{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/cannabis-101/6","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2752-markdown","title":"The Benefits of Building Up Your Cannabis Tolerance","slug":"the-benefits-of-building-up-your-cannabis-tolerance","content":"In the previous installment of our series for cannabis newcomers, we went over [ways you can keep your cannabis tolerance in check](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5abec477f24d1300077ccbb5/3-ways-to-keep-your-cannabis-tolerance-under-control). That said, having a high tolerance to cannabis isn’t always a bad thing. In this article, we go over the reasons why some patients actually want to have a high tolerance to marijuana as well as tactics around how to increase your tolerance to address your particular needs. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Marijuana Tolerance Is Sought After by Some\n\nIf you use cannabis regularly, you’ll likely build up a tolerance to it. In other words, you may find over time that your cannabis just doesn’t seem as strong as it used to be. Increased cannabis consumption only exacerbates the problem, because as you use more, your tolerance increases as well. \n\nIncreased tolerance means you need more cannabis, which is expensive and means putting more medicine into your system. So naturally, most folks assume that increased tolerance is always a bad thing. But, for some patients, this just isn’t the case. \n\nRELATED: [SHOULD I DO A CANNABIS TOLERANCE CLEANSE?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a4aaf10100a820006562f46/should-i-do-a-cannabis-tolerance-cleanse)\n\n### The Bright Side of Having a High Cannabis Tolerance\n\nThere’s actually a bright side to having a high tolerance to cannabis. And depending on your individual needs, a certain level of tolerance can actually be really helpful.\n\nOne big benefit of developing a tolerance is that you’re likely to be less affected by the psychoactive elements of cannabis. Studies designed to look at the effects of cannabis use on driving ability show that [cannabis use can affect a wide range of functions important for driving](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2722956/#R39) including:\n\n* attentiveness\n* vigilance\n* perception of time and speed\n* use of acquired knowledge\n* tracking\n* motor coordination\n* visual functions\n* complex tasks that require divided attention \n\nHowever, when examining patients who used cannabis regularly for a long period of time, all of these negative effects disappeared. Chronic cannabis consumers seemed to function just like drivers who hadn’t used cannabis. As it turns out, a tolerance to cannabis can help patients adjust to the disorienting effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). With regular use, patients can become more functional on cannabis than with occasional use. \n\n### Some Patients Need High Doses of Cannabis\n\nThese findings become very important when we consider patients who need higher levels of cannabinoids to achieve their treatment goals. For example, research shows that [cannabis can stop a migraine that has already begun, but only with extremely high doses of cannabis (200 mg and above)](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/595d2e1aa58a9e28f07d6762/new-study-finds-cannabis-effective-in-treatment-for-migraines). Certain conditions such as migraines require high doses of cannabis. However, many patients give up on these high doses, because they’re overwhelmed by the disorienting side effects that often come with taking a large amount of THC. \n\nFor these patients, a high tolerance to cannabis is exactly what’s called for. They need to adjust to high doses, so that they can gain the benefits of cannabis without diminished functional capacity. \n\n### Cannabis Can Improve Your Ability to Function During the Day\n\nAnother reason patients may want to build up a tolerance is to gain more functional capabilities during the day. Many patients use cannabis medicinally, but only do so at night, because they worry about compromising their ability to function in their day-to-day activities. \n\nThis was a big worry for me when I started using cannabis. I would spend the days in pain, just waiting until I was done with all of my work. Then I’d have a few hours in the evening when I could medicate and feel better. At night, I felt sleepy and silly on cannabis—I didn’t want to risk messing up my daily routine with the same effects. And yet, I was suffering all day, and often my pain would interrupt my ability to function.\n\nThat’s when a friend suggested I try building up my daytime tolerance to cannabis. He told me that he used to feel less functional using cannabis during the day, but after a week or so of using it during his everyday tasks, the disorienting effects subsided.\n\nI decided to give it a try, and to my surprise it worked. After only a few days of medicating with marijuana during the day, the disorienting effects disappeared. The cannabis wasn’t affecting my ability to function, _and_ it was helping relieve my pain. I was suddenly more functional than I’d ever been in my life. \n \n### Talk With a Doctor on Building a Cannabis Tolerance\n\nIf you’re trying to use cannabis medicinally and think that building a tolerance to THC might help you, the best first step is to talk to a doctor who specializes in cannabinoid medicine. [You can consult with one of HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors](https://www.hellomd.com/); it's easy, private and 100% online. A cannabinoid specialist can let you know how high of a dose you should be on and may be able to advise on whether building a tolerance is the best step for you. \n\nFor those trying to increase the amount of cannabis they’re consuming, start with a dose you can currently tolerate and increase it slowly. Over time, you should be able to increase to your goal dose without experiencing any disorienting effects. \n\n### Build Cannabis Tolerance by Starting Slow & Practicing on the Weekends\n\nWhen it comes to building a tolerance to cannabis during the day, frequency of use seems to be the most important factor. In other words, step up the amount of cannabis you consume during the times of day when you’d like to be more functional. \n\nThat said, don’t take a full dose of cannabis when you get to work and then expect to function easily all day. I advise people to start with small doses and to practice with low-pressure activities. Try consuming cannabis when doing some work-like activities on a weekend day. Practice the type of tasks that you do daily, especially ones that you think will be difficult when you’ve consumed cannabis.\n\nIn my case, I was most worried about being able to write and communicate with people. At first, writing a paper or article seemed like an impossible task when using cannabis, and I was fairly certain I wouldn’t be able to handle even the simplest of conversations.\n\nOn the first day of trying to combine cannabis with work activities, these concerns were well-founded. But after some practice, my body adjusted, and I was able to find pain relief without feeling disoriented while completing my tasks. \n\nIf you can’t take time off to practice in low-pressure environments, another way to build your tolerance to cannabis is by starting with microdoses during the day. Take a very small amount, one-twentieth or less of what you were taking at night. You’re unlikely to feel much from this amount, but it will begin to get your body used to having cannabis during the day.\n\nOver time, you can gradually increase your dose. Your body should continue to adjust to higher levels of cannabis without a loss of functional capabilities. \n\nTolerance can be important, whether you’re trying to gain it or get rid of it. But it’s just one piece of the puzzle. In our next installment of the Cannabis for Newbies guide, we’ll continue looking at ways to improve and customize your cannabis regimen by discussing how to use mindful awareness to achieve a better high. \n\nPhoto credit: [Meireles Neto](https://unsplash.com/@meirelesnetoph)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAGAAAAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEFAwT/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACA//aAAwDAQACEAMQAAABTl2FLM7BD//EABoQAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhESEyH/2gAIAQEAAQUCriSZgQk7S1zo/8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABITQf/aAAgBAwEBPwGrUX//xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAERL/2gAIAQIBAT8B0r//xAAbEAABBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAIQERIxUf/aAAgBAQAGPwKaB2sS6+R//8QAHBABAAIBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQARIRAxQVFh/9oACAEBAAE/IQNuO7glmRlPZRMNkKyBxbT/AP/aAAwDAQACAAMAAAAQIA//xAAYEQEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABABExUf/aAAgBAwEBPxBAO1ny/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARARIf/aAAgBAgEBPxDZif/EABwQAQACAwADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAIRExUXGBkf/aAAgBAQABPxC287bCETwKezp8QgIYzNOa17lcmINIWV5icz//2Q==","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/14b42/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.jpg","srcSet":"/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/f836f/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.jpg 200w,\n/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/2244e/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.jpg 400w,\n/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/14b42/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.jpg 800w,\n/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/47498/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.jpg 1200w,\n/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/0e329/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.jpg 1600w,\n/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/de132/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.jpg 3638w","srcWebp":"/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/58556/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/61e93/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.webp 200w,\n/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/1f5c5/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.webp 400w,\n/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/58556/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.webp 800w,\n/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/99238/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.webp 1200w,\n/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/7c22d/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.webp 1600w,\n/static/604838334bdbaf1521630d5f1e675ed8/833d2/8478c86139749dcdea123a4c34762f30.webp 3638w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2750-markdown","title":"3 Popular Questions About Marijuana & Chemotherapy Answered","slug":"3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-chemotherapy-answered","content":"Some people claim that cannabis can cure cancer—but that isn’t true. What has been proven though, is that marijuana can help ease some of the symptoms caused by one of the most common treatments for cancer: chemotherapy.