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Paper card · curated

Human cannabinoid pharmacokinetics

Huestis MA

Chemistry & Biodiversity · 2007

thccbd11-hydroxy-thcreviewpharmacokinetics

Abstract excerpt

Comprehensive review of human pharmacokinetics for THC and metabolites across inhalation, oral, sublingual, and intravenous routes. Documents first-pass hepatic metabolism converting THC to 11-hydroxy-THC (~2-3× the CB1 affinity of parent THC), variable oral bioavailability (6-19%), and the dose-stacking risk inherent to oral cannabis. Reviews CBD pharmacokinetics including the inverted-U dose-response in some clinical contexts.

Excerpt from the published abstract. Full paper at the journal link below.

Joe's notes

How to read this paper

If you're interested in why edibles act differently than inhalation, this is the citation. The 11-OH-THC story is well-documented here — it explains the longer onset, the higher peak intensity, and the reason dose-stacking is dangerous with edibles.

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