what is thc

THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the major psychoactive component and one of the 113 cannabinoids recognized in cannabis. THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, and it acts on specific brain cell receptors that ordinarily react to natural THC-like chemicals. When a person smokes marijuana, THC quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. THC connects to specific sites called cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells in the brain and influences the activity of those cells, which can cause altered senses, changes in mood, impaired body movement, and difficulty with thinking and problem-solving. THC is believed to be the main ingredient that produces the psychoactive effect of marijuana. THC is also used in synthetic formulations such as dronabinol and nabilone, which are FDA approved to manage chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and for appetite stimulation in HIV/AIDS anorexia.