|
Ways to layer your medication:
There is a way to layer your cannabis intake and to customize the experience to fit your recreational or medical needs. The cannabis plant has roughly 111 different cannabinoids and each one does something different. It’s all about which cannabinoids are present in your bloodstream and how they interact with your body's chemistry. THCa and CBDa are found in the raw plant matter and turn into the commonly known cannabinoids THC and CBD. These cannabinoids are activated by the process of decarboxylation (having it reach a certain heat level). If you intake just one cannabinoid, such as THC, there are specific results. However, when you layer cannabinoids you unlock different “achievements” so to speak. This allows you the fun and freedom to tailor your consumption for what you need or want to experience. For example THCa in its Base form before the process of decarboxylation, has anti-inflammatory properties, and can provide relief from depression and anxiety as well as being a neuro protective. THC:tetrahydrocannabinol is known for its psychoactivity. Effects include: psychoactive, euphoria, sensory enhancement, anti-cancer, anti-nausea, pain relief, improves appetite, helps glaucoma, muscle relaxant, helps for autoimmune disorders, and anti-inflammatory properties. CBD: cannabidiol is Non-psychoactive, yet it modifies the effects of THC. CBD has great medical potential, and effects include: anti-depressant, anti-cancer, anti-nausea, anxiolytic, pain relief, mitigates spasms, improves blood circulation, help for autoimmune disorders, and bone growth stimulant. CBG: Cannabigerol is Non-psychoactive and is known for its anti-tumor qualities. Effects include: anti-cancer agent, lowers blood pressure, anti-inflammatory, and bone growth stimulant. CBC:cannabichromene is Non-psychoactive. Effects include: anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and bone growth stimulant There are a variety of products to target different intake areas of your body. And there are many ways to get cannabinoids into your bloodstream. First-pass Metabolism is a term used to describe how much medicine is actually absorbed. For example: Smoking cannabis provides you with about 30% of the cannabinoids that you are consuming. If you eat an edible it is about 60% absorption rate, depending on your liver and gut wall lining. Utilizing a variety of cannabis products can help with layering cannabinoids into your system. There are less explored cannabis products such as Transdermals that penetrate through many layers of skin, where the cannabinoids can directly enter your bloodstream. Transdermals include patches, salves, and transdermal gels. Another, more common way, to intake cannabinoids is to inhale smoke or vapor. Colorado regulations due to legalization, allows the consumer to know specific testing of each product sold in a dispensary. Testing will show what cannabinoids are present, in addition to THC levels. I have had the chance to try a variety of concentrates and flower that are CBD dominant. There are different ratios that promote different layering effects- such as 2:1, 4:1 and even 20:1. For My first CBD smoking flower experience I tried our Pandora’s Box strain which tests about 3.6%THC and 8% CBD levels. I have severe inflammation in my fore arms as well as other whiplash injuries. Smoking Pandora’s Box made me feel like someone was constantly giving me a great shoulder rub. I tend to get very anxious and depressed when I get to those inflammation levels. For that reason, I see my own cannabis use as preventative care. I try to keep a constant dosing of CBD and THC and when I notice that they start to leave my system and my symptoms start to return it’s obvious my body needs replenished of those cannabinoids. Also when self-medicating it seems that getting the cannabinoids as close to contact with the symptom area is optimal for maximum relief. It always seems to help pumping that blood stream full of the “entourage effect” of BOTH CBD and THC is the best way to go, for me. One of my favorite brands is Mary’s Medicinals www.marysmedicinals.com . Mary’s Medicinals products target certain cannabinoids while honoring a whole plant medicine mentality. Every product will have just enough of the other cannabinoids to enhance the main cannabinoid you’re targeting without overpowering the cannabinoid you need. For example, their THC Sativa patch has 20mg of THC and under 1mg of THCa, CBD, CBDa, and CBN. The patches can deliver a steady dosing into your system for over 12 hrs. What is great about shopping on the recreational side is that every edible, concentrate, or flower is required to be tested for the major cannabinoids. Since testing results can change from batch to batch, it’s important to check each products testing information before purchasing if you are seeking specific ratios/layers/dosing. For example: A multipack of the CBD Cheeba Chews is one of my favorites to supplement a whole plant medicine regiment. A box will contain 8 servings or doses of infused chocolate taffy. The whole box has 4.72mg THC, 83mg CBD, 2.64mg CBG, and 4.8mg CBC. Not everyone wants to smoke, vape, eat, or dab their cannabinoids. Some people are seeking pain relief and have no desire to feel high. For someone looking for localized pain relief, another great product with a nice spectrum of cannabinoids is the Mary’s Way Salve made by The Growing Kitchen . The current batch is testing at 8.6mg THC, 8.8 mg CBG, 3.2mg CBN, and 3.5mg THCa. Used topically, these molecules power out anti-inflammatory properties and provide pain relief. I am continuously fascinated by this plant and I think it enjoys surprising us. I encourage everyone to experiment with layering your cannabis and see how the plant provides a higher quality of life. Peace and love, Phoenix Sources: www.marqaha.com/under-microscope www.pureanalytics.net/blog/2012/05/09/acidic-versus-activated-cannabinoids-tips-on-how-to-choose-the-therapy-regimen-that-is-right-for-you/ www.marysmedicinals.com/the-science-of-cannabinoids/
0 Comments
So You Want to Grow?
