What We Know About Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC Cannabinoid)
Tetrahydrocannabinol (which is of course commonly referred to as THC) is the most well known of the cannabinoids. In fact, it is regularly used with cultural and social significance. THC is the main psychoactive element within cannabis, thus it is responsible for the euphoria, or the “high” people experience. If someone suggests they are “stoned” (we prefer the term medicated), it means they are currently enjoying the psychoactive effects of THC. In higher doses, for inexperienced users, THC may bring about hallucinations and closed eye visuals, so if you are just starting to medicate, it is best to always exercise caution and test your tolerance says one marijuana doctor in Florida near me. Moderation is key in any area of life. Beginner smokers may find themselves dealing with anxiety if they overdo it when in the early stages of medicating.
But the psychoactive elements, mentally and spiritually therapeutic as they are for some, are but only one of the effects of the THC cannabinoid. THC also reduces pain, acting as an analgesic and making cannabis a great (and much safer) alternate to opiates that are commonly subscribed, oftentimes even recklessly prescribed, arguably. THC can also prevent or reduce vomiting and nausea, so this could prove useful to those suffering something as simple as flu or a stomach bug to something more serious and dire such as the side-effects of alcohol withdrawal or chemotherapy. The THC cannabinoid can also suppress muscle spasms, acting as an antispasmodic.
One of the most common tropes associated with marijuana is the “munchies.” The “munchies” is used to describe the increase in appetite THC brings about, and can also be used as a noun to describe the stereotypical junk food people consume. This is because THC simulates the appetite, a very useful medicinal benefit in a variety of cases. Although many may associate the “munchies” with negative connotations, many people who have trouble eating for various reasons benefit greatly from the appetite stimulation of the THC cannabinoid.
As you can tell, there are certainly many medicinal benefits inherent in THC. Just as recently as April 2014, in fact, “the American Academy of Neurology published a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of medical marijuana and marijuana-derived products in certain neurological disorders. The review identified 34 studies meeting inclusion criteria, of which 8 were rated as Class I quality. The study found evidence supporting the effectiveness of the cannabis extracts that were tested and THC in treating certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis, but found insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of the tested cannabis products in treating several other neurological diseases.