Using Cannabis Responsibly
Cannabis & Dosing Education
What is Cannabis
Cannabis refers to a group of flowering plants in the Cannabaceae family. This group includes three plants with psychoactive properties known as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis.
What are the components of cannabis?
Cannabis contains components called cannabinoids, which are chemical compounds secreted by the cannabis flower. These cannabinoids mimic compounds naturally found in human bodies called endocannabinoids. When cannabis is consumed, cannabinoids bind to different receptors throughout the human body and create a range of effects, benefits and relief. Cannabinoids must be activated by decarboxylation or heating, which can occur through smoking, vaping or cooking cannabis.
How does cannabis work? What are cannabinoids?
While there are over 60 known types of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, many more are thought to exist. The stars of the show are THC (Δ9–tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), both of which are most commonly known and found in the cannabis plant.
THCA:(Δ9–tetrahydrocannabinol) One of the only cannabinoids that can get you high. THC binds with CB-1 receptors to create the psychoactive effects we know as feeling “high,” such as euphoria, laughter, hunger, and sleep.
CBDA: (cannabidiol) The cannabinoid that’s captivated the curious to the connoisseur. CBD tends to bind with CB-2 receptors and does not produce intoxicating effects but can have physiological effects like increasing relaxation, relieving stress and improving appetite.