Category: THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis. When someone uses cannabis, THC enters the bloodstream and can stay in the body for varying amounts of time depending on several factors. Understanding how long THC lasts in the body is important for a variety of reasons, including understanding the effects of cannabis use.

Metabolism and THC

The body processes THC through the liver, where it is broken down into metabolites that are eventually excreted through urine and feces. The main metabolite of THC is called THC-COOH, and it can stay in the body for much longer than THC itself. While THC can be detected in the body for a few hours to a couple of days after use, THC-COOH can remain detectable for weeks or even months.

Factors that Affect How Long THC Lasts in the Body

Dosage and frequency of use: The amount of THC consumed and how often it is consumed can affect how long it stays in the body. Regular, heavy users may have detectable levels of THC-COOH in their system for several weeks after cessation.

Method of consumption: The way cannabis is consumed can also affect how long THC stays in the body. Smoking a Golden Pineapple pre-roll or vaping a Lemon Z cartridge can result in a more rapid onset of effects but may also clear from the body faster than other methods such as eating a Raspberry Peanut Butter Cup edible. 

Body composition: THC is stored in body fat, which means that people with higher body fat percentages may have THC stay in their system longer than those with lower body fat percentages.

Metabolism: Individual differences in metabolism can also affect how long THC lasts in the body. People with faster metabolisms may process and eliminate THC more quickly than those with slower metabolisms.

How Long THC Can Be Detected

THC can be detected in different types of drug tests, including blood, saliva, urine, and hair tests. The amount of time THC can be detected varies depending on the type of test.

Blood tests: THC can be detected in the bloodstream for up to 12 hours after use.

Saliva tests: THC can be detected in saliva for up to 72 hours after use.

Urine tests: THC-COOH can be detected in urine for up to 30 days after use in regular users, and up to 7 days in infrequent users.

Hair tests: THC-COOH can be detected in hair for up to 90 days after use.

It is important to note that the detection times mentioned above are general estimates, and individual factors can influence how long THC stays in the body and can be detected.

Conclusion

The amount of time THC stays in the body can vary depending on several factors, including dosage, frequency of use, method of consumption, body composition, and metabolism. While THC itself can be detected in the body for a few hours to a couple of days after use, THC-COOH, the main metabolite of THC, can remain detectable for weeks or even months. 

Have you ever wondered how THC gets you high? Did you ever consider the differences between smoking a joint and eating a cannabis-infused edible with regard to the duration and intensity of the effects? For anyone who has ever been curious about what THC enters the body, you’re in the perfect place to find all the answers you seek.

First, we’ll discuss how THC is absorbed via all the popular delivery methods. Second, you’ll discover what effects you can expect from the THC circulating your bloodstream. Finally, a look at THC excretion will help us learn all about how long THC stays inside your body.

Consuming and Absorbing THC

THC can be absorbed into the body through different delivery methods. Ultimately, the goal is to get as many THC compounds to reach your brain and body to produce psychoactive and medicinal effects. We’ll review each of the standard modes of delivery before turning to the effects of all these THC compounds circulating within you.

Smoking and Vaporizing cannabis involve inhalation of THC and absorption through the lungs and into the bloodstream. The smoke or vapour reaches the tiny air sacs at the tips of your lung airway tubes before crossing over into the bloodstream. This process is identical to how we humans absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

The absorption efficiency is relatively high and occurs nearly instantaneously. There is no need to hold your cannabis smoke, as it won’t enhance the high. Smoking or vaping cannabis can produce a rapid onset of effects, but it can take 10-30 minutes to feel the full impact. The results of inhaling THC generally persist up to 6 hours, but residual effects can be felt for up to 24 hours.

Orally consumed cannabis products involve the absorption of cannabinoids inside the intestines and colon. First, these cannabinoids must pass from your mouth through the stomach and into the intestines. Once here, absorption occurs into the bloodstream, passing through the liver before travelling throughout the body. Often described as the first-pass effect, THC is processed by the liver before dispersing around the body. This first-pass metabolism can reduce the efficiency of the edibles we consume.

