This is What THC Does to the Body

To try Brilliant for free, visit https://brilliant.org/IHA/ and get 20% off an annual premium subscription. ----- *Follow Us!* https://beacons.ai/instituteofhumananatomy 🧠 * Ask AI Jonathan!* https://www.instituteofhumananatomy.com/jonathan-ai ---- In this video, Jonathan from the Institute of Human Anatomy explores the physiological and anatomical reasons behind common cannabis side effects, using real human cadavers to show exactly which systems are affected. We dive into the science of "the munchies," red eyes, and dry mouth by examining the heart, salivary glands, and the hypothalamus. We also break down the critical differences between tolerance, dependence, and addiction, and discuss how the endocannabinoid system adapts to repeated THC exposure. --- Table of Contents 0:00 - The Anatomy of Cannabis: Red Eyes, Dry Mouth & Munchies 0:44 - THC vs. CBD: How Cannabinoids Interact with Your Body 1:18 - CB1 vs. CB2 Receptors: The Endocannabinoid Signaling Network 1:50 - Why Your Heart Rate Increases & Blood Pressure Drops 2:29 - The Science of Red Eyes: Capillary Dilation Explained 3:02 - Dry Mouth (Cottonmouth): How THC Stops Saliva Production 4:00 - Edibles vs. Smoking: How Consumption Changes the Body’s Response 5:04 - The Hypothalamus & The Munchies: Why You Can't Stop Eating 6:54 - Tolerance vs. Dependence: How the Brain Adapts Over Time 7:54 - Is Cannabis Addictive? Understanding Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) 9:03 - Comparing Risks: Cannabis vs. Alcohol and Opioids ----- Common Questions Why does cannabis cause red eyes if you don't smoke it? It is caused by THC binding to receptors that dilate blood vessels, not just smoke irritation. How does the "munchies" signal work in the brain? THC disrupts POMC neurons in the hypothalamus, turning off "full" signals and releasing endorphins instead. What is the difference between dependence and addiction? Dependence is a physical adaptation with withdrawal symptoms, while addiction involves impaired control despite negative consequences. Does age affect the risk of cannabis addiction? Yes, starting during adolescence increases the risk of developing a disorder from 1 in 10 to about 1 in 6. ---- Music: https://www.bensound.com License code: AUXISEQ0BQAQRBBW ---- #cannabisscience #humananatomy #medicaleducation #THC #endocannabinoidsystem #biologyexplained