you're giving your body the best but also avoid any legal issues.

Best of all, the different varieties of CBD allow you to experience a world of different aromas and flavors. You can see all the options in our flower catalog.

Do you have any questions or comments? You can leave them below.

Be CBD, my friend.