Cannabis products, whether THC-focused or CBD-focused, are made up of a variety of compounds from the whole cannabis plant. In many products, some of these compounds may be removed and in others, they may be present in specific ratios or combinations. Naturally, these choices are deliberate to produce a variety of effects.
Mammals have an endocannabinoid system that spans our entire bodies, and we produce a tremendous amount of these endocannabinoids ourselves (endo actually means “inside”). This system can be affected by exterior cannabinoids as well, and that’s where cannabis and the various products made from it can be used to your advantage.
Like all plants, there are compounds that give cannabis a particular flavor and smell, some that produce certain effects, and others that just help the plant thrive. Whether some or all of these compounds are present is what determines the final product, and how it affects your body.
Let’s take a brief look at the compounds that exist in the cannabis products we all know and love.
Cannabinoids are created within the body (endocannabinoids), synthetically, and some are created within cannabis plants — these are called phytocannabinoids. They’re not exactly the same as the ones created artificially or within our bodies, but they are thought to mimic those compounds. They also interact with our own system at the same receptor sites throughout our bodies.
There are over 100 different cannabinoids, but the two most common that you might be familiar with are CBD and THC. These are the most widely studied compounds and typically present in the highest density within cannabis products.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is not psychoactive and has been legalized for production and sale in all 50 states as of 2018. It has been studied extensively and shown to reduce inflammation, pain and anxiety, and promotes relaxation and sleep. It’s highly popular for its beneficial properties without the psychoactive aspect of THC, and it’s even been FDA approved to treat some forms of childhood epilepsy.
CBD is derived from hemp plants and is a safe, natural and effective way to relax the body and ease pain and anxiety. It even works for a variety of similar ailments in mammalian pets like dogs or cats. You can read more here to understand the true depth of CBD vs THC and how to make an informed choice when buying cannabis products.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the most well-known form of cannabis. It’s the psychoactive substance that’s present in certain forms of cannabis, and has a variety of well-researched beneficial effects. These include, but are not limited to:
THC is widely consumed via smoking or vaping, and these forms produce its effects most quickly, but, like CBD, THC is available in edible, oil, tincture, smoke, vapor and topical products. Whichever way fits your lifestyle best, there’s a THC product for you.
Terpenes exist in all plants and produce the smells and tastes we love. Everything from crisp black pepper to lemony notes of citrus and the fresh scent of pine is created by terpene compounds. Some cannabis products remove them entirely, and some ensure they stay intact.
Many people believe that terpenes themselves play an important role in the beneficial effects of cannabis and argue that only cannabis products consumed whole (like flower) can truly provide the most benefit, called the entourage effect.
If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t enjoy the flavor or smell of cannabis, there are products that have extracted terpenes and are flavorless and largely odorless. However, most terpenes have been assumed to have beneficial effects ranging from anti-microbial to stress-relieving benefits.
Naturally, cannabis is like any other plant and requires a variety of non-medicinal compounds and material to function. Lipids, fatty acids, chlorphyl and fibrous material are all essential to the plant living and growing. How these interact when combined and separated isn’t as widely studied as THC and CBD, but many believe their presence does produce more potent effects.
There is little doubt that cannabis provides a variety of benefits through nearly every part of the plant, not just CBD and THC. In fact, understanding what ratios mean on cannabis products is critical to getting the most benefits from what you’re consuming.
New England Harvest prides ourselves on providing top-notch service and quality cannabis products. Our friendly staff can help you find the best cannabis edibles, smokables and topicals for your specific needs. Whatever questions you might have about the compounds in the products you’re interested in, we can help you understand them better — it’s why we’re here!
Stop by today and check out our selection and experience our truly one-of-a-kind service. You can order ahead and pick your purchase up in the dispensary, or come in and ask any questions you might have.
