While CBD is a well-known and prominent compound in hemp products, you may have wondered, “what is Delta-9 THC?”
When it comes to the cannabis plant, there’s no shortage of controversy. Some people have labeled cannabis as unstable and dangerous throughout history—THC is the reason.
In fact, there still hasn’t been an overdose associated with it, but it is important to understand how THC applies to cannabis products.
To be clear, THC has psychoactive effects, so if you smoke or ingest Delta-9 THC, you’ll experience some of those effects.
The cannabis plant is special because of its range of cannabinoids, each of which affects the mind and body differently. THC is the only compound with significant psychoactive properties.
While the other cannabinoids can change the way you feel, THC is a little more intoxicating, which makes some people nervous.
This article won’t deal with whether or not THC is dangerous or harmful—there’s plenty of that conjecture online—but rather what THC does to the body and how it is involved in cannabis products.
What Are Cannabinoids?
In the cannabis plant, there are many different compounds with various purposes.
THC is known for its psychoactivity, CBD for its role in activating your body’s endocannabinoid system, CBG for its regenerative properties, and so on.
Cannabinoids react with your body by either binding to certain neuroreceptors or by prolonging the process by which other compounds bind to those receptors.
When they do, it triggers the production of other compounds that have wellness benefits on your body.
THC is one of the most prominent cannabinoids, and those who use it report feeling like time moves differently and their bodies feel heavier. Some feel less anxious, while others feel more anxious. It all depends on the person—one of the main reasons the THC effects are so elusive.
While there are plenty of tales people have about what CBD oil or marijuana did for their health, the research on cannabinoids is still scant.
The only FDA-approved uses of cannabis are currently for those with severe cases of epilepsy or with chemotherapy-induced vomiting.
How Do Cannabinoids Work?
Your body works by sending chemicals to different places and triggering reactions that help you reach stability—called homeostasis.
When you’re cold, your brain calls for norepinephrine production to make your muscles twitch and shiver.
When you meet someone you want to get to know better, your brain triggers an exchange of dopamine to give you those butterflies in your stomach.
However, these functions can’t go on forever (for better or worse). Once these functions stop, something has to come in and stop these hormones from triggering reactions. The cleanup crew molecules are called enzymes, and they neutralize these processes and stop the exchange.
THC binds to cannabinoid receptors to inhibit adenylate cyclase (an enzyme) and keep the body’s endocannabinoid system active for longer periods.
THC can start to affect the body’s central nervous system within minutes, leading to some impressive results.
THC’s Role in Wellness
As more and more states legalize recreational and medicinal marijuana, cannabis is becoming a household name in wellness.
Is THC capable of achieving miracles?
No, although plenty of people say otherwise.
Marijuana, like anything else, has its limits and may not be appropriate for everyone. For example, people taking blood-thinning medications could face some unwanted side effects when using marijuana.
It’s also illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana, as it can impair judgment.
However, responsible use of THC comes with its benefits.
What to Expect from CBD Oil
Accordingly, there’s a hemp oil craze taking over the country, with new products showing up just about every day.
Full spectrum hemp oil is one of those products, though it isn’t new by any stretch. Hemp oil is among the oldest cannabis products around, dating back to the 1800s.
Will full spectrum hemp oil get you high? Not likely. Hemp oil must contain less than 0.3% THC.
If that doesn’t seem like much, it’s because it isn’t, which is why CBD is more known for its therapeutic benefits.
You won’t get high with a full spectrum hemp oil, though if your employer requires random drug testing, this could be a problem for you. Since trace amounts of THC are present in full spectrum hemp oil, it could yield a positive result and jeopardize your job.
If you need to avoid trace amounts of THC, it’s best to stick with a broad spectrum CBD oil. These products contain a variety of beneficial cannabinoids that excludes THC.
Going Beyond Cannabinoids
Along with all the benefits of cannabinoids, there are other compounds found in cannabis that play a role in your wellness.
Terpenes, for example, grow in many varieties within cannabis, and they help your supplements work better.
Some terpenes help with anxiety, some with bacteria, some with alertness, etc.
Because they’re grown within the cannabis plant, they work in concert with cannabinoids to increase bioavailability so your body can get the most benefit out of your products.
But, not all cannabis products contain terpenes because CBD and other cannabinoids are sold as isolated compounds. Some vendors will buy a dry powder version in bulk to mix with oil and sell a CBD oil product free of terpenes.
Superior products will contain a blend of everything your supplement needs to be effective.
Always Buy Quality Products
If you want an excellent broad spectrum CBD oil, you have to find a good vendor, which can be challenging if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Buy organic, and make sure your products come with lab reports. These documents will tell you how much of a given cannabinoid is inside and whether the hemp was grown with synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
After that, you can enjoy the benefits of cannabis!
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