Discover
Cannabis
Cannabis 101
Welcome to Zenleaf’s Discover Cannabis series. Both on our website and in store, our goal is to make sure you are a well-informed part of our family. That starts with dropping a little knowledge and hoping you start to love this plant as much as we do! Lets dive right in: Cannabis (also known as marijuana, mary jane, bud, weed, reefer, ganja, dope, and many more fun names) is a very special plant that has been under cultivation for various purposes, by many different cultures and people, for many centuries and generations. Cannabis has worked wonders for countless people in so many different ways and can be enjoyed stress free in the state of New Mexico now! Cannabis contains different compounds that makeup its chemical structure, but there are a set of compounds found only in cannabis that make this plant so unique. These compounds are known as cannabinoids and terpenes. There are over 100 different cannabinoids in cannabis to include THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (Cannabidiol), CBG (Cannabigerol), CBC (Cannabichromene), and CBN (Cannabinol), just to name a few. You can read below to find out which effects each of these compounds are responsible for. Terpenes are responsible for the taste and smell you enjoy in the cannabis plant. There are hundreds of different terpenes but the most common are Myrcene, Linalool, Limonene, Pinene, Caryophyllene, Humelene, and Ocimene. Terpenes can also be found in other vegetation, flowers, and vegetables such as lavender and lemons. Peep our terpene section below for more information. When these compounds are combined in consumption, they deliver something called the “entourage effect”. We would also like to take the time to touch on the consumer based classification system of “indica” and “sativa” – these non scientific terms are what we want to stray away from when making cannabis purchasing decisions. We encourage you to learn more about cannabanoids and terpenes through our Discover Cannabis series in order to find terpene driven decision making so that you can achieve the desired effect you really want out of these high quality experiences.
Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system that plays a crucial role in regulating a range of physiological processes in the body. Every human body has an ECS. The body produces its own cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids. The two main endocannabinoids identified so far are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). These endocannabinoids are produced on-demand in response to certain stimuli and act as signaling molecules. There are two primary types of cannabinoid receptors in the ECS: CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors. These are the receptors that are specifically responsible for how your mind and body react to the consumption or introduction of cannabis. CB1 receptors are predominantly found in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), these receptors play a role in regulating mood, appetite, pain sensation, and memory. THC, specifically, interacts with your CB1 receptors. CB2 receptors are mainly located in peripheral organs, particularly in immune cells, CB2 receptors are involved in regulating inflammation and immune system functions. CBD is an example of a cannabinoid that interacts with your CB2 receptors. Endocannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors like keys fitting into locks. This binding triggers a cellular response, influencing various physiological processes that we refer to as “being high”. Enzymes are responsible for the synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids. Some of these enzymes include DAGL (diacylglycerol lipase), NAPE-PLD (N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D), FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase), MAGL (monoacylglycerol lipase). The ECS is involved in maintaining homeostasis, which is the body’s internal balance despite external fluctuations. In addition to endocannabinoids produced by the body, cannabinoids from plants (phytocannabinoids), such as THC and CBD from cannabis, can also interact with the ECS. These plant-derived compounds can mimic or modulate the effects of endocannabinoids.
Cannabanoids, Terpenes, & Flavonoids
Cannabis terpenes come from the trichomes of marijuana plants, and they’re responsible for the smell and flavor of a cannabis strain. Trichomes are Combined with cannabinoids, you experience something called “the entourage effect”. This is the full body effect that people love. Although research continues on the benefit of terpenes, we know they can make a contribution to the psychoactive effects in cannabis and can aid in benefits towards mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, and more. A strain’s “dominant” terpene is simply the terpene present at the highest level. In modern commercial cannabis, only a limited number of terpenes show up as dominant even though there are many more cannabis terpenes in a strain’s overall profile. There are about 400 terpenes that have been discovered, however, only a handful of them have been linked to specific effects. Here are a few of the more common terpenes and the beauty within them:
Caryophyllene – Also found in pepper and known for its “spicy” nature, this terpene can aid in pain relief and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Caryophyllene is one of the most unique terpenes in cannabis because it can act like a cannabinoid as it binds with CB2 receptors. Choose a flower that high in caryophollene is you seek support for the immune system, to relieve pain, reduce inflammation or to help to soothe and relax yourself.
Humelene – Most affectionately known by beer drinkers for the “hoppy” taste; this terpene has analgesic effects, meaning it can help to relieve pain as well. Humelene is also known for its anti-fungal and analgesic properties.
Trichomes
In the realm of cannabis, there’s a depth beyond what meets the casual observer or your old school partakers. For those who appreciate the intricacies of the flower, it’s likely that curiosity has led to wondering about the nature of those diminutive crystals adorning the leaves and buds. These crystals, often glistening and adhesive, emit captivating aromas that you learned are terpenes. Upon closer inspection, you can discover that these glistening layers of frost are, in fact, extensive clusters of “trichomes”. The actual definition of trichome is “fine outgrowths or appendages on plants, algae, lichens, and certain protists.” A word with the meaning “growth of hair,” these tiny microscopic mushroom-looking protuberances look like something out of a science fiction novel. But they are actually the very factories that produce the hundreds of known cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that make our favorite cannabis strains potent, unique, and effective. Trichomes exist in many shapes and sizes, but there are three that appear most often on cannabis plants:
Bulbous – the smallest of the bunch, and they appear on the surface of the entire plant. Bulbous trichomes are as small as 10-15 micrometers, which is tiny enough to only be comprised of a handful of cells.
Capitate sessile – slightly larger and contain both a head and a stalk. These are quite a bit more abundant than their bulbous brethren, but cannot hold a candle to the bountifulness and size of the third trichome variety.
