Perfecting Cannabis Consumption
Anyone consuming cannabis is looking for a perfect experience - right? And that definition of “perfect” varies from person to person. Not only that - let’s assume that two people’s definitions are exactly the same. While the two may be looking for similar experiences, the same cannabis product will likely affect them differently because their individual body chemistry is not the same.
So how does one go about zeroing in on their perfect cannabis experience? It starts with an understanding of cannabinoids (such as CBD (cannabidiol), THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)), terpenes, and other potential ingredients in cannabis.
Most people place a high emphasis on THC, but that does not solely dictate one’s cannabis experience. Sometimes, THC can make one feel great and at other times it can leave people feeling anxious, paranoid, and full of fear. “Thanks to a July 5th study out of Western University in Ontario, Canada, …[it has been recognized that it] depends on which part of an individual’s brain is most sensitive to THC. If it’s the anterior (front) part of the brain, consuming marijuana will produce rewarding effects (i.e. feelings of ease, reduced anxiety, and joy). If it’s the posterior (back) region that’s most sensitive to THC, it will produce negative reactions (i.e. paranoia and fear).” (Source)
Many think that the level of THC determines how “high” one gets as THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. “But when THC is consumed with CBD, CBD is actually able to bind to our receptors as well — and it changes their shape, weakening THC’s ability to bind to the receptor and ultimately impacting how ‘high’ we feel. When used together, CBD can reduce the negative side effects of THC such as anxiety, paranoia, elevated heart rate, memory loss, and sluggishness while THC can help to increase the therapeutic benefit of CBD.” (Source)
There are additional cannabinoids that are active ingredients in cannabis as well. They include cannabigerols (CBG), cannabichromenes (CBC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabinodiol (CBDL), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabielsoin (CBE), and cannabitriol (CBT).
Next, one should understand the effects of terpenes in cannabis.Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in many plants, including, but not limited to cannabis. “Mounting scientific evidence suggests that terpenes play a considerable role in not only tempering the intoxicating effects of THC, but also creating synergy with phytocannabinoids and even increasing their therapeutic value.” (Source)
Here are the most common terpenes found in cannabis and their effects:
Image credit - https://thcdesign.com/blog/its-all-about-the-terpenes/
We have simplified the likely effects of cannabis ingredients above. But none of these elements are isolated and instead are combined within cannabis. Not only does each ingredient work as a “chemistry experiment” within one’s body but consider the chemistry of them working cooperatively together within one’s body. This is often referred to as the entourage effect. “The entourage effect theorizes that all of the compounds in cannabis (cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and more) work best when used together, enhancing one another’s effects to maximize therapeutic benefits.” (Source)
Education is key - knowing what are the typical effects of cannabinoids and terpenes help to perfect one's cannabis consumption experience. Equally important is getting right information regarding exactly what is in your cannabis product. LucidIDs, the intelligent UPC (universal product code) for cannabis delivers this and more. LucidIDs provide product information and dosage recommendations from the cannabis cultivator/brand. LucidIDs also provide the independent lab test results summary and a detailed COA (certificate of analysis) to let you know the exact amount of ingredients in the cannabis product.
But everyone reacts differently to different cannabis products as noted above. This is why Lucid Green provides a personal and private “Stash Cabinet” in the LucidID App (available for IOS and Android) so that each individual can record their experiences with the specific cannabis product and dose they take.
Lucid Green helps cannabis brands deliver perfect cannabis experiences for their consumers. LucidIDs allow consumers to know exactly what is in their cannabis products. The LucidID App allows each cannabis consumer to journal their various experiences with different products/dosages. Lucid Green wants you to have a perfect cannabis experience.
Schedule a demo here.