THC is a cannabinoid that has been used for its psychoactive properties since ancient times.
There are many ways to consume THC, from cannabis joints to a THC cartridge to edibles, lotions, tinctures, and many other forms.
THC is often classified as a simple recreational drug. In short, just a substance to have some fun with friends and that is all. However, it is not as simple as that. For millenniums, THC and other psychoactive substances have been used as “entheogens”. If you are not familiar with this term, just google it and you will find the following definition:
“A chemical substance, typically of plant origin, that is ingested to produce a nonordinary state of consciousness for religious or spiritual purposes.”
The term derives from two words of Ancient Greek, ἔνθεος (éntheos) and γενέσθαι (genésthai). Entheos is the equivalent in English as having a god in one; possessed or inspired by a god, whilst Genesthai means “to come into being” according to Wikipedia.
What is THC?
THC is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. To be more precise, THC is present in cannabis in its acidic form which is called THCa. THCa does not have psychoactive properties and that is why it needs to be “activated” and convert to THC to induce altered states in the consumer.
The acidic form of THC has also been researched for its medical properties, but we still do not have enough information to know about its potential medical properties. Some sources claim THCa has neuroprotectant properties and that it is useful for the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Nonetheless, this is just a theory that still needs to be proved.
THC is obtained after a process known as decarboxylation. In other words, the heating and/or the curing process that releases a carboxyl group. After this process, THCa converts into its decarboxylated and psychoactive form known as THC or tetrahydrocannabinol.
THC is a psychoactive substance that causes an altered state of consciousness. Moreover, it also causes an increased appetite, and the consumer especially craves for sweets; THC consumes a lot of glucose, hence the hunger and craving for sweet foods.
Is a THC Cartridge Useful as Medicine?
THC has medical properties. Firstly, as previously mentioned, THC makes the consumer feel hungry. Consequently, it has been used to treat people with eating disorders.
Many states allow the consumption of marijuana to treat pain, nausea and other symptoms.
Its legal status is sort of controversial. THC consumption is not allowed under federal law. However, many states allow its consumption for medical purposes. In the world, just a few countries allow cannabis for recreational purposes. For example, Canada and Uruguay allows both the recreational use and medical use of marijuana.
In the US, 11 states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington) have legalized cannabis both for medical and recreational use.
There are many ways to consume THC and vaping a THC cartridge is one of the safest and fastest methods. A THC cartridge is available in different THC concentration, natural flavor, added flavors and with different terpenes.
What are its Medical Properties?
THC is useful to increase appetite, which is very useful for people who suffer from eating disorders or for patients who need to increase appetite. A THC cartridge could be a safe and fast delivery method for this purpose.
In addition, THC has been widely used as an antiemetic. In other words, to reduce nausea in cancer and AIDS patients.
Some sources claim THC has also anti-cancer properties and that it is also useful to treat neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Search self-knowledge is less common than seeking for disinhibition. In other words, some users of hashish and marijuana are prone to express repressed thoughts and attitudes.
THC intake in its many forms (THC cartridges, edibles, joints…) increase brain activity and reduce aggressiveness. For example, have you ever met an aggressive person under the influence of THC? Most likely, you have never met someone that gets aggressive after vaping a THC cartridge.
THC has been recommended to treat insomnia and a sedative in patients with pain. Moreover, historically, cannabis has been used to treat nervous and mental illnesses and even as a treatment for chronic cough. In addition, it is also recommended to calm tremors in convulsive paralysis, bladder spasms and sexual impotence that does not come from organic disease.
Other Historical Uses
Other historical sources recommend the use of cannabis for/as: aphrodisiac, antineuralgic, tranquilizer for maniacs, antidepressant, hysteria, brain tonic, remedy for nervous vomiting, Sydenham’s chorea, bladder spasms, epilepsy and venereal diseases. This was a regular use in territories from Persia to China. In addition, it has also been used as a treatment for chronic alcoholism and morphine and chloral addiction. Furthermore, it has also been used as a hypnotic.
What kind of intake methods (THC cartridge, joints…)?
There are many intake methods. Cannabis was commonly consumed as edibles, as joints, pipes and bongs. Nowadays, THC cartridges are popular as a fast and safe intake method.
Vaping THC cartridges is a healthier alternative to joints. Vaping does not produce tar or other carcinogenic substances associated with the combustion of plant material. In other words, you get the best of inhaling it but without the side effects of traditional methods such as pipes, joints, or bongs.
There are two kind of cartridges: prefilled and refillable ones. The former is convenient and easy to use, just vape it and replace it for a new one. On the other hand, the latter one is ideal if you want to have more control of the e-liquid that you are vaping or even if you want to vape your own cannabis vape juice.
There are many other methods such as lotions, tinctures, edibles. These options take longer time to make effect, but they tend to last longer than inhaling THC.
Conclusion
THC and other cannabinoids have been used to treat many different health conditions. Nowadays, it is used mainly to treat nausea, to increase appetite and to reduce pain.
In addition, there are many intake methods and they vary in effectiveness and effects. For instance, a THC cartridge is a fast and safe method while edibles takes longer time but it lasts also longer than inhalation methods.