In the US, 12% of Americans say they smoke marijuana. With more and more states legalizing weed, you can bet that there will be more interest in this substance. Do you know what is THC?

Whether you’ve never tried pot before or are a connoisseur, you probably don’t know much about cannabis. You recognize the iconic weed leaf shape, and that’s about it.

But what makes marijuana so powerful is its components; more specifically, THC.

What is THC and what are the benefits you can get from it? Read on to find out!

What Is THC?

“THC” stands for “tetrahydrocannabinol.” That probably doesn’t mean much to you, but what this means is that THC is a cannabinoid.

Currently, scientists have discovered over 110 cannabinoids in cannabis plants, and there’s potentially even more. These are compounds that interact with your endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for homeostasis in your body.

So now you a lit bit what is THC?

Normally, your body makes its own endocannabinoids, which help balance things like your mood, appetite, fertility, pain, inflammation, and more. But if it needs a little help, then cannabinoids are very beneficial.

What is THC? THC is especially noteworthy because it’s the active compound that gets you “high.” It produces feelings of euphoria, as well as other health benefits (more on this later).

What Is Delta-9 THC?

What is THC? Delta-9 THC is actually the official name for the THC that we all know about.

However, what many people don’t know about is other forms of THC, such as delta-8. Today, research is being poured into this compound, resulting in products such as delta 8 THC bath bombs.

So if you’re a fan of trying out various things, then keep an eye out for delta 8 products.

What Is the Difference Between THC and CBD?

CBD is another cannabinoid that’s been hot in the health and wellness industry. CBD (or cannabidiol) is also promising when it comes to health benefits and in fact, has numerous overlaps with THC.

However, the main difference is that it doesn’t have psychoactive effects, which means you won’t feel intoxicated when you use CBD products. This is a huge plus point for many, as they usually wish to reap the THC benefits without feeling impaired during work, school, or other duties.

Also, the majority of CBD products are made from hemp. Thanks to the Farm Bill of 2018, all hemp products are considered federally legal, which gives you peace of mind when using them.

On the other hand, THC products are only legal on a state-by-state basis and are still federally illegal. However, you won’t have to worry too much about the feds coming after you for using THC since they have said themselves that they have bigger fish to fry.

What Are the Benefits of THC?

Now you know a little more about what is THC and even CBD. Next, we’ll discuss the benefits you can get from consuming THC.

Treating Pain

When you consume THC (or CBD), it binds to your cannabinoid receptors. If it binds to the receptors in your nerve cells, then this can result in a duller sensation when it comes to pain.

In addition, the high that you get from THC can also help distract you from pain.

Reducing Inflammation

Not only can THC and CBD reduce pain, but these cannabinoids can also decrease inflammation. In particular, THC binds to CB2 receptors on your immune cells, which are responsible for inflammation. In fact, inflammation is usually one of your body’s first responses to foreign invaders, such as histamines and bacteria.

By consuming cannabis, you can theoretically decrease inflammation and get some relief from your ailments.

Reducing Acne

What is THC (as well as CBD and other cannabinoids) might be good for treating acne! Because acne brings on inflammation, the thought is marijuana will reduce it, which can result in acne that’s not as noticeable or irritable.

This means that cannabinoids might be good for other skin conditions as well, such as eczema and rosacea.

Treating Seizures

Both THC and CBD can be helpful in treating seizures. In fact, there is 1 FDA-approved oral solution for seizures called Epidiolex, which contains CBD. Theoretically, you can use medical marijuana to treat seizure symptoms as well.

Now you know a little more about what is THC and even CBD.

Of course, more studies have to be done on THC and CBD for seizures and other related illnesses. However, current studies show that cannabis can be promising in this area.

Better Sleep

If you’ve had any experience with marijuana, then you’ll know that some strains can make you feel very sleep and couch-locked. So if you have problems sleeping, partaking in some weed before bed can help immensely with getting you to sleep.

Better Appetite

On that note, most people know that pot users get something called the “munchies.” Normally, this can wreak havoc on your diet, especially if you’re trying to lose weight.

But if you’re having trouble maintaining or gaining weight, THC can be very beneficial in stimulating your appetite so you eat properly.

The Entourage Effect

When you consume cannabis, you’ll benefit from the entourage effect. This is where every compound (such as the cannabinoids, essential oils, flavonoids, and terpenes) interacts with one another to amplify each one’s effects.

What’s interesting to note is you can get the same thing from CBD, but only if you use full-spectrum or broad-spectrum products. CBD isolate won’t give you the entourage effect since all it contains is CBD.

Enjoy the Benefits of THC

So what is THC? It’s tetrahydrocannabinol, the active compound of marijuana that gets you high.

But it does so much more than that. It can help with things like pain, inflammation, seizures, and more.

So don’t just dismiss marijuana as something people like to use recreationally. Cannabis has so much potential to be unlocked for health and wellness, so if you’re suffering from any ailments, it just might be worth a try for relief!

For more articles on cannabis, take a look at our blog section now.