THC as an active element in cannabis

2009.04.08

Have you ever wondered why cannabis has all those various effects? What in the green plant makes people feel high? The answer is: it's tetrahydrocannabinol also know as THC. From its name we can guess that it is found in cannabis only. That makes the plant even more valuable. To be perfectly honest, THC is not the only active substances of cannabis, other cannabinoids do exist in the leaves of weed, but it is undoubtedly the main one. Others appear in smaller amounts or become active under some specific conditions.

It was found in Israel in 1964. When extracted or made artificially it is glassy solid in cold form. But if you heat it for a while it turns vicious and sticks to the vessel. It's low solubility to water makes impossible or unpractical any attempts to create any kind of cannabis tea or anything that can be safely and effectively drunk. However, it's really soluble to most organic solvents including alcohols like ethanol and other substances like butane. That is the quality that allows making honey (hash) oil – a honey-like substance with large percent of THC. It's a convenient way to introduce cannabis orally, when mixed with honey or other sweet things.

But let us remember a school biology course and study physiological effects of THC. It effects neural system and takes part in its functioning. That's how it affects certain centers in you brain that cause euphoria, relaxation, increase appetite. Also it can cause anxiety, change what we see and hear, it has also some analgesic effects that allow its medical usage. Actually, easing pain quality is not strong enough, so using other pain-killers when available is advised. However, if there is a choice either to introduce morphine, or THC and the patient can handle some pain, I would advise using THC as the chance of getting an addiction is much lower.

No lethal dosage of THC has been found yet, as no deaths from marijuana or hash overdosing have been registered. Actually, no researches have shown its negative effects on human health. Yes, some do say about damage to long-term memory, increased risk of psychosis, but no proof is given. And none will be while THC as an active substance of cannabis is considered to be an illegal drug in most countries and the researches are impossible. Unfortunately, lack of researches also do not allow judge clearly about its positive aspects. We all know about the psychoactive side, but some other benefits seem to exist too. Even know THC is used as a part of cancer and AIDS treatment, it may help in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

We do not know exactly whether THC is a poison or a remedy, a great healing and recreation instrument or substance that harms us. What we do know is the fact that further researches must be done. They will certainly give the proper answers. But legislation stops them. Maybe, there is some hidden reason? Somebody just doesn't want THC to be studied.