The world of cannabis is pretty interesting. There is a lot to know about it and even scientists have a lot to figure out. If you look at a cannabis plant, it looks pretty simple. But, if you look closer, you will find that there is a lot of complexity to it.
One of the things that makes cannabis so complex is the fact that there are different strains of it. And, each strain can have different effects on people. THC is probably a word that you’ve heard.
You might even have at least a basic understanding of what it is. THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. It’s what gets people “high.” But, THC content can vary greatly from one strain to another. And, that’s why the effects of different strains can be very different.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at THC and how its content can vary in different cannabis strains. We’ll also talk about how these variations can affect people differently.
Why do the Different Strains of Cannabis Matter?
You might be wondering why different strains make a difference. It’s even possible that you were unaware of the different cannabis strains. If that is the case, you’d probably be interested to learn that there are literally hundreds of strains. Here are a few of the most popular ones:
- Blue Dream
- Sour Diesel
- OG Kush
- Granddaddy Purple
Each of these strains has a different THC content. And, that content can range from very low to very high. So, if you were to smoke Blue Dream, you might not get as high as you would if you smoked Sour Diesel. The THC content is just one factor that determines how strong the effects of cannabis will be.
The THC content in cannabis also affects how long the effects will last. If you smoke a strain with a high THC content, the effects are likely to last longer than if you smoked a strain with a lower THC content. This is because THC is broken down more slowly when it’s in higher concentrations. So, if you want the effects of cannabis to last longer, smoking a strain with a higher THC content is probably your best bet.
Different strains of cannabis can also have different aromas and flavors. This is because they contain different terpenes. Terpenes are compounds that give plants their characteristic smells and flavors.
Some common examples of terpenes include limonene (which gives citrus fruits their characteristic smell) and myrcene (which gives mangoes their characteristic flavor). Some people prefer strains that have a certain flavor or aroma.
Others don’t really care. But, if you’re someone who likes to enjoy the taste and smell of your cannabis, it’s definitely worth trying out different strains to see which ones you like the best.
Different strains of cannabis can also have different effects on your body. This is because they contain different cannabinoids in addition to THC. Cannabinoids are compounds that interact with the human body’s endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for maintaining things like homeostasis (a state of balance in the body).
Some common cannabinoids include CBD and CBN. CBD is known for its medicinal properties. It’s often used to treat things like anxiety and pain. CBN is known for its sedative effects. So, if you’re looking for a strain that will help you relax at night, smoking a strain with a high CBN content might be a good idea.
Indica strains tend to be more relaxing while Sativa strains tend to be more energizing. Many people remember this with the phrase “Indica in the couch” because it kind of rhymes. Different strains can have different ratios of Indica to Sativa.
It’s also worth noting that the effects of cannabis can vary depending on how it’s consumed. Smoking cannabis will generally produce stronger and more immediate effects than consuming it orally. This is because smoking allows THC to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the lungs.
When cannabis is consumed orally, it has to be processed by the liver before it enters the bloodstream. This processing breaks down some of the THC, which reduces its potency. So, if you want to experience strong effects from cannabis, smoking is generally a better option than eating it.
However, oral consumption does have its own advantages. It tends to produce longer-lasting effects since the THC is released into the bloodstream more slowly. So, if you’re looking for a longer-lasting high, consuming cannabis orally might be a better option for you.
Why Levels of THC Vary so Much
So, why do levels of THC vary so much? There are a few reasons for this. First of all, different strains of cannabis contain different amounts of THC. This is because THC is produced in different parts of the plant. Some parts of the plant produce more THC than others.
So, if a particular strain contains more leaves and flowers (which produce more THC), it will have a higher THC content than a strain that contains fewer leaves and flowers.
Secondly, the way that cannabis is grown can also affect its THC content. For example, if a plant is grown in nutrient-rich soil, it will generally produce more THC than a plant that is grown in poorer soil conditions.
Additionally, indoor growing conditions tend to be better for producing high-THC plants than outdoor growing conditions. This is because indoor growers can control the temperature and humidity levels more easily than outdoor growers.
Thirdly, the way that cannabis is processed can also affect its THC content. For example, if cannabis is dried and cured properly, it will generally have a higher THC content than cannabis that is not dried and cured properly.
Also, the way that cannabis is extracted can also affect its THC content. For example, butane hash oil (BHO) extraction generally produces cannabis with a higher THC content than water-based extractions.
So, now that we know some of the reasons why levels of THC can vary so much from one strain to another, let’s talk about how these variations can affect people differently. As we mentioned before, the THC content in cannabis affects how strong the effects will be.
So, if you smoke a strain with a high THC content, you’re likely to experience stronger effects than if you smoked a strain with a lower THC content. This is because THC is broken down more slowly when it’s in higher concentrations.
That means that if you want the effects of cannabis to be stronger, smoking a strain with a higher THC content is probably your best bet. The THC content in cannabis also affects how long the effects will last. If you smoke a strain with a high THC content, the effects are likely to last longer than if you smoked a strain with a lower THC content.
This is because THC is broken down more slowly when it’s in higher concentrations. So, if you want the effects of cannabis to last longer, smoking a strain with a higher THC content is probably your best bet.
Different strains of cannabis can also have different effects on your body. This is because they contain different cannabinoids in addition to THC. Cannabinoids are compounds that interact with the human body’s endocannabinoid system.
This system is responsible for maintaining things like homeostasis (a state of balance in the body). Some common cannabinoids include CBD and CBN. CBD is known for its medicinal properties.
It’s often used to treat things like anxiety and pain. CBN is known for its sedative effects. So, if you’re looking for a strain that will help you relax at night, smoking a strain with a high CBN content might be a good idea.
It’s also worth noting that the effects of cannabis can vary depending on how it’s consumed. Smoking cannabis will generally produce stronger and more immediate effects than consuming it orally.
This is because smoking allows THC to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the lungs. When cannabis is consumed orally, it has to be processed by the liver before it enters the bloodstream. This processing breaks down some of the THC, which reduces its potency.
So, if you want to experience strong effects from cannabis, smoking is generally a better option than eating it. However, oral consumption does have its own advantages. It tends to produce longer-lasting effects since the THC is released into the bloodstream more slowly. So, if you’re looking for a longer-lasting high, consuming cannabis orally might be a better option for you.
If you’ve never taken THC orally please make sure to be very careful with your dosage. While some THC does get filtered out by digestion you could still end up getting a lot higher than you wanted to if you aren’t careful because it hits you all at once.
Understanding Cannabis
Scientists have spent years trying to make sure that they understand as much about cannabis as possible, and that has taken thousands of hours of studies. Fortunately, if you want to be up-to-date all it takes is a bit of research.
