Exploring Cannabis: A Dive Into the Ocean of Variety & Medicine

Cannabis, much like the ocean, is a diverse ecosystem filled with countless possibilities for healing and exploration. Once a plant confined to underground markets, cannabis is now recognized for its medicinal wonders, offering an exciting array of alternatives to pharmaceuticals. From its flowers to its extracts, understanding how cannabis is processed is key to discovering which products are best suited for you.

Just as the ocean thrives on balance, the way cannabis is processed—through various extraction methods—can determine its medicinal value. In this article, we’ll take an oceanic journey through cannabis, from its whole-plant essence to the precision of isolated cannabinoids, helping you navigate the waters of this extraordinary plant.

Extraction Methods: The Ecosystem of Cannabis Processing

The way cannabis is processed is akin to cleaning up the ocean while preserving its beauty. Whole-spectrum extraction methods leave behind minimal impurities, capturing the full range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant compounds. This method is like a pristine coral reef, where every natural element is preserved.

By contrast, some extraction methods—like distillates—are more like aquariums, where only certain parts of the ecosystem are kept, missing the complexity of the natural world. Other methods, like isolates, remove everything but one cannabinoid, similar to taking a single piece of coral out of the ocean. Without the surrounding ecosystem, it lacks the entourage effect, which maximizes the medicinal power of cannabis.

Whole-spectrum extraction includes methods like rosin pressing and ethanol-based Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), which keep the plant’s full profile intact. In comparison, distillates and broad-spectrum products might add terpenes back later, but they never fully replicate the natural balance of whole-plant medicine.

Cannabis Types: Sativa, Indica, Hybrid

Cannabis strains are often classified into three groups: sativa, indica, and hybrid. Sativa is commonly associated with uplifting, cerebral effects, while indica is known for its relaxing, body-heavy sensations. Hybrids, as the name suggests, offer a balance of both.

However, it’s important to note that these categories are largely social constructs, and the effects of a strain often depend more on its terpene and cannabinoid profile than on whether it’s labeled as sativa or indica. Your body’s unique chemistry, along with the terpene profile, will ultimately determine how a strain affects you.

These categories originated in Central Asia and the Himalayas, where cannabis grew in different climates and was selectively bred for various effects. Over time, the intermingling of genetics has created a wide variety of modern cannabis strains.

Cannabinoids: The Healing Compounds in Cannabis

Cannabinoids are the active compounds in cannabis that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system helps regulate various bodily functions, including pain, mood, and immune response. THC, the most well-known cannabinoid, is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, but it also helps with pain relief, muscle spasms, and nausea.

Other cannabinoids, like CBD, CBG, and CBN, offer unique medicinal benefits without the high. CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties, while CBG can reduce anxiety and promote bone growth. CBN is a powerful sleep aid and can also help with pain relief.

Each of these cannabinoids works best when combined with others, creating what’s known as the entourage effect. This synergy between cannabinoids and terpenes maximizes the medicinal power of cannabis, similar to how a balanced ocean ecosystem thrives.

Choosing the Right Extraction Method

Cannabis can be consumed in many ways, and the method of extraction affects both its medicinal qualities and how it’s best used. Smoking or vaping allows cannabinoids to enter the bloodstream quickly through the lungs, offering fast relief. Ingesting cannabis, whether through edibles or tinctures, takes longer to feel but offers more sustained effects.

Topical applications of cannabis, like creams or transdermal patches, can be used for localized pain relief without any psychoactive effects, although transdermal patches can sometimes have mild psychoactive effects as they absorb into the bloodstream.

Popular Cannabinoids & Terpenes

Here’s a quick guide to some of the most important cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis:

• THC: Helps with pain, nausea, muscle spasms, and more.

• CBD: Reduces inflammation, anxiety, and seizures, and promotes relaxation.

• CBG: Counteracts anxiety, reduces pain, and stimulates bone growth.

• CBN: A powerful sleep aid and pain reliever.

Terpenes, the aromatic compounds found in cannabis, also play a key role in its effects. For example:

• Myrcene: Known for its sedative effects and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Limonene: Offers an uplifting mood boost and anti-anxiety effects.

• Caryophyllene: Helps with pain and inflammation, and is the only terpene that directly interacts with the endocannabinoid system.

Much like the ocean, cannabis is full of life, variety, and healing potential. By understanding the different types of cannabis products and how they are extracted, you can navigate this world with confidence. Whether you’re looking for full-spectrum products that preserve the plant’s natural balance, or isolated cannabinoids for targeted relief, cannabis offers endless possibilities for natural medicine.

While we are not doctors, we share this knowledge and experience to help others explore the incredible power of cannabis. Like a healthy ocean, cannabis thrives when we maintain its natural balance, creating a future where this plant continues to heal and inspire.