Tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC, is the most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis. It’s also the one that produces the strongest high, the feeling that many users seek. No matter what your experience level, having some THC drug insight is vital for ensuring that you have a successful high and reap the benefits of your chosen strain. Here are a few things for you to know.
How THC Interacts with Your CB Receptors
When you ingest cannabis, whether you smoke it, vape it, use a tincture or eat it, it makes its way into your bloodstream. It travels throughout your body and travels to your brain, where it binds with the cannabinoid receptors in your endocannabinoid system. When it does, it unlocks the receptors to produce specific effects, along with triggering the well-known psychoactive effects.
You Need to Heat Cannabis to Get THC Drug Effects
Something you might not know is that there’s pretty much zero THC in raw cannabis. You can eat raw plant material (some users like to juice the buds or add the leaves to a salad or smoothie), but it won’t get you high.
To get THC, you first need to expose its precursor, THCa, to heat or light. There are a few ways you can do this. One of the easiest ways is to smoke it. The combustion produces enough heat to convert THCa, giving you the desired effects. THCa turns into THC during the drying process or through decarboxylation, too. You can then use decarbed buds to make a butter or oil infusion to use for homemade edibles.
Dosing Is Essential
You can’t overdose on cannabis (not unless you take an impossible amount in only a short time), but it is possible to take too much THC. When this happens, you might experience some rather uncomfortable side effects such as a rapid heart rate, paranoia, extreme anxiety, and nausea.
Even the most experienced user can get too high on occasion, but there is something you can do to avoid it. Find your ideal dose. To do this, start with a very small amount and gradually increase it until you feel the effects you want.
Several Factors Play a Role in Your High
Numerous factors play a role in your high. It’s not just about the THC content in a particular strain. The CBD content can impact the effects, especially if you have a fairly balanced strain, or one with a higher CBD and lower THC ratio. CBD counteracts the effects of THC. The terpene profile also affects your high.
Aside from the chemical makeup of the strain, how you consume THC also plays a role. Methods like smoking, vaping, and taking a sublingual tincture produce effects faster than if you ingest cannabis via an edible. Edibles, however, remain in your system longer, meaning you feel the effects for a longer period.
Other factors that impact your high include:
- Your weight
- If you’ve eaten before consuming cannabis
- Your mental state
- Your physiology
When you understand a bit more about THC, you’re better able to get the most out of your experience. Not only will you have a more successful high, but you’ll also reap the many incredible benefits your chosen strain has to offer.
