Cannabis has a clearly noticeable effect on the body and mind. This is due to the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short, also known as delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol. It is one of the most important cannabinoids in the hemp plant and is the reason why cannabis has a psychoactive effect in the first place.
When you think of typical cannabis effects, scenes from movies probably come to mind, where people laugh, react slowly, or experience hallucinations. In fact, the effects of cannabis can vary greatly depending on the THC content. Perceptual disturbances or particularly intense intoxication usually only occur at very high doses.
THC affects your body's endocannabinoid system. This system is part of the nervous system and plays an important role in mood, perception, appetite, and many other processes. How strongly you feel the effects of THC depends not only on the amount you consume, but also on your current state of mind and the environment in which you consume it.
What is THC?
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol and is one of the most well-known active ingredients in the cannabis plant. More specifically, it is delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabinoid that acts directly on certain cannabinoid receptors in the brain. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system and influence various processes in the body, including mood, memory, perception, and appetite.
THC is the component responsible for the typical high associated with cannabis use. It binds to receptors in the brain and alters communication between nerve cells. This produces the well-known effects such as euphoria, relaxation, or an altered perception of space and time.
In addition to THC, cannabis contains many other cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), which has no intoxicating effect. While THC is primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects, CBD is increasingly being researched for its potential calming or anti-inflammatory properties.
How is THC or cannabis used?
There are various ways to consume cannabis, and each of them affects the effects of cannabis differently. The best known is smoking. This involves using the dried flowers and leaves of the female cannabis plant. This plant, also known as Indian hemp or Cannabis sativa, is usually mixed with tobacco and consumed as a joint. In this form, the active ingredient enters the bloodstream particularly quickly, meaning that the effects are felt after just a few puffs.
You can also consume cannabis in other forms, such as tea or baked goods like the well-known space cakes. When eaten, it takes significantly longer for the THC to take effect, as the tetrahydrocannabinol must first be broken down by the digestive tract and liver. As a result, the high may be stronger or last longer than expected.
Hashish refers to the pressed cannabis resin of the hemp plant, which is usually mixed with tobacco and also smoked or inhaled. Hashish oil, a concentrated substance with a high THC content, is also used less frequently, for example by dripping it onto cigarettes.
Cannabis has been partially legalized in Germany since the Cannabis Act (CanG) came into force. Adults are allowed to possess and consume a limited amount of cannabis for personal use, as long as certain conditions are met. Industrial hemp with a low THC content may also be used legally for industrial or medical purposes. Certain ingredients of the plant are used as medicines, for example to treat chronic diseases. You can find more information on legal aspects here: Cannabis & legality in everyday life.
What effect does THC have on us?
The effects of THC are felt in several parts of the body and influence both your physical sensations and your psyche. After consuming cannabis, the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol binds to specific cannabinoid receptors in the brain. These receptors control processes such as perception, mood, memory, movement, and pain perception.
For many people, the initial reaction is pleasant: euphoria, calmness, increased creativity, and a altered sense of time are among the typical effects of cannabis. Sounds, smells, and colors often seem more intense. Many also report an increased feeling of hunger, which is triggered by the activation of the endocannabinoid system in the brain.
However, the effects of cannabis can also have unpleasant side effects. Especially with a high THC content, side effects such as dizziness, nausea, palpitations, or feelings of panic occur more frequently. Some users experience perceptual disturbances, hallucinations, or concentration problems. These effects usually subside after a few hours. It becomes particularly dangerous when cannabis is combined with alcohol or other substances, as this significantly increases the risk of circulatory problems or accidents.
How does cannabis exert its effects in the body?
The effects of cannabis arise from the interaction between the plant's cannabinoids and your body's endocannabinoid system. This system consists of messenger substances and receptors that control signals in the nervous system. Among other things, it regulates pain perception, memory, sleep, and feelings of hunger.
When you consume cannabis, the THC binds to these receptors and alters their activity. This inhibits or stimulates certain nerve cells, which affects perception and behavior. A particularly large number of these receptors are found in the brain, but they are also present in organs such as the liver, lungs, heart, and kidneys.