All of this processing also takes time, which is why edibles take longer to produce a high. In general, it can take 20 to 120 minutes to begin to feel effects. That said, it can take up to 4 hours to feel the full impact. Keep this delay in mind, so you can be cautious and avoid double-dosing before reaching your peak high. New cannabis users should be especially thoughtful in deciding what dosage to consume, with a suggested first dose of 2.5mg of THC or less. The effects of eating an edible can last up to 12 hours. Residual effects can persist even longer, up to 24 hours after use.

Topical products lead to absorption through the skin, although it appears that cannabinoids do not reach the bloodstream. This depth of absorption can occur with transdermal topical products, which use a carrier compound to assist with cannabinoid transportation. Ultimately, topical creams and lotions are best used for local administration and targeted relief.

Once inside your body and circulating your bloodstream, THC rapidly disperse throughout the body. Since THC is a lipid, it can quickly permeate just about everywhere. THC is known to spread into your muscle and fat cells, even reaching your lymphatic system. But that is not all, as THC goes where your blood goes. This includes heavy concentrations of THC inside your organs and central nervous system.

Our natural endocannabinoid system mediates the effects of THC. THC concentrates at the various sites of action to produce effects. Generally, the highest concentrations of THC can be found in the heart and adipose tissue (fat cells). Furthermore, THC can cross the blood-brain-barrier, but this transportation is somewhat more limited.

Research has shown us that THC interacts with our cannabinoid receptors and other physiological targets. It is the activation of CB1 receptors inside our nervous system that produces many familiar cannabis symptoms. THC also interacts with CB1 receptors all over our body, including our muscles, fat cells, bones, and other tissues.

Smoking, vaping and eating cannabis each have pros and cons that you should consider. Once you decide how you want to consume your cannabis, the next thing to know is what to expect. For example, after you got your Mandarin Cookie rolled into a joint, what happens next? Let’s explore the effects of THC on the human body and mind.

The Body and Mind Effects of THC

The acute or rapid effects of consuming THC include euphoria production, the most familiar symptom of the cannabis high. The acute effects include changes to our cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels), eyes, and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Moreover, THC has noticeable effects on our musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems.

Cardiovascular

Consuming cannabis leads to a more rapid heartbeat, called tachycardia. Furthermore, THC leads to increased cardiac output and heart palpitations. THC has been shown to induce vasodilation, which is the widening of blood vessels. One of the most famous cases of this vasodilation is the stereotypical baked ‘red eyes.’ The eye also happens to be our next topic.

The Eye

You may be amazed to hear it, but yes THC compounds reach the blood vessels of your eyes. Once here, THC appears to decrease the intraocular pressure, which is the eye’s internal liquid pressure. This ability led to the treatment of certain eye disorders with medical cannabis. This intervention was one of the first medically recognized uses of cannabis in Canada.

Musculoskeletal System

While more research is needed, there is evidence that THC can help individuals who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fibromyalgia (FM). Unfortunately, THC may have some adverse effects on bone healing. Conversely, cannabis can potentially decrease spasticity (muscle stiffening and tightening that restrict fluid movement) in those with multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury.

Gastrointestinal System

Cannabis is a common remedy for individuals suffering from gastrointestinal (GI) distress. There is some limited evidence showing benefits for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The research shows that THC can reduce intestinal motility (food movement through the GI tract) and decrease gastric secretions. The overindulgence of THC can induce adverse events like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Respiratory System

The acute administration of THC produces bronchodilation, of the widening of your lung airways. Low levels of THC can stimulate the lungs, while heavy smoking can lead to decreased lung function. Chronic smoking can also lead to coughing, wheezing, and increased phlegm production.

