Ever wondered how cannabis does what it does? The major active ingredients of the cannabis plant are called cannabinoids, and they interact with a crucial regulatory network known as the endocannabinoid system. Whether ingested in the form of cannabis edibles such as our scrumptious gummies or applied in topical form such as our award-winning balms, cannabinoids such as THC and CBD impart a number of potential benefits to our bodies and minds. Clinical studies suggest cannabinoids help manage the body’s response to inflammation, modulate pain signals in the brain, and help us soothe stress, among other effects.
In today’s post, we’re going to focus on the medical benefits of THC. While the cannabinoid has endured decades of misunderstanding and misinformation, a growing body of research shows a number of important and medically useful THC benefits.
Ready to dive in? Let’s start.
What Does THC Do? The Benefits of Euphoria
THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is widely known as the part of the cannabis plant that gets you “high.” Unlike CBD, the other most notable natural compound found in cannabis, THC does produce intoxicating effects, but that’s not the only reason it’s worth exploring. Studies suggest that THC has been linked to pain relief, deeper sleep, and even better sex! Whether you’re a twenty-something competing in a triathlon or a senior trying to improve your sleep, THC has the potential to make a positive and lasting difference in your quality of life.
Let’s begin with the topic of THC’s euphoric effects. As it turns out, it’s doing much more than simply making us feel good. One of THC’s effects is that it increases dopamine levels in the brain, resulting in a pleasant sense of euphoria for most users.
But dopamine isn’t the only reason for this pleasure. The molecular makeup of THC resembles that of the body’s natural anti-depressant, a compound called anandamide. As a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in pleasure, memory, motivation, movement, pain, appetite and fertility, anandamide is typically referred to as the “bliss molecule,” and because THC has a similar structure, the brain processes it in the same way.
Our bodies tend to break down anandamide rather quickly, but it turns out that CBD, the other most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis, can inhibit this biological action, which in turn helps us to maintain pleasure longer. This is one reason why some cannabis users prefer strains that contain both CBD and THC.
One study conducted by Washington State University found that cannabis high in CBD and low in THC was optimal for reducing symptoms of depression, while cannabis high in both CBD and THC helped to reduce stress. Finding the right ratio is up each individual, but it shouldn’t always be assumed that more THC is best. The lead researcher on the study explained:
“A lot of consumers seem to be under the false assumption that more THC is always better. Our study shows that CBD is also a very important ingredient in cannabis and may augment some of the positive effects of THC.”
Potential Health Benefits of THC: Pain Relief
Stress relief isn’t the only potential upside of euphoria. Long before we humans understood the biological actions of the cannabinoids, traditional healers in China and elsewhere had relied on the cannabis plant’s intoxicating effects to empower traditional medicine—including pain management—for thousands of years.
Those early physicians were on to something. In an assessment of eighteen trials featuring more than 800 people suffering from chronic pain, researchers found that THC exhibited powerful analgesic properties and that it had the potential to significantly reduce pain.
Another study backed this up, showing that the perceived reduction in pain might simply be a result of a shift in perception engendered by THC’s intoxicating effects. When scientists induced pain in healthy volunteers and then treated them with THC, they noticed reduced activity between two distinct parts of the brain, the amygdala and the primary sensorimotor areas. While the volunteers still noticed the pain, it didn’t seem to bother them much as those who were given a placebo.
In other words, the perception of less pain was as important as any actual reduction in pain severity. And these findings can be helpful for people in all stages of life, from younger people experiencing occasional post-workout aches to older people dealing with stiff joints or other chronic pain conditions. In fact, the Papa & Barkley story began when our founder Adam Grossman set out to help his father manage his debilitating back pain!
What Does THC Do? Improved Workouts
Speaking of post-workout issues, there are some interesting developments on that front. While most clinical studies have failed to demonstrate that cannabis improves aerobic performance or strength, more and more athletes are claiming that it not only makes their training more enjoyable, but it helps them recover more quickly from routine aches and strains. Once again, THC’s naturally euphoria-inducing properties may be to thank here.
Marcel Bonn-Miller, an adjunct professor of psychology in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, told The New York Times that the link between a “runner’s high” and the “high” that comes from THC does make sense:
“Both of those involve activation of the endocannabinoid system, so it’s not too surprising that THC might be used to enhance the runner’s high that’s gained from endurance exercise.”
The takeaway is that since THC can influence how a person perceives pain, using it to offset the discomfort experienced during a strenuous exercise or long run may make that nagging ache seem like not such a big deal after all.
Medical Benefits of THC: Potential for Deeper Sleep (and Better Sex)
In the same way that THC might prevent pain from interfering with a workout, it may also prevent discomfort from interfering with sleep. In a study of patients with multiple sclerosis given either pure THC or cannabis extracts over a period of months, researchers found that patients reported fewer stiffness, pain, spasticity and spasms, resulting in better quality sleep.
But THC may improve our rest even in those whose sleep disruptions have nothing to do with pain. According to one 2008 study, ingesting cannabis strains with higher levels of THC typically reduced the amount of REM sleep in participants. The result was that they experienced more time in the more restorative deep sleep phase.
THC also has the potential improve your sex life, from enhancing the libido to improving the quality of orgasms and even aiding female lubrication. In a survey of 133 sexually active adult women, 72 percent of respondents said cannabis “always increased their erotic pleasure,” while 62 percent said it enhanced the quality of their orgasms and their libidos in general. Another 16 percent disclosed that they took cannabis before sex to reduce potential pain.
THC Benefits: The Importance of High-Quality Medicines
Not all cannabis products are created equal! Many brands market cannabis products that are made using broad spectrum or highly refined concentrates known as isolates. In comparison, Papa & Barkley’s line of full spectrum Releaf products are produced using a whole plant infusion process, which means they contain all of the phytonutrients, terpenes, and full spectrum of cannabinoids in the plant.
We believe that full-spectrum products are preferable to ones made with isolates. Why? Research shows that the cannabinoids and terpenes that are found in nature interact to produce what’s known as an “entourage effect,” a synergistic action that many researchers believe makes cannabis medicine more medically beneficial.
We’d love for you to learn more about our clean, solventless process and our dedication to creating potent products that help tens of thousands of people every single day. And because we’re so passionate about the quality and efficacy of our cannabis products, we’re proud to offer our absolute guarantee: If you’re not completely satisfied with any of our products, return it within 30 days for your money back. Period.
Do you have more questions about potential THC benefits, the endocannabinoid system, or any other cannabis-related topics? Just drop us a line. We’re always here to help!
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