We get that cannabis choices can get confusing. Between the choices of various cannabinoids to the role terpenes play in functional benefits and efficacy, there is a lot to learn. The good news is, you don’t need to be an expert, because our Budtenders are. So, stop on into our stores and have us help you make the perfect choice. But in the meantime, here is a little more information on the science behind the satisfaction.
The key players in cannabis are a class of compounds called phytocannabinoids (phyto = of a plant). Phytocannabinoids, or cannabinoids for short, were originally identified and isolated from cannabis plants and for many years it was thought that cannabis plants were the only plants or organisms to make these compounds. We now know that certain types of liverworts, fungi, and flowering plants also make cannabinoids, however, to a much lesser degree than cannabis plants.
The interesting and powerful thing about these compounds is that they interact with a receptor system that all higher organisms have called the Endocannabinoid System (endo = internal). So, these compounds produced by cannabis plants, interact with our own internal receptor system, in essence, we are hard-wired to utilize these compounds. The Endocannabinoid system is not a trivial receptor system, it is involved in nearly every physiological process in the human body including – memory, mood, metabolism, energy balance, inflammation, pain, etc. Virtually every organ system in the body is impacted by the Endocannabinoid system. Overall, the primary function of the Endocannabinoid system is that of maintaining “homeostasis,” which is a fancy way to say that the Endocannabinoid system keeps all systems working properly, obviously an important function.
Although cannabis plants have been found to produce more than 120 different cannabinoids, only a handful have been investigated for their health effects. One thing to know about these compounds is that the plant makes them in their “acidic” form and they are converted to their “neutral” form following combustion, however, the “acidic” forms still have an important a role to play in human health.
Below is a list of the cannabinoids we know the most about and information about their health benefits.
Health Effects: Major cannabinoid, psychotropic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory (20 times more anti-inflammatory than aspirin and twice as anti-inflammatory as hydrocortisone), antispasmodic, muscle relaxant.
Health Effects: Nonpsychotropic, made by the cannabis plant, anti-inflammatoy, antinausea, potential in Parkinson’s disease, immunostimulant.
Health Effects: Nonpsychotropic, otential in epilepsy treatment, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive (pain sensation), apetite depressant, supports bone health, mitigates adverse effects of THC.
Health Effects: Second major cannabinoid, nonpsychotropic, mitigates adverse effects of THC, analgesic, neuroprotective, anticonvulsant, anicancer, antianxiety, anti-inflammatory, potential for treating addiction.
Health Effects: Nonpsychotropic, made by the cannabis plant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antianxiety, anticonvulsant, anticancer.
Health Effects: Nonpsychotropic, anticonvulsant, supports bone health, anticonvulsant, antinausea, anti-inflammatory.
Health Effects: Degradation product of THC, slightly psychotropic, sedative properties, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, analgesi, apetite stimulant, antispasmodic, antioxidant.
Health Effects: Nonpsychotropic, mitigates IBS symptoms, apetite stimulant, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, muscle relaxant, potential for Psoriasis treatement.
Health Effects: Nonpsychotropic, the mother of all other cannabinoids (before THC becomes THC it starts as CBGA, this is the case for all cannabinoids), insectidal properties, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, mitigates symptoms from diabetes.
Health Effects: Nonpsychotropic, sedative, analgesic, strong anti-inflammatory properties, antiicrobial, antianxiety, antidepressant.
What’s the difference between Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid varieties of cannabis? It’s not so much the cannabinoid content and ratios as it is the terpene profile. Terpenes are a class of naturally occuring compounds that can be found in plants, flowers (including cannabis), and even some insects. There are over 20,000 different terpenes, however, only 200 or so have been identified in cannabis. These compounds contribute to the vastly different aromas, flavors, and effects of different strains of cannabis.
In addition to their influence on the cannabis properties above, terpenes also have many different health benefits. Thus, it is important to know the terpene profile of different cannabis strains to maximize your desired outcome.
Below is a list of terpenes that have been identified in cannabis flowers, including other plants where they can be found and some of their known health benefits.
Other Sources: Hops, cloves, basil, sage, ginger, spearment, ginseng.
Health Effects: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticancer, appetite suppressant.
Other Sources: Mango, mint, pepper, oregano, basil, parsley, hops, kumquats.
Health Effects: Anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial.
Other Sources: Eucalyptus, fennel, lavender, grand fir.
Health Effects: Analgesic, antidepressant.
Other Sources: Tea tree oil.
Health Effects: Anti-inflammatory, strong antioxidant.
Other Sources: Camphor, rosemary, mint.
Health Effects: Analgesi, sedative, bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, wound healing.
Other Sources: Pine, conifers, sage, parsley, rosemar, basil, dill.
Health Effects: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, memory aid, antifungal, antibacterial, anticancer, bronchodilator.
Other Sources: Terpentine, camphor oil, citronella oil, ginger oil, cypress oil, valerian.
Health Effects: Antioxidant, analgesic, antifungal, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides.
