A characteristic of most substances is that they do not exist outside of their specific environment. This is known as externalization. Nearly everything has a purpose and reasons for being there, and you can see it if you look for it.
For example, you would not think that CBD, an active ingredient in cannabis, would go to work inside your body but rather as a part of the immune system-related systems like blood and cognitive function–but that is exactly what happens.
You cannot have one without the other. One cannot survive without the other. The two functions together form a complex system that impacts many parts of your body. It is like joining the army and having an entourage effect built into your uniform.
THC and CBD
Both THC and CBD contain molecules called cannabinoids, which stand for either acid or carbonic compound in front of it.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimates that 1% to 3% of all chemicals found in nature are cannabinoids, and that they may have benefits for human health.
Many compounds found in cannabis aren’t just isolated CBD and THC, but actually complex mixtures. This is one reason why it’s difficult to find a legal cannabis product outside of marijuana-flavored products like baked goods or concentrates like grinders or oils.
These complex drugs aren’t easy to find a legal source for, so many people end up buying from unknown sources. However, buying from unknown sources can be dangerous due to these entourage effects. These are the side effects that come with compounds like THC and CBD together.
Other cannabis compounds
There are many other compounds found in cannabis that do not appear to work individually, but together as constituents. These collective components have been referred to as “ collectively active” compounds .
Collectively active compounds include cannabinoids (a component that can not be isolated and identified on its own), terpenes , and astra-indoids . All of these have their own properties and dependent on who may possess it.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one such aggregate neutral compound. It has been reported to have a number of effects, including anti-inflammatory , antioxidant , and neuroprotective effects. While all of these effects can be isolated and identified on their own, CBD also contains another component called decarboxylated anandamide (see red arrow below).
This is the same compound that Anandiella Sonnetis mentioned earlier as being responsible for the therapeutic effect of THC . As stated earlier, this compound does not seem to work alone, but together with other components it does seem to enhance its effects.
The importance of the entourage effect
As mentioned earlier, cannabinoids work together to influence the body. This is known as the ‘entourage effect’ and it has been demonstrated in numerous studies.
This effect is demonstrated in the way you receive your cannabinoids. When you smoke cannabis, the cannabis plant itself kicks off a process called photosynthesis. This occurs throughout the plant, including its flowers.
The resulting water and nutrients are carried to the roots, where they enter the ground and continue to grow. At some point, this grows can be processed by your soil, becoming nourishment for your plants.
How to use cannabis compounds together
There are five main compounds found in cannabis: CBD, THC, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and entourage effect. While all of these can be consumed separately, they work best when consumed together as a group.
The way these compounds work together is dependent on the consistency of the cannabis extract. Some can mix easily into a drink, others require a special technique called vaporization.
At Leafly, we believe in offering our readers ways to consume their cannabis. So this week, we will discuss how to use each of these together so you can get the best benefit out of your product.
Localized effects
As previously mentioned, stress can have a negative effect on your health. Luckily, there are ways to reduce stress and boost productivity, which include recreational and medical cannabis products.
Understandably, people looking to improve their health look for any possible benefits they can find. Some of the more pronounced effects from cannabis compounds are localized, meaning people who use it regularly will only feel the effects that are specifically made for it.
This is one of the reasons why single-purpose drugs like Vicodin or Adderall were such great products- they allowed people to manage their daily stress without feeling overdraven or forced to take other medications.
However, when two pieces of cannabis medicine work together, it can create an even greater effect. For example, a full plant cannabis extract can contain many chemicals that aren’t present in its standalone form. These isolated components can work together in a synergistic fashion to produce an even greater effect.
Can you mix flower and oil?
You can mix oil and flower for a few reasons. The main one is that both are cannabinoid compounds. Both include THC, which is the compound that makes you feel high. Both include cannabidiol (CBD), another cannabinoid compound that does not make you feel high but may help with pain and other symptoms.
The second reason to try mixed flowers and oils is that they can be more cost-effective than buying flowers only in pressed format, or only oil.
via GIPHY If you were to buy a flower plant only in fresh or dried form, it would be very expensive because of how long it takes to arrive at your door inpressed format or just ordered it online.
What are the best strains?
With all of the different strains available, there is a very good chance that you have at least one in your collection that is a new favorite. Each strain has its own flavor and/or effects, making them a little bit of a sub-grouping.
Many people find that their go-to strain is the same one they use to get high every time, but there are many other benefits to this specific strain. For example, this specific strain may help with pain or fatigue associated with certain diseases.
Some benefits of cannabis include benefits for pain relief, weight loss aids, sleep aid and maintenance, stress relief, and enhancement of social functions. Although these effects can apply to any type of cannabis, thickened THC content must be present for these benefits to occur.
What are the best oils and tinctures?
There are many ways to use CBD oil, so you do not need a specific brand. any type can be tried! Try some out to see what works for you.
If you like the brand’s product, there are many online stores that sell them. Some have joined forces with Amazon to have one online store that sells both of their products.
There are also speciality shops that offer all kinds of information about CBD oil and where to use it. most seem to agree that using it as a sleep aid is the best use case, as it takes some challenge to stay awake while using it which reduces any concerns of drowsiness.
