High THC Content Does Not Mean What You Think It Does

High THC content does not mean what you think it does. Cannabis is legal in many states across the United States. The plant is gaining attention around the globe due to more and more doctors reporting quality of life improvements for patients using medical cannabis. For example, people with Parkinson’s disease are reducing involuntary movements. Alzheimer’s disease has progressed slower with medical cannabis consumption because of how cannabinoids interact with neurotransmitters in the brain. 

Cannabis Industry Mistakes 

States that have not yet legalized a recreational market do not need to make the same mistakes the already-legal states are making. High THC content does not mean what you think it does. In fact, you may be reducing the quality of the high because of higher THC content. Let’s dig into the cannabis plant’s effects to see how to make sure you have the best high possible. 

Different Strains Do Different Things 

Not all strains are created equal. Some cannabis plants are saturated with different cannabinoids. Cannabinoids interact with the CB1, and CB2 receptors in the body referred to as the endocannabinoid system. There are more cannabinoid receptors in the human body than any other receptor type. The endocannabinoid system regulates the balance of the body and mind. 

Dispensary Trends 

Is your dispensary guilty of following the cliché dispensary trends? With more recreational and medical dispensaries celebrating their grand openings, the consumers are leading the way in the industry by mainly demanding high THC content strains. The stores are responding by requesting higher testing flower products of their growers for vertical farms and forcing partnered grow facilities to push the limits. As a result, some strains show over 30% THC in their flower and pre-roll forms. For example, the strain “Brownie Scout,” which is a mixture of “Platinum Cookies” and “Kosher Kush,” reached 37.5% in a report by ACT Laboratories. The sample was sent by GTI in 2019. 

Cannabis Doctor – High THC Cannabis Does Not Mean What You Think It Does

What does it mean to have High THC Content strains? 

Simply put, it means that the growing procedures used are designed to perfect the amount of THC produced by the plant. In turn, the focus of the growers and facilities becomes analyzing the process of trichome production and using the collected data to boost the plant’s natural ability to make the trichomes. Did you know the cannabis plant collectively has over 100 different cannabinoids? The most widely used and studied cannabinoids are THC and CBD. 

Don’t Miss Out on the Full Cannabinoid Spectrum

Many cannabis users miss out on all the plant has to offer them. In fact, consumers may find a strain to achieve a consistent desired result, such as helping with sleep, focus, laughter, happiness, or melting into the couch after a long day. The addition of other cannabinoids in different amounts and THC or CBD will provide the user with varying levels of specific effects on the body and mind. 

The Classic Northern Lights 

One of my favorite strains, classic Northern Lights, is a heavily Indica dominant strain. While not all Indica plants are sedating, Northern Lights is one of the strains that live up to the common dispensary lingo saying “Indica, in the couch” or “for nighttime use.” For many users, Northern Lights is one of the strains with a “couch-lock” high. 

Cannabis In a Grinder

Increased Focus and Better Sleep 

For me, the strain called “Northern Lights” lengthens the time I am naturally able to focus on intricate tasks. I can shut down my mind for the night or just relax without worries or stress of the day bothering me to an uncomfortable level. I get better sleep, and as a direct result, I get less stress, leading to more consistent sleep. 

A Strain I Use for Stress Triggered Insomnia 

The Northern Lights strain is helpful for me. Diagnosed with stress-triggered insomnia. It has a minimal CBD content and a THC level of 18% on average. However, I had the strain “OG Lemon Haze,” which tested at 27%, and my experience was nowhere near as pleasant as the Northern Lights strain. For many people, “OG Lemon Haze” gives them a giggly energetic high. Still, it triggered a feeling of anxiety, which is the opposite of the effects I got from the Northern Lights strain that I enjoy. 

Cannabis for Better Sleep – You Don’t Need High THC Content

I Prefer Calming Cannabis 

I prefer to have a calming feeling, which the Northern Lights strain provides. I have noticed a trend that with my body chemistry, the more limonene present combined with a THC content above 20%, the more likely I am to become anxious. I just focus on how I feel and make sure I remember which strains I am fond of so that when I go to the dispensary, I can find the right product, not just the highest THC product. 

Lower THC Strains Have More Characteristics 

The plants with lower THC production generally have higher amounts of other cannabinoids, such as CBC, CBG, CBD, or CBN. This allows the plant to supply what is referred to as a “full-spectrum” experience. A plant with 12% THC and .1% CBG might be the perfect solution for someone, along with the pinene terpene. Always keep good information for yourself to find suitable strains. It will probably cost you a lot less in the dispensaries if you buy strains with lower THC content. The dispensaries tend to have a hard time moving these products. So many excellent strains are overlooked because of a lower THC content, but it may just be the strain you needed to get so you could be the highest you have ever been.  

No Testing or low-end testing? 

Suppose a company does not pay a lab to test their products for each cannabinoid and terpene. In that case, that is a tell-tale sign that a company is more about profits than customers. Give them the benefit of the doubt if they are new. It might be a budget issue. If their second or third shipment doesn’t have the complete profile, they were very likely asked by the lab if they wanted to include the full profile or just the THC and CBD content. Instead, they opted to save the extra cash. 

Cannabinoids

The Endocannabinoid System 

Every human body has an endocannabinoid system, and we all produce cannabinoids in the human body. No two humans share the exact same traits. Some people have different needs when it comes to the cannabis plant. I tried the strain GMO, which tested at 31%, and I barely felt high, while others said it was very potent for them. There are a lot of variables, hundreds in fact, that contribute to achieving the desired effects from cannabis. 

Keep A Strain Journal 

Keeping a strain journal is a brilliant way of tracking which strains to watch and which to avoid based on your needs. I have smoked some strains testing in the 13%-16% range, some of the best-flavored strains with such pleasant effects as “Booberry Cookies” from Nature’s Remedy. I smoked it, expecting a very mild high, but I was greeted with a very pronounced head high as my mind filled with unique ideas about a project I had been planning out. Before long, I realized I was just staring at my computer screen, not actually doing anything. So, I shifted my thoughts directly into the project, recounting the ideas as the project progressed. 

Cannabis Strain Journal

Try a lot of different strains and document the experience. 

Cannabis consumers need to try out a wide variety of strains. The science of finding the correct strain for specific needs is not yet perfected and will require some effort on the consumer’s part. Keep a journal, document how a strain makes you feel, and write down the cannabinoid and terpene profiles. You will be able to figure out through data collection which strains have similar profiles that you enjoy or serve a specific purpose. For example, your perfect “sleep aid” cannabis strain might make your friend stay awake and write a symphony overnight. If you help your friend with their strain journal, they will know which strain helps them with their own cannabis journey. 

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