Cannabis 101
What is a Cannabinoid?
A Cannabinoid is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant and in our bodies. We also have a series of receptors in our bodies which react to the cannabinoids which is called the endocannabinoid system. These receptors can react in many different ways when encountering cannabinoids. The most prominent reaction to the cannabinoids is the balance of your stress levels.
The most important receptor you have is the CB1 receptor which is located in the brain and the nervous system, these are the receptors that activate the THC to produce the “high” that we feel. Unlike how the receptor reacts to THC it reacts to CBD in a different way. CBD can even block the THC from the receptors which can decrease the “high” you would have felt. This is why THC dominant strains will give you a more powerful “high” then a hybrid of THC and CBD.
THC vs CBD
THC and CBD are very closely related and share similarities as well as differences. They work hand and hand when it comes to the cannabis plants, in fact most marijuana contains both. THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD is short for cannabidiol which both share very similar chemical structures.
Our brain contains CB1 receptors, which is the receptor that enables you the feeling of high after smoking or consuming THC. One of the main differences that CBD has from THC is it doesn’t actually fit with the CB1 receptor; therefore it doesn’t give you the same feeling that THC does which is that high feeling.
CBD is used to treat many things such as kinds of inflammation, psychosis, mental disorders, and seizures. THC is used to treat muscle spasticity, glaucoma, insomnia, and low appetite. Some things that are treated by both are pain, anxiety, and nausea.
Ingest vs Inhale
There are many reasons why edibles can cause a much stronger high than smoking, but it is simply because of the delivery of intake and the inability to regulate the rate of metabolism. When smoking you can control your intake by continuing to smoke until you reach your desired level of euphoria. On the other hand, with edibles your high is controlled by the dosing of them and can result in a overwhelming high if not dosed right. One question that many potheads have is, which one gets you higher? Well the high is definitely different but speaking for those that have ate edibles before I can say “ingestion of Cannabis gets you higher than smoking.”
Some of the differences of the high are the onset of action. Within minutes of smoking you will feel the high but it will only last around 2 hours. After eating an edible, it takes from 30-120 minutes to kick in and can last from 3-6 hours. The edible after being ingested goes to your stomach then the liver and then into your blood stream making for a stronger THC called 11-hydroxy-THC that gives you a long lasting body high.
