THC -  Tetrahydrocannabinol

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is most recognized psychotropic chemical present in cannabis (1). Contrary to popular belief, this is not the only chemical that affects consumers psychologically. Also contrary to popular belief, THC has much more than psychoactive effect. It is also a powerful antioxidant (2)! The psychological effects of vary from individual to individual. In a study published in 2004, THC was reported to have effects varying from schizophrenic-like positive and negative mood swings, altered perception, increased anxiety, euphoria, disrupted or delayed memory recognition, increase plasma cortisol and impaired performance on tests of distractibility, verbal fluency, and working memory (3). There are extremely promising studies suggesting that THC is an extremely effective antiemetic (anti-vomiting) and appetite stimulator for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy (4,5).

THC is extremely regulated and still listed as a Schedule One controlled substance by the DEA. Our cannabidiol (CBD) farmers MUST be conscious of the levels of THC in their crops in order to stay within acceptable parameters. THC cultivation requires a trained hand to craft at a high quality. Utilization living biology paired with organic acids and a specific nutrient regiment. High quality THC cannabis can have extensive terpene profiles ranging from citrus and fruit flavors, to black pepper, pine trees, and even skunk! It is often “sticky” due to it’s high resin and oil content. Some strains of cannabis are even exceeding 30% THC!!!

When consuming THC it is important to understand how to do so safely. It is unlawful to consume cannabis and operate a vehicle or heavy equipment due to its intoxicating effects. It is still illegal to consume cannabis in public unless it is in/at an designated consumption event or building. Consuming cannabis by oral ingestion has effects very different from consuming it by inhaling the smoke of combusting “flower” cannabis. Consuming cannabis in an oral fashion tends to take longer to start feeling the effects of, but the effects have been shown to last a lot longer (from 45 min up to 3-6 hours); opposed to smoking cannabis where the effects are almost immediate and usually do not last much longer than an hour.   

With recreational cannabis (psychoactive cannabis containing THC) becoming legal in more and more states, it is important to understand how it’s going to affect you and the people/world around you. States that have legalized the sales of cannabis have seen the positive effects tenfold. Colorado alone has raised nearly $250 million in Taxes, Licences and Fees which is almost exclusively invested into local area school and educational programs. As we move into the future, we must keep our eyes open, follow the real research, and keep ourselves informed.

For any additional information, we encourage you do your own research using published work that is peer reviewed. Also, feel free to call us at Key to Life for any additional question about how to grow cannabis at the highest level, or to help with ANYTHING that deals with growing!

Stay tuned for an EXTENSIVE look at CBD next week!

Sources:

1. Isbell, Harris, et al. "Effects of (−) δ 9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol in man." Psychopharmacologia 11.2 (1967): 184-188.

2. Hampson, A. J., et al. "Cannabidiol and (−) Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 95.14 (1998): 8268-8273.

3. D'Souza, Deepak Cyril, et al. "The psychotomimetic effects of intravenous delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in healthy individuals: implications for psychosis." Neuropsychopharmacology 29.8 (2004): 1558.

4. Chang, Alfred E., et al. "Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol as an antiemetic in cancer patients receiving high-dose methotrexate: a prospective, randomized evaluation." Annals of Internal Medicine 91.6 (1979): 819-824.

5. Nelson, Kristine, et al. "A phase II study of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol for appetite stimulation in cancer-associated anorexia." Journal of palliative care (1994).