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What Does THC Stand For?

 THC is a commonly thrown-around term when it comes to cannabis. But, what does it stand for, and what does it mean? Keep reading to find out!

What Does THC Stand For?

THC stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabinoid molecule found in cannabis. THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. In other words, THC is the stuff that produces a high.

How Does THC Work?

So, how does THC get you high anyway? It attaches to the body’s cannabinoid receptors located throughout the brain and nervous system. The compound can be detected in the human body much longer than other drug compounds — up to 20 hours post-consumption. But, the psychoactive effects last for only a few hours. THC is also stored in organs and body fat for up to four weeks, and hair follicle testing can identify THC for up to 90 days! 

What Are the Different Forms of THC?

THC is commonly smoked as marijuana, but that’s not the only method to ingest it. THC can also be consumed by:

  • Oral ingestion: You can take THC by mouth in the form of a capsule, edible, tincture, or oil. This method takes a longer time to have an effect, but the effects do last longer.
  • Inhalation: The fastest method of delivery is inhalation. It also produces the quickest psychoactive effects — it takes just mere minutes to start feeling the effects. You can inhale THC by smoking or vaping.
  • Topical applications: Lotions, balms, serums, oils, and bath salts can also contain THC. The effects of these products are commonly localized, which means while they help reduce pain and inflammation, they don’t produce psychoactive effects.
  • Sublingually: You can also consume THC in the form of lozenges, sprays, or strips and drops that you place underneath your tongue.

THC Uses

While THC is certainly used recreationally, it also has a number of significant medicinal uses and benefits. It has been used for years to alleviate and treat:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Pain
  • Poor appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Glaucoma
  • Reducing opioid use
  • Nausea
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Inflammation
  • Migraines
  • Muscle spasticity
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Seizures
  • HIV/AIDS and cancer symptoms

How Much THC is in Marijuana?

The potency of marijuana has skyrocketed in recent years. THC levels today average 9.6%. For comparison, marijuana contained about 4% THC in the ‘90s.

Some high potency strains are even stronger, like sinsemilla (“skunk”), which contains about 15% THC.

The amount of THC in marijuana depends on the way the cannabis is prepared for use. For instance, whether it’s for leaf/bud, hashish, or hashish oil. Products made from marijuana extracts can contain more than 50% THC.

THC in CBD Products

The main difference between CBD products and THC products is that CBD products do not produce a high. This is because they lack sufficient levels of THC. Although some products may contain trace amounts of THC, CBD products can’t contain more than 0.3% THC. This tiny concentration is highly unlikely to produce a high. 

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