When mentioning cannabis the chances are that most people will relate the word back to marijuana and the concept of stoned smokers is likely to vividly appear. We have probably all seen movies like How High of Half Baked, where the producers have depicted with comedy the reality behind smoking weed, getting high, and experiencing mind-altering moments. But the cannabis plant has more to offer with its rich diversity and powerful capabilities.
Cannabis has received a lot of attention in recent years, especially related to its medical value as an official alternative to standard medication. The pros and cons of the magical plant are continuously being studied with the aim of uncovering the true potential of the herb. However, not all cannabis is the same and if you are looking to experiment with the plant and related products it is essential to be able to make a distinction and an informed decision.
Most of you have probably heard of marijuana flowers and popular strains such as Purple Kush, Lemon Haze, or the eminent Bubble Gum but not a lot of people are familiar with CBD flowers, their nature and use for the consumer. We will look deeper into what CBD flowers are, what makes them special, and how they are used.
What is CBD flower?
Imagine smoking a marijuana bud for its health and mind-soothing benefits but avoiding the mind-altering experiences and the sensation of being “high”. Well, in short, this is exactly what the CBD flower provides for the consumer. However, in order to receive a product free of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive substance found in the herb, the CBD flower is usually derived from hemp.
Both marijuana and hemp are part of the cannabis family but they are separate plants carrying their individual set of characteristics. While marijuana plants can contain THC levels of between 5% and 35%, hemp plants contain no more than 0.3%. From this we can conclude that marijuana is psychoactive while hemp is not psychoactive, making it a preferable alternative for medical purposes and a safer choice for individuals of different age and also pets. There are also differences that appear during the process of cultivation. Marijuana is very pretentious and requires a carefully monitored environment in order to grow. On the other hand, hemp does not require much care and is flexible in growing in different climates.
A number of cannabis growers around the world develop a preference towards the cultivation of the CBD flower or CBD bud for therapeutic and non-psychoactive purposes. CBD flowers are increasingly sought after by pharmaceutical and other companies, who provide medical solutions to a range of diseases and health conditions.
What can we find in the CBD flower?
The CBD flower provides a colorful palette of valuable compounds and resources that once in the body, can help heal and cure certain conditions and prevent others from appearing. As the name suggests, the CBD cannabinoid is the major and dominant ingredient of the CBD flower and its benefits are numerous. CBD is widely used for medical purposes as a remedy of bacterial infections, pain, anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and sleep disorders. It can also be used as a neuroprotector, to inhibit cancer cell growth, to treat psoriasis, or to treat inflammation. However, this is not the only compound found within the CBD flower.
CBDA found in CBD buds can also inhibit cancer cell growth; CBG can stimulate the healthy growth of bones in the body, while CBGA can slow down or prevent bacterial growth. CBC, another compound found in the CBA flower, has anti-inflammatory powers and relieves pain. CBCA is a great remedy for fungal infections and can also omit inflammation. On the other hand, Delta-9-THCA relieves muscle spasms, Delta-9-THC boosts appetite, Delta-8-THC is another fighter of pain, while THCV helps avoid convulsions and seizures. As you can imagine, this vast range of ingredients found in the CBD flower makes it a valuable and useful resource to have access to.
Why try the CBD flower?
We already touched upon the main difference between a standard marijuana strain and a CBD bud by discussing the major difference between the two – the THC level. It’s time to look further into the reasons for trying a CBD flower and the ways it can benefit your body.
Beginners with CBD may be a bit reluctant to giving CBD buds a try due to a common uncertainty regarding the effects on the mind. However, consuming the CBD flower will not only leave a clear mind but it will also regulate any THC levels in the body due to the high quantity of CBD.
In addition, something known as The Entourage Effect is worth exploring when considering the reasons for trying CBD flowers. Although other CBD-related products such as CBD oil, CBD tinctures, CBD edibles, CBD vapes, and more are available on the market, their effect on the body is related solely to the effect of the cannabinoid CBD. However, when smoking a CBD bud, there is an upgraded effect provided to the body due to the synergy between the THC and CBD, along with other terpenes and therapeutic cannabinoids found within the plant.
For instance, CBD has the ability to boost the pain-relieving power of THC and its epilepsy reducing characteristics. Thanks to the high dose of CBD found in the CBD flower, THC can remain in your system for longer but in regulated levels in order to help treat chronic conditions. Smoking or vaping the CBD flower will also ensure an immediate response and effect for the body. For example, if you are suffering from unmanageable chronic pain, smoking a CBD flower can reduce the discomfort at an instance. However, if you are suffering from respiratory problems, it may be advisable to select a different method for consuming the product as inhalation may not be suitable for your condition.
What is the best dose for consuming a CBD flower?
CBD flowers come in different strains and will, therefore, have their own and unique effects on the body, making it difficult to propose a standard dose. In addition, the consumer’s characteristics should also be taken into consideration when establishing CBD flower dosing. Before trying a CBD bud, make sure you have gathered as much information as possible on its origin and compounds. It is important to understand the CBD and THC ratio found within the herb to better organize your consumption dose and schedule.
If you have found that you are sensitive to THC and may experience negative effects from the substance, then a CBD flower with extremely low levels of THC and high levels of CBD is the ideal choice for you. Start off slow by trying a small dose of high CBD cannabis flower. A small dose can be anything from one to two inhalations from a joint. If joints are not something you enjoy, you can consume your CBD flower from a vaporizer or water pipe to get the same results. Inhaling the CBD flower will have a quick effect on the body, especially when compared to other CBD consumption methods such as digesting. With CBD digestion, the cannabinoid has to travel through the liver and only then enter the bloodstream. The journey of CBD is longer in this case and therefore the effects are reduced to some extent.
With inhaling, this is not the case and it is important to give yourself time to experiment with the herb before going all in. Once you are comfortable with your CBD flower, gradually increase the dose if necessary, giving yourself time to adapt to the new quantity intake.
Is the CBD flower legal?
The overall mentality towards cannabis is becoming more liberal across the world, mainly due to its medicinal properties. Although products containing large quantities of THC remain illegal in the majority of countries around the world because of their mind-altering effects, CBD is better accepted and even prescribed by medical experts.
The majority of U.S. states are positive about CBD and countries such as Switzerland have developed strong CBD flower markets, which are entirely supported by the government. The reason behind this tolerance is that the THC content of the plants does not exceed 1%, making the product safe to use. Different countries will have their own interpretation of the cannabis plant and specifically the CBD flower. Remember to check your local and national laws and regulations before making CBD flower purchases. Also, when buying your CBD flower online, make sure you have guaranteed that the product is legitimate, tested, and of high quality to avoid undesired effects. After all, trying the CBD flower is like a fresh dive in a new world and the more prepared you are, the more comfortable the experience will be.
CBD flower consumption can be combined with other forms of CBD intake such as oils, creams, edibles, and more. To make sure that your CBD dosage is suitable for your requirements and conditions, speak to a medical professional regarding your CBD treatment.
