Ravon Williams

Too many people shopping in dispensaries have the perception that THC is the only thing that matters when it comes to buying weed. I’ve got to sound like a broken record at this point, but it’s not just THC that should be focused on when buying weed! 

Ever wonder why you once smoked weed that said it was 28% THC, but felt like it didn’t really get you high? Then you smoked something that was 22% THC and it got you blasted? But how could something with a lower THC get you higher than something with a higher THC? For starters, perception. We perceive that a higher THC will get us higher but that’s not always the case. 

Looking past the perception of THC percentages, how we get high is due to how our body interacts with the chemical compounds in the weed you smoked, this is called the entourage effect. 

The Entourage Effect

When these compounds are consumed, their effects work together to create an effect greater than their own. The main compounds are cannabinoids and terpenes. They work with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a system involved in regulating various physiological processes, including pain, mood, appetite, and immune function. The ECS helps us maintain balance in our bodies and is composed of receptors (CB1 & CB2) that interact with the compounds in weed.  

Cannabinoids

The two most well-known cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).

THC is primarily responsible for the high you get from consumption. It binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, affecting mood, perception, and cognition. CBD doesn’t get you high like THC does, instead it has a handful therapeutic properties, such as anti-inflammatory effects. CBD interacts with multiple receptors in our ECS, including CB1, CB2, and serotonin receptors.

Terpenes

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give weed its smell and flavor. They’re found all throughout nature, in citrus fruits, pine trees, lavender, cinnamon and many, many more. Terpenes are believed to contribute to the therapeutic effects of weed through their own actions and by modulating the effects of cannabinoids. A couple of most common terpenes found in cannabis include:

Myrcene: This terpene has sedative and muscle-relaxing effects. It may enhance the psychoactive effects of THC by increasing its permeability in the brain. Myrcene has a distinct earthy, musky smell, often with sweet, fruity undertones. Outside of weed, It’s also found in basil, hops, and mangoes. This is where the “eat a mango before/after you smoke and you’ll get higher” idea comes from. The thought is that the myrcene in the mango could interact with the cannabinoids and other terpenes from the weed you consumed and add onto the entourage effect. Strains that you can typically find myrcene in include: Blue Dream, Granddaddy Purple, and OG Kush.

Caryophyllene: This terpene is found in various plants, including black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and, of course, weed. It has a spicy, peppery aroma, which is quite distinctive. Caryophyllene is noted for its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects. It may help in managing pain by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Strains that you can typically find this terpene in are ChemDawg, GG4, and Sour Diesel.

How to Use This Information

Hopefully this will help you make more educated decisions when buying weed. A lot of the process is trial and error as you consume products looking for a compound mix that works really well for you. You can start by taking a strain you always love and looking up what the main terpenes in it typically are. From there you can research what other strains have a similar terpene breakdown and create a list of new strains to try and hopefully enjoy!