Part 1: Before you Grow- state and local regulations, and issues to consider for your home. As a resident of Colorado, I have discovered the joy of producing my own cannabis indoors using my small grow tent. In a space that takes up 8 square feet (48 cubic feet when you factor in tent height), I am able to produce a variety of strains to keep me stocked and smiling for several months of the year. With a little investment of time and money, it is simple to create an environment conducive to producing top-quality buds in a space the size of a spare bedroom closet. In the first installment of So you want to Grow? we’ll focus on the preparation and planning stage of your first home grow, and discuss the main issues to consider before you start growing your own cannabis in Colorado. Though it is legal to grow cannabis for personal consumption, there are several state and local regulations to consider before you plant your seeds or purchase clones. State and municipality regulations can conflict, so it is extremely important to know the laws before you set up your grow. For example, the state allows each individual in a household to grow 6 plants (3 flowering plants, 3 in vegetative stage), but the city of Denver only allows 12 plants per household regardless of the number of adults occupying a dwelling. Also, if you are a medical patient, regulations surrounding your personal grow will be different. The state and local laws of Colorado will dictate how you set up your grow, thus it is imperative that you understand these regulations before you begin setting up your grow. The following links provide information on state and certain municipality regulations concerning growing cannabis for personal consumption. Home Grow Guidelines- State of Colorado Safety Guidelines for Home Growing -State of Colorado Cannabis Regulations, including personal cultivation- City of Fort Collins Cannabis regulations, including personal cultivation - City of Greeley The next set of issues to consider are where you intend to grow and the utilities needed to grow. Again, to emphasis the importance of knowing the laws, one cannot grow cannabis outdoors legally. If you live in an apartment, duplex, or any type of building with shared units, you are prohibited from growing cannabis for personal use. If lucky enough to have a house, one should make sure the electrical system is up-to-date, and the area that you selected for your grow is located near a reliable power source, and said power source can handle the electrical needs of your growing setup. Like any other plant, cannabis needs air, water, and nutrients to grow, and depending on your grow setup, each of these items may require electrical energy to adequately supply your grow space. Will your space require fans for ventilation and air movement? Will you be running pumps for watering? What type of light do you plan to use, and what are the power needs? Can your circuit handle your electrical load? Best to find out beforehand, or you could risk an electrical fire. Also, clean running water nearby your grow space (or better yet, in the same room) helps in maintaining your grow in the long term (or putting out fires in the short term). We have only scratched the surface of preparing for your grow. In the next installment of “So you want to Grow?” we will examine some of the equipment you may want to consider for your home grow, including lighting, tray tables, fabric pots, and hydroponic equipment. Did you know that some forms of lighting, such as HID lamps like Metal Halide or High Pressure Sodium lamps can no longer be used in certain municipalities? These topics will be discussed in the next installment of So You Want to Grow? The following links and book suggestions are for those eager to learn more on their own! Happy Growing! Jorge Cervantes Ultimate Grow DVD- Beginner’s Guide to Growing Cannabis Closet Cultivator by Ed Rosenthal : Easy to ready cultivation guide. This was my first book about cultivation, and still serves as an excellent guide to growing cannabis for personal consumption. Ready, Set, Grow – High Times Growing Guide . Drew Bagby his week on Notes from the Stoned Age, I wanted to pass along a review for an AMAZING product that we are carrying here in the shop- Mary’s Medicinals 100mg CBC cream. A note about CBC: Cannabichromene is a cannabinoid that has been suggested to have uses in helping with a few different things such as pain management, anti-inflammatory properties, as well as stimulating brain growth, & combating depression . Before writing this, I looked for other reviews online but felt that some were lacking. For this review, I will be focusing on the pain management side. Two weeks ago, I fell off of the side of an 18 wheeler trailer during an event that we helped sponsor for Garden City. When I tried to step up into the trailer (about 5 feet high) I wound up losing my balance and falling directly on my backside. I had a bruise (which didn’t show up until the next day) that spanned my entire rear and all the way down to my shorts line. I was in so much pain for those first 2 days, that every time I sat down or laid in my bed my entire right leg and back would lock up to the point that I could not move. Well, shortly after all of this difficulty, I acquired a small tub of Mary’s CBC 100mg cream. The first thing that i noticed about the product, aside from the packaging, is the smell: piney, strong, and pleasant, with a light green color that is very satisfying. I rubbed a very liberal amount all over my backside and legs to try and heal my leg a bit. Within 10 minutes you can feel a tingling sensation on your skin and within 15 minutes you can feel the pain start to melt away. 20 minutes in, and my leg just felt sort of numb. I was completely blown away by how well this product has worked for me. I mean, I was able to throw my leg around and not feel the pain it was giving me. It is now a week later, not only has my bruising gone down but the pain or the issue with my entire leg locking up has dissipated. Completely gone! I have since used this rub on my wife as well, who reports very similar results to mine. Another thing that I like about this cream is the consistency. It isn’t too creamy or oily, like Nivea cream. It’s more of a solid that you break down yourself. It feels a little grainy at first, but this is quickly forgotten after rubbing it in. Now, let it be known, that if you are relying solely on this cream, your results may vary a bit. I was stretching the muscles out after my leg went numb to speed up recovery time, which I would recommend. This CBC cream is FANTASTIC and from now on I plan on always keeping some in my medicine cabinet at home. It’s the perfect size too, to fit in your back pocket or your disc golf bag. Also, it should be noted that while this product DOES contain 100mg of THC and CBD, it is non-psychoactive so you do not need to worry about applying to your skin and then being incapacitated. OVERALL: 9/10 The only thing that could break this into the perfect 10 would be if it got you stoned immaculate along side the pain relief. It works just as advertised, and I would recommend it for everyday use if you have chronic pain. http://www.marysmedicinals.com/products-properties/   |