\n\nChemotherapy can be a single drug or combination of drugs that enters the bloodstream to prevent the cancerous cells from dividing. Some chemo drugs can also starve a tumor or otherwise cause malignant cells to die. \n\nUnfortunately, chemo isn’t as targeted as we’d like, so healthy cells are often negatively affected by the drugs, too. This can result in a host of unwanted side effects including:\n\n* Hair loss\n* Nausea and vomiting, which often prevent patients from eating enough\n* A weakened immune system \n* Fatigue\n* Aches and pains\n\nFortunately, many chemotherapy patients have found relief in cannabis. Marijuana can stave off nausea so patients can eat, and it can relieve pain. Cannabis can be energizing, too. But what kind of cannabis should cancer patients consume? And is it safe to consume marijuana during chemo? \n\nHere are our three of our most popular questions about how marijuana could help those going through chemotherapy. These questions were posted on our [Answers](https://www.hellomd.com/answers) page and answered by knowledgeable members of the HelloMD community. If you have an additional question about cannabis and chemo, post yours on the site, and you’ll receive a thorough and helpful answer. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Q: Should I use cannabis before or after the chemo pill?\n**_I’m starting radiation and an oral chemotherapy this week. If I was to use cannabis should I use before or after the chemo pill?_** \n\nAnswer: [@drraisen](https://www.hellomd.com/people/564e05ec3618f90008000088/drraisen) I recommend to start using it at least a few hours before the chemo pill; and you may need to take repeat doses of medical marijuana before the dose wears off, in order to stave off nausea and vomiting.\n\nYou may have to experiment which dose and timing is right for you. A high-concentrate CBD (cannabidiol) oil has anti-nausea properties and can be vaped in a vape pen. Other ways to ingest medical marijuana are tinctures, teas and other forms sublingually. Your oncology doctor may be able to make a recommendation as well.\n\n### Q: Can marijuana help alleviate the side effects from chemotherapy? \n**_I have ovarian cancer._**\n\nAnswer: [@Danielle Lim](https://www.hellomd.com/people/59c02607064564000f877688/danielle-lim) I think cannabis is definitely worth a shot. Many chemotherapy patients find that using cannabis helps alleviate nausea and stimulate appetite. In fact, I've known some patients undergoing chemotherapy who are using Marinol, which is a synthetic, isolated form of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). However, many of them find that use of the actual cannabis plant is better at relieving symptoms. Here is an article about nausea, chemotherapy and cannabis that may help: https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55a5842c6636300006510000/marijuana-shows-promise-as-a-treatment-for-chemotherapy-induced-nausea\n\nI have personally used cannabis to help nausea associated with PMS symptoms and car sickness (when I'm the passenger, of course). It is definitely my go-to when I'm feeling nauseous (that and ginger tea).\n\nRELATED: [5 MARIJUANA STRAINS TO EASE NAUSEA](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5988e642f34c81379c4371ab/5-marijuana-strains-to-ease-nausea)\n\n### Q: I am undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.\n**_What type of cannabis will be the most helpful for pain, sleep, etc.?_**\n\nAnswer: [@mark](https://www.hellomd.com/people/55284b4a6262650003140000/mark) I am sorry to hear about your treatment. Cannabis can certainly be helpful for both pain and sleep. Rather than the type of cannabis, start first with a chosen method of application.\n\nFor sleep, I would recommend an edible product, and if you can, find one made with an indica cannabis strain. Edibles tend to come on slower and last longer, so may help to you stay asleep longer. There are several edible products designed specifically to assist with sleep. Your location will determine what’s available to you locally. I would suggest you find a good local dispensary and see what they carry.\n\nHere are some good choices for edibles: https://www.hellomd.com/products?category=Edibles\n\nFor more information on how cannabis can help with sleep: https://www.hellomd.com/search?type=all&term=insomnia\n\nFor pain, you might want to try a combination of an edible, along with a vaporizer. Vaping cannabis has an immediate effect, and so this could be beneficial during waking hours.\n\nHere are some options for vaporizer products: https://www.hellomd.com/products?category=Vaporizers\n\nHope this helps and best of luck with your treatment.\n\nPhoto credit: [Janko Ferlick](https://unsplash.com/@thepootphotographer)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/14b42/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg","srcSet":"/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/f836f/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 200w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/2244e/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 400w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/14b42/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 800w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/47498/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 1200w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/0e329/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 1600w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/c88fe/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 3928w","srcWebp":"/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/58556/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/61e93/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 200w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/1f5c5/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 400w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/58556/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 800w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/99238/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 1200w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/7c22d/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 1600w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/b90a0/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 3928w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2749-markdown","title":"A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Marijuana at Home","slug":"a-beginners-guide-to-growing-marijuana-at-home","content":"You may have heard someone say that cannabis is just a weed. Technically, this is true—cannabis grows wild all over the country. But cultivating a high-yield, healthy marijuana plant requires persistence and education. Now that it’s legal to grow cannabis for personal use in California, let’s explore how to get started and problem-solve your cannabis harvest. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Is it Legal to Grow Marijuana in My Backyard? \n\nPer Proposition 64, cities and counties may approve or limit backyard marijuana gardening. [Check the rules for your city](http://www.greenstate.com/explained/what-is-my-local-marijuana-law-in-california/) to see if you can legally grow cannabis plants on your property. Also, be sure to find out whether you can grow indoors or outdoors, as these rules vary from city to city.\n\n### What to do Before You Plant Cannabis \n\n#### Go to Cannabis School\n\n[Ed Rosenthal](https://www.edrosenthal.com) and [Jorge Cervantes](http://ww2.marijuanagrowing.com/about-jorge/) are two respected leaders in the cannabis cultivation world. Their books, workshops and lectures have educated millions of people on cannabis cultivation. If you’re looking for a place to start, look no further than Ed and Jorge.\n\nIf you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, you may want to check out [Oaksterdam University](https://oaksterdamuniversity.com). It runs months-long courses in cannabis cultivation as well as shorter seminars on growing and other cannabis-related topics. You can also do your homework before you plant by visiting a trusted grow shop to pick up some tips and tricks.\n\n#### When it Comes to Cannabis Plants, Girls Rule \n\nAre you planting seeds given to you by a friend? Make sure you learn the difference between [male and female marijuana plants](https://www.cannabis.info/en/blog/difference-male-female-plants). Master gardeners use male plants for breeding, but for beginning cannabis gardeners, male plants aren’t generally useful. This is because male plants don’t produce buds and will pollinate your female plants, resulting in an inferior, seedy crop. \n\nTo avoid growing the wrong kind of plant, buy seeds from a reputable cannabis company. Or to eliminate the possibility of growing male plants, purchase live clones (baby marijuana plants) from your dispensary. But before you even get to that point, it’s a good idea to learn as much about cannabis plant anatomy as you can.\n\n#### Choose the Right Container Size for Your Cannabis \n\nCannabis plants grow so quickly that by harvest time, an outdoor plant’s root ball can fill a 400-gallon pot. Choose strains suited for your environment, whether indoors or outdoors, and plant them in the largest pot possible.\n\n#### Good Soil Grows Good Plants\n\nOne place you certainly don’t want to cut corners is with soil. This isn’t the time for cheap, questionably sourced soil from a discount store. Buy high-quality bagged soil, or ask your grow shop about reputable soil companies. Talk to farmers about making compost tea and building a [soil food web](https://fifthseasongardening.com/mycorr-what-an-introduction-to-the-soil-food-web), which helps your plant’s roots access all of the nutrients they need.\n\n### What to Watch Out for While Your Marijuana Grows\n\n#### Adjusting Your pH Doesn’t Take a Ph.D.\n\nOne of the first things farmers do when starting new plants is [check the pH of their water and soil](https://www.growweedeasy.com/ph). Cannabis thrives in slightly acidic soil, in the vicinity of 5.5 to 6.8. Cannabis growing in unfavorable pH environments can become incapable of up-taking essential nutrients. Keeping an optimum pH is simple and affordable, and is critical to the health of your marijuana plants. \n\n#### How Much Should I Water My Cannabis Plant?\n\nWhen planting your cannabis, make sure you’ve provided adequate drainage. Leave the crown of the plant slightly higher than the soil, even if tiny roots are exposed. Under-watered plants look droopy, with leaves hanging by their stems.