THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive component found in cannabis, so in other words, it’s the cannabinoid that actually causes users to feel high.
Because of this, it’s been frequently slandered by the media and now has a bit of a taboo reputation. A lot of people still believe that it’s purely recreational and nothing more. However, just because THC has some cerebral effects doesn’t mean it doesn’t also have a myriad of health benefits. Just like CBD, which is becoming more mainstream with each passing day, THC can be used as a natural remedy to treat many different ailments.
Relieve Nausea and Increase Appetite
Anecdotal evidence will tell you that THC is actually one of the best remedies on earth for treating nausea, however, that’s unfortunately not enough evidence for most people. But there are some legitimate studies that have echoed that sentiment which is promising for anyone interested in using it. For example, this study looked at the effects of using THC to treat children suffering from chemotherapy-induced nausea. According to the research, “vomiting was completely prevented and the side effects observed were negligible”.
Also, a synthetic version of THC has been used in a prescription drug – Marinol – since the 1980s; although Marinol pales in comparison to real THC and the entourage effect of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids all working together. Additionally, THC can effectively increase appetites in those who need it most, so it can help curb nausea and make the patient eat more, an all-in-one treatment option.
Pain Management
Structural chemical formula and molecule model of THC
Next on the list of well-known THC benefits is pain management. Since 1996 when California first legalized medical cannabis, one of its most common uses has always been to treat pain. Whether that pain stems from inflammation, headaches, injury, chemotherapy, cramps, or neuropathic pain, cannabis seems to be able to offer relief in every scenario. Due to the increase in opioid-related deaths, people are turning to cannabis as a way to safely treat their symptoms. And rightfully so, take a look at this study that examined the role of cannabinoids in pain management and discovered that a 1:1 ratio of THC:CBD can be extremely effective.
Neuroprotectant Properties
Although the age of “reefer madness” led people to believe that THC kills brain cells, it’s starting to appear like that couldn’t be further from the truth. This study indicates that THC is actually a neuroprotectant antioxidant. Something else extremely interesting was discovered in a 2014 study conducted at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California. Apparently, research found that the death rate following traumatic brain injury was significantly lower in patients who tested positive for THC, although this could also be due to a number of other factors.
Effective Sleep Aid
Many will attest to the fact that THC can make them quite tired, especially when using an indica strain with high concentrations. It’s also been scientifically proven to be a useful sleep aid. Research shows that THC can “significantly decrease the time it takes to fall asleep in physically healthy insomniacs.” A small 2008 study did mention that THC can reduce the amount of REM sleep a patient gets which leads to less dreams, but that’s not the case for everyone and a lack of dreaming doesn’t necessarily equate to poor sleep.
Potent Antibacterial
One of lesser known benefits of using cannabinoids, and THC in particular, would be as an antibacterial/antimicrobial. A small study on mice showed that THC can change their gut microbes. A more elaborate study published in the Journal of Natural Products concluded that cannabinoids are quite effective at fighting various bacteria. To the extent that researchers at MIT were able to use cannabis-based creams to kill antibiotic-resistant pathogens that no other medication could destroy.
Do you use medical cannabis, THC oil, or similar products that utilize tetrahydrocannabinol? If so, what has been your experience? Do you have any THC benefits you’d like to add to our list? We’d love to hear from you, drop us a line in the comment section below!
