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What is THC?
Hemp, commonly known as cannabis, is a plant that has been consumed by humans for over 3,000 years. However, it was not until the 1960s that the presence of one of the most active cannabinoids in this plant was discovered: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Capable of acting on the body’s and brain’s cellular receptors (known as “endocannabinoid receptors”), as well as altering the way these cells communicate with one another and behave, THC remains shrouded in mystery, which we will attempt to unravel for you in this article.
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol: what on earth is it?
THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the term used to refer to the main psychoactive cannabinoid naturally present in cannabis.
THC: definition
Tetrahydrocannabinol is the molecule responsible for the main psychoactive effects of cannabis. It acts in the same way as the cannabinoids that we naturally produce in our bodies, within our endocannabinoid system. This molecule was, moreover, isolated and synthesised as recently as 1964 by Raphaël Mechoulam.
Our cannabinoid receptors are concentrated in the parts of our brain associated with memory, thinking, coordination, pleasure and the perception of time.
When THC is consumed, it binds to these receptors to activate them. In this way, it can affect all of these parts of the brain. This molecule is found in the resin secreted by the hemp plant, around the cannabis flowers, but not only there...
THC: effects on the body
THC has several effects on the body. The first is a feeling of euphoria, as it stimulates brain cells to release dopamine, also known as the ‘happiness hormone’. Furthermore, itinterferes with the information processed by the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming new memories. But the list doesn’t stop there: from relaxation to pain relief, THC can also cause anxiety, memory loss or tachycardia, amongst other things.
It is important to note that the effects of THC last for around 2 hours and become apparent between 10 minutes and 1 hour after ingestion (depending on the method). Similarly, if you are wondering how long THC remains in the blood, it is important to know that the molecule remains present and detectable for much longer. In fact, traces of THC can still be found in the blood even after 30 days.
THC: risks
If THC is considered one of the most widely used illicit drugs worldwide, it is partly because its effects have made it popular. However, THC can affect the mental health of its users, in particular by triggering a relapse of schizophrenic symptoms, according to the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse).
It may also be responsible for impaired motor skills or reduced attention and concentration, depending on the user’s profile. Furthermore, it can cause long-term problems, particularly in young people, by impacting the development of memory and brain function. THC may also be linked to reduced fertility in some people.
Medicine and THC
Although cannabis consumed for medical purposes has been used for over 3,000 years and is currently authorised in certain European countries, it is only tolerated in certain countries for recreational use, such as in the Netherlands, Spain or Germany, for example. Extracted from cannabis or synthesised, THC is authorised only in Sativex (a medicine to relieve the symptoms of people suffering from multiple sclerosis), in France.
It is worth noting thatyou cannot die from a cannabis overdose. However, consuming too much can lead to unpleasant situations.
Governments that have legalised medical or recreational cannabis have now limited its content to 10 mg per portion and have introduced clear labelling with packaging that is difficult to open.
THC concentration in cannabis
Depending on the cannabis strain, the cultivation method and the grower’s expertise, THC levels will vary. Similarly, depending on the temperature at which it is consumed, THC will act differently (its boiling point is 157 °C).
Below 0.2%, the variety will be considered hemp in France. It will then be considered legal to cultivate and authorised for use in the textile, construction, cosmetics, food and drink, health industries, etc.
>>See our CBD products (with max 0.2% THC)<<
Cannabis contains a highly variable concentration of THC, ranging from 10 to 15% in the flowers, from 15 to 20% in the resin, and sometimes from 70 to 90% depending on certain extraction methods.
THC and CBD: what are the differences?
THC and CBD have one thing in common: they are both derived from the hemp plant. They are therefore both cannabinoids that act on the body’s receptors. Nevertheless, they remain different in many respects.
Cannabis: a complex plant
A complex product comprising several hundred cannabinoid molecules, each with specific properties, cannabis is best known for one of its psychoactive substances: tetrahydrocannabinol.
Indeed, this is primarily consumed for its effects which alter the user’s state of consciousness, or, as they say, which “get you high”. Generally, when we talk about recreational cannabis use, we are referring to a product rich in THC.
However, one must not confuse CBD with THC. Cannabidiol is the other most active molecule in cannabis, but it does not serve the same purposes. Although it also has a mild sedative effect, it mitigates the effects of THC by calming the nervous system. Depending on the concentration, CBD delays the effects of THC, whilst reducing the risk of a bad trip. In short, CBD has neither a psychotropic effect, nor any significant negative side effects.
CBD: properties and benefits
The difference between CBD and THC also lies in the effects these substances have on health.
THC is considered a psychoactive drug that can lead to mild dependence in most countries, whilst CBD is legal in most countries, without any psychoactive effects or the risk of addiction. It is also said to have significant therapeutic properties and enormous potential thanks to its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits.
CBD is ideal for combating anxiety, anxiety and depression, but also helps to alleviate physical symptoms such as acute or chronic pain. Numerous studies are currently underway to determine the full potential of CBD.
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THC and CBD: what about the legality
Scientific studies carried out to date show that CBD is not toxic and is not addictive, unlike THC. It is for this reason that the former is not classified as a controlled substance, whilst the latter is included on the list of illicit drugs in France.
CBD is therefore authorised for sale provided the product does not exceed a concentration of 0.2%. The tests carried out by the traffic authorities are, moreover, linked to these authorisations, sincein France, law enforcement agencieshave access to THC tests in several forms: saliva THC tests or urine THC tests. Countries such as Switzerland are more advanced than France when it comes to testing, as they have tests capable of distinguishing between the two substances, which makes the use of CBD even more firmly established there.
