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Concentrates General

Concentrates

Concentrates are known as cannabis products that contain only the most desirable properties of the cannabis plant. Generally, the most desirable properties isolated are terpenes and cannabinoids. As a result of the isolation, such cannabis products don’t have unnecessary substances that often cause impurities. The products are highly potent in THC and tend to have more effects on the body.

It is important to understand that concentrates come in different textures and formats. Each format or texture has a specific effect and benefits that it offers to the body. Besides, some formats or textures are more suitable for some particular circumstances than others.

How are concentrates produced?

Concentrates are produced through the isolation of the desired chemical compounds. This can be done through 2 means. The first one is called a mechanical separation and involves the physical separation of the needed trichome from the cannabis plant. The second method is known as chemical extraction and focuses on the use of liquid solvents.

To use a part of the cannabis plant for making concentrates, it must be possible to dry and cure it. Otherwise, it has to be fresh. This is why the labels of concentrates usually have live resin, nug-run, and trim-run. These labels highlight the parts of the cannabis plant used for making the concentrates.

The main types of concentrates

Concentrates are available in different types including:

  • Live resin

Live resin concentrates are gotten from live cannabis plants and have the most abundant quantity of terpenes. Notably, they are the only concentrates that are not made with dry plants. Due to the various tasks involved in its extraction and production, live resin is usually more expensive than other concentrates.

  • Shatter

Shatters are concentrates with glass-like consistency. This type is sticky and usually easy for anyone to handle and smoke. It is also considered to be the most popular type of concentrates.

  • Sauce

This concentrate is known for its sticky and liquid appearance. In most cases, it has more flavors than other cannabis concentrate types. Based on its appearance, the sauce looks like a liquid form of shatter.

  • Crumble

Crumble concentrates are often stored with glass or silicone jars as they don’t have a solid texture. Nonetheless, you can be easily handled with your hands.

  • Wax

If you are looking for a sticky type of concentrate, wax is a great choice. It is usually handled with dabbing tools because of how difficult it could be to handle it. Notably, they are usually stored in glass or silicone jars.

  • Budder

This type of concentrate looks like wax. This is because it is one of the various forms of butane hash oil. However, its taffy-like consistency makes it different from other types of concentrates. Besides, its terpene profile is quite higher than most other concentrates.

  • Oil

As the name rightly suggests, oil concentrates have a runny texture. They can be presented in different formats such as inside butane, C02, needleless syringes, or vaporizer pens.

Various formats for taking concentrates

Concentrates can be consumed through different means. However, the best method depends on what you want. Check out the following formats for taking concentrates.

  • Dab – for highly potent and fast-acting experience
  • Use a tropical – for relief on a targeted part of the body
  • Top the flower – for boosting the potency of the concentrates
  • Use a vape pen – for light and controllable high
  • Consume edibles – for a long-lasting, slow-acting effect

So, take advantage of the information to get the most out of your concentrates.

Categories
Edibles

A Guide to Edibles

One of the most prominent ways of taking cannabis is known as edibles. Apart from being different from other means, edibles tend to offer some special effects and benefits. However, before you start taking edibles, it is essential to understand some essential things about them.

What are edibles?

Edibles refer to food products that have been infused with cannabis. It is worthwhile to note that cannabis edibles come in different ways such as root beer, baked goods like cookies and brownies, gummies, and chocolates. Some companies are already adding them to cooking oils, soda, and lemonade. The infused cannabis are usually oils or plant derivatives that have been heated and altered into psychoactive materials that the body can utilize.

Regardless of the packaging of cannabis-infused food products, edibles are often classified based on the type of cannabis they contain. Here are the four major classifications of edibles:

  • Those with pure CBD
  • Those with only Sativa
  • Those with only Indica
  • Hybrid edibles – that contain both Indica and Sativa

What are the advantages of edibles?

When compared to other means of consuming cannabis, edibles offer some unique benefits which include:

  • It is easier to measure the dosage
  • It does not need any additional equipment to use
  • It offers longer effects on the body when compared to vaping or smoking
  • It provides more satisfactory body high

Therefore, if you are just getting introduced to cannabis, edibles may be a good way to start. Besides, due to the medical conditions of some individuals, vaping and smoking cannabis are not permitted. Fortunately, such people can take advantage of edibles to enjoy the benefits of cannabis.

