A Primer on Cannabis's Main Psychoactive Compound 

If you've heard of cannabis, then you've likely heard of THC. But what is it exactly? THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol and it is the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants. To put it simply, THC is the compound that gives cannabis its famous "high." While there are many other compounds found in cannabis plants, THC remains one of the most important and longest studied. Here's a short overview of what you need to know about THC. 

What Does THC Do?

When ingested or inhaled, THC binds to receptors throughout the body and brain known as cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a role in various physiological processes such as appetite, sleep, mood, memory formation, pain perception, and more. When THC binds to these receptors it triggers various reactions within the body — hence why consuming cannabis can induce feelings of euphoria or relaxation. It should be noted that not everyone will experience these effects; some people may find that certain strains make them feel energetic or creative instead. 

The Entourage Effect 

The entourage effect refers to the idea that all of the compounds found in a given strain — including terpenes and other cannabinoids like CBD — work together to produce an amplified effect relative to when consumed individually. In other words, consuming multiple compounds at once can have a greater therapeutic effect than consuming just one compound alone. This means that when someone consumes pure THC they might experience fewer therapeutic benefits than if they were to consume a full spectrum extract from a high-THC strain with complementary terpenes and cannabinoids present. 

Decarboxylation 

In order for your body to be able to use THC you must first decarboxylate it which means activating it through heat before consuming it orally or adding it into an edible form like oil or butter for baking applications. Without decarboxylation you won't get any effects from ingesting raw cannabis because THCA (the acid form) doesn't activate until exposed to heat such as with smoking or vaporizing methods of consumption. You can also decarboxylate your cannabis by baking your flower in an oven at 220F for 25 minutes before adding it into recipes or making tinctures with alcohol solvents like Everclear grain alcohol which will extract both THCA and Delta-9-THC when heated properly over low temperatures for longer periods of time - usually between 8-12 hours depending on quantity being extracted from 1-2 ounces flower material amount used per extraction batch process cycle completed every 8-12hours running times recommended.

We hope this primer has been helpful in understanding what exactly THCA/THC is and how you can use it safely and effectively! As always do your own research before experimenting with different types of cannabis products so that you can determine what works best for you. Remember knowledge is power! Do your due diligence by researching online sources so that you stay informed about all aspects related surrounding cannabis usage safely & responsibly!