cannabiniods for beginers

scott06

The chemicals in MMJ that are responsible for its unique medicinal and recreational properties are called cannabiniods. The most famouse of these is THC. Researchers are just now discovering a system of self-made cannabiniods that play roles in various things going on in the body. You don't have to be a chemist to know the basics - here they are

from Medical Marijuana Strains

"Cannabis is the only plant that produces chemicals called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are ingredients unique to cannabis; the psychoactive cannabinoids are responsible for the mind-bending effects of marijuana. Some cannabinoids get you high. Around 40 cannabinoids exist, but most are not psychoactive.

D9 THC, the main ingredient that gets you high, is called:
D9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol. All cannabis, whether industrial hemp or drug marijuana, contains some D9 THC. Industrial hemp cannabis contains infinitesimal amounts while dried flower tops (buds) of potent marijuana can contain up to 25 percent D9 THC. In potent varieties of marijuana, perhaps all of the mind-bending effects are derived from D9 THC.
D8 THC is found in very low concentrations in cannabis. It also gets you high, but there is so little D8 THC in most cannabis that researchers, breeders and growers concentrate on the more abundant and potent D9 THC. To simplify matters we will refer to both D9 THC and D8 THC as THC.


Cannabinol, or CBN, is produced as THC oxidizes or degrades. Only a trace of CBN exists in fresh bud. Stored and cured tops or hashish have higher levels of CBN, that has converted from THC. Marijuana with high levels of CBN generally make the toker feel disoriented and often sleepy or groggy, often referred to as a stupefying high. At best CBN contains only 10 percent of the psychoactive potency of the original THC. Tetrahydrocnnabivarin, called THCV, is the shorter three-carbon propyl that replaces the five-carbon pentyl chain. This compound is associated with the fragrance of the plant. In other words, very pungent smelling marijuana normally contains THCV. Warmer temperatures bring out more smell. THCV is found in very potent marijuana that originated in Southeast and Central Asia as well as regions in Africa. Concentrations of THCV usually make the high come on quicker and disappear sooner. There is still much research to do on this cannabinoid. Cannabichromene, or CBC, may make up to 20 percent of the cannabinoid profile in a plant. Little study has been done on this cannabinoid. So far, researchers believe that it may interact with THC to make the high more intense."

Again research on Cannabiniods...both plant and human made...if a field of ongoing research and a rapidly evolving understanding, but an awareness of these basics can help you understand what strains work for you and why to some degree.... the genetics of a stain (more than growing conditions) determine what Cannabiniods are present in what ratios, and this may be found on some seed bank sites, as well as manipulated by the careful breeder.