\n\nConversely, waterlogged roots are a vector for rot and disease. If the soil feels soggy, let it dry out before watering again. If your plant is in a small pot, tip it sideways and smell the root area. If it smells rotten, you’re probably overwatering, and you may have problems.\n\n#### What Do I Feed My Marijuana Plant?\n\nThe rows upon rows of expensive, unfamiliar products in a grow shop can overwhelm novice gardeners. Do you really need all of these products? Probably not, especially if you’re using healthy garden soil. Indoor farmers are more dependent on nutrients, but a few tips will help simplify nutrient questions.\n\nNitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are the building blocks for plant growth. When you visit any grow shop or traditional garden store, notice the three numbers on nutrient packages. These numbers are the product’s NPK ratios. Through the leafing cycle, cannabis needs nutrients containing an equal NPK ratio. These “grow” products usually have a 20-20-20 ratio. During flowering, more phosphorus is needed, thus “bloom” products are often formulated in 10-30-10 ratios.\n\nCannabis also requires calcium, sulfur and magnesium, along with smaller amounts of trace minerals including copper, zinc, iron and more, all of which are usually found in soil blends and nutrients.\n\n#### Measure Once & Measure Again\n\nCannabis plants are voracious feeders. They need nutrients to push their energy into the production of heavy, beautiful buds. Whether you’re building garden soil or working hydroponically, feeding is essential—and feeding missteps can be costly. Every cannabis farmer will tell you about that time they improperly measured their plant food and burned their entire crop.\n\nRead feeding instructions carefully. If you’re trying out a new product, talk to the manufacturer to get specific application guidelines.\n\n### Troubleshooting Your Marijuana Plants\n\nAre leaves yellowing? Browning at the tips? Curling inwards? Showing blackened spots? Falling off prior to harvest time? Leaf problems may foreshadow nutrient issues. One of the best ways to diagnose a problem is to photograph the affected leaves and bring the photos to your grow shop, along with your feeding regimen. There are also [online cannabis growing guides](https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-symptoms-pictures), which can help you narrow down possible problems.\n\n#### Be Proactive About Pest Control  \n\nMany cannabis pests such as aphids, whiteflies and mites may already live in your garden. Taking a proactive approach helps avoid costly and difficult eradication methods.\n\nTo avoid spreading problems to an entire crop, many farmers treat new plants with insecticides and fungicides before planting. Be environmentally responsible and ensure your flowers will be safe to smoke by using products that are organic materials review institute (OMRI) certified. You can even release certain beneficial insects into a grow room or plant bed to help get rid of certain pests. \n\nGet to know what [pest damage on marijuana plants looks like](https://www.growweedeasy.com/bugs-pests-symptoms-marijuana-grow) first. Then be sure to keep your garden area clean, and sterilize your garden tools with alcohol after each use. \n\n#### Is There a Fungus Among Us? \n\nPowdery mildew, bud rot and other molds are the scourge of cannabis farmers, as mold infestations can destroy an entire crop. It takes a trained eye to spot fungus early. And once you do, you must take immediate action to prevent the spread of mold to the entire plant and its neighbors. \n\nPowdery mildew creates patches of a fuzzy, thread-like, white powder that adheres to leaves and is relatively easy to spot. \n\nBud rot is harder to locate. Often, the outer, visible portions of mature buds will look perfect, but when a farmer cracks open a bud, they may discover the interior has turned into brown rot. If you want to inspect the inside of one of your buds during a suspected rot attack, break apart the bud, away from the rest of the plant (and your other plants) to prevent the pores from spreading. \n\nMany products on the market address fungus problems. Depending on the severity of the infestation, cutting away affected leaves along with foliar spraying—applying fertilizer directly to the leaves—is one of the easiest ways to help curtail an infestation. Some farmers swear by aggressively thinning the larger leaves to open up the plant, increase air flow and eliminate excess leaves.\n\n### Tips to Avoid Cannabis Growing Pains\n\n* Wear garden-specific clothing and shoes so that spores and bugs aren’t spread from place to place.\n\n* To eliminate problems before they start, pre-treat your plants with neem oil, a natural oil used as a pesticide in organic farming, or other agents before planting. \n\n* Keep a garden diary to note when problems arose and how you dealt with them. This is also a great way to track nutrients and water so if you have to adjust amounts you know exactly where to begin adding or subtracting.  \n\n* Plant marijuana strains suited for your environment, whether you plan on growing indoors or outdoors.\n\n* Make sure cannabis plants are receiving enough light, but not so much that they burn. If you’re concerned your plants are getting too much light, turn down the bulbs in your indoor grow or cover the plants with a shade cloth if they’re outside.\n\n* To reduce mildew, make sure air can circulate around your plants.\n\n* If you see a problem, don’t wait. Read your books, document with photos and seek advice at your local grow shop immediately. \n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/14b42/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/f836f/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.jpg 200w,\n/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/2244e/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.jpg 400w,\n/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/14b42/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.jpg 800w,\n/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/47498/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.jpg 1200w,\n/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/0e329/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.jpg 1600w,\n/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/de01f/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.jpg 1732w","srcWebp":"/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/58556/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/61e93/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.webp 200w,\n/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/1f5c5/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.webp 400w,\n/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/58556/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.webp 800w,\n/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/99238/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.webp 1200w,\n/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/7c22d/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.webp 1600w,\n/static/4903012320480e8e4ffec4174861c0c4/e4393/fd5db2e01145b7b0d79d52b9185ea069.webp 1732w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2725-markdown","title":"Follow Your Nose: Using Aroma to Guide Your Cannabis Choices","slug":"follow-your-nose-using-aroma-to-guide-your-cannabis-choices","content":"Much ado is made over the bouquet of a special wine or the sweet caramel notes of a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Cannabis, too, is famous for its varied aromas and flavors, all of which come from the sophisticated interaction of its chemical compounds. \n\nPungent terpenes give each marijuana strain its characteristic scent and flavor, which is one of the main ways consumers can select the right strain for them. It’s also why cooking with cannabis takes on an extra level of mastery, because pairing the right foods with the right terpenes results in an irresistible culinary experience.\n\nBut terpenes don’t just add flavor or aroma to cannabis. They’re also responsible for some of the plant’s medicinal properties. So, going by marijuana’s aroma and flavor is a way to choose the right cannabis strain for your particular medical needs. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en) \n\n### What Are Cannabis Terpenes?\n\nWith hundreds of compounds, cannabis is rich in cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). But the plant also contains unique oils called terpenes. When holding a cannabis bud, it’s easy to see the sparkling, bright hairs on the surface. These are trichomes, responsible for, among other things, terpene production. In fact, most plants, not just cannabis, contain terpenes.\n\nThere are over 200 different marijuana terpenes, which vary from strain to strain. They work by interacting with THC, CBD and other cannabinoids to boost their healing powers. Terpenes also have medicinal benefits on their own, and like cannabinoids, they bind to the receptors of the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS can affect a lot of the body’s processes from inflammation to pain responses to mood. A balanced ECS means a healthy body, and terpenes can help to balance the ECS. \n\n### How Do Marijuana Terpenes Work?\n\nTerpenes create the unique aromas in different cannabis strains, which exist to attract pollinators and defend the plant from predators. Through intriguing scents like pine, berry, mint and citrus, terpenes lure pollinators closer. \n\nBut for humans, terpenes are about more than aroma. Terpenes actually have healing powers of their own. Some terpenes can help:\n\n* Quell anxiety\n* Fight fungal infections\n* Support the immune system\n* Prevent seizures\n* Reduce pain \n* Support healthy skin cells\n\nMore and more cannabis producers are listing the dominant terpenes found in the marijuana they grow. If you know the scent of the terpene that may help address your particular health condition, all you have to do is follow your nose when choosing your medical marijuana. Then, even if your cannabis doesn’t come with a label, you can still be sure you’re ingesting the terpenes that have the most healing power for your individual needs. \n\n### Healing Cannabis Flavor Profiles \n\nHere’s an overview of some flavor profiles you may encounter in your cannabis flower and marijuana products. Hopefully, this breakdown will help you determine which marijuana terpenes/flavor profiles are most beneficial to you.