Cannabis is a plant genus that comprises various species, including Cannabis Sativa, Indica, Ruderalis, etc. These species are sometimes also known as strains or cultivars.
One of the primary distinguishing factors among the various cannabis species is the kinds of compounds (also known as cannabinoids) that the plant contains.
For instance, plants that contain significant levels of cannabidiol (CBD) fall under Cannabis indica strains. These plants generally produce cultivars known as hemp. On the other hand, cannabis plants that contain considerable levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) constitute Sativa and Fruit Punch Strain, which mostly produce marijuana cultivars.
Now, cannabis contains more than 400 compounds. However, CBD and THC are the two most-widely-studied cannabinoids, and these are the two substances that determine the plant’s various effects.
The Role of CBD and THC in Judging the Effects of Cannabis
As we’ve just indicated, CBD and THC are the two most-widely-studied cannabis compounds. They also happen to be the most abundant cannabinoids in the plant.
CBD and THC’s fundamental difference is that THC produces both euphoric and intoxicating effects, whereas CBD does not. As a psychoactive compound, THC seems to be more popular among recreational cannabis users. In contrast, CBD is famous for its therapeutic properties.
But why is this information important?
First, knowing which cultivars in either of these substances is crucial, especially if you plan to cultivate weed or learn how to germinate marijuana seeds. The knowledge on which cultivars produce what compound is vital for isolating the active ingredients in a cannabis product.
Most importantly, understanding CBD and THC’s primary differences will enable you to judge the effects of cannabis, especially if you’re a beginner.
How Do You Judge The Effects Of Cannabis?
The effects of cannabis in your system depend on the specific active cannabis ingredients in a product.
Cannabis products that are high in CBD mostly produce healing properties, particularly pain relief. CBD reduces pain by boosting the performance of your endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating the body’s homeostatic balance, and pain relief are one of its core functions. The system contains its cannabinoids (known as endogenous cannabinoids or simply endocannabinoids) and endocannabinoid receptors, and various chemicals that play a role in regulating homeostatic balance.
When CBD enters your system, it changes the chemical structure of certain endocannabinoid receptors (known as CB2), enhancing the efficiency with which those receptors interact with your endocannabinoids. It’s a complex physiological process that produces a host of healing benefits, such as pain relief.
In addition to pain management, CBD might also reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The substance triggers the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals are useful in counteracting stress hormones, which explains why CBD may help treat various anxiety disorders.
Other medical conditions that cannabidiol can treat include nausea, inflammation, and insomnia.
So, as far as its therapeutic properties are concerned, you can judge the effectiveness of cannabis when the substance relieves the specific medical conditions you’re using it for.
Judging The Effects of Recreational Cannabis
For recreational users also, there are various ways to judge the effectiveness of cannabis. Euphoria is the most common effect of psychoactive cannabis extracts like THC.
THC impacts your endocannabinoid system in a near-similar manner as CBD. The only difference is that the substance interacts with receptors closest to your brain and central nervous system (known as CB1 receptors). That explains why it produces euphoric effects.
As THC interacts with your CB1 receptors, it affects the brain regions that control the body’s reward system. This explains why people in a euphoria state tend to engage in naturally exciting activities, such as laughing, eating, working out, and having sex.
So, if you experience a ‘high’ after consuming a cannabis-based product, you can be sure the product contains THC, and it is potent enough.
Judging The Effects of Cannabis Using Side Effects
Another way to judge the effects of cannabis is to look out for any side effects. Although marijuana products are often billed as ‘all-natural,’ there can be some side effects to watch out for.
For instance, CBD is infamous for producing dry mouth, drowsiness, and nausea.
On the other hand, THC in high dose can produce the following side effects
- Hallucinations
- Red eyes
- Reduced reaction time
- Elevated heart rate and/or blood pressure
- Increased appetite
In some cases, the side effects of CBD and those of THC can occur side by side. That’s particularly true if you’re using products that contain both compounds, also known as full-spectrum cannabis products.
But here’s the thing – the side effects of cannabis don’t just point out to the effectiveness of a marijuana product. They could also be indicative of an overdose.
It’s reasonably easy to judge the effects of cannabis in your system. If you’re using cannabis for medicinal purposes, you’ll determine its effectiveness if the cannabis product you’re using can produce the desired healing properties. If you’re a recreational user, look out for the signs of euphoria. Also, the fact that a cannabis product produces side effects is reason enough to declare the product effective.
It’s also important to note that the effects of cannabis differ from one user to another, based on factors like age, gender, body size, and metabolic rate. If you’re a new cannabis user, the conventional wisdom is to familiarize yourself with everything there is to know about weed before integrating it fully into your system.