Effects of THC on our body
The effects of THC can be different for each individual and there is no sure way to predict how one’s body might react. According to research THC mainly works by replacing an already existing chemical compound in our body called endocannabinoids. These are receptors or messengers that change the chemical signals they receive from other cells. These receptors control many other systems in our body as well even though they are mainly concentrated in the central nervous system themselves. They play a role in many of our responses including stress, food intake, metabolism, and pain. Their location in the central nervous system is vital since, without it, we would not be able to experience the euphoric “high” sensation.
So how does THC get into our central nervous system? When we smoke or inhale Cannabis, the THC goes into our lungs. From the lungs, it diffuses into our blood. It then passes from the blood-brain barrier to the brain. Here it takes over the endocannabinoid system and travels to the rest of our body giving us changes in mood, emotions, memory, movement, perception of time, etc.