Medical Marijuana 101 – Entering the medical marijuana world can be intimidating if you\u2019re an outsider. There are plenty of terms to remember and trying to figure out which strain is best for you can be a challenge if you\u2019re not familiar with medical marijuana basics.<\/p>\n
To get the most out of your medical-marijuana experience, it\u2019s important to have a basic knowledge of common terms. Do you know the difference between sativa and indica plants? What about hybrid strains? This information could come between you and the perfect strain for your individual needs, as plants are grown specifically for their effects.<\/p>\n
Below are some common terms in the medical marijuana world and what they mean for you. medical marijuana 101<\/span><\/p>\n Cannabinoid <\/strong><\/p>\n Let\u2019s start simple. A cannabinoid is a chemical compound that interacts and affects the cannabinoid receptors in your brain. Within the cannabis plant, there are 113 different cannabinoids and each one has a different purpose. The ones we know best are THC and CBD, however, THC is the only known cannabinoid that has psychoactive effects.<\/p>\n Terpenes <\/strong><\/p>\n You know how some medical marijuana strains smell much more herbal than others? You have terpenes to thank for the diverse smells in marijuana, as well as other organic material like trees and flowers. Terpenes are located in the same glands as THC and CBD and are in charge of how certain strains smell and taste. There are more than 100 different terpenes in a cannabis plant and scents and flavors can range from herbal and piney to citrus and fruity.<\/p>\n THC<\/strong><\/p>\n Plainly stated, this is the stuff that gets you high. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC<\/a>, is a cannabinoid that is found in the marijuana plant and is known for its psychoactive effects. THC has the \u201chigh\u201d effect by binding with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in your brain. THC effects have been touted to help relieve pain, nausea, depression and anxiety and help with sleep. THC does come with side effects that include dry eyes, dry mouth, memory loss and coordination troubles. For some users, the side effects and \u201chigh\u201d feeling can be too much for the relieving benefits. That\u2019s where CBD comes in.<\/p>\n CBD<\/strong><\/p>\n Cannabidiol (CBD<\/a>)\u00a0can be extracted from both marijuana and hemp plants. Unlike THC, CBD does not have any psychoactive effects, as it very weakly binds or does not bind at all to CB1 receptors. Instead of the \u201chigh\u201d effect, CBD can help with anxiety, pain, inflammation, nausea, depression and more. Many people choose CBD over THC because of its little-to-zero side effects. Unlike THC, CBD doesn\u2019t have side effects like dry eyes, dry mouth or the mind-altering feeling of being high. This makes CBD easy to use while at work or out of the house.<\/p>\n