\n\n#### Earthy-Smelling Cannabis Can Help With Insomnia, Inflammation & Relaxation\n\nMarijuana described as earthy generally has scents and aromas of:\n\n* Pine\n* Rosemary\n* Dill\n* Mixed herbs\n* Hops \n\nThese flavors are attributed to the terpenes:\n\n* **Myrcene:** An excellent sleep aid, muscle relaxant and anti-depressant. Myrcene’s effects are relaxing and can skew towards sleepy, depending on its concentration. Cannabis strains containing more than 0.5% of myrcene can have a sedative effect, while strains containing less than 0.5% of myrcene produce an energizing effect. \n\n* **Alpha-pinene:** This terpene has energizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It imparts a focused alertness, which is great for highly functional daytime use. Alpha-pinene is also helpful with memory issues. \n\n* **Humulene:** This terpene brings deep earthy, woody, forest floor scents to cannabis. Humulene is known for its anti-inflammatory, appetite suppressant and antibacterial properties. \n\n* **Ocimene:** This interesting terpene is found in a diverse variety of plants including mint, pepper, mangoes, orchids and kumquats. Its effects make it a useful decongestant, antiseptic and antibacterial compound. Ocimene is the terpene to consume for helping ease the symptoms of colds and flus. \n\nEarthy cannabis strains you may want to try include: \n\n* White Widow\n* Kosher Kush\n* Blue Dream\n* Jack Herer\n* Girl Scout Cookies\n* Sour Diesel\n\n#### Marijuana With Spicy Notes Can Treat Pain, Stress & Inflammation\n\nTo most, cannabis with a spicy flavor profile can smell and taste like:\n\n* Cinnamon\n* Peppercorn\n* Clove \n\nThe marijuana that has this flavor profile is mostly due to the terpene:\n\n* **Beta-caryophyllene:** This terpene works wonders as an overall anti-inflammatory, pain relief, antioxidant and mood booster. Beta-caryophyllene directly regulates the body’s physiological perceptions of pain. This makes it an excellent aid for de-stressing the body’s overworked adrenal glands. \n\nSpicy-smelling and tasting cannabis strains to sample are:\n\n* Sour Diesel\n* Northern Lights\n* Bubba Kush\n* GG4\n\n#### Citrus Aromas in Cannabis Mean It’s Good for Anxiety, Migraines & Gut Health\n\nCitrusy cannabis can smell and taste like:\n\n* Grapefruit\n* Lemon\n* Lime\n* Orange\n* Tangerine \n\nThe cannabis you find that smells and tastes like citrus fruit is high in the terpenes:\n\n* **Limonene:** This terpene helps relieve anxiety and fight infections. It’s can also help improve gut health and digestion. Limonene is also known for calming high levels of anxiety and depression. \n\n* **Terpinolene:** This terpene has a woody aroma that’s overlaid with delicious citrus and floral notes. It’s often used in making wood-smelling soaps and perfumes. Terpinolene is said to relax the central nervous system, which supports a restful night’s sleep. Its sedative effects are mild and can help calm anxiety and ease migraines.  \n\nIf you’re interested in citrusy marijuana, try these strains:\n\n* Super Lemon Haze\n* OG Kush\n* Golden Goat\n\n#### Floral Notes Mean the Marijuana Can Help Ease Depression, Anxiety & Inflammation\n\nCannabis with floral notes usually smell like the flowers:\n\n* Rose\n* Geranium\n* Lily\n* Lavender\n* Violet \n\nThe terpenes responsible for the floral smells and flavors of these marijuana strains are:\n\n* **Nerolidol:** This perfume-like terpene smells like jasmine and tea tree. Nerolido has strong antifungal and antidepressant properties. It also helps relieve skin issues and can help some sufferers ease insomnia. \n\n* **Linalool:** Known for its candy-like aroma, linalool is believed to be deeply relaxing, a tremendous sleep aid and generally calming for an anxious body. It can also soothe acne and inflamed skin as well as relax and refresh sore, tense muscles. Linalool can also help manage conditions related to epilepsy or seizures. \n\n* **Alpha bisabolol:** Also found in chamomile, this terpene is known for its anti-inflammatory and [wound-healing properties](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24894548). \n\nIf you think floral cannabis may be good medicine for you, some cannabis strains to sample are:\n\n* Island Sweet Skunk\n* Amnesia Haze\n* ACDC\n* Headband\n\nPhoto credit: [Kym](https://unsplash.com/@vixenly)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/14b42/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.jpg","srcSet":"/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/f836f/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.jpg 200w,\n/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/2244e/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.jpg 400w,\n/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/14b42/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.jpg 800w,\n/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/47498/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.jpg 1200w,\n/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/0e329/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.jpg 1600w,\n/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/90698/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.jpg 2724w","srcWebp":"/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/58556/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/61e93/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.webp 200w,\n/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/1f5c5/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.webp 400w,\n/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/58556/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.webp 800w,\n/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/99238/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.webp 1200w,\n/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/7c22d/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.webp 1600w,\n/static/469dec9e7c38969731f21436d677d260/53690/119a85b8401c3eb21eb93e854c281692.webp 2724w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2723-markdown","title":"What Is Delta-8 THC & What’s It Good for?","slug":"what-is-delta-8-thc-and-whats-it-good-for","content":"When people talk about the effects of cannabis, they sometimes discuss the plant as if it were only made up of one chemical. In reality, each marijuana plant has hundreds of different chemicals, which include cannabinoids and terpenes. These all work together to create the effects we experience. While it’s a team effort, when it comes to both marijuana research and marketing, it seems like the only cannabinoids you hear about are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). While these two cannabinoid superstars are both highly potent and effective medicines, there are many more compounds to explore in the cannabis universe. \n\nToday, we turn our attention to a cannabinoid that’s starting to grow in popularity: delta-8 THC. What is this cannabinoid that we’ve heard so little about? And how can we use it to improve our own medicinal marijuana experience? \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### What’s the Difference Between Delta-8 THC & Delta-9 THC? \n\nDelta-8 THC isn’t the THC that’s so often referenced in the cannabis world. When people talk about THC they usually mean delta-9 THC, the highly potent and psychoactive compound that’s found in high quantities in cannabis (once it’s been activated with heat). When you smoke or vape cannabis, delta-9 THC provides the majority of the psychoactive effects, and many of the medicinal ones, too. \n\n[Delta-8 THC is an analogue of delta-9 THC—a chemical with a similar structure—but it has differences as well](https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol). Like delta-9 THC, this cannabinoid binds easily to the CB1 receptor in the central nervous system. It provides an array of medicinal effects like relief from nausea, pain and anxiety, as well as neuroprotection for the aging brain. It has also been found to [effectively bind to the CB2 receptor](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10658595). \n\nLike delta-9, delta-8 THC is also psychoactive. Still, researchers say that it has less psychoactive potency than its analogue delta-9. It appears to offer a more clear-minded experience with less anxiety. In general, research suggests that [delta-8 has about two-thirds of the potency of delta-9](https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cpt1973143353). \n\nUnlike delta-9 THC, which in some strains can be found in percentages as high as 25%, delta-8 THC is found in very low amounts in cannabis. Usually this only makes up about 0.01% of the plant. Still, when isolated in a pure delta-8 THC extract, the cannabinoid has some important medicinal effects. \n\n### Delta-8 THC for Nausea & Appetite \n\nOne of the most well-established uses of delta-8 THC is as an anti-emetic (nausea reducer) and appetite stimulant. In fact, there are already U.S. patents on its use as an anti-emetic. This solution is particularly helpful for patients undergoing treatment for cancer who often experience nausea. It has also been indicated as especially well suited for children. \n\nIn one study, researchers gave delta-8 THC to children ages 3–13 who were going through cancer treatments. [Those taking delta-8 THC were able to stop vomiting](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7776837) and had improvements in their nausea levels. Interestingly, researchers also found that these children didn’t experience any psychoactive effects as a result of taking delta-8 THC. While adults usually experience mild psychoactive effects with delta-8 THC, the children in this study seem to be immune from that particular effect.\n\nIn a similar vein, delta-8 THC has also been shown to improve appetite. One study using animal models found that [delta-8 THC improved appetite in mice](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15099912). While this works in a way similar to how delta-9 THC increases appetite, the study found that between the two, delta-8 THC was actually more effective as an appetite stimulant.  \n\n### Delta-8 THC for Cancer \n\nDelta-8 THC has also been researched for potential uses against cancer itself. One study looked at mice infected with lung cancer. Those who had been [treated with delta-8 THC for a period of 20 days actually had reduced tumor sizes](https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article-abstract/55/3/597/912322?redirectedFrom=fulltext) by the end of their treatment. Researchers also found that survival time went up when mice with cancer were treated with delta-8 THC. \n\nUnfortunately, little follow-up research has taken place after this important study was published in 1975. We need to do more research to know exactly how we might effectively use delta-8 THC during cancer treatment. While there’s much research left to do before we can confidently treat cancer with delta-8 THC, these results offer hope that this cannabinoid could be helpful in the ongoing fight against this disease. \n\n### Delta-8 THC for Memory\n\nIn addition to treating appetite, nausea and potentially cancer, delta-8 THC may also be a helpful neuroprotectant. This is an exciting advancement for those suffering from dementia and  Alzheimer’s disease. One study found that [mice treated with delta-8 THC actually increased their levels of acetylcholine in the brain](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3620017). This important neurotransmitter plays a key role in learning and memory. Because [lower levels of acetylcholine are associated with Alzheimer’s disease](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16273023), some believe that delta-8 THC has the potential to prevent, or maybe even reverse, this condition.