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.
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.
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