Metabolism
editIn general, delta-9-THC, more commonly referred to as THC, is the primary psychoactive molecule that causes the effects of cannabis. Delta-9-THC is metabolized in the liver and turns into 11-OH-THC, which is the first metabolic product. [1]. Both Delta-9-THC and 11-OH-THC are psychoactive. In fact, the metabolism of THC into 11-OH-THC could explain the heightened psychoactive effects of edible cannabis. [2]Next, 11-OH-THC is metabolized in the liver into 11-COOH-THC, which is the second metabolic product of THC. [3] 11-COOH-THC is not psychoactive. [4]Ingestion of edible cannabis products lead to a slower onset of effect than the inhalation of it because the THC travels to the liver first through the blood before it travels to the rest of the body. Inhaled cannabis can result in THC going directly to the brain, where it then travels from the brain back to the liver in recirculation for metabolism. [5]