While the body's own endocannabinoids are broken down quickly, tetrahydrocannabinol remains active for much longer. It dissolves in fatty tissue, is released slowly, and can therefore still be detected in the blood days after consumption. This explains why the effects of THC often last for several hours and why regular consumption can have a lasting effect on the body.
Why do people react so differently to cannabis?
The effects of cannabis vary greatly from person to person. Several factors determine how strong and how long the effects are felt. The THC content is particularly decisive: the higher the value, the more intense the high and the more likely undesirable side effects such as anxiety or restlessness are.
The method of consumption also influences the intensity. When smoked or inhaled, the THC reaches the brain via the bloodstream within a few seconds. The effect sets in quickly but only lasts for two to three hours. When you consume cannabis in food or tea, the THC effect only sets in after about 30 to 60 minutes, but it lasts much longer. This is because the liver converts THC into 11-hydroxy THC, a substance that is more potent than the original tetrahydrocannabinol.
Accompanying circumstances such as mood, expectations, and surroundings also influence the experience. Those who feel comfortable in familiar company usually find the effects of cannabis pleasant. In stressful situations or unfamiliar surroundings, however, the same consumption can trigger anxiety or panic.
How does the effect of THC differ from other cannabinoids?
While THC alters perception and directly stimulates the brain, CBD has no intoxicating effect. It binds to other cannabinoid receptors and even appears to partially mitigate the effects of THC. Many users find strains with a higher CBD content more pleasant, as they are less likely to cause side effects such as restlessness, palpitations, or anxiety.
The balance between THC and CBD content is particularly crucial for the personal experience of the effects of cannabis. A high ratio of THC to CBD usually leads to a stronger psychoactive effect, while a balanced ratio produces a milder, often more relaxing effect.
In addition to THC and CBD, there are other cannabinoids that are increasingly being studied scientifically, such as CBG (cannabigerol) and CBC (cannabichromene). These also interact with the endocannabinoid system, but in different ways. Some of these substances may have anti-inflammatory or neuroprotective properties without causing the psychoactive effects of THC.
What are the long-term effects of cannabis?
With occasional use, the effects of THC wear off after a few hours. However, those who use THC regularly or over long periods of time expose their bodies to the active ingredient on a permanent basis. This can have various health consequences that affect both the brain and other organ systems.
How does THC alter the brain and psyche?
THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and alters how nerve cells transmit signals. These receptors control concentration, memory, and emotions, among other things. If the system is repeatedly activated over a long period of time, it can lose its natural balance.
Frequent consumption often leads to a decline in memory performance, reduced attention span, and uncoordinated movements. Such impairments usually disappear when THC consumption is stopped.
In the long term, however, regular cannabis use can have a more significant impact on mental health. For example, it can increase the risk of anxiety disorders, depression, and psychotic episodes. Young people, whose brains are still developing, and people with a genetic or psychological predisposition are particularly at risk.
A high THC content significantly increases the occurrence of risks, as more of the active ingredient acts on the receptors in a shorter period of time. Particularly high doses can trigger hallucinations, panic attacks, or feelings of persecution. There is also evidence that frequent cannabis use is associated with a higher likelihood of schizophrenia.
What physical consequences can long-term THC consumption have?
The physical effects depend heavily on how THC is consumed. When smoked or inhaled, combustion products enter the lungs, which can cause coughing, bronchitis, or shortness of breath in the long term. Combining THC with tobacco further increases the risk, as both substances irritate the lung tissue.
THC can also affect the circulatory system. In the short term, it causes an increased heart rate, and in the long term, it can alter vascular function and blood pressure. There is also evidence that it increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmia and stroke, especially in people with pre-existing conditions.
Because THC is stored in fatty tissue, it remains in the body longer and is only slowly broken down by the liver. This can lead to chronic exposure, in which the endocannabinoid system is permanently stimulated. This affects not only mood, but also metabolic processes, sleep, and appetite.
Can THC be addictive?
Even though THC does not cause the same physical dependence as alcohol or opiates, it can certainly lead to psychological dependence. Around nine percent of users develop a strong craving for the active ingredient and find it difficult to control their consumption.
Young people and individuals who consume cannabis daily or are heavily dependent on the calming or mood-enhancing effects of THC are particularly at risk. Typical signs include irritability, restlessness, sleep problems, and a strong desire to consume again.
