What is THC?

More so than almost any other drug, misconceptions surrounding THC are as prominent as the facts. It's not a perfect substance, but conservatives tend to only believe the most damning information, whether it be fact or fiction.

WHAT IS THC?

Before anything, though, we should explain what exactly THC is. First off, it's not just called "THC"; the full name is trans-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, and it's one of 113 cannabinoids found in cannabis. In addition to being the most prominent cannabinoid in most strains of cannabis, THC is also the key psychotropic component.

Cannabinoids, simply enough, are compounds that affect endocannabinoid receptors in the body to produce varying effects. Interestingly, THC binds to the same receptor in the brain as the internally produced cannabinoid anandamide, which is a chemical associated with the famed “runner’s high”.

As popular as THC’s effects have been throughout history, earnest research only began after 1964. Why was this? Well, it was that year when Israeli chemist Raphael Mechoulam isolated and synthesised THC from Lebanese hashish. With that finally accomplished, scientists around the world could begin researching THC's true effects.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF THC?

THC is responsible for getting you high, but there's more to it than that description suggests. So we should take a closer look at both the benefits and downsides of THC.

BENEFITS

If you're like most cannabis smokers, the main benefit of THC is that it gets you high.

There are a few key sensations that make up most THC highs. The effects vary between strains, and it’s believed that the terpene profile plays a significant role. Some of these aromatic molecules make the experience more cerebral, whereas others cause a more stoning effect. Overall, feelings of relaxation, elation, hunger, and a slowed perception of time are quite common; as are laughter and increased heart rate.

The high from THC also has the potential to provide some pain-relief, among other benefits. Research is still in the early stages, but studies suggest that people suffering from ailments like insomnia, migraines, PTSD, and even cancer can potentially find relief with the compound.

People dealing with multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia can possibly benefit from THC as well, along with those experiencing issues with nausea and inflammation.

This potential is what's made the path for medical marijuana clearer around the world. Most US states (33 as of writing) now allow it, and several European countries have been making strides in this direction.

DOWNSIDES

THC is not without side effects. Just focusing on the high, symptoms of short-term memory impairment are common, and some users may even experience significant anxiety and paranoia.

That's only when you're high; the long-term effects, while there's less research on them, are even more concerning.

As with most drugs, there's always the concern of forming a tolerance, which is very much possible with marijuana. In turn, psychological addiction can become a risk as well. That, however, also applies to people with a strong attachment to any food, drink, substance, or activity. Thankfully, unlike harder drugs, cannabis does not cause a physical dependency.

That doesn't mean it's all clear, though. One study^[1], for instance, suggests that memory issues caused by THC can become permanent with long-term use. If you have a predisposition to psychotic conditions, THC may also lead to an earlier^[2] presentation of symptoms.

Bronchitis is also a potential issue, but that's only due to the act of smoking, which, as we'll discuss later, is not the only way to ingest THC.

THC VS. CBD

What's the difference between CBD and THC?".

Well, although they're both cannabinoids, there are key distinctions between the two. Chiefly, CBD is non-psychotropic, meaning it can't get you high. In fact, rather than get you high, CBD is thought to actually counter some of THC’s side effects. That being said, the cannabinoids work well in tandem, and actually enhance each other in several key ways. You can read more on that topic in this article.

METHODS OF INGESTION

No matter what type of THC party you’re about to have, it all starts with decarboxylation. In short, this refers to the act of removing a carboxyl group from a compound. This converts the THCA in raw cannabis buds into the familiar and psychotropic THC.

If that sounds too complicated, don't worry; all it means in this context is heating up the weed. The temperature of a lighter flame, for instance, is more than enough to cause this reaction. Devices like vaporizers do the same thing, but at even lower temperatures.

SMOKING DRY HERB

This is by far the most common method, and the one most picture in their head when the topic of "getting high" comes up. Incidentally, it's also the simplest. Just grind up some bud, grab a bong, bubbler, or pipe, and pack it (or roll a joint), light it up, and smoke! There's really not much more to it!

It's not the strongest in terms of bioavailability, meaning it's not too potent, but it's easy, accessible, and effective enough. Plus, who doesn't love the feeling of rolling a fresh joint or packing a bowl after a long day?

The only drawback here is how hot the weed gets when set aflame. This kills the terpenes, and can cause smoking-related issues in the long-run. Keep in mind we're referring to the dangers of smoke itself, not the substance you're inhaling.

VAPORIZING

The future's coming fast, and it's got a weed vape in its pocket. Unlike conventional smoking, vaping heats whatever you're smoking to a relatively lower temperature, while still triggering decarboxylation. In fact, you can vape at temperatures as low as 110ºC (230ºF) and still feel the THC.

