THC in space

Scientists have discovered traces of THC - the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis/marijuana - in a meteorite that crashed to earth.

Psychoactive substances across the universe? The idea is a mind-bender.

Thanks, sis!

Marijuana in Space – NASA Discovers THC on Meteorite Fragment

thehealthdisorder.com | February 3, 2016

A team of astrophysicists at the University of Hawaii have created somewhat of a stir within the scientific community after the discovery of trace amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on a meteorite found in the Nevada desert in 2010.

The team of researchers who analyzed hundreds of meteorite fragments in search of microbacterial data found the presence of Tetrahydrocannabinol in trace amounts, the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabinoids, a class of diverse chemical compounds that are found in a variety of plants, but most famously in the cannabis plant.

The study, that is funded in part by a NASA grant for research in astrobiology, is the first documented find of a psychoactive organic compound originating from outside of the Earth’s atmosphere, a discovery that could revolutionize our modern view of psychotropic agents and their “cosmic” origins, admits astrophysicist James Han, head of the research team.

The discovery was clearly unexpected, admits the astrophysicist specialized in astrobiology.

“These findings will have a profound impact on the science of astrobiology as a whole” admits the scientist, visibly perplexed by the discovery.

“If psychoactive elements are found outside of this planet’s atmosphere, what does it say about the rest of the universe? If these chemical substances, that change brain functions and result in alterations in perception, mood, or consciousness in mammals as well as humans, find their origin in outer space, what role then has cometary impacts played on the human species? Or on life on the planet as whole? This discovery ultimately leaves us with more questions than answers”acknowledges the professor.

“It also gives a whole new meaning to the term getting high” he told local reporters, with a pinch of humor.

Traces amounts of Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) were also found in a meteorite fragment in 2009 by a research team from the University of Mexico but the findings were dismissed at the time because of the “controversial nature of the discovery” and a wave of skepticism from the scientific community. Further analysis of the sample could now shed some light on this latest finding, believe experts.