Marijuana contains more than 500 active compounds. But most people focus on two: There’s cannabidiol, or CBD, which reduces inflammation.
And then there’s THC, which is the main psychoactive component—it’s the reason weed gives you the relaxed and “euphoric” sensation of being high.
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s a compound that comes from the flowers of female cannabis plants, though there’s some in other parts of the plant, too.
On supporting science journalism
If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
In raw cannabis, most THC is in the form of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCA. That means the molecules contain an extra acid group.
THCA won’t get you high. But you convert THCA to THC by heating weed, vaporizing it or exposing it to sunlight.
When you consume cannabis by smoking, vaping, dabbing or eating “edibles”, THC enters your bloodstream.
From there, it crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to cannabinoid receptorsin brain regions that control memory, appetite, fear and motor control.
The compound blocks short-term memory, altering your perception of time.
It tells your brain you’re hungry, and makes food smell and taste better. It also triggers the release of dopamine, creating intense feelings of pleasure.
Ancient Chinese and South Asian people used cannabis as medicine for thousands of years.
Ancient Romans used it to cure earaches. In Africa, it was used to alleviate childbirth pain and treat malaria.
The plant was also used to make paper in China and the Middle East, and Muslims introduced the process to Europe.
Over several centuries, this led to two different versions of the same plant: one that was bred for high THC and one that was bred for industrial purposes.
In the 1830s Irish doctor William O’Shaughnessy learned about…
Read the full article here