Is It True That Marijuana Acts On The Brain For Weeks?
Marijuana’s active ingredient is THC, which is Tetra-Hydro-Cannabinol. THC hits the bloodstream via the lungs (if smoked) with a small proportion (about 1%) then making it to the brain. The brain has specific THC receptors, and within 10 to 30 minutes after smoking tucson medical marijuana psychoactive effects are produced..
In addition to reaching the brain, THC also travels to the rest of the body. After a few hours, the THC levels in the brain fall below that needed to be psychoactive. THC is lipid soluble so it is taken up by fat cells, sits there for a while, and then is slowly released. Most of THC along with its metabolites get excreted in urine, sweat, and feces.
As the THC is released from the fat cells where it was deposited, there is some active THC re-entering the bloodstream. However, contrary to any myths out there, it is not enough to produce psychoactive effects.
Even in those individuals who are frequent az medical marijuana smokers, the THC bloodstream levels go below psychoactive levels within a few hours every time. The current usage of THC mixes with the previous use being released from fat cells. The amount being released from previous use, however, is not enough to make a significant contribution.
Fat cells do not have THC receptors, so it has no effects there. Fat cells simply store the THC and then slowly release it. Eventually, it is transformed into metabolites that are inactive. Days to weeks may occur before excretion is complete. Subsequently when individuals take a urine test the inactive metabolites may show up indicating usage in the past, potentially weeks, but not current usage.
What’s being evaluated is one of the cannabinoid metabolites that is non-psychoactive called THC-COOH. It is produced by the liver, and indicates significant metabolic degradation having already taken place. There is no correlation between a positive test and a current state of marijuana intoxication.
The best way to test for active usage of marijuana is a blood test, which tests for active metabolites and can give a better indication of current psychoactive intoxication. Those individuals with an AZ Medical Marijuana Card should keep this in mind.
Related Substance Abuse Websites
Tags: marijuana and brain, medical marijuana, thc, thc and drug testing
Other News on Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Leave a Reply