Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or simply delta-9-THC, is said to provide a perceivable effect or how the body behaves when one uses cannabis. It is prudent to know more about delta-9 THC and its mechanism on the body as one uses marijuana. This article examines what happens to delta-9 THC in one's body over time.
What is Delta-9 THC?
Delta-9 THC is also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a very essential component of cannabis (marijuana). This is one of THC's most active types, which is found in the cannabis plant and it is this type of cannabinoid that rolling papers are and get you high.
Understanding the Role of Delta-9 THC in Cannabis
Delta-9 THC binds itself to cannabinoid receptors leading to:
- The feeling of being high
- Changed view of time
- High sense of appetite
How Delta-9 THC Differs from Other Cannabinoids
Despite there being other forms of THC like delta-8 and delta-10, delta-9 THC has more recognition and interest. Delta-9 THC differs from the others based on its chemical structure and effects. Delta-9 is stronger and has more effects, hence the higher need to study it.
How Does Delta-9 THC Affect the Body?
To appreciate the body’s effect with delta-9 THC, it is necessary to understand how it interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and the nervous system.
The Interaction Between Delta-9 THC and Cannabinoid Receptors
Delta-9 THC is the primary member of the cannabinol family that interacts with the brain and peripheral cannabinoids as well. This explains why users of cannabis have various experiences. The primary receptors that are involved include;
- CB1 receptors - These are the receptors that are mostly found in the brain and are associated with the control of emotions, the recollection of events and the perception.
- CB2 receptors – These are the receptors that are located within the immune system and are responsible for pain and inflammation.
How Delta-9 THC Influences the Central Nervous System
There are some possibilities that arise when delta-9 THC attaches to these receptors which include;
- Euphoria – The feeling of happiness and sense of wellbeing.
- Altered sensory perception – The ability to comprehend time and the spatial orientation sense of self is altered.
- Increased relaxation – Time and the state of life as well as the mind being at ease with stress.
Short-Term Psychoactive Effects of Delta-9 THC
The short-term effects that are observed as a result of the delta-9 THC usage have been shown to be highly divergent across individuals. The following effects are those that are common:
- Euphoria – This feeling is very much increased due to the enhanced delta-9 THC.
- Disturbed perception of the senses: The interaction of visual, auditory, or tactile senses with the environment changes one’s attitude towards the world.
- Short, increased appetite: More popularly known as, “the munchies.”
A few cannabis users may sometimes come across a few negative encounters including:
- Anxiety.
- Dry mouth.
- Elevation of heart rate.
- Deficits in memory.
How Long Does Delta-9 Stay in Your System?
Delta-9 THC can remain in your body for an extended period of time after use. The time also differs based on the individual user’s frequency of use and metabolism.
|
Test Type |
Detection time |
|
Urine |
Up to 90 days (heavy users) |
|
Blood |
Up to 7 days |
|
Saliva |
Up to 30days |
|
Hair |
Up to 90 days |
THC metabolites may get deposited in hair follicles, which makes it possible for THC to be detected up to 90 days.
Typical Detection Windows for Delta-9 THC
- Time Taken to Detect Delta-9 THC
- Infrequent use (1-3 times): 3-7 days
- Moderate use (4 times): 7-14 days
- Frequent use (everyday): 14-30 days
- Heavy use (multiple times everyday): Up to 30-90 days
How Different Forms of Cannabis Use Affect THC Duration
- Smoking: Hard effect is felt fast, but is also taken out faster, as THC goes straight to the blood.
- Edibles: These have a prolonged action since they take longer to metabolize.
- Vaping: Similarly, but effects could be for longer since the amount of TH resistance could be higher.
Factors That Influence How Long THC Stays in Your System
Body fat and metabolism have a big impact on how long THC will be retained in the body.
Role of Body Fat and THC Storage
Body fat is a good storage for THC making people with more body fat retain a higher level of THC compared to those with less. Since THC is lipophilic, it will be absorbed and kept inside fat cells. A few points to note are as follows:
- Body fat increases the rate of THC retention.
