What is THC?  

  • THC, or Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, belonging to the cannabinoid class. It acts as a partial agonist at cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in the endocannabinoid system, modulating neurotransmitter release such as dopamine, glutamate, and GABA, which contributes to its euphoric, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects.

  • It occurs naturally in the Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica plants, with concentrations varying by strain (typically higher in marijuana than hemp). Synthetic analogs like dronabinol are used medically, and THC is often extracted for products like oils or edibles.

 Methods of Administration

Common methods include inhalation (smoking or vaporizing dried flower or concentrates for rapid onset), oral ingestion (edibles, capsules, or tinctures for longer-lasting effects), sublingual (tinctures or sprays under the tongue), topical (creams or balms for localized relief), and transdermal (patches for steady release). Bioavailability varies: inhalation ~10–35%, oral ~4–20% due to first-pass metabolism.

Effects and Duration

When inhaled, effects onset in minutes and last 1–3 hours; orally, onset in 30–90 minutes and duration 4–8 hours or more. Users often report euphoria, relaxation, heightened sensory perception, altered time sense, increased appetite ("munchies"), and mild analgesia, with potential for anxiety or paranoia at higher doses.

Potency

THC potency varies widely: ~10–30% in cannabis flower, up to 90%+ in concentrates like shatter or oils. Effective therapeutic doses start at 2.5–5 mg, recreational at 5–20 mg, with tolerance building quickly. It is less potent than synthetic cannabinoids but can be amplified by entourage effects with other cannabinoids like CBD.

Low-Dose Somatic Release: How It Works

In low "microdosing" doses (typically 1–5 mg, sub-intoxicating levels), THC can facilitate somatic release—helping discharge stored physical tension, emotional blocks, or trauma residues without strong psychoactive effects. This is explored in cannabis-assisted psychotherapy (CAP) for conditions like PTSD. How It Works:

  • Endocannabinoid System Activation: Low doses bind to CB1/CB2 receptors, modulating the autonomic nervous system to reduce stress hormones (e.g., cortisol) and promote relaxation, allowing somatic sensations like muscle tension or "frozen" emotions to surface and release.

  • Neuroplasticity and Emotional Processing: It enhances brain connectivity and may "reset" fear responses in the amygdala, aiding the release of trauma stored in the body as physical symptoms (e.g., chronic pain or anxiety).

  • Somatic Focus: Users may experience subtle shifts like deep breathing, yawning, or energy flow, similar to somatic experiencing, without euphoria or impairment.

  • Applications: Used for PTSD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and inflammation, often in guided sessions to support safe release.

Low doses require careful titration and a supportive environment to avoid escalation.

Risks and Side Effects

Potential risks include acute effects like anxiety, paranoia, dry mouth, red eyes, impaired coordination, increased heart rate, and dizziness. Long-term: Memory/cognitive deficits, dependency (psychological addiction in ~9–30% of users, known as cannabis use disorder, with higher risk for daily or frequent users; symptoms include cravings, irritability, insomnia, and appetite changes upon cessation), respiratory issues from smoking, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, and heightened psychosis risk in vulnerable individuals (e.g., with schizophrenia predisposition).

Frequent or daily use may also impair emotion processing, leading to dulled emotional responses, reduced emotional intelligence, and difficulties in processing emotions during experiences with other psychedelics due to neuroadaptations like receptor downregulation or blunted affective responses. Interactions with medications can occur and use during pregnancy/breastfeeding may affect fetal development.  

Integration

Integration involves reflecting on experiences through journaling, therapy, or mindfulness to incorporate benefits like reduced stress or improved mood. For therapeutic use, it's key to process any emotional releases and avoid frequent use to prevent tolerance, ensuring sustained wellness.  

Legal Status THC (in cannabis) is a Schedule I substance federally in the United States (high abuse potential, no accepted medical use), but recreational use is legal in 24 states plus D.C., medical in 38 states as of 2025. Globally, it's prohibited under UN treaties but decriminalized or legal in countries like Canada, Uruguay, and parts of Europe (e.g., Netherlands tolerances). Synthetic THC (dronabinol) is Schedule III for medical use. Regulations vary, with ongoing rescheduling efforts. References For more details, refer to the cited sources above. This page was compiled from publicly available scientific and educational resources as of December 2025.