Have you ever wondered how you get high from THC? And if you haven’t thought about it, you should! It’s important to know what you’re putting into your body, even if it is an “all-natural” thc delta 9 seltzer.
In this article, we break down the science to explain in simple terms what exactly delta-9 THC is and how it interacts with the body to produce the psychoactive effects that get us high, stoned, baked, lit, or whatever you want to call it.
What is Delta-9 THC?
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol is a natural cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis. It is the most prominent cannabinoid in the plant and is what produces the feeling of being high.
When ingested—by smoking, eating, or drinking—it binds with endocannabinoid receptors in our brains and nervous system. This produces strong psychoactive effects in the body that are now fully appreciated for their medical and recreational applications.
While delta-9 THC may not be considered “real weed,” it is the most abundant component of weed, and it is responsible for producing the high that everybody associates with weed.
What’s the Difference Between Cannabis, Marijuana, and Hemp?
There is often a lot of confusion around hemp and cannabis. Most people see hemp as a plant used to make textiles and nutritional supplements, but it is actually the same species of plant as cannabis. The only difference is that hemp contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight and marijuana more than 0.3% THC.
Because of the differences in how much THC is present in cannabis and hemp, there are usually different processes involved in consuming each plant.
Cannabis contains a naturally higher concentration of THC, and it is often consumed as a whole flower both for smoking and producing edibles. In hemp, the concentration is lower, so it is drawn out by solvent-based extraction. While this process may sound daunting, it is entirely safe as long as it’s done professionally with external testing to ensure no solvent residue remains in the product.
Hemp-derived delta-9 THC is chemically identical to that present in cannabis. The only difference is legislation. That means that for all you cannabis connoisseurs, the high will be exactly the same as what you are used to.
What is Live Resin?
Live resin is the sticky extract produced from the extraction process. Once harvested, the hemp flowers are immediately flash-frozen to preserve the highest amount of cannabinoids and terpenes possible and maintain freshness. The resin is extracted using a light hydrocarbon solvent such as butane or propane. All excess solvents are removed by creating a vacuum and then heating the resin enough to boil off the solvents while preserving the terpene and THC content.
The result is a sticky product with a high THC content. This can be used for medicinal applications, and it is often infused into a variety of products, including delta 9 or 8 seltzers and other thc-infused drinks.
How The Farm Bill Helped THC Drinks
In 2018 the CBD industry was revolutionized by the introduction of the Agriculture Improvement Act. A consequence of this meant that the cannabinoids present in hemp were removed from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. Hemp was defined as containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight.
This is why hemp products such as THC beverages and seltzers often have higher quantities of THC in them compared to cannabis-derived products.
How Do Delta 9 Seltzers Affect the Body?
We can’t talk about how delta-9 THC affects the body without mentioning the endocannabinoid system. It is a complex neuromodulatory system that regulates mood, appetite, pain, sleep, temperature, and other physiological functions.
Delta-9 binds with CB1 receptors in the brain, releasing dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters. It has a chemical structure similar to anandamide, an endogenous (native to humans) cannabinoid neurotransmitter. This similarity allows THC to bind with CB1 receptors which are found in the areas of the brain associated with cognition, memory, motor coordination, and emotion, including the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and basal ganglia.
THC’s activation of CB1 receptors inhibits the release of certain neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. The decrease in GABA makes neurons more active and influences inhibition. This, along with its impact on other brain chemicals, contributes to how THC affects thinking, mood, and perception.
THC is known to indirectly influence the release of dopamine in the brain’s reward system. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation. Increased dopamine levels contribute to the well-documented sense of euphoria and positive reinforcement associated with getting high.
The impact on serotonin is less direct, but some studies suggest that THC may influence serotonin levels in certain brain regions. Changes in serotonin levels can affect mood, appetite, and sleep, contributing to the overall psychoactive effects of THC.
The combined effects of how THC interacts with CB1 receptors and the modulation of neurotransmitter release is what contributes to its psychoactive effects. These include relaxation, euphoria, altered time perception, and changes in memory and coordination.
It is worth noting that prolonged use of delta-9 THC can lead to tolerance caused by a decrease in CB1 receptors in the brain. Heavy cannabis consumers can take a “T break” to restore normal levels of these receptors, which usually takes around 4 weeks.
Why is Delta-9 THC Used in Cannabis Water?
Drink Delta Cannabis Water uses exclusively hemp-derived delta-9 THC for two reasons. It lets us guarantee a better quality product, and thanks to changes in regulations, it enables us to make a more potent drink that our customers love and can access in more states across the US.
As well as being more potent, our thc and cbd drinks are absorbed faster in the body than edibles, meaning that you will feel the effects in less time because the digestion process is shorter. Plus, we have included a perfect balance of CBD in each of our blends for the ultimate mellow high.
Our business has been built with a scientific research background, so we are proud to ensure all of our products are of the highest quality, lab-tested, and made with natural ingredients. Every batch of our products are 3rd party tested to guarantee quality and consistency.
While cannabis seltzers are popping up all over the place, none of them come close to our level of expertise, with over three years of R&D going into every can.