\n\nAs with cancer, more research is needed to confirm these findings and develop treatment protocols. But there’s hope that delta-8 THC may become an effective treatment for dementia.\n\n### How to Use Delta-8 THC\n\nFinding delta-8 THC products is easier said than done. You can’t simply get a high delta-8 THC strain since the cannabinoid occurs in such low quantities in natural cannabis. There simply aren’t any strains that will give you noticeable effects from the delta-8 THC. \n\nStill, in California, and other western states that have well-developed cannabis industries, products with delta-8 THC extracts are becoming more readily available. The best delta-8 THC products are extracts that you can use with a vaporizer, or sublingual options which can be absorbed under the tongue. California brand Level has come up with a delta-8 THC tablingual\n\nEdibles designed to be eaten (rather than held under the tongue) should be avoided since delta-8 THC actually converts into delta-11 THC when processed through the digestive tract. Since delta-9 THC also converts into delta-11 THC when eaten, there’s no special benefit to eating delta-8 THC. \n\nIf you’re interested in consuming delta-8 THC for your medical needs, the best first step is to talk to a nurse or doctor with cannabis expertise. Your doctor can help go over your current conditions and let you know what cannabis options are best suited to you. Need to find a cannabis health professional? You can video-chat with HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors from the comfort and privacy of your own home. \n\nPhoto credit: [Brian Shamblen](https://www.flickr.com/photos/23972840@N04/)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/14b42/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/f836f/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/2244e/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 400w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/14b42/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 800w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/47498/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 1200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/0e329/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 1600w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/23f4e/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 1860w","srcWebp":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/58556/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/61e93/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/1f5c5/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 400w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/58556/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 800w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/99238/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 1200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/7c22d/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 1600w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/9f54b/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 1860w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2722-markdown","title":"3 Popular Questions About Marijuana & Dabbing Answered","slug":"3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-dabbing-answered","content":"Dabbing can seem pretty intimidating, even if you’ve been consuming marijuana for years. For this cannabis consumption method, you use a dab rig or pen to heat cannabis concentrates (shatter, wax or oil) to a high temperature, then inhale the resulting vapor. \n\nDabbing imparts a large dose of marijuana for fast and immediate effects. What was once thought of as a purely recreational way to consume cannabis, dabbing is now catching on in the medical marijuana community. It’s become the consumption method of choice for those dealing with acute pain or PTSD, because it delivers a high dose with quick effects. \n\nHere are our three most popular Q&As about dabbing from our [Answers](https://www.hellomd.com/answers) page. The information comes from knowledgeable members of the HelloMD community. Hopefully, their answers will help clear up any of the questions you have about how to dab as well as dabbing’s benefits. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Q: I've heard that pesticides are concentrated in wax. Is it true if you dab you may intake a bunch of chemicals?\n\nAnswer: [@herbabuena](https://www.hellomd.com/people/573a2139599ccf000c00000a/herbabuena)\nUnfortunately, many concentrates are made from flowers grown indoors with the use of pesticides (generally to combat the nearly unavoidable infestation of broad mites and russet mites). Often indoor growers also use chemical fertilizers. If these chemicals are present, then extraction methods used to create concentrates do indeed concentrate the chemical components. It's incredibly important to know the source of your flowers, and search out dispensaries and vendors that carry only pure, tested and if possible, outdoor-grown source material.\n\n[Read more answers to this question](https://www.hellomd.com/answers/5760bc64e4599e00070000c6/ive-heard-that-pesticides-are-concentrated-in-wax-is-it-true-if-you-dab-you-may-intake-a-bunch-of-chemicals).\n\n`embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDYiH61QvzQ`\n\n### Q: I'm a medical patient that dabs with wax. It controls my chronic pain, is it bad for me?\n**_I read a recent article in the New York Times that claimed dabbing is horrible for people. I have used marijuana for years to control my pain, and dabbing is by far the most effective. Is there a reason I should be concerned about my health? I do not hallucinate or have psychosis, but find it takes away pain immediately._**\n\nAnswer: [@canada](https://www.hellomd.com/people/593e4fe443dc46484e096e73/canada) The article you read, did it mention that smoking dabs using a combustion method was more harmful than smoking flower/dry herbs using a combustion method? This has some studies that back it up, but it also depends on how much you are consuming. Dabs are much higher in THC levels, so you do not need to take as many hits. If you are not already, you should be using a vaporizer for dabs instead of a lighter/flame.\n\nRELATED: [DABBING MARIJUANA FOR GOOD HEALTH](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5ad9727c049b4f000a64e8ac/dabbing-marijuana-for-good-health)\n\n### Q: What's healthier on the lungs, dab vs. vaping dry herb?\n**_I am an ex-smoker and have recently been told to completely cut out any form of smoke going into my lungs. However, cannabis still has medical benefits I can take advantage of. What is healthier for my lungs—a dab vape pen or a volcano-type vaporizer?_**\n\nAnswer: [@hoppercaroline](https://www.hellomd.com/people/59fa3e2fe6af1011d6bea010/hoppercaroline) Consider the difference in materials. Concentrates have added ingredients to extract the oil from the plant matter. There is not much data about the health effects of this form of marijuana consumption. Flower has no added ingredients and can be found in the most organic form with clean processing and growth practices.\n\nDabs have always seemed to be more harsh of a hit to me. Likely, this is because there is much more active ingredient packed into a small amount. You might want to look into a vaporizer with the portability of a dab pen, but with flower capabilities.\n\nPhoto credit: [WeedPornDaily](https://www.flickr.com/people/weedporndaily/)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online. \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/14b42/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.jpg","srcSet":"/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/f836f/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.jpg 200w,\n/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/2244e/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.jpg 400w,\n/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/14b42/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.jpg 800w,\n/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/47498/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.jpg 1200w,\n/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/0e329/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.jpg 1600w,\n/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/42f14/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.jpg 1651w","srcWebp":"/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/58556/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/61e93/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.webp 200w,\n/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/1f5c5/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.webp 400w,\n/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/58556/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.webp 800w,\n/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/99238/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.webp 1200w,\n/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/7c22d/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.webp 1600w,\n/static/a526fc10e9a3f438ce4e4f88a5333b42/34b00/c40545a7d90b6d86e3d267316037bf05.webp 1651w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2717-markdown","title":"How to Talk to Your Nurse About Cannabis","slug":"how-to-talk-to-your-nurse-about-cannabis","content":"Awareness—and acceptance—of cannabis for a long and growing list of medical purposes is higher than ever. But many doctors remain reluctant to support patients who consume cannabis or are considering it. Now, though, nurses and nurse practitioners are stepping in to bridge that gap between hopeful patients and skeptical doctors.\n\nMany nurses’ associations are active in cannabis education and advocacy, and are committed to holistic patient care. It’s easy to find plenty of suggestions for how to talk to your doctor about cannabis—but [talking to your nurse might be more helpful](https://unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/2016/10/20/why-nurses-are-vital-to-the-medical-cannabis-community).\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Doctors & Cannabis: An Uneasy Relationship\n\nA recent survey of practicing physicians found that 76% of the doctors surveyed said they favored the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, even though they weren’t really sure how to make it work. Many worried that it was too difficult to establish standardized marijuana dosing. They also felt that it would be inappropriate to advocate smoking as a way to take medicine.  