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What is Δ-9-THC?

THC Blog: Find all the practical information relating to the consumption of THC and the latest scientific studies by browsing this section only intended for tetrahydrocannabinol

All about THC

Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly known as THC, the most abundant cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. THC is one of the many chemical compounds found in the resin secreted by the plant.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, the molecule responsible for the main psychoactive effects of cannabis. In addition, it is produced naturally by our body within the endocannabinoid system.

Cannabinoid receptors are concentrated in the brain. Thus, tetrahydrocannabinol affects a person's memory, pleasure, movement, thinking, concentration, coordination and perception of time.

THC stimulates brain cells to release dopamine. Thus it creates an effect of euphoria. In addition, it also interferes with information processed by the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for forming new memories.

However, it is a fragile, thermolabile and oxidizable molecule, easily isomerized into delta-8-THC (a little less active). Or turning into cannabinol (CBN, particularly low activity) or cannabidiol (CBD, inactive).

Tetrahydrocannabinol has a particularly low water solubility, but good solubility in the majority of organic solvents such as ethanol.

THC is a particularly fat soluble molecule. This explains its rapid passage of the blood-brain barrier. And therefore its almost immediate effect when consumed in joints. This fat-soluble aspect causes it to accumulate in fat. This explains two phenomena: the fact that it remains present in the body for a very long time, and the fact that during diets, some describe cannabine effects.

THC primarily binds to the central CB-1 receptor. Its low toxicity can also be explained by the distribution of these receptors, which are few in number in areas of the brain linked to the main functions.