Analysis of Tetrahydrocannabinol

THC is a substance that has been around in civilizations around the world for many, many years. The discovery of THC occurred after discovering that morphine attached to receptors in the brain which caused an individual to feel high, chemists in the 40’s and 50’s found that there were specific receptors for THC in the brain and how there is a natural chemical in our body that is similar to THC. It wasn’t until 1963 that two scientists named Mechoulam and Yehiel Gaoni isolated, and first synthesized THC. In the world’s history, THC has had a long journey. The first discoveries of it being used were in hemp ropes, and burial clothes made by the Chinese in 10,000 BC. In the middle Ages, Cannabis was grown abundantly throughout Cairo and was never successfully banned due to its use being reinforced by the Koran. When France invaded Napoleon attempted to further the ban on the drug, but people started to spread the word of the wonderful effects it can bring. In the 1900’s the drug was outlawed because a man named Harry J. Anslinger had a personal problem with the drug and in 1937 it was finally banned for good by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. (The Role of Chemistry in History, History of THC) THC (Merck index number of 9283) is naturally found in a liquid state which is commonly unknown because when it is in the crystal on the plant that is because it is mixed in with other cannabinoids and varieties of terpenes. (Chemical Ecology of Cannabis, David W. Pate) Due to the IUPAC name of THC, tetrahydro-6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6-dibenzo[β,d]pyran-1-ol, and the structural formula of THC.

I believe that THC is actually in the alcohol family of Organic chemistry with the Molecular formula of C21H30O2. The lethal dosage of THC has only been tested in labs with rats, but it can be calculated to reveal how much THC would need to be smoked to be considered a lethal dosage to human beings. The LD50 in male rats is 1270 mg/kg, and 730 mg/kg in female rats when taken orally in sesame oil, and 42 mg/kg among both genders when inhaled. (Cannabis Chemistry, Erowid) These statistics, when applied to humans, means that for a human being to overdose on THC, they would have to smoke 15,000 lbs of marijuana in under 14 minutes. Due to the low level of risk from THC, it is used mainly in the world of medicine to help with many types of problems that can commonly be brought by Cancer, and AIDS. One medical issue that THC is used to help with is arthritis, which has mainly become popular in Britain. The larger area of medicine that THC is actually prescribed for is Complications that come with chemotherapy and AIDS Wasting Syndrome. In both cases, it is used to reduce pain, and damper the suffering in an individual. But, it is also used to counteract the appetite loss, and nausea that comes with chemotherapy. AIDS Wasting Syndrome is where an AIDS patient begins to give up hope, and loses their appetite. Which is where, once again, THC comes into play reconnecting that relationship with food. There are many other uses for medical marijuana such as Glaucoma, Multiple Sclerosis, Depression, Movement Disorders, Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, chronic pain, diabetes, Addiction, asthma, brain injury/stroke, crohn’s disease, ulcerative depression, mental illness, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure/hypertension, migraine, Nail Patella Syndrome, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Tourette’s syndrome, but not enough research have been done on these topics to be able to argue the beneficial use of THC as a cure. Some common reactions that a human can have to THC in marijuana from either smoking too much, or being allergic can include depression, anxiety, fatigue, short-term memory loss, dizziness, nausea, tempered coordination, palpitations are experienced as generalized discomfort, and ill-being. Also, acute anxiety or panic attacks from a feeling of loss of self, or loosing of one’s mind. (Acute Effects of Marijuana, NCMDA) Many studies were done that tried to look at the link between juvenile crimes, and the users of marijuana. A few societal issues that were found to be most commonly linked include Truancy, low self-esteem, delinquent behavior (Stealing, vandalism, fare dodging), having delinquent friends, hanging out on streets in boredom, and other behavioral/mental health issues(those in special education programs/schools tend to use more) (The global youth network, Drug trends) Some short term psychological effects of THC can include distorted sense of time, paranoia, magical or “random” thinking, short-term memory loss, anxiety, and depression. It also blocks certain receptors in your brain that can cause your brain to be unsure whether it can achieve certain tasks or not which can lead to the paranoia, and uncertainty in someone under the influence of THC. (WedMD) When you grow a Cannabis plant, THC seems to be more abundant in that plant when grown in a drier climate. In 1975 two scientists, Latta and Eaton, ran a study that showed when a Cannabis plant is put under more stress in the growing conditions, such as the lack of soil moisture available and competition with neighboring plants, increased the production of delta-9-THC. (Chemical Ecology of Cannabis, David W. Pate) After conducting many hours of research on this topic, I believe that THC is actually a better substance for you than many others out there. It has never caused a single death, and is greatly beneficial to medical treatments of the chronically ill.

Bibliography
• Pate, D.W. (1994). Chemical ecology of cannabis. Retrieved from http://www.hempfood.com/iha/iha01201.html
• Alexander, Tomav. (2008, April 28). History of thc. Retrieved from http://itech.dickinson.edu/chemistry/?cat=85
• The, Club. (n.d.). Medical uses of cannabis. Retrieved from http://www.schmoo.co.uk/thclub/thcuses.htm
• Erowid, . (n.d.). Cannabis chemistry. Retrieved from http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_chemistry.shtml
• Keel, R.O. (2011, January 20). Marijuana. Retrieved from http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/180/pot2.htm

Bibliography: • Pate, D.W. (1994). Chemical ecology of cannabis. Retrieved from http://www.hempfood.com/iha/iha01201.html • Alexander, Tomav. (2008, April 28). History of thc. Retrieved from http://itech.dickinson.edu/chemistry/?cat=85 • The, Club. (n.d.). Medical uses of cannabis. Retrieved from http://www.schmoo.co.uk/thclub/thcuses.htm • Erowid, . (n.d.). Cannabis chemistry. Retrieved from http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_chemistry.shtml • Keel, R.O. (2011, January 20). Marijuana. Retrieved from http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/180/pot2.htm