Home > Tetrahydrocannabinol

Its molecular formula is C₂₁H₃₀O₂, with a molecular weight of 314.45. Its IUPAC name is (6aR-trans)-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro-6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-1-ol, more common names are Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (sometimes also Δ¹-tetrahydrocannabinol, using different numbering scheme) and others. It has a boiling point of 473.15  K (200 °C, 392 °F). It has a LD₅₀ of 1270  mg/ kg (male rats), 730 mg/kg (female rats) orally (administered dissolved in sesame oil).

Its actions on the body are the result of its binding to a receptor, which was known as the cannabinoid receptor. Since cannabinoids are not naturally produced in the human body, the search began for this receptors' endogenous ligand (the substance that normally binds to it), leading to the eventual discovery of anandamide. Studies of the distribution of the receptors in the brain explain why toxicity of THC is so low (i.e., the LD₅₀ of the compound is so large): parts of the brain that control vital functions such as respirationIn physiology, respiration is the process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between an organism and its external environment (breathing). There are several ways to dichotomize the physiology of respiration: By species Aquatic respiration By mechanis do not have many receptors, so are relatively unaffected even by doses larger than could ever be ingested under any normal conditions.

Effects include relaxation, euphoria, altered space-time perception, enhancement of visual, auditory, and olfactory senses, disorientation, and appetite stimulation.

A number of studies indicate medical benefits for cancerFor other meanings of Cancer: see Cancer (disambiguation . apoptosis; cancer cells, however, avoid apoptosis. Cancer is a group of related diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Currently, it is believed that cancers arise from both genetic and AIDSAIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome sometimes written Aids is a human disease characterized by progressive destruction of the body's immune system. It is widely accepted that AIDS results from infection with HIV patients by increasing appetite and decreasing nausea, blocking the spread of some cancer-causing Herpes simplex virusThe Herpes simplex virus infection (common names: herpes cold sores is a common, contagious, incurable, and in some cases sexually transmitted disease caused by a double-stranded DNA virus. The infection can also affect the brain, in which case the conseqes (Δ⁹). It has been shown to assist some glaucomaeye cross-sectional view. Courtesy NIH National Eye Institute Glaucoma is an eye disease that is defined as a characteristic optic neuropathy, or disease of the optic nerve. Raised intraocular pressure is significant risk factor for developing glaucoma. patients by reducing pressure within the eye, and is used, in the form of cannabis by a number of multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis MS is a demyelinating disease, a non-contagious chronic autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system which can present with a variety of neurological symptoms occurring in attacks or slowly progressing over time. It has no cure yet patients for relieving spasm. Other studies indicate a variety of negative effects associated with constant, long-term use, including memory loss, depression and loss of motivation. The long-term effects of THC on humans is highly disputed, and the issue is politicized because of its status as a schedule I drugSchedule I is the U. government's classification of substances such as cannabis, LSD, ecstasy, and many other substances, including many commonly unknown chemicals. According to the U. government, a Schedule I drug is a substance that: Has a high potentia according to the Controlled Substances ActTheir Controlled Substances Act CSA , Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, is the legal foundation of the United States government's fight against the abuse of drugs and other substances. This law is a consolidation (other tetrahydrocannibinol analogues such as Delta-6-Tetrahydrocannibinol are also listed in the Controlled Substances Act.)

Since September 1, 2003, the medicine Dronabinol (which contains THC) is available in Dutch pharmacies, for cancer and AIDS patients. An American analogue called Marinol is also available.