How high will this get me? Do you have anything with a higher percentage for this price? Two questions I heard day after day while working behind the counter of a dispensary. In today's over-consumption culture, THC percentage is viewed as the holy grail, an identifier of whether the bud is worthy or not.
I’ll start by saying that the percentage on the label isn’t necessarily what we’ve socially agreed it to be. The percentage is simply the dried weight of the product. To make things more complicated, there’s no set industry standard for calculating percentages.
When acquiring the goods, consider what you want from the experience. There are many variables at play that affect what your highs are going to consist of. Let’s just say, when you have two jars in front of you that say 25%, odds are they’ll give different results. It’s the genetic makeup that grants the experience, not the percentage. Cannabis is a complex plant with different chemotypes, phenotypes, terpenoids, and the like in addition to interacting with our biological systems on a multitude of channels.
In lieu of the intricate, here’s an anecdote my old manager once told me: “Think of it like a car, the cannabinoids and terpenes tell you where you’re going, and the percentage tells you how fast you’ll get there”. Whether you’re looking for something specific or just looking to get high, here are some tips to keep in mind:
The Endo-cannabinoid-system
The Endo-cannabinoid-system, or ECS, is an internal system we all have, whether we consume or not, which regulates our homeostasis through modulating neuronal activity. This system, like cannabis, regulates our mood, appetite, energy balance, pain sensations, fertility, and more.
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids: the THC’s, CBD’s, CBG’s, THCV’s and alike. When we consume these phytocannabinoids or cannabis buds, they interact with our ECS, or immune and central nervous systems, causing euphoria and/or symptom relief. The intoxicating cannabinoids pass through our blood-brain barrier and interact with various parts of our brain connected to learning, memory, and coordination. When these cannabinoids bind to a receptor, an event is triggered, and so is cell activity, depending on what is activated. For example, THC increases the desire for munchies while THCV inhibits it. Furthermore, each cannabinoid not only produces assorted benefits, but they also produce increased benefits when used together, otherwise known as the Entourage Effect. To illustrate:
- THC causes euphoria and helps with pain. However, increased potency or environmental factors can cause anxiety.
- CBD is not intoxicating and helps with inflammation and anxiety relief.
- When used together, there’s a synergy, known as the entourage effect. A concept introduced in 1998 by Israeli scientists revealing when the whole plant is used, the healing elements are in balance.
While cannabinoids are responsible for the psychoactive, or mind-altering effects, terpenes play a large role in honing specific sensations.
Terpenes
Terpenes are phytochemical or aromatic compounds that are found in many plants and play a crucial role in dictating how we feel. Smell travels directly to the limbic system, associated with behavioral and emotional responses, hence aromatherapy. For example, Pinene (naturally found in pinecones) can produce a balanced, focused feeling meanwhile, linalool (like lavender) produces a calming and more relaxed effect. On their own, research has shown terpenes provide various medicinal properties - from regulating glucose levels to anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, when you see products categorized as either a Sativa, Hybrid, or Indica, it’s based on that product's terpene profile. Think of Sativa as “Stimulating”, Hybrid as what it sounds like, and Indica as “In da (the) couch”.
Together, Cannabinoids and Terpenes provide synergistic therapeutic effects. Each product’s chemovars, or strain profiles, are valuable for an array of recreational and medicinal objectives. Being a conscious consumer is asking the right questions to tailor the best experience for your individual need.
Also note, we all react to cannabis differently. From how often we consume, to genetic variations (one of the reasons some people don’t feel edibles AT ALL). So, ask questions, diversify, and take note.