CANNABINOIDS
The cannabis plant has more than 700 chemicals, with phytocannabinoids and terpenoids being the principle active ingredients. As our body produces it’s own endocannabinoids, we can make an assumption that the cannabis plant was put on earth for our well-being as phytocannabinoids supplement an endocannabinoid deficient state and help enhance or stabilize our internal equilibrium.
Phytocannabinoids are created in the form of acids. They turn to their neutral state only when decarboxylated through heat and/or pressure. This conversion of state is a result of smoking, vaping, cooking, or basic / poor storage for a period of time. This is where you see THCA - CBDA turn into THC - CBD. Pythocannabinoids are non-toxic and have very high lethal-dose requirements in humans, hence there being 0 deaths directly associated with cannabis chemicals. There is a very small percentage of psychoactive cannabinoids within the cannabis family. There are only 3 psychoactive cannabis chemicals out of more than 200: (THC - THCV - THCP). If a plant was pure THCA it could never get you high by touch or even consumption. The THCA flower, oil, or consumable has to be decarboxylated for it to turn into it’s psychoactive THC counterpart.
The definition of cannabinoids goes beyond the cannabis plant, and includes any natural plant compounds that interact with cannabinoid receptors such as lichens, copaiba, and black pepper.
Recent research has shown us that various varieties of cannabis have different medicinal and physical effects because of how each cannabinoid interacts with one another and terpenoids. Cannabinoids and terpenes are responsible for the differences in each variety of cannabis, this synergy creates the “ENTOURAGE EFFECT” “HERBAL SHOTGUN” “MAGIC BULLET”. This information is critical to understanding what cannabis product and chemical profile is best for you.
Full Spectrum: Products have been seen to have a higher medicinal bioavailability and efficacy as the chemical bonds are never broken through the concentrate process.
Broad Spectrum: These products chemical constituents have been separated for a more curated benefit, however they are not as bioavailable because it lost chemicals during processing. These products do work, but more for people that may be sensitive to certain cannabioids or terpenes, looking for an exact physical feeling, or not looking to have high amounts of THC in their system.