- THC can be released back to the bloodstream when it stays in the body for a long time.
- People with low body fat have lower chances of retaining THC for a longer duration.
Metabolism and Its Impact on THC Clearance
- Age: Elderly persons may take a longer period to clear THC from their body
- Sex: There may be a way of encoding information by women that men probably do not use
- Health: A person who has a healthy liver will eliminate THC more effectively
How is THC Metabolized?
With regards to delta-9 THC, the body predominantly metabolizes it to the liver. This organ possesses specific enzymes capable of making THC more manageable by the body. The main enzymes involved are specifically in the cytochrome P450 family which also are instrumental in the metabolism of other foreign substances.
How THC Metabolites Affect Detection Times
When THC is broken down, or metabolized, it is broken down into several different metabolites. Many of these metabolites can remain in the tissues and therefore may determine how long THC will test positive for a drug test. For instance, 11-OH-THC is the most important 11-hydroxy-THC, which has been known to be psychoactive and was able to stay in the system longer than THC.
Effects of Cannabis Use on the Body and Mind
Cannabis use has physiological and psychological effects based on how chronic the usage is.
Immediate Effects of Delta-9 THC on Mood and Perception
Cannabis use affects how users perceive their world.
Some of the immediate impacts of marijuana use are:
- Perceiving some sounds at higher volumes than before.
- A person is likely to experience alterations in how they perceive the clock.
- A whole rage of emotions is likely to be experienced. The emotions can be positive or in the form of anxiety.
Long-Term Health Effects of Cannabis Use
Some potential long-term effects include:
- Smoking can result in degrading the lungs over a period of time.
- Emotions have been shown to exist, such as stress and continual emotions of sadness and lack of motivation to continue with a normal course of lifestyle or work.
- Many of them seek cannabis on a habitual basis due to dependency.
Comparing Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC: What’s the Difference?
Delta-8 and Delta-9 differ in their chemical compositions and psychoactive effects on users.
Key Chemical Differences Between Delta-8 and Delta-9
Despite being fairly structurally similar, there are some characteristics that separate Delta-8 among other cannabinoids such as Delta-9. When compared with delta-8, delta-9 has a stronger tendency to attach to the CB1 receptors.
Psychoactive Effects of Delta-8 vs. Delta-9 THC
- Delta-9 THC: It affects almost every person’s mood, sometimes causing euphoria, and is attributed as the reason for the famous “high”.
- Delta-8 is not as potent as Delta-9. It lets the consumer feel the effects of marijuana but doesn’t cause paranoia in the user.
- User Experience: According to those who have tried Delta-8, the smoke is quite the opposite of Delta-9, as it comes with extremely minimal side effects like increased paranoia, among many other side effects that users get from Delta-9.
Tips to Clear THC From Your System
Cannabis users can use natural methods or lifestyle changes to clear THC from their system.
Natural Detox Methods to Clear THC
To help your body eliminate THC, consider these natural methods:
- Increase Water Intake: Increase the amount of water consumed in normal routine as it can help nitrogenous waste excretion.
- Increase Activity Level: With time and metabolic activity of the body, fats which contain active THC can be burned due to any physical movement.
- Healthy and balanced meals: Micronutrients can be given to the body through fruits, vegetables, and grains so that the detox performed in the body is effective and quick.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Faster THC Clearance
Maintaining an active lifestyle can help improve the rate of deposition of THC from the body.
- Moderate Use of Caffeine and Alcohol: Alcohol can dehydrate the body and caffeine can impair the antioxidant activity and slow down the detox process.
- Adequate Hours of Sleep: As a part of an active lifestyle, sleep is very important, as rest allows the body to recover.
- Seek Professional Help: If you feel uncomfortable and need to go for detox immediately, seek out a medical expert for assistance.
Final Thoughts on Delta-9 THC in Your Body
Delta-9 THC significantly impacts the body and mind of marijuana users. Despite the high feeling not lasting for long periods, strains of cannabis remain in one's body. However, water intake, high body activity levels, and lifestyle changes can help clear delta-9 THC from the body.