Month: November 2021

Categories
General Terpenes

Cannabis Terpenes

If you have ever used cannabis, you will agree that the substance’s aroma is soothing to the mind and body. But one thing you may not know is that cannabis terpenes are the substances responsible for the aroma of your cannabis. From skunky smell to sweet fruity taste, terpenes can lead to an array of aromas.

What are cannabis terpenes?

Simply put, cannabis terpenes are aromatic oils produced by the glands that also synthesize CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids. These oils are known for coloring the various types of cannabis with unique flavors. Some of the common flavors of terpenes include pine, berry, mint, and citrus.

The development of cannabis terpenes started like other strong-smelling flowers and plants. This means that the aromatic oils were initially meant to attract pollinators and get rid of predators. However, the development of terpenes in a plant depends on numerous factors. These factors include soil type, weather, climate, fertilizers, age and maturation as well as the time of day.

Cannabis experts have identified more than 100 types of cannabis terpenes. It is noteworthy that each cannabis strain comes with distinctive composition and terpene type.

The effects of various cannabis terpenes

According to some studies, the effects of numerous strains of cannabis can be differentiated through the help of terpenes. However, there is still a need for lots of studies in this area.

While some of these aromatic oils can aid acuity and focus, others are known for alleviating stress and improving relaxation. For instance, Granddaddy Purple, Blue Dream, and other relaxing strains are known for containing myrcene. On the other hand, Ghost Train Haze and Jack Herer, and other uplifting, active cannabis strains have terpinolene.

However, it is essential to understand that the presence of other substances can change the effect profile of a particular terpene. This phenomenon is regarded as the entourage effect. But there is a paucity of research on the effect of each terpene when combined with other compounds.

The connoisseurship and horticultural art of cannabis can be improved significantly by terpenes. Due to their special medicinal abilities, these aromatic oils can also boost the therapeutic value of cannabis.

To have a good understanding of the possible effects of a strain, lots of cannabis analysis labs test the content of terpene. Without a doubt, there is still a lot of room for research on how cannabis can bring about new development in the medical and scientific fields.

Most common terpenes in cannabis

Here are the most common terpenes found in cannabis:

  • Myrcene

Myrcene comes with herbal, cloves, cardamom, earthy, and musky aromas. This sedating and relaxing terpene may help to treat inflammation, pain, and insomnia. Mango, hops, thyme, and lemongrass also contain myrcene.

  • Limonene

This terpene has a citrus aroma and is responsible for stress relief and elevated mood. Apart from cannabis, limonene is also found in peppermint, fruit rinds, juniper, and rosemary. The possible therapeutic effects of this terpene include the treatment of cancer, depression, anxiety, pain, and inflammation.

  • Pinene

Pinene is another common cannabis terpene with a pine aroma. It is associated with memory retention and alertness. This terpene is also available in dill, pine needles, basil, rosemary, and parsley.

Other common cannabis terpenes are humulene, terpinolene, linalool, ocimene, and caryophyllene.

Categories
CBD General Health

CBD to THC Ratios

When it comes to the euphoric high effect associated with cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the substance responsible for it. So, it does not come as a surprise that every cannabis user knows and loves this substance. Similarly, lots of cannabis users have heard a few things about CBD, which is another chemical inside cannabis.

The combination of CBD and THC makes cannabis better

If THC is combined with CBD, it will produce lots of exceptional medicinal benefits you cannot get from the weed you get from your local dealer. This combination leads to the Entourage Effect, which is a synergistic experience associated with the consumption of several cannabinoids at once. To get the desired medicinal effect, you will have to take a fewer amount of each cannabinoid.

Besides, the effects of cannabis on you will depend on the ratio of the cannabinoids available in it. For instance, you can use CBD to get rid of paranoia, anxiety, increased blood pressure, and other side effects of THC. Consequently, combining these two cannabinoids will give you an intense yet calmer high.

What should be the right cannabinoid ratios?