How do edibles work?

Comparatively, edibles offer the same sensation as smoking or vaping. However, the method of ingestion makes a big difference in the way that edibles function in the body. When consuming edibles, the substances are absorbed via the stomach through the intestine before getting to the liver. The liver is responsible for the breakdown of the THC; thus, ensuring that it gets into the bloodstream. As a result of the long process involved, you can only feel the effects of the substances after around 30 minutes to 2 hours of consuming them.

Nevertheless, smoking or vaping cannabis is different. The substances are directly absorbed by the lungs which now send them to the bloodstream. Hence, you will probably feel the impact in less than 10 minutes of consuming cannabis. Unfortunately, the effect will not last like edibles.

How to stay safe while consuming edibles

It is important to realize that you may have negative experiences after consuming an excessive quantity of edibles. People have encountered anxiety, paranoia, red eyes, dry mouth, excessive drowsiness, poor sense of time, etc. due to eating too much cannabis. So, stay safe by doing the following:

  • Have a good understanding of the quality and quantity of what you want to eat
  • Start your consumption with only 5 to 10mg of THC
  • It could take almost 2 hours to feel the impact of edibles. So, don’t rush into taking more if you are not feeling the effects

Conclusively, edibles provide a great and safe way to consume cannabis. Nonetheless, be careful when taking them.

Categories
Endocannabinoid System General Health

The Endocannabinoid System: What is It and How Does It Work?

The body is made up of several systems which work together to ensure that humans function optimally. One of the most vital systems in the body is known as the endocannabinoid system. In this post, we will explain what this system is and how it performs its work.

What is the endocannabinoid system?

The endocannabinoid system is a nerve signaling system that is responsible for the regulation of the function of the central nervous system (CNS). This system also aids the maintenance of homeostasis, which refers to the state of body equilibrium. Homeostasis is essential for optimal functioning of the organs as well as the maintenance of emotional, cognitive, and physiological balance in the body.

How does the endocannabinoid system work?

To explain how the endocannabinoid system works, we need to describe its various major components and how they interact. The three components of this system are discussed below:

  • Endocannabinoids

These are the molecules that are produced in and by the body. Their effects and structures look like the cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. Currently, two types of these endogenous cannabinoids have been discovered. The first one is anandamide (AEA) whereas the second is called 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG).

The body synthesizes these compounds based on their needs at any given time. Otherwise known as endogenous cannabinoids, these endocannabinoids assist in guaranteeing the smooth operations of the internal organs.

  • Endocannabinoid receptors

The endocannabinoid receptors are located in different parts of the body. For the endocannabinoid system to take any action, it must receive signals from the receptors after they have interacted with endocannabinoids. For instance, if you are dealing with an infection or injury that affects homeostasis, the endogenous cannabinoids will bind with the receptors to send a signal to the endocannabinoid system to modulate the homeostasis of your body.

The two types of endocannabinoid receptors are CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors. While CB1 receptors are in abundance in the central nervous system, CB2 receptors concentrate in the peripheral nervous system. It is worthwhile to note that endocannabinoids are capable of binding to any receptor. However, the location of the receptor will determine their effects.

  • Enzymes

Once the endogenous cannabinoids have performed their roles, they need to be broken down. Notably, two types of enzymes are in charge of the breakdown. Fatty acid amide hydrolase is responsible for breaking down AEA while monoacylglycerol acid lipase will ensure the breakdown of 2-AG.

Although numerous things have been studied about how this system functions, tons of things are still unknown. Hence, there is a need for further studies on how the system works.

Other body’s systems influenced by the endocannabinoid system

Expectedly, the endocannabinoid system doesn’t function alone as its performance affects other systems in the body. The affected systems include

  • Cardiovascular system
  • Central nervous system
  • Reproductive system
  • Immune system
  • Gastrointestinal system
  • Skeletal system
  • Metabolic system

Without a doubt, the endocannabinoid system is a vital system that stabilizes and promotes the internal processes of the body.