Over time, the body develops a tolerance and the effects of THC diminish as the amount consumed increases. This can lead to a cycle in which increasingly higher doses are needed to feel the same effect.
How does THC affect social life?
Long-term THC use can also have social consequences. Those who use it frequently often report listlessness and concentration problems, which can have a negative impact on school, training, or work. Young people who use THC regularly achieve lower educational qualifications on average and tend to withdraw from social interaction.
However, it is not so much the substance itself that is decisive, but rather how it is used. Those who use THC to suppress stress or emotional strain increase the risk of becoming psychologically dependent and neglecting social contacts.
Can cannabis relieve pain?
Now that you know about the risks and long-term effects of THC, another question arises: Can the active ingredient also be useful for therapeutic purposes? In fact, THC has been researched in medicine for years and is used as a medicine in certain cases.
The pain-relieving effect of THC has been investigated in several studies. These studies have shown that the active ingredient can provide some relief, especially for chronic pain that does not respond well to other medications. Examples include nerve pain, pain associated with multiple sclerosis, and cancer pain.
THC acts on the same cannabinoid receptors that are also involved in pain perception. It influences how pain signals are processed in the brain and spinal cord and can temporarily reduce pain sensitivity. In most cases, however, this does not result in complete pain relief, but rather a slight to moderate improvement.
Medically, THC is usually administered in the form of standardized preparations, such as mouth spray or oil. These medicines are dosed in such a way that they produce THC concentrations in the blood that are as constant as possible. The dose is adjusted individually to achieve a therapeutic effect without causing severe side effects such as dizziness or nausea.
To date, there is only limited data available on the long-term effectiveness of THC in treating chronic pain. Many studies lasted only a few weeks and were conducted with small groups of participants. Although initial results are promising, there is currently a lack of large-scale, long-term studies to reliably evaluate its effects.
Does smoking weed help against pain?
Apart from medical preparations, many people consume THC by smoking or vaporizing it to relieve pain. However, this use of THC has been less thoroughly researched scientifically than the use of pharmaceutical THC.
Some smaller studies and anecdotal reports suggest that inhaling THC can actually reduce pain in the short term. The effect sets in more quickly than with orally administered medication, as the THC enters the brain directly via the bloodstream. However, other studies have concluded that the pain-relieving effect of smoking cannabis is minimal or non-existent.
A key problem with these studies is that they usually had only a small number of participants and the causes of pain varied greatly. In addition, many of the subjects were taking other medications at the same time, which distorted the results.
The side effects of smoking are also more difficult to predict. The THC content can vary greatly depending on the variety, preparation, and form of consumption. In addition, inhaling puts additional strain on the lungs.
Does cannabis make you happy?
After considering the medical aspects of THC, an obvious question arises: Can the active ingredient also trigger feelings of happiness? Many people are convinced that THC makes them feel relaxed, happier, or even joyful. However, the scientific answer to this question is less clear-cut.
The effects of THC directly influence the brain's reward system. When THC binds to cannabinoid receptors, dopamine is released—a neurotransmitter closely associated with pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction. Dopamine makes certain behaviors feel good and encourages us to repeat them. That is why it also plays a crucial role in the development of addiction.
In the short term, THC can actually induce feelings of well-being, lightness, and relaxation. Many users report a pleasant THC effect that makes them more sociable, creative, or content. However, these sensations are highly dependent on the dose, THC content, environment, and one's own mood.
In the long term, the relationship between cannabis use and feelings of happiness is much more complex. Some studies show that regular users report higher subjective well-being compared to non-users. People who consume THC consciously and in moderate amounts in particular describe a more stable mood and an increased zest for life.
Other studies have come to the opposite conclusion. Frequent and intensive cannabis use, especially at a young age, is associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms and listlessness in adulthood. People who experience negative effects or side effects such as anxiety or paranoia are more likely to report a deterioration in their mental well-being.
The effect of THC on feelings of happiness is therefore not universal. It depends on individual factors, particularly personality, mental state, and the reason why someone consumes THC. Those who use the active ingredient to suppress stress, sadness, or emotional distress usually only experience a short-term positive effect.