What is THC?

Why smoking weed gets you high

Hope you are ready for a short trip to med school because how weed works on your brain might be more complicated than you think. The mainstream media and a majority of people around the world have this misconception that weed works much the same way as most addictive drugs; by releasing dopamine. While this theory is surprisingly very famous, it is fundamentally incorrect. In fact, more in-depth research by doctors specializing in the effects of marijuana on the human body would reveal. For decades people generally accepted this lie as the truth about marijuana. Now, finally, it has come to light what causes the high in marijuana. And it is not a dopamine flooding event on the brain. Find out more below by reading about THC.

What is THC?

With weed, it’s different, cannabis plants contain cannabinoids that have various effects on the body. There are hundreds of them but among them is one called THC for short. This cannabinoid is responsible for the high in marijuana. It is the action of this substance that causes the mind-altering effects of the marijuana plant when it reaches the brain. Understand first that the human body is equipped with natural cannabinoids that help keep health and happiness balance. Incidentally, cannabinoid receptors already present in the body readily accept the cannabinoid THC. It will surprise you to learn that chocolate, yoga, and running activities have a similar thrill to that of smoking pot – but to a lesser extent. Switching from THC to CBD? Click here!

What does THC do to the brain?

We have two theories:

#1 the popular lie

The THC component of weed now activates the brain’s reward system. This is usually the part of the brain that is responsible for rewards. By doing so, the substance can alter several states of the mind like pleasure and pain; as well as the response to other natural stimuli. This means that the drug can act on brain neurons and completely change the way that we respond to everything including pleasurable habits like eating or making love.

This theory suggests that dopamine levels increase many timed in the brain just the same way it does for cocaine and other stimulants. In doing so, it depicts the marijuana user as a dopamine junkie and the dopamine molecule as the ultimate joy molecule for the human brain. This study is a blanket classification of all similar drugs and hugely ignores the facts that exist about marijuana use in humans as opposed to animal subjects. And since dopamine is familiar ground, it makes sense why early scientists would like to add to the pile of things to blame on dopamine.

But they were wrong. And it can be proven through further research as it has already been pointed out in preliminary studies.

The molecule we are talking about when it comes to weed is the anandamide molecule. So either large government research institutions funded by taxpayer’s money are being intentionally deceptive, or they are just too arrogant to disapprove of their reports given recent findings in more detailed studies.

Another possibility is that they tried most of their tests on animals rather than human volunteers and therefore had inaccurate results. Although they are wrong, we will give it to them that they are not entirely off the mark. There is an increase in dopamine levels due to weed smoking, but it is not nearly as much as they suggest.

#2 The truth about Marijuana

Recent studies (25 of them) reviewed at King’s College London all revealed that there is no correlation between cannabis use and some dopamine-related disorders like chronic dopamine receptors and acute striatal dopamine release. 

The rush associated with the use of cocaine or amphetamines is mainly due to a flood of dopamine in the brain. But that is not the way weeding works at all. It’s funny how scientists miss some undeniable facts even with some fancy labs and studies spending millions of dollars. A cocaine user has very different symptoms from a regular marijuana smoker regardless of the level of addiction. These substances will be overwhelmingly thrilling to the point of passing out or even fatality. Luckily, the same cannot be said for Marijuana.

On the contrary, the use of cannabis boosts dopamine production but only to a smaller extent, and therefore there is not usually enough to account for the total highness of the user. This means then there is yet another wonder molecule that must be in play when you smoke pot. Prefer vaping CBD? Click here! We introduce the anandamide particle because most people haven’t even heard of it.

The bliss molecule

Anandamide, man’s natural wonder pleasure molecule that is instrumental in the ability of marijuana to unlock happiness. It was first discovered by scientist Dr. Raphael Mechoulam way back in the 90s. It has been nicknamed the bliss molecule because it is like dopamine on steroids when it comes to producing a heightened sense of joy. But the bliss molecule goes over and beyond being a fun generator. It affects memory, movement, pain perception, appetite, fertility, motivation, can inhibit cancer cell proliferation and neurogenesis healing to restore damaged nerve cells. This is the molecule to call upon for nearly all forms of anxiety and neurodegenerative disorders.

Where the marijuana goes when you’re getting high

You might wonder what happens to the high when time passes by and your seemingly partial blissful moment is ruined. Well, like all neurotransmitters the anandamide breaks down in the body eventually meaning that its effects die down eventually. What comes from the body is ultimately broken down in the body, and the natural cycle and balance of the endocannabinoid system continues.

But there is another critical source of the same molecule that can supply the same joy endlessly. Even the THC molecule by itself is a mouthful for scientists as it is a one-of-a-kind substance that has not been artificially synthesized so far. Not surprisingly, the particular receptor for natural cannabinoids is compatible with natural cannabinoid extracts from plants. This means that the body generally perceives as a friendly substance, unlike most commonly abused drugs. Just the same so much about the true nature of the holy herb remains mysterious even with modern studies. A lot of the ongoing studies are yet to be concluded, and they span many years. Therefore there is still much unknown.

Are THC and the bliss molecule twins?

So when we say that THC and Anandamide are responsible for the high in marijuana, it might seem a little confusing. Until you learn that the two are closely related. Simply put, THC is the plant version of Anandamide which is the endocannabinoid that unlocks the blissful feeling when we smoke marijuana. Unlike the earlier, the body itself generates Anandamide. It has receptors in place all over the body tissue, brain, and skin. Luckily the endocannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 cannot tell the two apart either, and one could easily pass for the other. Again THC binding with each receptor makes a different kind of reaction. CB1 is responsible for the euphoric effects of pot smoking.

Important cannabis information

Marijuana smokers and vaping nerds will know this already; marijuana use can have opposite reactions for different people. While a particular strain will have a specific effect on most users, there is always that one friend who will react opposite to the others in the gang.

For instance, marijuana induces sharp mental focus and general calmness in a lion’s share of the users. But a few will have none of these effects. There is a naturally occurring antidote for THC called FAAH (Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase) that can deactivate anandamide and for people whose FAAH is produced in smaller portions the Anandamide does not break down regularly. They will appear more relaxed when taking marijuana and they are less likely to enjoy the whole ordeal. It is in light of the above fact that we recommend only trying a new strain of pot. Only under the supervision of a couple of friends and also in smaller portions.

In reality, taking too much of the THC makes it abundant in combination with CB1 causing euphoria. Just the same, taking only the right amount of THC will leave you with a well-balanced sense of calm and a joyful heart. In summary, there are a lot of studies being carried out to ascertain the truth about the use of marijuana. But all of them seem to draw the same conclusion. Marijuana is a complicated chemical constellation packing way too many healing agents and active ingredient to give just one reason for its high. Our very own bodies produce substances much similar to THC to reward for pleasurable habits. The unique can only be activated by the body’s anandamide or the substance outsourced from nature’s marijuana.

DISCLAIMER

The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this disclaimer. We collected this information from various sources for the convenience of our customers. The Food and Drug Administration did not evaluate the statements regarding these products. FDA research did not confirm the efficacy of these products yet. These products are not to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information we present here is not a substitute for information from health care practitioners. It is also not an alternative to information from health care practitioners. Before using any product, you should consult your doctor and ask about the risk of interactions or complications.