11-Hydroxy-THC

11-Hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) is the main active metabolite of THC which is formed in the body after cannabis is smoked.^[1] 11-hydroxy-THC has been shown to be active in its own right^[2], but the effects produced are not necessarily identical to those of THC^[3]; it is plausible that the biphasic action of cannabis might be explained by the action of the active metabolite of THC rather than by other compounds present in the plant such as cannabidiol, so that 11-hydroxy-THC might be responsible for causing certain effects such as sleepiness and increased appetite which are characteristically delayed and occur as the initial "high" is wearing off.

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11-hydroxy-THC is subsequently metabolised further to 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC, which is not psychoactive but may still play a role in the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis.

References

1. ^ Johnson JR, Jennison TA, Peat MA, Foltz RL (1984). "Stability of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-THC, and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC in blood and plasma". Journal of analytical toxicology 8 (5): 202–4. PMID 6094914.
2. ^ Turkanis SA, Karler R (1988). "Changes in neurotransmitter release at a neuromuscular junction of the lobster caused by cannabinoids". Neuropharmacology 27 (7): 737–42. PMID 2901683.
3. ^ Hollister LE, Gillespie HK (1975). "Action of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. An approach to the active metabolite hypothesis". Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 18 (06): 714–9. PMID 1204277.