Table of Contents
- What is THC, and what does it do to you?
- How exactly does THC work in the body?
- How is THC metabolized?
- What does THC feel like?
- The Bottom Line
THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol, and it’s one of hundreds of compounds in the cannabis plant. You probably recognize the acronym, and you may have an inkling of how THC affects our bodies—the signature “high” that makes this particular cannabinoid so darn famous.
But do you know why THC has that effect? Let’s pull on our science caps for a little lesson on how THC works, along with why that understanding can help you make the most of your THC experience.
What is THC, and what does it do to you?
THC is one of over 100 identified cannabinoids in the Cannabis sativa plant, and its main claim to fame is the psychoactive properties responsible for the “high” sensation. Everyone is different, but it’s common to feel happy, even giddy, and very relaxed after using THC. Some people feel sociable or creative. Physical effects, such as looser muscles, increased appetite, pain relief, or tingling in the extremities, are also typical, as are red eyes and a dry mouth.
Like cannabidiol (CBD), which is arguably just as famous, THC is found in both hemp and marijuana plants, which are varieties of cannabis plants.
In the 2018 Farm Bill, formally known as the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, Congress legalized industrial hemp, which it defined as cannabis plants that contain 0.3% THC or less. Specifying that amount was the government’s attempt to limit the psychoactive effects of hemp-derived products. If a cannabis plant has more than 0.3% THC by dry weight, it’s considered marijuana in the eyes of the federal government and is currently illegal.
Fun fact: If a hemp plant growing in the field experiences a THC spike that pushes its concentration to over 0.3%, it officially becomes a marijuana plant!
Of course, federal legality doesn’t account for individual state laws, which can and do make THC products illegal in specific states. It’s a little confusing, to be sure, so let’s clarify: THC products that are hemp-derived with less than 0.3% THC, like those sold here at Cornbread Hemp, are federally legal. Depending on where you live, they may also be legal in your state in compliance with state law—or they could be illegal. If you live in a state with legal medical or recreational cannabis, you may be able to purchase THC products at licensed dispensaries. Bottom line? Be very clear on what’s allowed where you live!
A word on cannabinoids
While we tend to equate cannabinoids with the cannabis plant only, the human body creates cannabinoids of its own. These endo cannabinoids are natural compounds used in the body to help maintain equilibrium, or balance. They work in the body’s endocannabinoid system, a marvel of engineering that’s constantly at work whether you use cannabis products or not.
How exactly does THC work in the body?
THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates various bodily functions, including mood, appetite, sleep cycles, memory, immune function, and responses to stress and pain. Again, the goal here is balance, so this is a job that never ends.
The ECS has three components: endocannabinoids, which are naturally produced on demand; cannabinoid receptors, located throughout the body; and enzymes, which help break down endocannabinoids after they have done their job.
THC mimics the body’s endocannabinoids, which means it’s able to bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS. This is the reason THC makes people feel giggly, sleepy, or deeply relaxed—it binds incredibly well to CB1 receptors, which are located in the brain and nervous system. That tight fit leads to a euphoric response and altered perception.
There’s something else at play, too. While the body’s endocannabinoids are made and broken down fairly quickly, THC sticks around a little longer. That means it activates receptors longer than your body’s compounds do, further contributing to the euphoric experience.
How does THC work for pain?
Pain relief is one of the primary reasons for medical cannabis use, and there’s quite a bit of evidence to support its efficacy. In the body, CB1 receptors help regulate pain, and the tight fit that THC has with these receptors changes how pain signals are processed in the body. That’s why some people feel noticeable pain relief after using THC, or they feel relaxed enough to better deal with it.
Like anything to do with cannabis, the experience is highly individual, but the relaxing effects of THC can indeed be beneficial for managing pain and nausea.
How is THC metabolized?
It’s one thing to understand that THC interacts with receptors in the ECS. But let’s back up a bit to review how the THC gets to those receptors in the first place. The method of metabolization varies depending on how you consume it, which also influences the onset and duration of the effects.
Inhaled THC
If you inhale THC by smoking or vaping, the THC goes straight into your bloodstream. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to those CB1 receptors. This happens quickly, which means effects are detectable quickly, too—usually in a matter of minutes. They’ll peak within an hour or so and fade away within a few hours.
Edible THC
Edible THC is different. If you enjoy, say, a THC gummy from Cornbread Hemp, it has to be chewed and digested. The THC is absorbed in the lining of the stomach and metabolized in the liver, where it’s converted to 11-hydroxy-THC. Once it’s metabolized, 11-hydroxy-THC moves to the bloodstream and then to CB1 receptors in the brain.
But 11-hydroxy-THC is a much more potent compound than THC, with longer-lasting effects. That’s why edibles tend to offer a more intense experience than smoking—and why the golden rule is to start low and go slow to avoid overdoing it! While effects take approximately 1 hour to 90 minutes to appear, they tend to linger for up to 6 hours or longer, depending on factors such as dosage and individual metabolism.
THC drinks
THC drinks are generally categorized as edibles. There’s some logic here since both kinds of THC products go into your mouth to be swallowed and sent through the digestive system. However, THC drinks are different from traditional edibles in terms of effects and duration.