The Central Nervous System

As we already mentioned, once THC reaches the brain, a slew of psychological effects occur. These symptoms include euphoria, drowsiness, mental clouding, and memory impairment. Pain-relief and nausea-reductions are other areas being explored in research, with some optimistic findings. Moreover, THC also impacts our perceptions, including heightened sensory perception, distortion of space and time, and hallucinations.

Too much THC may cause dysphoria (unease and unrest), anxiety, and depersonalization (dream-like detachment from life). THC can also stimulate appetite (the munchies), although this effect appears to reduce over a period of time with tolerance buildup. Other cannabis effects, including euphoria, also appear to decrease in intensity as tolerance develops.

There is also a collection of muscle and motor function changes from THC presence in the central nervous system. You should avoid driving while high because THC can cause incoordination, weakness, and muscle impairment. There is limited evidence on the medical cannabis side to suggest potential benefits for dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions), Huntington’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, and Parkinson’s disease.

How Long Does THC Stick Around?

Now that we understand how THC enters the body and what effects it has, it is time to find out how long it takes to be excreted. After inhaling THC, the levels of THC in your blood quickly decrease. After 30 minutes, THC levels can fall to 20% of their earlier peak. After this rapid initial drop, it has been estimated that it takes at least four days for half of the remaining THC to be degraded or excreted.

THC is excreted in both your urine and feces. Low levels of THC metabolites have been detected in urine and feces up to five weeks after cannabis consumption. As odd as it may seem, the THC you inhale leaves you via the bathroom.

We learned how THC is a lipid that rapidly disperses into adipose tissue. Research has shown that our body stores THC compounds within these fat cells. This storage can lead to the delayed release of THC back into the bloodstream. THC has been detected in the blood of individuals over a month after the cessation of cannabis consumption. While there is little evidence to show that the levels can be high enough to cause a high, they can reach detectable drug test levels and possibly cause motor impairment.

Of over a hundred cannabinoids, two are of utmost interest. One is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for psychoactive effects. The other is cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound with numerous medicinal properties. On the surface, deciding which is better for you is as easy as knowing your needs – recreational or medical. Before picking one over the other, however, there are things you should know that may come as a surprise.

THC and CBD Comparison

Cannabis plants initially produce Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the precursor of cannabinoids. As they reach maturity, enzymes convert CBGA to Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA). Once they undergo decarboxylation, these three compounds transform into their active forms – THC, CBD, and CBC. The remaining CBGA, likewise, converts to CBG.

Given that THC and CBD came from the same precursor, they should share some similarities. For example, they are both lipids (fats) that have a similar chemical structure. Think of them as siblings with the same parent but very different individual characteristics.

For this article, the topic will focus only on THC and CBD. In general, cannabis plants can only produce one of the two in high amounts. Hence, strains rich in THC usually would have low CBD concentration, and vice versa.

Most of the modern strains today boast of 10% to over 20% THC, less than 1% CBD. In recent years, some breeders have made a breakthrough creating new strains that have as much as 20% CBD, and 1% THC.

An exemption would be balanced strains which tend to have similar levels of THC and CBD. Due to biological constraints, they usually would have lower concentrations, ranging between 3-10%.

Endocannabinoid Receptors

Found in the human body is a complex cell-signaling system called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which plays a role in regulating vital functions and processes. It comprises the endocannabinoids, enzymes, and receptors.

Concerning the receptors, only two are known: CB1 which is mostly found in the central nervous system, and CB2, which is mostly found in the peripheral nervous system.

Endocannabinoids – produced by the body – bind with the receptors to trigger responses that affect, among others:

To date, the only known endocannabinoids are anandamide (AEA)

2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG).

Cannabinoids resemble endocannabinoids, which is why they can interact with the receptors to trigger responses in the ECS. THC, for example, can bind with CB1. CBD, on the other hand, binds weakly with CB1 and needs THC to bind at all. Research indicates that it exerts its effects by preventing endocannabinoids from breaking down. It could also act as a negative allosteric modulator of CB1, which may explain how this particular cannabinoid reduces the psychoactive effects of THC.

