There are so many options to consider when buying cannabis flower, and if youโve reviewed our cannabis menuโyou know there are so many choices, and making an informed decision isnโt always easy.
Buying cannabis flower is a bit more complicated than simply Indica vs. Sativaโbut those two features are an excellent place to start!
When you review our menu or even talk about cannabis, most people look first to whether a plant is Indica (in-dah-cuh) or Sativa (suh-tee-vuh).
All About Indica
Cannabis plants that are labeled Indica are known for calming, physically sedating and pain-reducing effects. When consumed, it gives more of a whole-body highโyouโre likely to feel it from your head to your toes. The strain is best for evening use and for consuming when youโre ready to relax and bring things down a notch. Indicas are also known for appetite stimulationโso be prepared for the munchies. This perceived negative is also one reason why people undergoing chemotherapy or those with gastric and digestive issues might seek an Indica strain. Itโs also a strain that helps people with anxiety issues and is less likely to cause racing thoughts or paranoia. Pharmhouse Wellness carries numerous kinds of Indica flowerโuse our menu to sort and find an Indica that sounds good to you. We often have Ice Cream Cake, an Indica cross between Wedding Cake and Gelato that tastes like it soundsโhints of vanilla and sugar. Yum!
Indica and Sativa plants look different from each otherโIndica plants are deep green, broad-leafed, and stout, whereas Sativas are taller, slender leafed and lighter in their shade of green. Indicas grow faster, too, so that might be why you find more Indica offerings on the market.
All About Sativa
Sativa is known for its head high and its energizing properties. Itโs great for consuming during the dayโand helps stimulate creativity and idea generation. People like Sativas because of the pick-me-up effectโthink about being wide-awake and happy or consuming it before a social gathering. Itโll help make you more talkative and animated. Sativas are great for when you have an extensive list of chores to do and need the energy and mood improvement to โget it done.โ Sativa cannabis can help lessen anxiety, though it can contribute to paranoid thoughts, so if youโre vulnerable to that but still like the lift, you might want to try a hybrid.
Itโs essential to keep in mind that the effect of any kind of cannabis changes from one person to the next. You might find that some Indica strains are more uplifting, and some Sativas will calm you down. The only way youโll know is to experiment and try different strains for different occasions.
All About Hybrid Cannabis
For many cannabis consumers, a hybrid is โjust right,โ not too heavy, and not too heady. Hybrids take the best of both plants and marry them into some of the most exciting tasting and smelling flower. In some cases, you can think of a hybrid as the โbest ofโ cannabis. Two very distinct strains are cross-bred, and a new plant is created that features the best of each parent. Hybrids tend to lean in one direction or another of the parent plant, so if you read hybrid, Indica-dominant, you know youโre getting something thatโs more like an Indica; the same goes for Sativa dominant. If youโre still trying to sort out the Indica vs. Sativa dilemma, a hybrid might be best for you.
THC and CBD
Two of the most prevalent properties of cannabis are THC and CBD. THC is the psychoactive chemical in cannabis, and CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical. THC helps give you a cannabis high, and CBD does not.
Interestingly both CBD and THC have the same molecular structure with 30 hydrogen atoms, 21 carbon atoms and two oxygen atoms. The arrangement of these atoms accounts for how you feel when you consume cannabis or hemp products. Thereโs something called the endocannabinoid system in your body. This system has cannabinoid receptors similar to the endocannabinoids in THC and CBD, so they react to the cannabinoid receptors inside of you. The interaction of cannabis products aids in the release of neurotransmitters in your brain. These chemicals send messages throughout your body between cells regarding various health conditions like pain, stress, and sleep.
THC and CBD work best in unison, so THC-rich cannabis with some CBD will help with health issues, and CBD with a tiny amount of THC will be more helpful for better health.
Is More THC Better?
When you look at the Pharmhouse menu, youโll see cannabis with THC ranging from 16 to 28 percent. Is 28 percent better than 16 percent? It depends on what youโre looking for and your consumption habits. Indeed, 28 percent is more potentโbut if youโre new to cannabisโyouโll likely consume less of higher potency flower. Higher THC levels donโt necessarily mean better cannabis. Thereโs one aspect of cannabis chemistry that completes an excellent cannabis strainโterpenes.
The Distinctive Smell and Effect of Cannabis
If you are intrigued by the smell of cannabisโterpenes are the chemical that is responsible for the scent of cannabis.
Every strain of cannabis has a unique terpene profile (or terps for short). More than a hundred different terps are found in cannabis plants, and each strain of cannabis you might buy has several terpenes. It is those terpenes that give marijuana its smell and medicinal properties. These are the primary terpenes in most cannabis strains.
Myrceneโis primarily herbal. It also might smell like hops and lemongrass. It helps with relaxation and mood-lifting.
Pineneโsmells like pine, and also rosemary, dill and basil. It helps to boost energy and is suitable for gastric issues.
CaryophylleneโThis terpene is peppery in scent, like black pepper, cinnamon and cloves. Itโs one of the most distinctive scents and is known for relaxation, and is often found in topicals.
Humuleneโsmells like Hops (the ingredient in beer) and is woody and spicy in its scent. Itโs Humulene that is researched and used for its cancer-fighting properties.
Limoneneโis citrus-scented, so think about fruit peels and also juniper and peppermint. It is anti-spasmodic and helps to lift your mood.
Terpinoleneโis also fruity but more like tea and nutmeg. Itโs a fresh scent and has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Phytolโis flowery in scent and is used for relaxing, sedative and anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties.
Eucalyptolโsmells like menthol or mint, and it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
If youโre intrigued by this aspect of cannabis, read more here.
Keep in mind; you can always call Pharmhouse Wellness and ask about our menu. Weโre happy to answer any questions and help you decide on your cannabis flower purchase.