“What is THC?” is a question we get asked a lot at the dispensary. Experienced medicinal users love to know the science of why they find cannabis so beneficial. New users want to know it’s safe. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis which makes you feel high. THC is one of many compounds found in the resin secreted by the marijuana plant.

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There’s a major system at work inside all of us, which regulates our mood, appetite, memory and pain receptors. This is the endocannabinoid system, and it creates natural cannabinoids within our body to help it function. This fascinating, alternative route to health is why we chose to open a legal dispensary in Canada. When we use cannabis, it hitches a ride on this system to the brain and produces therapeutic effects, helping our bodies to heal. The main chemicals which take this trip are THC and CBD.

THC and CBD – What’s the Difference?

The general consensus is that CBD is for health while THC is for fun. While this true in a broad sense, it’s more of a nuanced relationship than many may think. THC affects you in one way, CBD in another, but they also affect each other too. While THC is the glint in the eye of recreational users, it helps medicinal users with:

• pain
• muscle spasticity
• glaucoma
• insomnia
• low appetite
• nausea
• anxiety

There’s a lot of complex science to the relationship between THC and CBD, featuring such tongue-twisters as Anandamide and Allosteric Inhibition. Anandamide is a natural cannabinoid found in the body, which THC mimics when you use cannabis by attaching itself to cannabinoid receptors within the brain. This stimulates the brain to release dopamine and gives you a sense of euphoria.

Canadian dispensaries are staffed by weed buffs, but for those of us who prefer to play on easy mode, here’s the major beats in laymen’s terms:

• Marijuana contains similar chemical components, THC and CBD.
• THC gets you high, CBD does not.
• High THC causes you to get more high but also increases the chances of experiencing paranoia, lapses in concentration and anxiety while consuming cannabis.
• CBD has been shown to reduce anxiety.
• CBD essentially blocks some of the psychoactive effects of THC due to how they interact at the chemical level, making you less high.

THC Content in Medicinal Cannabis

So, what does all this mean for you? How THC will affect you is difficult to determine, as no two brains are alike. Finding the right balance of THC and CBD for each individual person is at the heart of medicinal marijuana use. If you are prone to some of the negative psychological effects of cannabis while consuming it, want to lessen your anxiety, or have a low tolerance, choosing marijuana with a higher level of CBD and a lower level of THC may be the way to go.

If you often use cannabis recreationally and are starting to develop a high tolerance, then a higher level of THC will produce a stronger effect – like the potent Black Widow strain. If you’ve found CBD doesn’t adequately help with pain relief, then upping your THC dosage could be beneficial. If you think you need a higher dose of THC, we’ve noticed that more and more people in Canada use concentrates as their preferred solution.

Thanks for reading. If you’re unsure what level of THC is suitable for you, reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help. If you’re looking for a top tier Canadian dispensary, you’re in the right place. We offer some of the cheapest ounces in Canada without sacrificing quality, thanks to the bountiful climate here in Vancouver. If you have any questions, hit us up and if you want to read more on weed science, you can do so here.