Still others were concerned about harmful effects and the potential for addiction.  \n\nSome doctors, too, simply say that they don’t know enough about cannabis. Medical school students aren’t typically exposed to new research on the wide-ranging endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the many effects marijuana has on the ECS’s receptors. And a large number of doctors still take the government’s hardline position that cannabis is a dangerous drug with no medical benefits at all. \n\nRELATED: [WHY DOESN’T MY DOCTOR KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MARIJUANA?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59ee3d06a95f40243a436cc4/why-doesnt-my-doctor-know-anything-about-marijuana)\n\nFor all of these reasons, it often falls to the patient to educate the doctor about the therapeutic applications of cannabis and open a discussion about how to consume it for a particular health issue. Still, doctors aren’t always willing to entertain the notion of marijuana as medicine. Many patients who want to add marijuana into their health plans end up switching to another doctor who supports medicinal cannabis. \n\nBut doctors aren’t the only members of the health-care team. In a typical office appointment, patients often spend more time with a nurse or nurse practitioner than with their doctor. That opens up more opportunities to talk about cannabis with your nurse in a less intimidating environment.  \n\nAnd now, a growing number of nurses and professional nursing organizations are actively committing to the cannabis cause. So, if your doctor isn’t receptive to talking about marijuana, your nurse might become the advocate and resource you’ve been looking for.\n\n### Nurses & Cannabis: An Emerging Partnership\n\nIn 2017, the American Nurses Association (ANA) released a position paper that [affirmed the organization’s support for medical marijuana](https://www.nursingworld.org/~49a8c8/globalassets/practiceandpolicy/ethics/therapeutic-use-of-marijuana-and-related-cannabinoids-position-statement.pdf). The paper reiterates the ANA’s support for removing cannabis from the highly restrictive Schedule 1 class of very dangerous and addictive drugs. It advocates for providing safe access to medical-grade cannabis for all patients.\n\nIn line with this stance, many nurses and nurse practitioners are working in their individual states to provide information about cannabis to officials and to potential patients—all in an effort to help people consume cannabis safely.\n\n### Cannabis Nursing: A New Frontier\n\nMany nurses are also taking their support for cannabis into a whole new career field: cannabis nursing. This new nursing profession is dedicated to helping people consume medical cannabis safely and effectively for a variety of often complex health issues. This includes providing education on how medical marijuana works in the body and helping patients get access to safe, high-quality cannabis in whatever form they want.\n\nTo help nurses navigate the complex world of medical cannabis and the shifting landscape of legalization, the American Cannabis Nurses Association offers education, certification and support for nurses interested in cannabis nursing. This [emerging new career option for nurses](https://nurse.org/articles/cannabis-nurse/) focuses on providing care that combines standard nursing practices with knowledge about:\n\n* The ECS\n* The safe use of cannabis products\n* The legal issues surrounding access to medical marijuana\n\nThe growth of cannabis nursing is beginning to shift the issue of medical cannabis away from doctors and into the hands of nursing professionals of all kinds. In some states, nurse practitioners can now prescribe cannabis. And as more and more states move to legalize medical marijuana in some form, nurses are now able to expertly discuss cannabis with patients and refer them to resources such as a reputable dispensary.\n\n### Tips on Talking to A Nurse About Cannabis\n\nFor many people, talking to a nurse about cannabis is less intimidating than bringing it up with their doctor. This can make it possible to be more open and direct about your interest in consuming cannabis. Nurses are a key part of your health-care team and can advocate for your decision to use cannabis. Here are our suggestions about starting the medical marijuana talk with your nurse:\n\n* Be clear about what you’re looking for. \n>* Do you want to integrate your cannabis use with your ongoing care? \n>* Are you concerned about cannabis reacting with existing medications?  \n>* Do you just want basic information about how to use medical cannabis? \n>* Would you like to hear how the different cannabis delivery methods affect the body and how one might be better for you than another? \n>* Are you curious about how much cannabis to consume for your condition?  \n\n* Just [as you might do when talking to your doctor](https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/patient/treatments/medications/how-talk-your-physician-about-medical-cannabis-10-points-guide-you), share information about the latest research on cannabis and your health issues. You may even want to print out and bring articles and research to your appointment to share with your nurse.  \n\nDoctors’ attitudes toward cannabis can vary widely. And that’s also true for nurses, so not all will view cannabis in a positive way. But with organizations like the ANA leading the way, nurses across the country are stepping up to learn the medical facts about cannabis and support the use of medical marijuana. If you’re consuming cannabis for a health condition, or want to try it, talking to a nurse about it just might be easier—and more productive—than a discussion with your doctor.\n\nPhoto credit: [rawpixel](https://unsplash.com/@rawpixel)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/14b42/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/f836f/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.jpg 200w,\n/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/2244e/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.jpg 400w,\n/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/14b42/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.jpg 800w,\n/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/47498/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.jpg 1200w,\n/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/0e329/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.jpg 1600w,\n/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/a41d1/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.jpg 2000w","srcWebp":"/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/58556/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/61e93/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.webp 200w,\n/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/1f5c5/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.webp 400w,\n/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/58556/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.webp 800w,\n/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/99238/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.webp 1200w,\n/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/7c22d/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.webp 1600w,\n/static/4a8be33733f7739bb34d3071a32f8249/37117/650b9d9ac5adc0427aad3971612fcfa7.webp 2000w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2716-markdown","title":"What Are Cannabis Flavonoids & Are They Good for You?","slug":"what-are-cannabis-flavonoids-and-are-they-good-for-you","content":"When we talk about the chemical constituents in cannabis, cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) often get all of the attention—as do terpenes like [limonene](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/know-your-cannabis-terpenes-limonene) and [humulene](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/know-your-terpenes-humulene). But the marijuana plant is made up of several classes of chemicals, and one class that deserves a closer eye is flavonoids.\n\nFlavonoids are chemical compounds found in plants; we consume them when we eat fruits, vegetables, grains, coffee, teas, wine, and yes, you guessed it: cannabis. Currently, [scientists have identified approximately 6,000 types of flavonoids](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5465813/). But why are flavonoids important in the plant world, and do they influence cannabis’s therapeutic properties? \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Why Do Plants Have Flavonoids & What Are Their Benefits? \n\nFlavonoids have many responsibilities during the lifecycle of a plant. They help determine the color and smell of flowers, fruits and leaves; this in turn affects what pollinators visit the plant. Flavonoids also play a role in how a plant protects itself from insects, the elements and UV rays.  \n\nResearch has indicated that [flavonoids have the following properties](http://www.ijpsnonline.com/Issues/1394_full.pdf), though more research is needed to fully understand their effects on humans: \n\n* Anti-inflammatory\n* Antioxidant\n* Neuroprotective\n* Anti-cancer\n* Lowers risk of heart disease\n\n### Flavonoids in Cannabis Play a Role in the Plant’s Aroma, Flavor & Color  \n\nWe tend to credit terpenes with determining the aroma and flavor of a batch of cannabis flowers. However, it’s likely that flavonoids also play a role, as is the case in other plants. \n\nFlavonoids can also influence plant color. We’ve all seen those beautiful purple flowers on dispensary shelves. Well, it turns out that a group of flavonoids called anthocyanins are often responsible for these hues. \n\nCannabis flavonoids may also help protect the plant from predators and harsh environmental conditions. Though there are no studies on how flavonoids specifically benefit the cannabis plant, we do know that flavonoids such as quercetin, which is found in both cannabis as well as other plants, [protect plants from oxidative stress](https://f1000research.com/articles/5-2430/v1). Quercetin is also known to [deter herbaceous insects from feeding on plants](http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/19/10/16240). \n\n### Flavonoids May Even Affect Cannabis’s Entourage Effect\n\nIn fact, flavonoids may even influence the [entourage effect](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/what-is-the-entourage-effect): a phenomenon that, while unproven scientifically, still garners much interest and discussion among renowned cannabis scientists like Ethan Russo and Raphael Mechoulam. \n\nIn the entourage effect, cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact and influence each other’s effects. This concept is now being extended to other constituents of the plant including terpenes and flavonoids. Of course, the extent to which flavonoids play a role has yet to be determined. \n\n### The Cannflavins: Flavonoids That Are Unique to Cannabis\n\nScientists have identified 26 varieties of flavonoids in cannabis, three of which are unique to the plant: cannflavin A, B and C. These [cannflavins were first discovered in 1985](http://www.academia.edu/29398172/Cannflavin_A_and_B_prenylated_flavones_fromCannabis_sativa_L) by researcher Mary Barrett and her team. That same year, Mary published another paper that noted the [anti-inflammatory properties of cannflavin A](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3754224). \n\nBesides the 1985 discovery, cannflavins have been mostly overlooked, though there was one paper published in 2014 that noted some varieties of [sprouted hemp seeds contain cannflavin A and B](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213434414000176?via%3Dihub), giving them anti-inflammatory properties. More research is needed in order for us to fully understand the properties of cannflavins. \n\nWhile we know little about cannflavins, we do know a bit more about the other flavonoids in cannabis, which include: \n\n* Apigenin\n* Quercetin\n* Kaempferol\n* Luteolin\n\nCollectively, these flavonoids have many of the properties this class of compounds is known for, such as the ability to protect the brain and heart as well as fight free radicals throughout the body. Overall, more studies need to be done to see how flavonoids can be harnessed to the benefit of our overall health.