THC is one of the more than a hundred cannabinoids in Cannabis Sativa, a controversial herb used for centuries for recreational, entheogenic, and medicinal purposes. There are two types of cannabis Sativa plant, hemp, and marijuana, differing in THC concentration. Hemp contains 0.3 percent THC or lower, while marijuana has more than 0.3 percent.
THC is a psychoactive compound; it stimulates the brain’s satiety centers to produce dopamine, which gives you euphoria and a sense of relaxation. But to manage the conditions better, you should choose potent THC strains. Alternatively, you can go for THC-O for more potent effects. what is thc o ? THC-O acetate is a chemically synthesized ester of THC that provides a more powerful effect.
Furthermore, THC inhibits serotonin reuptake leading to an increase in serotonin action time; high consumption may lead to serotonin syndrome, which constitutes agitation, insomnia, confusion, and increased heart rate.
Health Benefits of THC
THC is a potent analgesic with many health benefits. It:
- Relieves pain and inflammation
- Alleviates nausea
- Manages seizures
- Treats migraines
- Helps with glaucoma
- Reduces anxiety
- Improves appetite
- Treats muscle spasticity
But before using it to manage your pain, here are some things to consider.
Seek a Doctor’s Recommendation
You should seek a doctor’s advice before using THC for managing pain. THC can have hazardous interactions with other drugs like sedatives, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and pain medications. That’s why you should avoid taking it with other drugs.
THC might also be harmful to people with high blood pressure, severe cardiopulmonary disease, loss of consciousness, and psychosis. Therefore, if you’re prone to such conditions or have recently experienced one, it is advisable to seek help from a professional.
What Amount of THC is Safe?
A maximum daily dose of 40mg of THC is generally safe, but you should start with a lower amount and only increase if the pain does not disappear. In a cross-sectional study, 17 adults who had not consumed recreational or medical THC were gradually subjected to 0 mg, 10 mg, 25mg, and 50mg within 60 days.
The results indicated that 10 mg elevated heart rate but did not impair psychomotor performance, whereas 25 and 50 mg had more subjective effects and impaired cognitive and psychomotor performance.
So, it is prudent to check the amount of THC in the cannabis product you take. The oils, tinctures, and brownies have the THC contents indicated on the packages.
Choose the Best Way to Deliver THC to Blood
It’s hard to regulate the dosage of THC with conventional methods of using marijuana like smoking. Since edibles, tinctures, and oils products have labeled THC amounts on the packages, it’s easier to monitor your THC intake as a beginner.
However, edibles like brownies and gummies take longer to deliver THC to the bloodstream as they must first undergo absorption in the GI tract and metabolism in the liver. Therefore, for immediate results, other routes of administration like smoking, vaping, and sublingual oils are effective.
Monitor the Outcome
How THC relieves pain depends on several factors like the extent of pain, metabolic state, and weight of an individual. Thus, you have to monitor the outcome of a particular dosage then decrease or increase accordingly.
A research report suggests that people who take higher doses of THC experience psychosis and may get hallucinations, delusions, and loss of a sense of personal identity. Therefore, you should find out what works for you and adjust as necessary. The extent of pain influences the amount of THC to take; intense pain may require slightly higher doses than mild pain.
Timing is Important
THC stays for up to thirty-six hours in the blood, and its effects fade away with time. When taken in the morning, mild fatigue may occur that can hinder your performance. So, it is advisable to take THC before bedtime to improve sleep quality.
Our bodies have an endocannabinoid system that comprises CB1 and CB2 receptors, endogenous cannabinoids, and enzymes. This system controls many body functions, including pain perception, and THC binds well with CB1 and CB2 receptors to enhance their actions.
CB1 receptors are located in the central nervous system. They exert psychotropic effects and control pain perception, learning, and memory. On the other hand, CB2 receptors are primarily located on immune cells and relieve inflammation and pain.
THC has a similar action to endogenous cannabinoids, and they activate CB1 and CB2 receptors to block pain signals from reaching processing centers in the brain. Also, neuropathic pain in conditions like diabetes and cancer can go away due to the anti-inflammatory effects of THC.
Conclusion
Appropriate knowledge is necessary before exploiting the analgesic advantages of THC, and you should take great caution to avoid undesirable effects. Always acquire THC products from reputable vendors and closely monitor your dosage against the outcomes.
*Featured Image Source: Pixabay.com