Psychoactive Effects

THC is the reason why marijuana was prohibited, in the first place. Once it binds with CB1, it can alter the normal functions of the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and the spinal cord. As you can imagine, it affects bodily functions such as cognition, memory, awareness, thoughts, movements, and speech.

For recreational consumers, such interaction results in the desired “high” or the pleasurable, euphoric cerebral stimulation, and heightened sensory perceptions. Hence, THC-rich strains are sought after by these cannabis enthusiasts.

CBD does not produce such effects, making CBD-rich strains unattractive for recreational users. Technically, the World Health Organization classifies any substance as psychoactive if it alters mental processes, including cognition. On this basis, CBD should be deemed as a psychoactive compound, similar to THC. However, its effects are calming and, for sure, not intoxicating.

Therapeutic Effects

A prevailing perception is that only CBD has pharmacological value. THC, despite being psychoactive, also has invaluable medicinal properties.

THC:

CBD:

Keep in mind that you do not have to pick one or the other. The combination of THC and CBD in specific ratios can be used to enhance benefits and reduce the downsides of each compound.

Clinical Indications

Again, you should consult a medical professional before deciding to use cannabis for self-medication. Although it is easy to distinguish the clinical indications, choosing a strain and the dosage can be quite challenging.

THC might be indicated for:

CBD might be indicated for:

A combination of THC and CBD might be indicated for:

Although these clinical indications have been reviewed and discussed by Health Canada, the evidence is far from conclusive. Your medical team can discuss the potential use of medical cannabis if you have one or more of the indications described above.

Side-Effects

THC comes with the potential for misuse and dependence, potentially developing into cannabis use disorder. Its side effects include:

Pure CBD, on the other hand, has no recreational abuse or dependence potential. It also has possible side effects that include:

These side-effects are often a result of overconsumption. Always follow medical advice to avoid unnecessary consequences. This is why Health Canada advises all Canadians to start low and go slow.

When it comes to medicine, health care providers use the term ‘titration’ to describe how drug use should build and decline slowly. Whether you are initiating or concluding the use of a medication, many require a gradual build-up and come-down. For example, when starting the use of CBD, start with only a few mg’s and then gradually increase this dose over several days and weeks. Doing so can help avoid these unwanted side-effects.

Regarding long-term effects, CBD does not appear to cause any long-term harm. There is some evidence that CBD may have negative impacts on your liver function, but researchers are seeking out more answers here. THC, on the contrary, has the potential to cause lung concerns (from smoking cannabis), such as chronic bronchitis. Consuming large amounts of THC regularly may lead to other health concerns over time.

Is THC or CBD Better?

It depends on the reasons for use and your state of health. Your medical team can help you determine which is better suited to alleviate medical symptoms.

For recreational use, which cannabinoid you select should depend on your goals. If you want to get high, then the answer is obvious: THC. That said, you want to ensure you stay within your tolerance limit to avoid unwanted side-effects. If THC causes you to feel anxious or panicky, then use a less potent strain or reduce the dosage.

If you are looking to enhance your enjoyment of watching a movie, eating a healthy meal, or listening to an album, high-THC strains such as Grandpa’s Stash or similar strains are an excellent choice. It contains plenty of THC, ranging from 20% to 27%.

When it comes to pain, both compounds hold value. THC is best for relaxation and reducing muscle tension. CBD is better at reducing the anxiety surrounding pain and addressing inflammatory root-causes of pain. If you have chronic pain problems, seeking medical assistance is strongly advised.

Which One Should You Choose?

Whether THC or CBD is better for you will depend on your needs and your goals.

CBD strains may help reduce anxiety, promote sleep, and reduce inflammation without the high. On the other hand, THC-rich strains are your best choice for euphoria, enhancement of sensory pleasures, and relaxation.