Other Sources: Cedar, basil, pine, rosemary, bell pepper.
Health Effects: Anti-inflammatory, promotes bone growth and repair.
Other Sources: Cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, rosemary, basil, hops.
Health Effects: Analgesic, potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, mitigates IBS.
Other Sources: Lemon balm, rosemary, lavender, cloves, hops, basil, oregano, black pepper.
Health Effects: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal.
Other Sources: Tea tree, wormwood, rosemary, sweet basil, bay leaves, sage.
Health Effects: Memory and cognitive learnng, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, mitigates IBS, nasal decongestant and cough suppressant.
Other Sources: Lemon balm, lemongrass, citrus.
Health Effects: Antioxidant, antifungal, muscle relaxant, sleep benefits.
Other Sources: Roses, geranium, sandalwood, lemongrass, chamomile, basil, lavender.
Health Effects: Promotes wound healing, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial.
Other Sources: Caraway oil, mint oil.
Health Effects: Antioxidant, anti-nflammatory.
Other Sources: Fennel, absinthe.
Health Effects: Antifungal, antibacterial, good for treating skin bruises.
Other Sources: Geranium, rose, citronella, lemongrass.
Health Effects: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial antifungal, antiparsitic.
Other Sources: Tea tree oil.
Health Effects: Anti-inflammatory, strong antioxidant.
Other Sources: Cellulose.
Health Effects: Antioxidant, anti-nflammatory.
Other Sources: Cumin, thyme, coriander, oregano.
Health Effects: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, mitigates acute lung injury.
Other Sources: Menthol precurser.
Health Effects: Anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antianxiety, antioxidant, anticonvulsant.
Other Sources: Citrus fruit rinds.
Health Effects: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antidepressant, immunostimulant, anticancer, mucle relaxant, bronchodilator, sedative, antianxiety.
Other Sources: Lavender, citrus, coriander, rosewood, laurels, birch.
Health Effects: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, antidepressant, anticonvulsant.
Other Sources: Corn mint, peppermint or other mint oils.
Health Effects: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory pain (joints, sprains, muscle pains), nasal decongestant, cough suppressant, skin permeation enhancer.
Other Sources: Sweet basil, bay leaves, lemongrass, wild thyme, parsley, tropical fruits, hops.
Health Effects: Potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antianxiety, muscle relaxant, sedative, antioxidant.
Other Sources: Ginger, jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, tea tree, orange.
Health Effects: Sedative, antifungal.
Other Sources: Catnip, pennyroyal.
Health Effects: Insecticide, decongestant, good for respiration and gastrointestinal issues.
Other Sources: Marjoram, juniper, spruce, nutmeg, carrot seed oil.
Health Effects: Aids in digestion, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, soothing skin conditions, mitigates arthritis, antibacterial, antifungal.
Other Sources: Pine, lilac, eucalyptus, lime blossoms.
Health Effects: Analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, reduces blood pressure.
Other Sources: Lilac, apples, nutmeg, cumin, conigers, tea trees.
Health Effects: Antioxidant, antibacterial antifungal, sedative, insecticide.
Have you ever wondered why various strains of cannabis flowers can have such different colors? For example, why is purple kush so purple? These color variations are due to the presence of another class of important, but lesser known componds found in cannabis, the flavonoids.
Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that contribute to the vast array of colors found in cannabis flowers. There have been just over 20 different flavonoids identified in cannabis flowers and they can make up to 2.5% of dry flower weight. These same compounds are found in many flowers, fruits, and vegetables (whether she knew it or not, flavonoids are part of the reason your mom admonished you to “eat your fruits and vegetables!”). So, it’s not a surprising to find them also present in cannabis flowers.
Consumption of these compounds has been shown to correlate with reduced chronic diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disorders. They have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anticancer effects.
Below is a list of flavonoids that have been identified in cannabis flowers, including other plants where they can be found and some of their known health benefits.
Other Sources: Have only been found in cannabis.
Health Effects: Cannaflavin A and B have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Cannaflavin C has not been studied.
Other Sources: Milk thistle, artichokes, cilantro, coriander.
Health Effects: Antioxidant, stimulates liver regeneration and liver protection.
Other Sources: Parsley, celery, chamomile.
Health Effects: Potential anticancer agent, antianxiety, anti-inflammatory.
Other Sources: Broccoli, celery, thyme, pepper.
Health Effects: Anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, cardioprotective.
Other Sources: Red onions, kale, grapes, berries, cherries, broccoli, citrus fruits, seeds, grains.
Health Effects: anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, reduces blood pressure.
Other Sources: Tea, apples, strawberries, broccoli, beans.
Health Effects: Potential anticancer agent, osteoprotective (bones).
Other Sources: Passion flower, bamboo leaves, acai palm, buckwheat, sprouts, millet.
Health Effects: Antioxidatn, antiaging, antiviral, antibacteial, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant.
Other Sources: Passion flowr, chasteberry, bamboo leaves.
Health Effects: Antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotectant.
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