Cannabinoids are important components of marijuana plants, but many people in the cannabis community are unaware of how they function in their favorite products. In this article, you will learn:
– Types of cannabinoids
– How cannabinoids work
– Benefits and precautions to know before using cannabinoids in Colorado and elsewhere
What Are Cannabinoids?
You’ve probably heard of THC and CBD as the most popular (and common) psychoactive chemical compounds in your cannabis. There are actually over 85 types of cannabinoids in cannabis, and there are over 500 chemicals within these cannabinoids that produce a wide range of effects on the human body. Whether you choose to smoke your marijuana in a joint or ingest it in the form of a gummy, you are introducing cannabinoids to your body. Below are five of the most well-known cannabinoids as well as their uses.
Tetrahydrocannabinol
When you think of marijuana, you may imagine someone in a blissed-out state after smoking a joint. This person is experiencing a large amount of THC attaching to their brain’s cannabinoid receptors. THC is psychoactive, which means that it can affect the mind in various ways. Other cannabinoids, including CBD, are not thought to be psychoactive. It’s possible that including CBD and other cannabinoids in THC products can increase the effects of THC, though.
Marijuana’s main cannabinoid can make people sleepy, hungry, relaxed, and happy. THC products, including the marijuana plant itself, are still not legal for recreational use in most states. Gummies, cookies, and “pot brownies” often utilize THC — either ground-up buds or extracted resins — to provide the boost of THC you may recognize.
Cannabidiol
You’ve probably heard of CBD products within the past decade. This once unheard-of cannabinoid has quickly become a focus of the media, researchers, and consumers of cannabis products. It is legal in most states, and it is often sold in the form of edibles, vape cartridges, sublingual drops and melts, and more.
Unlike THC, CBD is not thought to be psychoactive, which means that this cannabinoid is a safer choice for people who operate heavy machinery, take other medications that make them drowsy, or are concerned about their ability to stay awake and focused on a task. CBD is often touted to relieve pain and anxiety, but at this point, many facts about CBD remain unknown. More research is needed to determine exactly how well it works. At this point, the FDA has approved one CBD medication to treat a rare seizure disorder.
Other Cannabinoids
Other lesser-known cannabinoids are prevalent throughout the marijuana plant as well. You might see references to cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), or tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). At this point, researchers do not think that these cannabinoids alone will produce that “high” feeling that most people associate with THC. The effects of THC and CBD are often thought to be amplified by the presence of other cannabinoids and chemicals known as terpenes, referred to as the entourage effect. THC and CBD are often combined in man-made products to boost the effects of both cannabinoids.
How Do Cannabinoids Work?
Cannabinoids are what make cannabis “work” in the human body. The body’s endocannabinoid system, a natural bodily regulation system that involves brain receptors that these compounds attach to, works to regulate your body’s sleep, mood, appetite, and even your fertility. This system is active in everybody — even those who have never smoked or ingested marijuana. For those who do, the cannabinoids within the marijuana buds attach to the cannabinoid receptors and mimic the body’s natural response to endocannabinoids.
The ability of cannabis to affect the body in this way is why cannabis is often hailed as a medicine that may help people sleep, decrease pain, and more. If you’re interested in the way things work, it may be worth your time to learn more about cannabinoids and how marijuana works on the human body and brain to produce the desired effects.
Benefits of Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are often purported to help patients with chronic pain, insomnia, and more. Though it’s legal in our state (and a few others) to use marijuana for recreational purposes, many patients use it to help treat a physical or mental health condition. To use cannabinoids medicinally, you often have to submit documentation of certain conditions that are thought to be helped by cannabis. Below are several conditions for which patients have often prescribed a medical marijuana card in Colorado:
– Cancer
– HIV and AIDS
– Muscle spasms
– PTSD
– Autism spectrum disorders
– Chronic pain
Cannabinoids may help these patients relax, sleep better, and take their minds off chronic pain. Some researchers think that using specific cannabinoids in isolation may help with a host of diseases and conditions. Because CBD is legal nationwide, many medical cannabis patients try CBD first. Others have used THC recreationally for a while before noticing that it has helped with a problem — such as insomnia — which prompts them to register for a medical marijuana card.
Precautions and Things To Consider
Every person is different, and not everybody reacts to marijuana the same way. You may have a friend who falls asleep every time she smokes, or you may tell a funny story about how your little brother acted paranoid after he ate too many cannabis gummies. A different product may be more appropriate for people who experience anxiety or paranoia after ingesting marijuana with a high THC content.
Additionally, those who struggle with finding the right dose may consult a medical professional who prescribes cannabinoids. These patients may want to try a more tailored product approach, experiment with microdosing, or follow instructions their provider recommends rather than relying on their own (or friends’) experience.
It’s important to get your cannabinoids, in whichever form you choose to ingest or smoke them, from a reliable source. High-quality cannabis often undergoes rigorous testing from a third-party company to ensure that it is free of pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins from mold and yeast, and more harmful substances that you would not want in your body. People using marijuana for medical purposes should be especially careful to follow their medical providers’ suggestions to purchase their products from a dispensary staffed by knowledgeable budtenders. Often, choosing a high-quality product over a questionable one makes all the difference for those new to the cannabis community.
Get In Touch To Learn More
With all the cannabis information available to consumers, deciding on a product can be confusing. Those who own dispensaries and specialize in the cultivation of cannabis and hemp can rely on testing to deliver high-quality products to their customers.
Nordic Analytical Laboratories in Pueblo and Denver Colorado specializes in cannabis and hemp testing. We can detect heavy metals, potency, mold, and pesticides in cannabis, and we pride ourselves on delivering fast, accurate results to our clients. Get in touch with us today to learn more about cannabinoids, our testing process, and our cannabis consulting services.
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