\n\nPhoto credit: [Weed Porn Daily](https://www.flickr.com/photos/weedporndaily/)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our Cannabis 101 post. [HelloMD](https://hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/14b42/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/f836f/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.jpg 200w,\n/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/2244e/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.jpg 400w,\n/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/14b42/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.jpg 800w,\n/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/47498/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.jpg 1200w,\n/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/aa8d6/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.jpg 1454w","srcWebp":"/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/58556/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/61e93/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.webp 200w,\n/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/1f5c5/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.webp 400w,\n/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/58556/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.webp 800w,\n/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/99238/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.webp 1200w,\n/static/3e21f433e845ea5e8d50d405cb42e416/abd46/69cf865c0f06130ee00040fa19c9d5d8.webp 1454w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2707-markdown","title":"3 Popular Questions About Marijuana & Appetite Answered","slug":"3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-appetite-answered","content":"Most movies and TV shows portray cannabis consumers as couch potatoes with the munchies, eating less-than-healthy fare all night long. And most cannabis consumers know that marijuana-induced eating can most certainly happen. But what some people may not realize is that some marijuana patients _want_ cannabis to stimulate their appetite.\n\nFolks suffering from HIV/AIDS, going through chemotherapy or suffering from intense nausea often lose their appetite with dangerous results. Marijuana can entice them to eat, helping increase the strength they need to fight their illness. \n\nOn the flipside, some people want to consume marijuana without increasing their appetite—are there any cannabis strains or products for these folks? Or is everyone who consumes cannabis always going to feel hungry? \n\nHow can marijuana patients use the plant to either stimulate or suppress their appetite? \n\nHere are our three most popular questions about marijuana and appetite. They were answered by doctors, cannabis consultants and knowledgeable members of the HelloMD community on our [Answers](https://www.hellomd.com/answers) page. Head over there with a question of your own about how marijuana affects appetite if you don’t see it answered below.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Q: What are the best strains for boosting your appetite?\n\nAnswer: [@claude](https://www.hellomd.com/people/56b947960e9909000c0000da/claude) This is a great question. While some people view the side effect of increased appetite from medical marijuana as negative, there are many patients who seek out medical marijuana to increase their appetite. For those looking for appetite stimulation, our patients have found that the following strains to be great for this purpose: \n\n* [Harlequin](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a9d9ad8fdb6dd00088d0cf1/harlequin) (CBD)\n* [Blue Dream](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a70be4e6c30440008cafd14/blue-dream) (Sativa)\n* [Sour Diesel](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7cd299d520d60009f4f4ae/sour-diesel) (Sativa) \n* [Green Crack](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7cc89cd520d60009f4f4a8/green-crack) (Sativa) \n* Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies (Hybrid) \n* [GG4](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a9d9a2afdb6dd00088d0cf0/gg4) (Hybrid)\n* [OG Kush](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7cce66d520d60009f4f4ab/og-kush) (Hybrid)\n\nRELATED: [THE SCIENCE BEHIND HOW CANNABIS CAN BOOST YOUR APPETITE](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5ab1e34bf24d1300077ccb94/the-science-behind-how-cannabis-can-boost-your-appetite)\n\n### Q: What can you recommend for appetite stimulation? \n**_Are there any edibles that I could use for this?_**\n\nAnswer: [@drbultman](https://www.hellomd.com/people/58ab707028282200153e20af/drbultman) Yes, you can certainly try edibles for appetite stimulation. In general, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active ingredient in cannabis that stimulates appetite. If you’re new to cannabis, begin with a low dose of 2.5–5 mg of THC to see how it affects you. There are some ingredients in cannabis that SUPPRESS appetite (namely, THCV), but that is not often tested or labelled. Since every strain and product is a little different, you may want to ask your dispensary staff which products their other patients have reported work best for appetite stimulation. Also, remember that cannabis products that are consumed tend to take effect slowly, over 30–60 minutes, and last for about 6–8 hours. So, consuming a product versus inhaling it, for instance, will have very different effects.\n\n[Read more answers to this question](https://www.hellomd.com/answers/58c3468c0adb1b000d839205/what-can-you-recommend-for-appetite-stimulation).\n\n### Q: Does Durban Poison really suppress appetite?\n**_I am looking for a strain that does not give me the munchies, as I have a weight problem already._**\n\nAnswer: [@BartSmart](https://www.hellomd.com/people/5817af1a97ed67000a00143c/bartsmart) Durban Poison does contain a high percentage of THCV as compared to other strains. Durban Poison flowers are in the 1% range of THCV. Concentrates tend to have more THCV, at about 2%, and I would recommend trying sativa strains such as Red Congolese and Power Plant in order to suppress appetite.\n\n\"Patients use THCV for a variety of reasons, but one of THCV’s most remarkable properties is its ability to suppress appetite. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is well known for its munchie-inducing effects, THCV has the opposite effect—when consuming THCV, patients are left without much appetite at all. This has made THCV a popular choice among patients looking to lose weight or avoid gaining weight from binge eating after they medicate with marijuana.\"\n\nThe above quote was taken from this article about THCV: https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a8db389f24d1300077ccb5a/psychoactive-thcv-the-cannabinoid-that-kills-your-appetite\n\n[Read more answers to this question](https://www.hellomd.com/answers/580f8450113816000b14bdab/does-durban-poison-really-suppress-appetite).\n\nPhoto credit: [Taylor Harding](https://unsplash.com/@taylorjamesphotos)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/14b42/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.jpg","srcSet":"/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/f836f/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.jpg 200w,\n/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/2244e/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.jpg 400w,\n/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/14b42/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.jpg 800w,\n/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/47498/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.jpg 1200w,\n/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/0e329/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.jpg 1600w,\n/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/e85c0/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.jpg 3100w","srcWebp":"/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/58556/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/61e93/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.webp 200w,\n/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/1f5c5/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.webp 400w,\n/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/58556/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.webp 800w,\n/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/99238/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.webp 1200w,\n/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/7c22d/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.webp 1600w,\n/static/01cf23128be2b0bb33e067b0c6455ef0/48e8b/8e64b3a7b4a19f6f33cbc88ccc2b81df.webp 3100w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2703-markdown","title":" Cannabis Tinctures: From Glycerin to MCT Oil, Which Is Best?","slug":"cannabis-tinctures-from-glycerin-to-mct-oil-which-is-best","content":"Tinctures are an increasingly popular way to consume cannabis: They’re easy to dose and easy to take. The tincture’s versatility has meant that a growing number of product options are available in today’s modern cannabis market. \n\nTo manufacture cannabis products, phytocannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) must first be extracted from the plant. There are many different ways of doing this, each with their pros and cons, but the three most common methods involve:\n\n* Carbon dioxide (CO2) \n* Butane \n* Ethanol\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nThe end result of a cannabis extraction process yields a concentrate that’s the basis for many products like vapor pens, salves and—yes, you guessed it—tinctures. In traditional herbalism, tinctures are made of plant matter that’s soaked in alcohol, then strained and put in a glass dropper bottle for consumption.