The chemical composition of cannabis is responsible for the effects of smoking weed. It is what sets apart this multi-strain plant from the rest of the sedatives and stimulants. All cannabis plants, whether OG Kush, Nova OG, California weed, King Tut, Girl Scout Cookies, Bruce Banner… the list goes on and on; they all have averagely the same effects. It all boils down to the science of cannabis. There is also the concept of munchies, medicinal properties, its ability to impair one’s judgment and other psychoactive effects. There are over 100 chemical compounds in cannabis plants, scientifically known as phytocannabinoids or just cannabinoids in short. Without being too scholarly, we’ll have a look at the main ones. Trust on the High There! team to break it all down for you.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
The term can be a mouthful, but it is commonly known as THC. It’s the main ingredient found in weed. It is responsible for the strain levels or the high feel one gets after smoking pot. How strong the high is for different cannabis players depends on the level of THC. Among the
this year include Nova OG with 35.6%, Pink Starburst with 32.49% and the Blissful Wizard with 30%, just to mention a few. Of course, the effects of THC differs from person to person owing to each person’s endocannabinoid (again, another mouthful) system. This system, known as EC, in short, is the human brain’s communication system that interprets chemicals introduced to the body. The EC system interprets THC levels differently, causing increased appetite (munchies), euphoria (feeling good), increased sexual interest, and to some, anxiety & paranoia.Cannabidiol (CBD)
This phytocannabinoid is responsible for the most sort-out medicinal benefits that come from cannabis. Medical research has proven that when the ratio of THC to CBD is correctly balanced, CBD has positive medicinal benefits with very minute psychoactive effects. CBD acts as anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and an anti-epileptic sedative. Further research shows that CBD acts as a catalyst to increase the effectiveness of other drugs, which is why cannabis is used by cancer patients, among others, to increase the effectiveness of prescribed drugs and chemotherapy.
Cannabigerol (CBG)
This is another medicinal chemical compound with non-psychoactive effects. Like CBD, CBG drives medical practitioners to prescribe cannabis to patients due to its anti-bacterial effects. It also reduces inflammation and inhibits cell growth. Cancer patients are legally permitted to use marijuana for the medicinal attribute from CBG. Tumor growth is greatly reduced, while bone growth is promoted by this same phytocannabinoid.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
This cannabinoid is rather rare, only found in specific cannabis strains. Normal THC is considered a pentyl since it has a five carbon compound. THCV, on the other hand, is a propyl. It has only three carbon groups in one molecule. Cannabis plants with THCV pose fewer panic attacks and fewer munchies. It also promotes bone growth like CBG does. For newbies in the world of marijuana, we propose you start with strains like Girl Scout Cookies as it has mild effects compared to other strains with high THC levels.