What are the three main types of cannabis?
Indica, Sativa, Hybrid
Where does Indica originate from?
The Hindu Kush region near Afghanistan.
Where does Sativa originate from?
They originated from areas around the equator.
How does their geographic origins affect their attributes?
- Morphology - they have different appearances
- Flowering time - Sativa plants have a longer maturation cycle than indica
- Yields - indica strains tend to produce heavier yields
- Flavor - they tend to have different flavor profiles
What two types of cannabis compounds hold the most influence when it comes to effects?
Cannabinoids (THC & CBD) and terpenes
What can affect the plants cannabinoid and terpene production?
- Phenotype (the plants genetic code)
- How the plant is grown
Can people experience completely different effects from smoking the same strain? Why?
Yes, personal physiology/biology, expectations and experience play a role in the effect
Do all all indicas sedate your and all sativas energize you?
No, depending on a many factors they can have different effects
Why can the same strain not look, smell or feel the same from two different growers?
- Genetics or phenotype. Just like with human offspring.
- Environment. Lights, CO2, nutrients, etc.
- Growing techniques. Soil vs hydro and training
- Harvesting method. How its handled and flushing techniques.
- Curing. Drying process can make a big difference.
What are the different parts of the plant?
- Cola refers to the plants bud site where female flower bloom
- Calyx are the female flowers or sugar leaves that contain high concentrations of trichomes and secrete THC and other cannabinoids.
- Pistil are the tiny red-orange hairs used to collect pollen. They bring very little to the flowers taste or potency.
- Trichome is the resin (of kief when dried) that ooze aromatic oils like terpenes and cannabinoids (THC/CBD)
How many cannabinoids are found in cannabis?
Over 100.
How do cannabinoids work?
They imitate compounds our bodies naturally produce (endocannabinoids), which activate specific receptors in the brain and body to maintain internal stability and healthy.
How does cannabis affect our brain?
When cannabis is consumed it binds to our CB1 and CB2 receptors. Different cannabinoids have different effects depending on which receptors they bind to.
Is cannabis unique to the CB1 and CB2 receptors?
No, other naturally occurring chemicals bind to them as well. An example of this is when you feel the “runner’s high” or euphoric feeling when working out.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the dominate psychoactive compound. It is the reason we feel the different effects such as happy, hungry, euphoric.
Cannabidiol, the second most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis. It delivers little to no psychoactive effects. It gives you a more mellow, clear headed experience.
What are some other cannabinoids found in cannabis?
- CBN: A sedating, sleepy cannabinoid that is found in higher amounts in aged cannabis as THC degrades.
- CBC: A nonpsychoactive cannabinoid being studied for its anti anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties.
- THCA: The non psychoactive precursor to THC found in raw cannabis. THCA is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti nausea effects. Raw cannabis leaves are popularly juiced or brewed into teas for their THCA content. THCA is the precursor to THC and is broken down into THC during the decarboxylation process. THCA does not get you high.
- THCV: Thought to have high energy psychoactive effects, THCV is an appetite suppressing, anxiety-fighting cannabinoid holding promise for condition like diabetes, PTD, Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis.
What will effect the high you get from cannabis?
- Strain (Cannabinoids and terpenes)
- Combustion temperature variation
They are pungent oils that give cannabis its unique smell.
- They bind to the cannabinoid receptor sites and affect their chemical output. They can modify how much THC pass through the brain and can even affect chemicals like dopamine and serotonin by altering their rate of production and destruction, their movement, and availability of receptors.
- The differences between terpenes may be subtle, but offer additional medical value and regulate THC effects.
What the best way to consume terpenes?
A vaporizer because of the ability to heat cannabis at lower temperatures so you get more THC, CBD, and terpenes without the smoke.