What is Marijuana?
Marijuana, scientifically known as Cannabis, is a flower-producing plant that can be used for the relief of many ailments such as anxiety, PTSD, nausea, depression, chronic pain, epilepsy, insomnia, lack of appetite as well as a wide range of other beneficial uses. Natural occurring chemicals found in the cannabis plant called “Cannabinoids” are responsible for most of the health effects and benefits. The most common cannabinoids we know about today are: THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, THCv, and CBG. In the 1990’s scientists discovered that all mammals, including humans, have a system built in to receive these chemicals and use them. These systems are called the CB1 and CB2 receptors and they are scattered all throughout your body and brain. And that’s largely why cannabis is so helpful to the body.
Concentrates
A concentrate is an extracted form of desirable cannabinoids and terpenes from the marijuana plant that has had excess plant material and other impurities removed. Using marijuana concentrates allows the consumer to get a fast-high dose of cannabinoids. Another benefit of using concentrates is you get less plant matter when inhaled and less combusted resin.
Infused Topicals
A lotion, ointment, or oil that is infused with cannabis is applied onto the skin for fast-acting localized relief. Because the product is absorbed through endocannabinoid receptors on the skin instead of through the bloodstream psychoactive side effects from THC are minimal which makes topicals a sought-out product.
Tinctures
A tincture is a liquid cannabis-infused oil. Ways to use a tincture include under the tongue, adding to food or drink and ingesting, or using topically. Tinctures can be found in many variations with different ratios of cannabinoids.
The Myth of Indica vs. Sativa
It is a MYTH that Indica and Sativa predict the effects that a cannabis user will have. The different cannabinoids, terpenes, and other chemical compounds heavily determine the effects someone will experience. The way a user consumes marijuana through inhalation, digestion, or topical use, as well as your personal biological makeup and tolerance, plays a part in how the marijuana will affect you.
Indica vs. Sativa
- Indica marijuana plants are shorter, have broad leaves, grow best in colder weather, and have a shorter flowering time.
- Sativa marijuana plants are taller, have narrow leaves, grow best in warmer weather, and have a longer flowering time.
Terpenes
Terpenes are a large, diverse class of aromatic organic compounds produced by plants. They often have a strong odor (Pine, Pepper, Fruit, Floral). Terpenes have been shown to increase the therapeutic value when combined with cannabinoids of the marijuana plant.
RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)
Ingestible form of concentrated THC oil that was created for cancer treatments. This effective THC-rich medicine contains a broad spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes that create an intense lofty experience that has proven to be effective on much more than just cancer. Can be ingested straight from a syringe or put into capsules.
Edibles
An edible, also commonly known as a medible, is food that has been infused using cannabis. Food can be infused using cannabis butter, distillate, or infused cooking oils (coconut, olive, canola, avocado, grapeseed).
When marijuana is consumed by eating or drinking, the chemical compounds are digested in the stomach and absorbed into the bloodstream causing a gradual onset of effects. When digested the terpenes are destroyed, which are mostly responsible for the uplifting or sedative effects, and the liver converts THC into 11-hydroxy tetrahydrocannabinol. This compound has noticeably more pronounced psychoactive effects than if cannabis is smoked or vaped.
Edible Onset Time
Edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours for the full effects to kick in and usually last up to several hours. There is a product called Parachute that can help to lessen the effects of the high if you feel overwhelmed.