With over 400 various compounds that are found in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is probably the most widely known. Even though THC is well known, especially among marijuana users, THC is also one of the most complex compounds in the plant.
It’s probably fair to say that even if most people have heard of THC, there may not be many that truly understand the way it works.
When you ask the average person what they know about THC, they will likely tell you it’s what makes you high when you smoke pot. Yes, that is true, but it goes much deeper than that. THC can provide many medicinal benefits as well as recreational pleasure.
What Does THC Do?
While THC is a psychoactive compound, it’ chemical make-up C₂₁H₃₀O₂, is quite similar to cannabidiol (CBD). CBD combats the effects of THC.
THC mimics the natural chemical anandamide that is produced in the human brain and it alters the communication function. The THC compound attaches to brain neurons and changes the process, interrupting normal brain communication via the neurons.
THC will affect memory, thinking, movements, pleasure, concentration, time perception, sensory, and coordination. These are the reasons that it is not recommended to drive or operate machinery while a person is under the influence of THC.
Uses For THC
While the benefits of THC are still being studied widely, many medicinal benefits have already been discovered. Even though marijuana is still illegal in most US states, medical marijuana has been legalized in places and even recreational marijuana has been legalized in some places too. Know the laws of the state you live in.
Some of the medical conditions that THC has shown to be effective for are things like glaucoma. It has also said to help control tremors in those with Parkinson’s disease.
It can provide some pain relief for those with pain caused by Multiple Sclerosis. It can help with nerve pain. Many cancer patients that must undergo chemotherapy use THC to help control nausea they feel after treatments.
THC vs CBD
In states where marijuana is still illegal, most places have legalized CBD products because when CBD has been derived from a hemp plant, there is very little THC. In other words, CBD does not get you high.
CBD has many medicinal benefits too. This is one reason it has gained no much popularity in recent years and CBD sales are through the roof.
The marijuana plant has lots of THC, while it’s cousin, the hemp plant contains more CBD. Both compounds are useful for pain. CBD is reported to be helpful with things like anxiety, insomnia, depression, acne, and more.
Whether you choose to use marijuana or products that have THC, could depend on where you live. Where THC is not legal in most places, CBD likely is.
Another thing to consider is where you work. If marijuana is illegal in your state and you are drug tested at your job, then THC in any form will be an issue for you. Whereas if you use CBD products that contain no THC at all, it will be acceptable.
Will THC Ever Be Legal Everywhere?
The old fight of legalizing marijuana has been being debated for decades and will likely continue in states where it still is illegal. What might propel THC to be legalized for medicinal purposes in those states is if further studies prove that there are even more benefits from THC.
No one can say for sure when or if this will ever happen, but for those that firmly believe that THC helps them, they continue to hope and battle for marijuana and THC to become legal for medical use where they live.
Legalizing marijuana for recreational use alone might be a bigger hill to climb in some states for the time being.
