Scientists Say: THC

THC (noun, “T-H-C”)

THC is a chemical found in the plant cannabis, or marijuana. THC is short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. It is the compound mainly responsible for cannabis’s psychoactive effects. That is, effects that change how a person thinks, feels or behaves. THC interacts with receptors in the brain to bring about such changes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved some lab-made forms of THC for medical use. The THC-containing medicine dronabinol is one example. Doctors sometimes prescribe it to increase a person’s appetite. It also can help relieve nausea. People going through cancer treatment sometimes suffer from appetite loss or nausea. For some, this medicine provides relief. However, patients can suffer bad side effects from the drug. These include hallucinations and paranoia.

The medical value of cannabis remains debated though. This plant contains not only natural THC, but also other compounds that can affect the brain and body. Some studies have found it could help relieve some types of pain. But under U.S. law, cannabis remains a Schedule 1 drug. That means the law doesn’t recognize it as having any value in medicine and that it could harm people instead.

Some people use cannabis for non-medical reasons. But recent studies suggest this could pose serious risks, especially for young people. Only about a third of teens think smoking marijuana a couple of times a week could be harmful. Yet, researchers find that cannabis use could impair a young person’s brain development. And, among adults, studies have found brain damage in those who regularly use the drug.

In a sentence

The chemical THC gives Cannabis sativa most of its mind-altering effects, but new studies indicate this drug could harm young people’s brains.

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