[I.M. Boggled]

Although the main psychoactive substance in cannabis is THC, the plant contains about 60 cannabinoids in total, including two of particularly high concentration, cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD).


Differences in the chemical composition of cannabis varieties can produce very different human reactions, and the complexity of the composition of the plant is one reason why its effects can differ from that of the synthetic version of THC, dronabinol.

Although the potency of most cannabis varieties is uncertain, most cannabis contains below 8% THC.
Selective breeding and modern cultivation techniques, such as hydroponics have produced varieties of up to 25- 30+% THC content.

With varieties containing below 2-3% THC, such as those specifically cultivated for usage as hemp, smoking produces lightheadedness or mild headache.

The THC content is also affected by the sex of the plant, with female plants generating significantly more resin than their male counterparts.

Seedless varieties derived from unpollinated female plants, with high THC content, traditionally known as sinsemilla, (Spanish: "without seed"). Various street names exist for smokable cannabis, many attempting to indicate potency or otherwise describe the product.

More scientific study is necessary to gain a complete understanding of the cannabinoid system.
We do know that high relative concentrations of these chemicals significantly modifies the effects of the plant.
THC is associated with an energetic, cerebral high, while CBD is associated with a relaxed, more drowsy high.
CBN is not fully understood at this point, but high concentrations usually have hallucinogenic effects.

Because THC breaks down into CBN as buds mature, the time of harvest can significantly modify the effects of the plant.

Because many commercial process growers often wait until the buds fully mature to ensure maximum weight, low-grade cannabis is usually high in CBD with relatively low THC content.


This seems to explain the common 'head high', cerebral association and the 'body high' associations often described by users.

[I.M. Boggled]

Acute effects of marijuana consumption vary greatly by individual and by the qualities of particular varieties, but for the general population usually include some or all of the following:


Largely mental

* Mild euphoria, feelings of general well-being
* Relaxation or stress reduction
* Increased appreciation of humor, music and other art
* Stronger connection of body and mind
* Physical pleasure
* Increased awareness of sensation
* Creative or philosophical thinking
* General change in consciousness
* Paranoia, agitation, and anxiety
* Drowsiness, lassitude
* Disruption of linear memory
* Subjective potentiation of other drugs
* Difficulty with short-term memory
* Slowness/caution
* Precipitation or exacerbation of latent or existing mental disorders


Largely physical

* Increased appetite
* Pain relief (especially headaches and cramps)
* Reduced nausea
* Bronchodilation
* Dilation of alveoli (air sacs) in lungs
* Blood-shot eyes
* Dry mouth
* Headache
* Dizziness, confusion
* Lower intra-ocular pressure (within the eyeball)
* Lower blood pressure
* Increased blood flow
* Increased use of glucose, reducing blood sugar levels

The effects of the cannabis plant vary according to the individual, the environment, the variety of plant, and the method of use. Smoking, especially, may pose the greatest risk to physical health. Ingesting cannabis or vaporizing the cannabinoids from the plant are the safest methods of consumption. A safe environment among friendly companions is traditionally recommended to first-time users.

THC has an effect on the modulation of the immune system which may have an effect on malignant cells, but there is insufficient scientific study to determine whether this might promote or limit cancer. Cannabinoid receptors are also present in the human reproductive system, but there is insufficient scientific study to conclusively determine the effects of cannabis on reproduction. Mild allergies to cannabis may be possible in some members of the population.

Tolerance and Withdrawal

Although it may become habitual, the use of cannabis does not result in physical dependence.
In all but the heaviest of use, tolerance vanishes with a few days of abstinence, and there is little or no physical withdrawal.
Psychologically, the cessation of heavy use may result in anxiety, irritability, or diminished appetite.
There is some (debateable) evidence that correlates long-term use with depression and aggravation of pre-existing mental conditions. However, the relationship between depression and drug abuse is not determined, and heavy drug use may be the result of a mental condition rather than the cause.

Cannabis and Depression

[I.M. Boggled]

Cannabis is prepared for human consumption to several forms:

* Flowering tops of female plants, called bud or buds.
* Concentrated resin, called hashish or hash. It is usually processed into blocks. It is called charas when it is pressed into long, thin rectangular pieces.
* Fine crystals of cannabinoids, called kif. It is produced by sifting buds for concentrated consumption or in order to produce hashish.
* Minimally potent leaves and detritus, called shake.

It is most commonly smoked, and usually in a pipe or the form of a rolled cigarette.

Other methods of smoking include the use of water pipes, or "bongs", which cool the smoke and, in the case of bongs, remove some unwanted impurities.
Smoke is generally inhaled in a "hit" by opening an aerating hole called a "carb".