There are two reasons for this. First, liquids absorb more quickly than solids in the digestive tract. Second, many manufacturers use specialized formulations, like nanotechnology, that make the THC small enough for much faster absorption in the stomach and even the mouth. That means less THC has to be processed in the liver before it reaches your brain, which is when you begin noticing effects. It also means less THC is converted to 11-hydroxy-THC. That’s why THC drinks tend to have a milder, more controlled experience than edibles.
THC drinks generally take effect quickly, typically within 15 to 30 minutes after the first sip, and last for a few hours.
Topical THC
Topical THC, like balms and creams applied directly to the skin for localized relief, doesn’t usually make it to the bloodstream. Instead, it’s absorbed in the outer layers of the skin and interacts with receptors in the nerves, joints, and muscles.
There’s usually just not enough THC in a topical application to reach the blood in any meaningful amount, so it’s not metabolized in the liver or lungs. Instead, metabolization happens locally, with no psychoactive effects. The speed with which you notice relief varies pretty widely, depending on where the product is applied and how it's formulated.
What does THC feel like?
The effects of THC vary depending on how you consume, the dose, and personal considerations, like how often you use THC and how quickly your body metabolizes it. Generally, people can expect to feel euphoria and relaxation. Altered perceptions aren't unusual, so colors may be brighter, sounds may be richer, and food may taste better. Some people experience sleepiness, while others feel deeply content.
Positive experiences with THC are directly related to appropriate dosing. Too much THC is associated with unpleasant side effects, like anxiety, paranoia, brain fog, and even panic attacks. To minimize the risk of this sort of experience, it's essential to start with a low dose and allow plenty of time for the effects of cannabis to become noticeable.
That's easier to do with consumption methods that offer a quick onset of effects, like THC drinks or inhaled cannabis. However, it can be much harder with traditional edibles because digestion slows down the process. It's pretty typical for people to take an edible, assume it's not working, and go back for more, only to realize once the effects kick in that they've consumed far too much.
Dosing guidelines
There is no universal dosing chart for THC, but there are some general guidelines. Be aware of the expected onset times for your chosen delivery method so that you can track how long it takes for the effects to become detectable. Always start with a low dose, especially if you're new to THC or even to a particular method of consumption. Keep in mind that THC products like gummies or tinctures are much easier to precisely dose than inhaled cannabis.
A low dose of THC is 5 milligrams or less, and it's a good starting point for beginners. A moderate dose is 5-10 milligrams, and a high dose is 10-20 milligrams. Dosages over 20 milligrams are considered very high. High-potency THC is best suited to those who are very experienced with THC.
Does CBD need THC to work?
Nope, CBD doesn’t need THC to work, but these cannabinoids may work better together for specific conditions and experiences. Cornbread Hemp THC Gummies have a 1:1 ratio—10 milligrams of THC and 10 milligrams of CBD—because it creates a balanced, more mellow effect. For conditions like nausea and chronic pain, the therapeutic effects of CBD might likewise be enhanced by THC.
This effect is what’s known as the entourage effect, which describes the use of all the plant’s cannabinoids and compounds together. As the theory goes, the efficacy of each cannabinoid—remember, there are well over 100 that have been identified—is enhanced when they work together. That’s what happens with full-spectrum hemp extracts like those here at Cornbread Hemp. Broad-spectrum extracts contain all compounds except THC, while isolate products focus on a single cannabinoid, such as CBD.
Delta-9 THC vs Delta-8 THC
To be clear, when we talk about THC, we’re referring to Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. But there are other forms of THC, like Delta-8 and Delta-10 . These are found in much smaller amounts in hemp and marijuana plants, and they do impart a mild psychoactive effect.
Technically, Delta-8 is a degraded form of Delta-9, and almost everything available commercially isn’t grown naturally because it’s so scarce in the plants. Instead, manufacturers create their Delta-8 by putting hemp-derived CBD isolate into an acid bath to change the molecular structure. One of the byproducts is synthetic Delta-8.
As you might imagine, there are very valid safety concerns relating to the potential for adverse effects from these sorts of synthetic cannabinoids. Many of them are widely available because of language in the Farm Bill, which creates a legal loophole, and they're popular primarily because of clever marketing campaigns that promise a milder high. But reported side effects are lengthy, such as vomiting, loss of consciousness, hallucinations, tremors, and dizziness. The FDA states that Delta-8 products haven’t been evaluated or approved for safe use and notes that they may also be marketed in a manner that poses a risk to public safety.
At this point, the safer bet is products made with Delta-9 THC, not Delta-8.
Is THCA as potent as THC?
THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the raw form of THC in cannabis plants. When it's heated, which is what happens when the raw plant material is baked, smoked, or vaped, it becomes THC. By itself, THCA doesn't have psychoactive or intoxicating effects, so it's not as potent as THC. It becomes psychoactive during the heating process, a process known as decarboxylation. That's what turns it into THC.
Interestingly, THCA is thought to have neuroprotective benefits that could be useful in the treatment of conditions like Alzheimer's disease. It may also play a role in the treatment of nausea and the management of obesity-related diseases.
The Bottom Line
Understanding the science behind THC and how it works isn't just useful for trivia night. It can make your experience with THC better by helping you dose properly and avoid overconsumption.
With all things cannabis, remember to start with a low dose and take it slowly to increase your chances of the best experience. Always opt for THC products from brands you know and trust—like Cornbread Hemp—for the most significant benefit without the risk.