The beginners guide to bud

For the cannabis-curious and the future connoisseurs

THC

What It Is and Why Our Bodies Are (Basically) Made to Get High

Written by Aaryn Indica

THC may sound like something technical. That’s because it kind of is.

When talking about the chemistry of cannabis, THC is the star of the show - the center of the entourage, if you will (more on that later).

THC takes center stage every single time you smoke cannabis. Within every frosty bud, underneath all those trichomes and terpenes, are a lot of a compound called THC.

THC is essentially what gets you high. It falls into a class of compounds fittingly called ‘cannabinoids’

THC every stoner's favorite acronym, and it’s also the one that’s been in a decades-long legal battle that’s (somehow) still going on.

But have you ever wondered how the THC in your bud works? Or what takes place when you light up a blunt or hit your pen?

We’ll here’s all it takes to understand THC, we’re taking THC 101.

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What is THC?

If we’re getting technical, THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol [tetra-hydro-canna-bin-ol] - hence the term ‘cannabis’.

Anyone that’s taken a hit of a nicely rolled joint knows that THC is something special. The answer why is simple: THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid. To understand THC, we should understand the two terms that describe it - first being psychoactive.

In the same way that psilocybin - aka ‘shrooms’ - is psychedelic, THC is psychoactive.

Psychoactive simply means that consumption induces a noticeable change in your brain and mental state. THC can alter your mood, thoughts, perceptions, and emotions.

Psychedelics on the other hand profoundly alter perception, thoughts, and consciousness. That’s why tripping and getting are pretty different experiences.

Things that are psychoactive are a lot more functional than the average psychedelic - and less existentially profound. Ego death isn’t much of a concern with cannabis. Instead, many cannabis researchers prefer the term ‘mind-manifesting’, due to the awareness, mindfulness, and perspective one can get from ingesting cannabis.

The profound psychoactive benefits of cannabis - along with its ability to aid in treating ailments - is why daily medicinal users of cannabis find it rewarding to incorporate it into their day.

Not only does THC - and cannabis as a whole - affect motor function, but in some aspects and uses, it can even improve motor or cognitive function - like for patients with reoccurring seizures and Parkingson’s Disease.

THC is the miraculous cannabis compound that gives us amazing highs and connects us to this fascinating herb.

Though, you may be asking yourself - why does THC take our brains to such amazing places? Well, that’s where cannabinoids come in.

Cannabinoids are solid proof our brains - and bodies - are specially made to get high. Kind of.

What makes THC psychoactive?

Inside of your brain is something called the endocannabinoid system (endo-canna-bi-noid system or ECS for short). Think of this as a fancy name for a network of receptors in your brain.

An endocannabinoid system is something everyone has. Your endocannabinoid system is extensive and especially attuned to interact with things called cannabinoids - a class of compounds. THC falls right into this class.

The interactions THC has with our ECS is somewhat of a scientific marvel. THC is like a master key that fits perfectly into these receptors, particularly the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your brain.

These receptors help regulate things like mood, appetite, memory, and even pain.

But what’s even more interesting, is that your endocannabinoid system extends far beyond your brain - into your entire body.

CB1 receptors appear primarily throughout the brain, though CB2 receptors can be found all over the body - most notably in places like your immune system, guts, and organs.

As THC triggers billions of receptors in your ECS, your CB1 and CB2 receptors react, giving you the healing and hazy high we all know and love.

CB1 receptors are why we experience euphoria, altered perspective, increases in creativity, - the list goes on.

CB2 receptors on the other hand are to thank for the amazing pain reduction, anti-inflammation, and wellness benefits we get from our beloved bud.

The Magic of Mary-Jane Strains

Not everyone experiences THC the same way. Your mood, tolerance, environment, and even what you ate that day can all affect how it hits you. Everyone’s experience, and relationship, with cannabis is going to be unique to them.

But have you ever wondered why sometimes YOU may feel different when you smoke something new?

Make no mistake - THC is not the only determining factor of your high.

That’s where the Entourage Effect comes in.

Overall, THC determines potency - however the effects of the flower in your hands is determined by a lot of other things - like its growth and inner compounds.

Terpenes , another compound found in cannabis, is known to heavily influence the effects of a high. And cannabinoids, which we mentioned earlier, stem far beyond THC.

Known as the entourage effect, the other mysterious compounds contained in cannabis work alongside THC - giving you a unique combination with every plant.

These differences result in a different ‘profile ’ in every cultivar. Similar cultivars with similar genetics and profiles are called ‘strains’.

So whatever strain you’re smoking on, and the inner profile it has, takes you on a new ride every time.

To put it simply though, we have thc to thank.

THC is a fascinating little molecule that interacts with your brain in ways that can make life a little more colorful. Plus for some people, it even makes life a hell of a lot easier.

Whether you’re looking for relaxation & creativity, a good night’s sleep, or relief from something that’s been bugging you, bud - and THC - has so much to offer you.

And now, knowing how it works is just your first step in exploring humanity’s most favorite herb.

Now let’s all smoke up, and thank THC.