What do I need to know about Cannabis?
Cannabis is a powerful herb historically found in many medications for its capabilities in treating a myriad of conditions and diseases.
The cannabis plant has 3 main sub-species: Sativa, Indica & Ruderalis; the latter more commonly referred to as hemp. Though the legal status of cannabis changed dramatically in the early 1900’s to a prohibited substance due to its relation to Cannabis Sativa/Indica, at one point in time the plant was so accepted in Western society that there were penalties in place for not growing hemp, which, somewhat ironically, was the first government subsidized crop in Eastern Canada.
The main difference between the subspecies of cannabis is the presence of THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for making users feel high or stoned. Cannabis Sativa and Indica naturally have high levels of this specific cannabinoid, where Ruderalis has almost none. On the flip side, Ruderalis has naturally high levels of Cannabidiol, or CBD, a medicinal non-psychoactive compound, where Sativa and Indica both have much less. Though scientists across the globe have identified over eighty-five other compounds in the cannabis plant, we are still researching how those compounds affect the human experience through our Endocannabinoid System.
There is documentation proving Cannabis Sativa use in early China as treatment for blood clots, tapeworms and even use as an anesthetic. Touted for its industrial capabilities, Cannabis Ruderalis fibres have long been used to create textiles, fuel, pulp & more. Ancient Egyptian scrolls show its ability to treat inflammation, and early America commonly prescribed it in tincture form for the treatment of epilepsy, rabies & even morning sickness!
We hope you enjoyed our brief introduction to and history lesson on cannabis!
Terpenes
Terps! You’ve likely heard this term before and wondered what is was referring to. Terpenes are the aromatic compounds responsible for the smell and flavor of Cannabis, as well as some medicinal properties. Terpenes can be found across all plant species, some common ones that occur in Cannabis are:
Myrcene — it is responsible for the earthy aroma of the plant. High myrcene levels in cannabis cause ‘couch-lock’. Myrcene can also be found in bay leaves, eucalyptus & lemongrass.
Pinene — it is responsible for the pine & fir smell of some cannabis plants. Reported to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects.
Limonene — a strong citrus aroma, strains with high amounts of limonene produce uplifting effects. Also a natural insecticide & is showing promise in clinical trials for cancer treatment and weight loss.
Linalool — responsible for the floral and lavender aromas, this terpene has a recorded history of use as a sleep aid. Induces feelings of relaxation and comfort, combined with anti-inflammatory effects.
Check out our Westcoast Smoke Grape Ape Silver Bullet Vape if you want to try a product with a high limonene level.
THC
THC, scientifically known as delta9-tetrahydracannabinol, puts the ‘dope’ in dopamine — literally!
THC is the primary chemical compound responsible for many of cannabis’ psychoactive effects. THC’s main purpose is to stimulate brain cells to create dopamine, your body’s natural ‘feel-good’ chemical, making the compound a big part of why it’s so easy to love this the cannabis plant.
THC starts out as an acid within the plant, and is activated by applying heat, which removes a carbon chain from the THC molecule and produces its famed psychoactive experiences. It has been touted to assist with chronic pain relief, depression, opiate reduction & more.
Any psychoactive/psychedelic substance should be approached cautiously and used moderately. Consuming THC in micro or macro doses can cause some consumers to experience hallucinogenic visions, as well as initiate or exacerbate feelings of paranoia and anxiety. If you suffer from paranoia or anxiety, be sure to choose strains of flower and products with a higher CBD and lower THC content, like the products in our RELAX experience.
For more information on the chemical structure and properties of THC, check out this comprehensive article from Leafly.
Trichomes
Trichomes: the treasure box of Cannabis plants!
By definition, trichomes are outer appendages that grow on a multitude of plants for the purpose of reflecting radiation, managing plant temperature, protection from other injurious species, collecting pollen and reducing water loss.
In the cannabis plant, they resemble tiny clear stalks with a bulbous top. Within this little bulb lies all the phyto-cannabinoids and aromatic terpenes that are responsible for cannabis’ psychoactive and healing properties. Modern research has been primarily focused on understanding THC and medicinally, CBD — with a growing interest in identifying the properties of 85+ additional compounds found in the same sphere.
Endocannibinoid System
Believe it or not, your body is set up right out of the womb to be able to accept cannabinoids because of a biological regulatory system called the Endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS was discovered in the early 1990’s, stemming from research into the cannabis plant. One could refer to the ECS as if it were a map, directing cannabinoids to their appropriate place within the body. The ECS is present naturally in all mammals, allowing for the creation, absorption and redirection of cannabinoids to multiple receptors throughout the body. It is responsible for producing chemical responses to injuries & inflammation as well as protective mechanisms against numerous dis-eases and ailments.
There are two main types of Cannabinoids: Endocannabinoids & Phytocannabinoids.
Endocannabinoids refer to chemical compounds the human brain generates to regulate itself through its Endocannabinoid System.
Phytocannabinoids refer to plant-produced chemical compounds that can be administered to the human body for the same biological purposes.
Chemically, the difference between the two cannabinoids is the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in endocannabinoids but not in phytocannabinoids. Anandamide, the most commonly known endocannabinoid, is commonly referred to as the ‘bliss molecule’ and is the body’s natural dopamine transporter. This can be seen as the natural equivalent to THC, a phytocannabinoid responsible for stimulating the brain to create dopamine.
But, what does that mean to us? What this means is that your body is naturally set up to produce cannabinoids as well as successfully accept phyto-cannabinoids from the cannabis plant — so when you’re low, you can top up on cannabinoids naturally! In addition, it has been shown that the ECS strengthens the body’s nervous and immune systems, initiates cell production, and is responsible for increasing neuroplasticity, our brain’s ability to develop new neural paths when we experience new things, such as events, interactions with other people, and even challenges that we learn to overcome.
The discovery of the ECS is an amazing one that is still teaching us about the effects of cannabis on our body. And, so far, what we’re hearing is all good. 🙂
