What is THC and How Does it Get You High?

April 4th, 2016

Marijuana is still a very profitable drug for traffickers all across the United States. Many people also grow their own for recreational use and with laws changing, possessions of small amounts of this herb are no longer illegal. Recreational users are seeking the “high” that marijuana supplies them, a high that varies due to the type of marijuana smoked and from person to person.

Active Chemical in Marijuana

The active chemical in marijuana that produces the high the smokers seek is called THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The act of smoking marijuana, which is usually done in a pipe or rolled up as a joint, allows THC to pass from the lungs to the bloodstream and from there the chemical moves to the brain.

THC is similar to cannabinoid chemicals that occur naturally within the body. These receptors act as neurotransmitters sending chemical messages between neurons throughout the central nervous system. The main receptors affected by THC are CB1, the receptors for the central nervous system, and CB2, these receptors affect the immune system.

THC attaches to these receptors and activates them. One area of the brain that is activated is the reward system. When the reward system is activated, the brain is flooded with chemical dopamine at high levels. This onslaught of dopamine produces the high that recreational pot users seek out.

How Much THC is in Marijuana?

Different strains of marijuana have different amounts of THC. Most strains contain about 5% to 10% THC. However, stronger strains, which is often referred to as high-quality marijuana, can contain up to 22% to 25% of THC. Synthetic THC is produced in countries where marijuana is illegal. It is called Marinol and it is taken orally. THC oil is also produced by marijuana users so they can get high without inhaling possible carcinogens when smoking marijuana.