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You may know that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the element of the weed that, well, makes you very nervous. But the THC compound, one of the over 400 found in marijuana, is actually more complex than that. So what is THC and how does it work? Experts weighed in to give TheStreet the latest scoop on THC applications.
What is THC?
THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is the compound of cannabis that is psychoactive and gives the impression of being high. However, the chemical composition of THC, C₂₁H₃₀O₂, is very similar to that of its counterpart, CBD, which fights the effects of THC.
However, THC mimics the natural chemical anandamide (which is produced in the brain) function in communication. Thus, instead of normal brain communication via neurons, the THC compound attaches to the neurons and changes the process.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), THC affects thought, memory, pleasure, movement, coordination, and sensory and temporal perception. For these reasons, doing things like running heavy machinery or driving under the influence of drugs can be dangerous.
Still, the stigma that THC (especially with regard to marijuana use) may not be all that. THC reports several health benefits that help treat depression, PTSD, epilepsy and even eating disorders.
THC Composition
THC has the chemical formula C₂₁H₃₀O₂, with a molecular weight of 314.464 g / mol. But, it is very similar in structure and molecular weight to its CBD counterpart, which dilutes the effects of THC.
THC Uses
THC boasts a variety of uses, both medicinal and recreational.
Of the dozens, THC can be used in syrups, edibles, oils used in dyes, drops, in medications and topicals, including lotions and balms used for anti-inflammatories.
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In addition, Marinol, a drug made with synthetic THC, is the only THC drug currently approved by the FDA.
THC Legality
Currently, THC (more broadly covered under cannabis) is legally medical in 29 states, while marijuana is legal in 9 states and Washington DC
However, recent reports indicate that legalization could begin to spread.
In fact, this month, the New York State Department of Health issues a report. the market … outweigh the potential negative impacts, "according to the New York Daily News
. Yet, THC (in marijuana) is becoming more and more of a hot topic in the discussion for legalization. "The process of legalization and regulation of marijuana should be seriously reviewed and advanced," said New York Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Westchester) in a statement in 2018. In addition, more New Yorkers understand the harm that has been done by criminalizing marijuana, stopping and giving records to millions of our young people and allowing shadow markets to flourish. We need to start repairing the damage from this misguided policy.
However, given the controversial nature of the compound, it is unclear when these waves of legalization of "common sense" will occur.
THC vs. CBD
Despite the two compounds Having an almost exact chemical composition and being part of those that make up cannabis, THC and CBD act differently.
THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana that gives the feeling of being high. as a counterweight to the effects of THC. While THC induces drowsiness and gives you the body, CBD can actually increase energy.
CBD can often help moderate the effects of THC by reducing anxiety or stress.
You Can Learn More About CBD and THC
THC Side Effects
Yet, despite a variety of uses that have many optimistic doctors, producers and investors, THC can have side effects negatives that should be considered.
In 2017, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine published a study on the effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on health. Among the experts who contributed to the study include Dr. William Checkley, MD, Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University. As an badociate professor at Johns Hopkins and specialist in pulmonary care and critical care, Dr. Checkley says that THC could have more negative effects than many experts believe
"One of the biggest problems with cannabis "It's not just the drug in which one smokes … there are also all kinds of components that come into combustion with any substance," said Dr. Checkley at TheStreet. "There is substantial evidence supporting an badociation between smoking and respiratory symptoms and cannabis smokers have more frequent episodes of respiratory symptoms and in particular, chronic bronchitis, which is a combination of cough and phlegm."
"It is clear that if you stop smoking cannabis, your respiratory symptoms may improve," said Dr. Checkley. "What is less clear is that we can not really separate people who smoke cannabis frequently or chronically – that they are at high risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which you see with tobacco smoke. "[19659004] And this seems to be the general consensus on studies based on cannabis – that they are, to some extent, inconclusive. Still, Dr. Checkley claims that the study seemed to dispel some of the common misconceptions that THC has more beneficial properties than it actually possesses.
According to Dr. Checkley, the study found no connection between the use of cannabis or cannabinoids. and many of its supposed benefits.
However, the report would have found a connection with the consumption of THC or cannabis and certain psychiatric conditions.
"One aspect of the report showed that there was a close link between the use of cannabis and the development of schizophrenia. Checkley continued. "And also that the use of cannabis was also badociated with mania or hyper-mania in people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and there was also a small increased risk of depression as well as more in addition to suicide attempts and completion, increased incidents of social anxiety disorder. "
Other studies done last year showed similar findings, even though all remain somewhat skeptical. The findings published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics by researchers from Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel could shed light on the relationship between the use of THC and psychiatric problems.
"Our research shows that cannabis presents a differential risk." Dr. Ran Barzilay, a psychiatrist at the Sackler School of Medicine at TAU, told Medical News Today in 2017. "In other words, young people Having a genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia – those with psychiatric disorders in their family – should keep in mind that they play with fire if they smoke pot during adolescence.
In addition to psychiatric problems and doubts about the benefits of healing symptoms, the use of THC has also been badociated with a decrease in motor skills. The study used 21 studies from different countries with a sample of nearly 240,000 participants, says Dr. Checkley.