Cannabis may also be orally ingested by blending it with alcohol or fats.
The effects are significantly reduced if it is so blended.
The effects of ingested cannabis are usually not recognized for at least thirty minutes (frequently longer), making it harder for users to regulate their dosage.

Butter preparations are included in foods, commonly cookies and brownies (space cake).

A drink popular in India, called bhang, includes milk and flavoring herbs (e.g: cloves or cinnamon).

The seeds of the hemp plant are also eaten and roasted, as well as being used to make hemp seed oil. A few restaurants that specialize in food with hemp seeds have opened, and appeal mostly to a countercultural clientele. Hemp seeds contain little THC.

Another method of consumption is vaporization.
Vaporization allows the cannabis resins (THC and other cannabinoids) to be extracted into a vapor by heating without burning the plant material.
This is advantageous because most of the toxic chemicals found in cannabis and tobacco smoke are byproducts of the combustion process.
When cannabis is heated to about 190°C, its resins are released into an unburnt vapor which can be inhaled.

Vaporizer study thread

Smoke Reports - Medicinal Strains-ICMAG FORUM-thread

Source for the above posts = Wikipedia

[I.M. Boggled]

How To Use Medical Cannabis
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=17308

[-VT-]

THC is associated with an energetic, cerebral high, while CBD is associated with a relaxed, more drowsy high.
CBN is not fully understood at this point, but high concentrations usually have hallucinogenic effects.

Because THC breaks down into CBN as buds mature, the time of harvest can significantly modify the effects of the plant.

Thanks for the education...I am glad I took the time to read the posts...very good stuff....I never knew the technical reason why the harvest time alters the effect produced and why...

Based on the quoted excerpt above (specifically the bold print)...I'm thinking a lot of the Sativas must be high in the CBN....

I wonder if hybrids (sativa/Indica) have more versatility in this context....

I also wonder what affects appetite...because I find Sativas make me eat...especially Trainwreck....something in Trainwreck makes me hungry as heck...

Originally Posted by I.M. Boggled

More scientific study is necessary to gain a complete understanding of the cannabinoid system.
We do know that high relative concentrations of these chemicals significantly modifies the effects of the plant.
THC is associated with an energetic, cerebral high, while CBD is associated with a relaxed, more drowsy high.
CBN is not fully understood at this point, but high concentrations usually have hallucinogenic effects.

Because THC breaks down into CBN as buds mature, the time of harvest can significantly modify the effects of the plant.

Because many commercial process growers often wait until the buds fully mature to ensure maximum weight, low-grade cannabis is usually high in CBD with relatively low THC content.


This seems to explain the common 'head high', cerebral association and the 'body high' associations often described by users.

as usual, there is some confusion about CBD vs CBN. CBN is what THC breaks down into (ie amber trichs). CBD is created from CBG, just like THC, but through a different enzymatic pathway. So the THC/CBD ratio is genetically determined (NOT harvest time), whereas the amount of CBN is determined by harvest time and sample age.

Not sure why it is always so confusing, but it is. And of course, my fav cannabiniod is never mentioned! Don't forget the terpenes: they alter the high too, your instinct about good smelling herb being stronger is, on the whole, accurate.

The best paper on this is called "Cannabis and Cannabis Extracts: Greater than the sum of their parts?" Goes through all of the chemicals in herb and the potential mind altering effects.

[Butte]

Originally Posted by THCV

The best paper on this is called "Cannabis and Cannabis Extracts: Greater than the sum of their parts?" Goes through all of the chemicals in herb and the potential mind altering effects.

Thanks for the heads up on that paper...very good reading and just what I was looking for in regards to an ongoing conversation I've been having with a pain physician friend. Thanks. One of the real highlights for me were these charts which I hope are OK to post. I've never seen it laid out so clearly :smile:










- Butte

Butte: yeah, that paper is the shit. I couldn't find a good link to the whole doc to post, can you? I know folks on ICM would appreciate it. Nice job extracting the graphs. It's so great to see so many seriously beneficial components in our beloved weed.

edit: Note the the "boiling points" in the above graphs give you an idea of what temp to set your digital vape at for best results...

[Butte]

No links....I had to buy the pdf. It was worth the coin, though. I'd be happy to email it to folks as long as it doesn't get too out of hand...pm me if you want it.

- Butte

[sogman]

Man I am really pleased with that chart. So many wonderful things in this plant for us.
Anti-mutagenic's even! It fights cancer!!!!

Ty for posting it B.