CANNABINOIDS

Beyond THC

Diving into the wonderful world of alternative compounds in Cannabis.

THE NEW YEAR/NEW YOU FAD IS IN FULL GEAR, and while major lifestyle changes can be elusive, working alternative Cannabinoids into your wellness protocol can be easier than quitting your favorite vice. Although there are over 100 minor Cannabinoids that researchers have yet to study, we’ve put together a primer on the ones most commonly found in products today. Together with terpenes and THC, these lesser-known chemicals work in concert to achieve what’s known as the Entourage Effect – where the elements of the plant work in harmony to create wellness. While none of this should be read as medical advice, our modern world offers plenty of emerging research on these Cannabinoids and surrounding topics, and we encourage everyone interested in integrating Cannabis into their health and wellness routines to explore the world of alternative Cannabinoids!

ADOBE STOCK While this Cannabinoid might be the most famous in health circles, there’s a reason for the positive press that this compound receives. Originally found in THC flower as a minor Cannabinoid, this wonder drug is now extracted from hemp – making it much more accessible to the world, as it’s time consuming to grow CBD-rich Cannabis. But if you have the chance to smoke true CBD-rich weed (not hemp flower), we recommend it for a relaxing feel-good buzz.

Today you can find CBD in almost everything from tinctures to creams to lubes, with varying effects depending on dosage and the product. Generally speaking, CBD is fantastic for anxiety and depression, as well as for minimizing pain and inflammation, and for stopping seizure disorders. It also helps regulate mood and memory, and may be helpful in the fight against Alzheimer’s (which THC has also shown to reduce symptoms of in studies on rats). CBD should be a part of any Cannabis user’s regular diet, and we recommend at least 25mg per serving to get your endocannabinoid system flush with this helpful compound. CBC is an often overlooked Cannabinoid that has major potential benefits and no psychoactive effects, which is likely why the weed industry has largely ignored it. CBC is known to work synergistically with other Cannabinoids (the aforementioned Entourage Effect), helping the body as it battles ailments ranging from cancer to inflammation. CBC has shown in mouse studies to slow tumor growth by stopping new cancer cells from generating, and could hold the key to stopping certain types of the disease altogether. CBC is also good for the brain – helping to regulate homeostasis, and

CBD could help to prevent neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s. It’s also great for acne, so look for CBC in a topical form for happy skin. CBG is really the wonder Cannabinoid that is helpful and doesn’t get you “high” – although we always find getting a good buzz to be beneficial! CBG binds to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain, which are the gateways to the endocannabinoid system – delivering a wide range of benefits, including fighting cancer cells, combating inflammation, treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease, helping with nausea and even acting as a powerful anti-bacterial. While CBG is known to actually counteract the effects of heavy-THC doses (meaning it can calm a high down), we found a mild euphoria accompanied the wonderful medicinal effects that we now refer to as the CBG giggles.

CBC

THC-O & HHC | With weed still illegal in many places, those with a love for science and pot are working to find new ways to get high that don’t come from traditional Delta 9 THC, and CBG can be questionably sold at gas stations and smoke shops. THC-O is considered three times more potent than normal THC, and is made in a lab by adding Acetic Anhydride (an ingredient in Aspirin) to produce this not-found-in-nature Cannabinoid. Users report heady euphoria and a strong body high. HHC is a similar lab-created Cannabinoid that adds a hydrogen molecule to hemp-derived THC (which makes it technically legal), and has very similar effects to tradi“The best advice tional THC. With questionable testing for finding quality and no regulation, there’s no replacing alternative good ol’ THC from mother nature. Cannabinoids is to start at your A Word to the Weed Wise While we don’t recommend trying dispensary and gas station synthetic weed, or any gas ask the staff for a station energy or sexual potency pills, a Delta 8 THC | Over the last few years, Delta 8 THC prodspecific compound like CBD or CBG.” world of Cannabis products does exist that you might not find at your regular weed shop. The best advice for finding ucts have exploded across the quality alternative Cannabinoids is country, with edibles and vapes filling head shop to start at your dispensary and ask the staff shelves. Delta 8 THC can be found naturally in for a specific Cannabinoid like CBD or CBG, Cannabis, although the extracted version is a and inquire as to which brands that make THC hemp-derived isomer of CBD, which converts the products might have other options. Many have CBD into a more playful Cannabinoid. General- full online stores with CBD and other infused ly viewed as both safe and delivering a less psy- products that you can mail to your house legally. choactive high, many users report happy effects So as we head into the unknown of 2023 when vaping or eating Delta 8 THC. As with all and beyond, look to Cannabis for new ways alternative Cannabinoid products, the brand to help you and your friends and family. We all matters when it comes to product safety and test- have health issues that could benefit from this ing – so look to a trusted brand that’s already in amazing plant … and in that sense, it really is a the THC game to find your Delta 8 buzz. wonderful new world we live in.

THE CULTURE ISSUE COMING FEB. 2023

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