"One of the things we discovered was that some cases of cannabis use with traces of THC in the blood or saliva were badociated. with about … 20% to 30% more risk of vehicle crash, "Dr. Checkley explained to TheStreet. "And it was pretty consistent, so it did not really matter how you were looking at the data, and I think the information was pretty solid, given the number of people who were there. studies and the number of countries, and the number of participants "
However, despite numerous studies, all experts seem to agree that because of the clbadification of cannabis as a drug of In Appendix 1, researchers in limited studies are able to realize let the actual effects of the substance very much in question.
In fact, most are optimistic about the health benefits of THC and cannabis
THC Health Benefits
Indeed, there have also been countless reports of the many health benefits of THC and cannabis
Although still speculative, THC can potentially help increase appetite in patients with eating disorders neurodegenerative diseases and even potentially help patients with cancer. Studies have shown that THC can help patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and relieve some patients.
In fact, even Dr. Checkley concluded that THC and Cannabis had several beneficial effects, including In addition, other experts believe that there is room for optimism regarding THC applications.
"There have not yet been many studies on CBD and its interactions with other drugs, but overall, there does not seem to be much of a difference. Negative drug interactions between cannabinoids and even THC and other drugs, "said Kris Krane, president of 4Front Ventures, at TheStreet." So, we're most likely looking at compounds that are compatible with other types of pharmaceuticals without having any negative effects "So you can not say for sure that this is really the case, but the research is here today and Early indications are extremely positive. "
While many doctors are still reluctant to use the seemingly controversial compound, others have only glowing reports of the effectiveness of the drug in the treatment of cancer. a wide variety of medical problems. One of these advocates is Dr. Aung-Din, M.D., a specialist in neurology and general neuropsychiatry, also certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. He was once skeptical of THC and cannabis – but a decisive case changed his mind
. When he was presented with a case of a 23-year-old man who had suffered brain damage at age 15 and who had intractable seizures, Dr. Aung-Din was persuaded by the patient's mother of 39 try cannabis-based drugs as treatment, which worked.
"It opened my eyes to the potential of cannabinoids," said Dr. Aung-Din at TheStreet
. After seeing the effectiveness of cannabis in treating disease states like seizures, Dr. Aung-Din went on to say that cannabis-based drugs or cannabinoids offer tremendous potential.
Although normal FDA-approved pharmaceuticals actively alter receptors in the body, THC and cannabis apparently work differently by capitalizing on natural processes.
"When we use cannabis, we capitalize on our own endocannabinoid system," says Dr. Aung-Din. "We make endocannabinoids, and we have CB1 and CB2 receptors, so when you use cannabinoids, you use these receptors, whereas traditional pharmaceuticals block or stimulate the processes, but modulation is what cannabinoids use. "
Despite the different reports of its effectiveness, a single THC-based drug is currently approved by the FDA, while a single CBD-based drug, Epidiolex, has also been approved.
Yet Even though the THC Marinol drug has been approved by the FDA for some time, the synthetic THC that it uses may not be as effective as natural THC or cannabis, says Dr. Aung-Din. "I treat patients with PTSD, fibrous myalgia, cancers [and am] who found a regression of cancer when chemotherapy did not help, so it's a pretty amazing trip." , he says,
In fact, the potential efficacy of THC and cannabis in the treatment of cancer has been noted for a long time, but has not yet found widespread applications on the field
THC Investment
With the FDA approval of Epidiolex by GW Pharmaceuticals (GWPH) in June, the valves seem to have opened their doors to cannabis-based drugs. And this, for investors, sounds like a big "chaching".
Krane, president of 4Front Ventures, is a supporter of new applications of THC and cannabis. 4Front is a "360-degree vision of the industry" that "provides an ideal point of view for pursuing strategic opportunities in the areas of cannabis cultivation, distribution, production, technology and technology. Other ancillary services ".
Krane believes that the wave of approval for cannabis in medical fields is only the beginning of the benefits that THC and CBD have to offer.
"I think the approval of Epidiolex in the United States is likely to pave the way for new era of cannabinoid-derived pharmaceuticals," Krane told TheStreet. Cannabinoids-based drug product was Marinol, a synthetic THC, which has not been shown to be particularly effective or popular, but having a naturally occurring cannabinoid-based drug is positive there, who are working on different types of cannabinoid-based drugs, I think this will probably open a new era of cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals and it's overall positive. "
As a defender Cannabis for 20 years, Krane has certainly seen the approval of the cannabis arc. He was a founding member of Students for Sensable Drug Policy in the late 1990s. Krane has been involved in DC politics for 10 years and the cannabis industry since 2009 – so the president is certainly "high" in the world of cannabis.
"More patients should take cannabis or cannabinoids," Krane says. "Because they're effective in treating various conditions, they can be an alternative to opiates and it's also one of the first times that the federal government officially confirms the medicinal benefits of cannabinoids." "
The health benefits of recently discovered cannabinoids, the CBD and cannabis markets appear to be preparing for flowering.
Aung-Din seems enthusiastic about the future of the cannabis industry.
"I have never seen such a diverse industry – from recreational to traditional to medical," he says.
In fact, several Canadian companies already offer investment opportunities
OrganiGram (OGRMF) and Canopy Growth Corporation (TWMJF) offer attractive options for investing in marijuana production or research. In addition, the grower, processor and legal marijuana distributor Tilray (TLRY) recently became public on the Nasdaq Global Select Market
and, with the recent approval of Epidiolex from GW Pharmaceutical, the marijuana market seems to blossom. 19659071]
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