Although THC has substantial benefits, it also comes with unique side-effects and potential long-term harms. For these reasons, you should start low and go slow when getting high. Frequent and heavy use of THC also comes with health risks. The best way to manage these risks acutely is by including some CBD in your regime. Regarding potential long-term harms, taking breaks from THC can help prevent these, as well as reduce tolerance build-up. This is why many consumers call them T-breaks, which stands for tolerance-breaks.

Finally, when it comes to medical cannabis, both THC and CBD have their benefits. Deciding which is better for you is something that should be discussed with your medical professional team. You should always follow medical guidance and do what is needed to stay safe. This includes not driving while high, as well as avoiding other potentially dangerous or anxiety-provoking experiences while baked.

Even as a beginner, someone who is only discovering the many benefits of cannabis, one term you have come across is THC. Almost any product that you came across – buds, edibles, oils, and more – prominently indicates the concentration level. At the very least, you have come to understand its significance as being related to potency. The truth, though, is that it is far more than that. Once you dig deeper, not only do you see how it benefits you recreationally and medically but also how to use this information to your advantage.

What Is THC?

THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, Δ9-THC, or delta-9-THC) belongs to a unique family of compounds called cannabinoids, of which it is only one of over 100 identified thus far. In raw plants, it exists first as THC-acid (THCA) – an inactive, non-psychoactive state and converted to THC – the active, psychoactive form when heated to a certain temperature range for a period of time.

For the purpose of this article, we will refer to THC for easier reading and understanding.

For cannabis plants, THC serves numerous protective roles against threats and invaders. Not against humans, though, as it is its psychoactive and medicinal properties that make us exploit the plants.

The production of THC occurs primarily in glands called trichomes and is found mostly in cannabis flowers. These glands secrete resins filled with cannabinoids and terpenes. Both Sativa and Indica species produce THC in concentrations greater than other compounds. Hemp is the exception as it produces higher CBD levels and insignificant amounts of THC.

Once inhaled ingested, THC enters the bloodstream through the lungs or digestive tract. It then crosses the blood-brain-barrier to eventually bind with receptors, triggering responses that alter cognitions, sensations, and perceptions. The significant short-term health effects of THC include:

THCA and Decarboxylation

As alluded to earlier, cannabis plants produce THCA. In this form, it has no value recreationally. Recent studies, however, suggest that it may have therapeutic properties.

If the buds (dried and cured) contain THCA, why does it get you high when you roll it into a joint and smoke?

The answer is decarboxylation.

Once you light up the joint, the heat converts THCA into THC – on the fly. The same thing also happens with vaping and dabbing.

Decarboxylation also occurs naturally. Over time, temperature, light, and storage conditions play a role in the conversion process.

Legal Weed Labels and Total THC

When you buy legal cannabis in Canada, you may see a label indicating “Total THC”. It refers to both THCA and THC, of which THC would be significantly lower as most of the THCA has yet to be converted.

The small level of THC represents the amount decarboxylated by natural process. On the other hand, the concentration of THCA in the label tells you the expected THC level after the decarboxylation process.

Cannabis products in Canada express total THC in a percentage range or in terms of milligrams per gram (mg/g). For example, Lemon Z comes with a total THC concentration of 19%-27%. It can also be expressed as 170-230 mg/g (remember there is 1000 mg in a gram) Total THC = THCA x 0.877 + THC.

Now that you understand the basics behind THC, you may be wondering how this one compound produces such widespread effects on the human body and mind. The answer lies in the existence of an ancient physiological system call the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The ECS, comprising receptors, ligands, and enzymes, is a lipid signaling system that exists just about everywhere in the human body. They produce effects when the correct ‘ligand’ activates the receptors. Think of the receptors as locks and the ligands as keys.