Generally, if a product contains both CBD and THC, it will have the ratio of these two cannabinoids written on its packaging. Assuming a product has 80mg of CBD as well as 20mg of THC, its packaging will have a ratio of 4:1 (CBD:THC). It should be noted that any of these cannabinoids may be more than the other or their quantities may be equal.

Today, there are tons of strains of flower with a significantly higher quantity of THC than CBD and other cannabinoids. For instance, you can come across a THC:CBD ratio of 300:1. While such a product can be great for recreational users looking for the high effects, its medicinal application will be substantially limited. Nevertheless, some cannabis growers are focused on producing flower strains with high CBD.

Various CBD:THC ratios

Nowadays, lots of flower strains naturally have a higher quantity of CBD than THC such as a 20:1 (CBD:THC). Such flower strains can come in handy for dealing with conditions such as inflammation, mood disorders, epilepsy, and depression. With any ratio higher than 12:1 (CBD:THC), the consumers can experience some signs of intoxication. Nonetheless, because people tolerate and react to THC differently, the intoxicating effect is not the same for everyone.

Despite its possible intoxication, the majority of cannabis users prefer THC as the most medicinal cannabinoid. However, CBD has proven to have a plethora of medicinal effects on varying syndromes and health conditions.

Nonetheless, you can get more medicinal benefits from cannabis by combining THC with CBD. But there is no straightforward method for finding the best ratio for you. You just need to experiment with it. You can also consult with our budtenders to learn about the best strains available.

Categories
General

History of Cannabis

Although the legalization of cannabis was a recent development in many countries, the use, and cultivation of the substance dated back to thousands of years ago. Many historians have claimed that cannabis was one of the earliest plants that ancient humans cultivated. This is due to the numerous uses and applications of the plant.

The fibers of the plant were important for making paper, textiles, ropes, etc. The seeds, on the other hand, were known for their hemp oil with its numerous benefits. In several prehistoric cultures, people consumed cannabis leaves and hemp seeds. However, the medicinal history of cannabis is difficult to evaluate, but it probably dated back to several years ago too.

Historical records about the use of cannabis

Herodotus, a Greek historian, was behind the oldest record about the use of cannabis. In 440 BCE, this historian claimed, “The Scythians […] take some of this hemp-seed [presumably, flowers], and, creeping under the felt coverings, throw it upon the red-hot stones; immediately it smokes, and gives out such a vapor as no Greek vapor-bath can exceed; the Scythes, delighted, shout for joy.”

Based on the available records, cannabis was used for its medicinal benefits by several ancient people in different countries across various continents. These countries include Ancient Greece, China, Egypt, Japan, and the Netherlands. Numerous prescriptive cannabis uses were recorded in some papyrus scripts written almost 4,000 years ago. These prescriptive uses were targeted at the treatment of a wide range of health conditions such as hemorrhoids, sore eyes, and inflammation.

From the aforementioned era onward, the use of cannabis experienced massive growth in various places around the globe.

However, recent history has shown that the use of cannabis for medicinal reasons has been widely restricted. In the United States of America, the role of xenophobia and racism in these restrictions cannot be overlooked. Towards the end of the 19th century, people were able to access and buy cannabis extracts at doctors’ offices or pharmacies.

But as the 20th century approached, there was an unexpected change in the attitudes toward the use of cannabis. This change was mostly because of the immigration of lots of Mexicans into the U.S. during the 1910 Mexican Revolution. Many of these Mexican immigrants were smoking marijuana for recreational purposes. The locals started developing fear and prejudice for the immigrants.

Over time, the fear and prejudice also transferred to the substance the immigrants were smoking. As a result of this, the misconception of cannabis started increasing; thus, leading to the “Reefer Madness” hysteria associated with weed.

Fortunately, things are beginning to change again in favor of cannabis. Now, more individuals are taking the substance in different ways. The substance is in use in almost all countries, including places where it has not been legalized. Besides, most individuals now understand the loads of benefits that the plant is capable of offering. Hence, we are already experiencing a return to the use of this plant for natural solutions to different health issues.