Some vaporizers work only with dry herb, while others are built to handle concentrates (dabs, wax, crumble, etc.). You'll get more out of your dry herb when you smoke it like this. However, wax will definitely be more bioavailable overall.

Vaping also gives you the advantage of discretion, with no visible difference between most weed pens and nicotine vapes.

SUBLINGUAL

Involving no sort of heat source, high or low, cannabis/THC oil has become an attractive option to many. The bioavailability isn't as high as it is with dabs, but it's still a potent dose, and the lack of smoke or vapor is a big sell.

All you have to do is drop some cannabis oil or tincture under your tongue and wait about 20 minutes for the effects to come on! This delivery method has become quite popular with CBD users, and THC enthusiasts are starting to catch on too.

EDIBLES

Smoking or vaping THC is one thing, but the game changes quite a bit when you eat weed. The most prominent differences, of course, are the delayed onset and the strong, extended nature of the effects. This isn't because eating weed somehow makes THC stronger; it actually changes the THC itself.

Specifically, when THC hits the liver, it's metabolised into 11-hydroxy-THC, a derivative with much stronger psychoactive effects. As a result, once the edible kicks in after an hour or two, you can expect to be high for a good 6–8 hours. If you can keep your cool in public, this is also the most discreet ingestion method of them all.

EXTRACTS

Rising in popularity over the past few years, THC extracts are compatible with dab rigs and some vaporizers. These concentrates are extremely potent, clocking in at around 65–80% THC on average. They also take up less space, being more concentrated, and you don't need much to get high.

Whether you're using a dab rig or a vape pen, extracts can be a great time. They'll only get more popular as THC legalization becomes more common, too, so be prepared to get familiar with them.

INCREASE OR INTENSIFY THE EFFECTS OF THC

If you're a seasoned smoker looking for a way to intensify the effect THC has on you, there are a few strategies to consider.

First, you'll want to make sure you're picking a potent strain of bud or wax. If you're smoking flower, you'll also want to make sure you're storing it properly and smoking it sooner rather than later.

You can also eat pinene and myrcene-rich foods, such as sage, thyme, mangoes, and broccoli, to increase THC’s intensity. Along with all that, a simple change in the time you usually smoke can do wonders. Lastly, if you're able to take a break for a week or more, your tolerance will take a significant dip, and you’ll get much higher the next time you smoke.

CALM THE INTENSE EFFECTS OF THC

However, let's say you have the opposite problem. Maybe you haven't smoked in a while, or don't smoke often, and the weed's hitting a bit too hard. If you have access to some CBD, that'll be the best way to lessen the effects of THC. You're more likely to have access to food and water, though, so hydrating and munching will probably be your first move.

Exercise can help too, but we don't know how many too-high people feel like going on a run. What they do feel like doing, of course, is sleeping, which helps too. Weirdly enough, you can also smell or chew on peppercorns^[3] to counter a THC high. Aside from that, try to distract yourself from the fact that you're high with a cold shower or some music. This won't decrease the amount of THC in your system, but it can be helpful nonetheless.

REMOVING THC FROM THE BODY

THC doesn't just disappear when you're done being high. Got a drug test coming up? This can be a significant problem depending on how much you use.

We should make clear, though, that these tests don't look for THC itself. Rather, they test for an inactive metabolite called THC-COOH, which results from the breakdown of THC in the body.

Even if you don't smoke that often, it can linger in your system for a few weeks. Frequent users have it worse, with the compound lingering in the system for two months or more. The passage of time isn't the only solution, though. In fact, there are quite a few steps you can take to ensure you're ready for test day.

To start, in case this didn't occur to you already, you should definitely stop smoking until the test is over. Next, pick up some water and get to drinking! You'll want to drink significantly more than usual, but don't go too overboard. You want to lower the concentration of THC-COOH in your urine, but if it's too diluted, they might get suspicious and retest you.

Detox drinks are also helpful, being made with diuretics to help you urinate often. However, they can be quite expensive premade. We recommend making them and using them to wash down some activated charcoal pills. With an established medical purpose of controlling overdoses, charcoal works wonders in taking unwanted substances out of the body.

THC-RICH STRAINS FROM ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS

Now that you've learned everything about THC and know how to get it out of your system, you're probably in the mood to grow some buds packing a lot of it. Thankfully, you've come to exactly the right place. We have one of the highest-quality selections of seeds in Europe, and our THC-rich strains are no exception.

COOKIES GELATO

This strain is a new member of the Royal Queen Seeds family, and it's already up there with the best of them. Stemming from the legendary Girl Scout Cookies and Gelato, Cookies Gelato inherited a comically high THC content of 28%. Its hybrid balance means you'll feel an intensely euphoric head high coupled with a wave of relaxation throughout the body. It offers more than a high, too, with the sugary sweet aroma and flavour living up to its name.