There are two primary cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. Once the key (ligand) activates a receptor, it produces physiological effects. Without going into too much detail, the primary role of these receptors is to modulate activity. The activation of the ECS in the nervous system leads to reduced electrochemical signaling. It is important to remember that these receptors are found all over the nervous system, and so they serve as broad moderators of the nervous system.

Enzymes ensure that the balance of ligands is kept in check. They also help create and subsequently break down the ligands. The ligands that our body creates are called endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids). Endogenous describes how they produced naturally inside our body, as opposed to phytocannabinoids produced by plants.

Combined, all of these cannabinoids share certain structural similarities, which explains how they all interact with the ECS. Phytocannabinoids mimic natural endocannabinoids, and this is why they produce physiological effects.

How THC Impacts the ECS

THC is known to primarily interact with CB1 receptors, many of which are inside our brain and nervous system. It is similar enough to one specific endocannabinoid – anandamide – that it produces the same effects. Hence, it should be no surprise that anandamide is called the “bliss” hormone, as it is associated with euphoria.

One example of the natural production of anandamide is the “Runner’s High,” which produces euphoria, sedation, relaxation, and stimulates hunger. This neurobiological “reward” is a response to exercise and is thought to be one way our bodies support us getting exercise.

As you can see from that list of effects, they sound a lot like the impacts of THC. And this makes perfect sense because THC functions like anandamide inside our body through our ECS. Consuming THC produces similar physiological rewards without having to exercise.

Unlike with anandamide, however, THC consumption is not carefully controlled and regulated by our internal physiology. This fact leads us into a conversation about the effects of THC and topics like dosing and the biphasic effect.

The Effects of THC

THC is lipophilic, which describes how it mixes with other fats or oils but does not mix well with water. Once THC is absorbed into our bloodstream, it rapidly disperses throughout the body and is also stored in fat cells. THC in the body produces significant effects, but much more so in the brain.

As mentioned, THC compounds can cross the blood-brain-barrier and enter our nervous system from the bloodstream. It is here inside the brain where CB1 receptors abound. We learned how these receptors are involved in the ECS’s regulation of chemical and electrical signaling. THC can function like anandamide and act upon these receptors in impactful ways.

Dosing and the Biphasic effect

Unlike anandamide, our body does not control the production of THC. Dosing is critical here as it takes time for our body to process and removes excess THC compounds. The amount of THC inside our body impacts our symptoms and side effects.

To fully understand THC, it is helpful to understand the biphasic nature of it. Biphasic describes how a low dose of something may decrease a specific symptom, but a larger dose can reverse this pattern and increase that symptom. This is why small amounts of THC appear to alleviate anxiety, but large quantities increase it.

Ultimately, this means that it is our responsibility to manage the amount of THC we consume. Over time we develop tolerance as our bodies learn to process THC compounds more quickly for removal. For novice consumers, this is why the advice “start low and go slow” is so important.

Here at Weed Me, we provide a range of strains with different strengths to meet your needs. Check out our award-winning cross between Jack Herer and Cinderella 99, called Cindy Jack, for a 17-21% THC strain. Want more punch? Our Garlic Jelly comes in at 20-25% THC with a spicy and potent aroma.

THC in Summary

THC is a cannabinoid produced by cannabis plants that can mimic our natural endocannabinoids. While it is only one of these cannabinoids, it is the most prominent of the bunch because it is primarily responsible for the cannabis high. That said, we learned that dried flower contains more THCA compounds, which first require heat for decarboxylation to create THC compounds.

It is through this mimicking of anandamide that THC can produce such widespread impacts through the human body. While THC can act upon CB1 receptors in the brain to create a similar result to the runner’s high, it can also lead to unwanted effects. The importance of dosing is pivotal for ensuring we avoid adverse biphasic effects.

THC can produce euphoria and relaxation while enhancing our sensations and perceptions. The dose and our personal tolerance moderate these effects. Ensure you stay within your tolerance level and go slow when increasing your dose to avoid a biphasic reversal of the positive effects of THC.