Really, What is Marijuana?
Marijuana is hampered by numerous preconceived ideas, including that it’s a gateway drug, or that marijuana users are unmotivated and unsuccessful. Realistically, marijuana is just a plant. Like many other plants, its compounds can be used for creating medication.
Marijuana, or cannabis as it is known in Latin, contains a thick substance full of compounds called cannabinoids which cause drug-like reactions in the human body. One of the two most well-known compounds contained in marijuana (and hemp) is THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. Two variants of THC, delta-8 and delta-9, are used to create many therapeutic benefits for its users.
Although marijuana, and, specifically, THC, were used recreationally and illegally for decades, many states are beginning to recognize the efficacy of THC as part of a medically therapeutic treatment regimen.
Times, They are a Changin’
At the time of this writing, only four states in the U.S. considered marijuana use completely illegal: Idaho, Wyoming, Kansas, and South Carolina. Other states have approved some level of marijuana use, especially either use of THC or CBD products. Eighteen states consider usage of THC and CBD products and the use of both medical and recreational marijuana legal within certain parameters for amounts and the varieties of products one can possess.
The laws in the remaining 32 states are changing rapidly to accommodate the use of THC and CBD products, particularly for medicinal purposes. However, the products are still considered illegal under federal law.
THC
THC is the more potent of the two compounds extracted from marijuana plants and is the main active ingredient in them. It is the compound that creates a deep sense of relaxation and euphoric sensations. Of all the cannabinoid compounds contained in marijuana plants, it is the only compound concentrated enough to produce both relaxation and euphoria, which is why it has long been associated with recreational use.
THC works with the endocannabinoid system primarily located in the central nervous system, specifically working with two members of the G-protein coupled receptor family. The euphoric effects of THC can have a psychoactive effect on the user in high doses, but, in small and moderate doses, THC is very well-tolerated by the human body. Realistically, there is potential to experience psychoactive responses to many stimuli. Your work colleagues can produce a psychoactive response because you feel either good or bad when you are around them, or you can experience a psychoactive response while in traffic (swear at other drivers anyone?). Thus, the medicinal effects of THC, particularly in well-regulated doses, are very helpful to those who experience a myriad of health issues.
Conditions Helped by THC
THC has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It can be effective in treating many conditions, including:
- Anxiety
- Chronic stress
- Inflammation
- Insomnia
- Lack of appetite
- Muscle spasticity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain
- Seizures
- Neurodegenerative disorders and diseases
- PTSD
While this isn’t an exhaustive list, nor should you begin treatment without consulting an appropriate medical professional, THC can be part of a very effective treatment regime for a variety of conditions.
The Glow-up it Deserves
As the primary component in marijuana, THC has contributed greatly to a changing tide in treating chronic and life-changing medical conditions. Whether you formerly had positive or negative thoughts about marijuana, THC clearly provides health benefits for those who need them. It’s received a major glow-up that could contribute to one of your own by creating better health and increased functionality physically and mentally.
At Canna Card Express, we are committed to providing access to medical cannabis for those who may benefit from its therapeutic effects. Read more about some of our most frequently asked questions and if you think you may be a candidate for a medical marijuana card, schedule an appointment with our nurse practitioner here.
Image credit:
| Twenty20photos / Envato Elements |
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.