You'll have plenty of these powerful nugs when you're done growing. With proper care and training techniques like LST, you can net a whopping 600g/m² indoors! Outdoor growing is even more fruitful, giving you anywhere from 600–650g/plant.

Cookies Gelato

Cookies Gelato

	Girl Scout Cookie X Gelato 33
	550 - 600 gr/m2
	90 - 130 cm
	8 - 9 weeks
	THC: 28%

	Sativa 50% Indica 50%
	600 - 650 gr/plant
	140 - 180 cm
	Middle of October
	Balanced, Calming, Physically Relaxing

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TRIPLE G

Another new entry into our catalogue, this strain has a prestigious pedigree. Green Gelato, our version of the iconic Gelato, is the first parent, but what does the other G stand for? Well, it's none other than our take on Gorilla Glue, Royal Gorilla. The result is an indica-dominant (85%) and monstrously potent (26% THC) delight, filling the air with an earthy and spicy aroma while notes of berries and chocolate hit the tongue.

Being mostly an indica, this plant is pretty low-maintenance. It'll give you somewhere between 525–575g/m² indoors, and 600–650g/plant if you're able to grow outdoors.

Triple G

Triple G

	Gorilla Glue 4 x Gelato 33
	525 - 575 gr/m2
	90 – 140 cm
	8 - 9 weeks
	THC: 26%

	Sativa 15% Indica 85%
	600 - 650 gr/plant
	140 - 180 cm
	Middle of October
	Clear, Euphoric, Fast Thinking, Motivating

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ROYAL GORILLA

As we mentioned before, this strain is our take on the legendary Gorilla Glue. Although it's relatively new to the scene, Royal Gorilla has earned respect in its own right. The buds typically clock in at 24–26%, but it's not uncommon for certain plants to reach 30% THC. It embraces the taste buds with an earthy, piney mosaic of flavour, permeating its surroundings with similar olfactory notes. Being a perfectly balanced hybrid, you can expect a cerebral euphoria wrapped in a chilled-out vibe when this strain hits.

Expect Royal Gorilla to take around 9–10 weeks to flower, yielding 500–550g/m² indoors and up to 600g/plant outdoors.

Royal Gorilla

Royal Gorilla

	Sour Dubb x Chem Sis x Chocolate Diesel
	500 - 550 gr/m2
	90 - 160 cm
	8 - 10 weeks
	THC: 27%

	Sativa 50% Indica 50%
	550 - 600 gr/plant
	130 - 170 cm
	Middle of October
	Calming, Clear

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WELL-BALANCED THC:CBD STRAINS FROM ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS

If you're more of a casual smoker, the above strains might sound like a bit much to you. Instead of a knockout, you might be looking for a relaxing, loving embrace from your strain of choice. As it turns out, a balance of THC and CBD offers exactly that. You won't feel as much of a psychoactive effect, but you'll be well on your way to Relaxation City after a few hits.

EUPHORIA

The appropriately named Euphoria might not get you super high, but it'll have you feeling brand new. It's a blend of the CBD-rich Royal Medic and the impressive Shark Shock. Packing a high CBD content with a modest 9% THC, this balance enhances the benefits of both cannabinoids. Tipping towards the indica end of the scale, the calm, cool, and collected vibes of this strain are unmatched.

This plant reaches a respectable 100–140cm in height outdoors, only hitting 60–100cm inside. The payoff is bountiful, with yields of 500g/m² and 500g/plant indoors and outdoors respectively.

Euphoria

Euphoria

	Great White Shark x CBD dominant plant
	450 - 500 gr/m2
	60 - 100 cm
	8 - 9 weeks
	THC: 9%

	Sativa 20% Indica 80%
	450 - 500 gr/plant
	120 - 150 cm
	Early October
	Balanced, Calming, Physically Relaxing

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ROYAL HIGHNESS

And last, but certainly not least, we have to pay respects to royalty, specifically to our Royal Highness. Being a blend of CBD-heavy strains and impressive hybrids, the psychoactive effect of this strain won't be too intense. However, you'll experience a clear, active high that you can maintain throughout the day without sacrificing productivity. It looks like an indica, but the effects are much more like a standard sativa.

Interestingly enough, indoor growing will maximise your yield here, netting you up to 600g/m². Outdoors, you'll cap out at around 475g/plant.

Royal Highness

Royal Highness

	Respect 13 x Dancehall 24
	550 - 600 gr/m2
	60 - 100 cm
	9 - 10 weeks
	THC: 14%

	Sativa 60% Indica 40%
	425 - 475 gr/plant
	80 - 110 cm
	Early October
	Calming, Clear

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