\n\nIn the cannabis world, tinctures can encompass this method as well as cannabis concentrates that are dissolved in a carrier liquid—be it alcohol, vegetable glycerin or oil—and then packaged in small, glass dropper bottles. These liquids serve as a vessel that THC, CBD, and other phytocannabinoids and terpenes can bind to. \n\nMost people don’t think about the type of liquid being used in their tincture. However, this can be important information, depending on your individual needs and preferences. Following are some of the more common liquids used in cannabis tinctures as well as the pros and cons of each. \n\nRELATED: [DIY RECIPE: QUICK & EASY CANNABIS STRAIN-SPECIFIC TINCTURE](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a621ef38425e40008273a30/diy-recipe-quick-and-easy-cannabis-strain-specific-tincture)\n\n### 1. Alcohol-Based Cannabis Tinctures\n\nAlcohol was likely one of the first liquids used in cannabis tinctures, dating back to the early 1900s when marijuana was a common occurrence on pharmacy shelves. Alcohol can also be used to pull phytocannabinoids from raw cannabis flower—you’ll find plenty of recipes for how to do this online. In this scenario, you usually let the flower soak in alcohol for a period of time, strain and then consume the tincture as needed. \n\nAnother method, which involves the use of laboratory equipment, involves using alcohol to extract phytocannabinoids from raw flower, then evaporating off the alcohol, leaving a concentrate. Alcohol is then mixed back into the concentrate to create a tincture. Alcohol tinctures can have a bad taste, so it’s common for producers to add honey to make products more palatable. \n\n**Alcohol-based cannabis tincture pros:**\n* Fast absorption rate, so effects are felt quickly\n* Longer shelf life due to anti-bacterial properties of alcohol\n\n**Alcohol-based cannabis tincture cons:**\n* Unpleasant taste\n* Not accessible to those avoiding alcohol\n* No longer legal in California with the passing of adult-use marijuana\n\n### 2. Vegetable Glycerin Cannabis Tinctures  \n\nVegetable glycerin is a clear, odorless liquid that’s used in many industries. Chemically speaking, glycerin makes up the backbone of fats called triglycerides. Vegetable glycerin is made by taking these triglycerides from plant sources and breaking them down. Typical plant triglyceride sources are coconut oil, palm oil and soy. For this reason, it’s important to ask where a company sources its vegetable glycerin from, especially if you’re on a special diet or using tinctures in conjunction with a serious medical condition. \n\nThese types of tinctures can be made by soaking raw flower in vegetable glycerin or dissolving a cannabis concentrate in vegetable glycerin.\n\n**Vegetable glycerin cannabis tincture pros:** \n* Sweet and palatable taste\n\n**Vegetable glycerin cannabis tincture cons:**\n* Glycerin can’t hold as many phytocannabinoids as alcohol, so more product needed to get therapeutic effects \n* Shorter shelf life than that of alcohol tinctures\n* Sourcing can be questionable\n\n### 3. Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Oil Cannabis Tinctures\n\nMedium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oils are becoming quite popular in the cannabis tincture market, with top-shelf brands like [Rosette Wellness](https://www.hellomd.com/brands/5c53c1da310091266bef2235/rosette-wellness) touting their health benefits. MCT oil comprises saturated fatty acids, usually derived from coconut and palm oils. However, unlike most saturated fatty acids, MCTs are metabolized quickly and stored minimally as fat in the body.\nCannabinoids are fat soluble, and a few studies involving rats indicate that [consuming cannabis with fats can increase the body’s absorption of THC and CBD](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5009397/). Basically, it’s thought that healthy fats, like MCTs, may enhance the plant’s therapeutic effects.  \n\nThese types of cannabis tinctures are usually made from a cannabis concentrate that’s then dissolved in MCT oil. \n\n**MCT cannabis tincture pros:**\n* Easily absorbed by the liver, so effects are felt more quickly\n* Evenly absorbs cannabis compounds, so dosing can be more accurate\n* Neutral taste\t\n\n**MCT cannabis tincture cons:**\n* Usually lacks lauric acid, a fat that’s responsible for much of coconut oil’s benefits\n* Sourcing can be questionable\n\n### 4. Olive Oil Cannabis Tinctures\n\nOlive oil can be used to extract phytocannabinoids from raw cannabis flower. Similar to the alcohol method of extraction, cannabis flower is soaked in olive oil for a period of time, strained and then consumed as needed.\n\nOne study published in the journal _Cannabinoids_ found olive oil to be [an optimal choice for extracting cannabinoids](http://www.cannabis-med.org/data/pdf/en_2013_01_1.pdf), in comparison to other solvents, like petroleum ether and naptha. When olive oil is used as a solvent, it can’t be evaporated off like alcohol, so tinctures made in this manner can’t be concentrated. \n\n**Pros of olive oil-extracted cannabis tinctures:**\n* Easy, cost-effective and can be made at home\n* Doesn’t pull a lot of chlorophyll, leading to better taste\n* Gentle extractor that can preserve terpenes, so you get a whole-plant extract \n\n**Cons of olive oil-extracted cannabis tinctures:**\n* Can’t be concentrated, so more is needed to get therapeutic benefits\n\nThe other way to get an olive oil-based tincture is by having a cannabis concentrate and using olive oil as a carrier oil. These types of tinctures are usually mild in taste, but the low saturated fat content of olive oil means that it can’t hold as many cannabinoids as MCT oil can. \n\nPhoto credit: [Sterling College](https://www.flickr.com/photos/sterlingcollege/)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101]( https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/14b42/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.jpg","srcSet":"/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/f836f/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.jpg 200w,\n/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/2244e/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.jpg 400w,\n/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/14b42/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.jpg 800w,\n/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/47498/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.jpg 1200w,\n/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/0e329/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.jpg 1600w,\n/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/745df/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.jpg 1946w","srcWebp":"/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/58556/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/61e93/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.webp 200w,\n/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/1f5c5/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.webp 400w,\n/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/58556/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.webp 800w,\n/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/99238/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.webp 1200w,\n/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/7c22d/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.webp 1600w,\n/static/dd7a8e3a517c96f4971ac56f5e3b228c/07df4/2e6e34c2f450e0ab358f01400df20b25.webp 1946w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2698-markdown","title":"How to Vape Marijuana Safely","slug":"how-to-vape-marijuana-safely","content":"For hundreds if not thousands of years, smoking was the favored way to consume cannabis in cultures around the world. Even today, inhaling the smoke produced by burning parts of the cannabis plant is still one of the most popular ways to get marijuana’s medicinal and recreational benefits. \n\nBut in recent years, vaping—inhaling vapors produced by heating the marijuana plant, extracts, oils and distillates—has changed the way people consume this ancient medicinal plant. Vaping allows consumers to avoid risks associated with smoking cannabis. But harmful additives in vaping oils, and toxins created when vaping at high temperatures, pose risks of their own.  \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Vaping Marijuana Has Advantages Over Smoking\n\nVaping refers to the various methods of consuming cannabis by inhaling vapors produced by heated cannabis flower, oils or other kinds of extracts from the plant. That’s a [very different method than that of smoking](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a84cefcf24d1300077ccb4d/3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-vaping-answered), which involves setting cannabis buds and leaves alight and inhaling the smoke they produce as they burn.  \n\nBoth smoking and vaping are highly efficient mechanisms for delivering cannabis, since they bring cannabis molecules directly to the lungs, where they enter the many small capillaries lining the lungs. From there, the cannabis molecules are transported rapidly through the bloodstream. In this way, cannabis is able to pass the blood-brain barrier relatively quickly and trigger the desired effects within minutes.\n\nBut smoking has some drawbacks. Although smoking marijuana is easier on the lungs than smoking cigarettes is, cannabis smoke is still produced by the process of combustion. And combustion creates toxins, including known carcinogens. \n\nWhat’s more, it’s hard to remain discreet about smoking cannabis since the pungent smells released when cannabis is burning can clearly advertise the activity. And while smoking can provide a smoker with the full complement of compounds and terpenes in the whole plant, it’s more difficult to fine-tune that content to get very specific effects.\n\nRELATED: [THE INS & OUTS OF VAPING MARIJUANA](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a1f473a100a820006562eb3/the-ins-and-outs-of-vaping-medical-marijuana)\n\nThat’s why many marijuana consumers turn to vape pens and vaporizers. Advocates say [vaping is a cleaner, more efficient and less risky way](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59938f68b07666002d1dc2ea/the-benefits-of-vaping-medical-marijuana) to get the many benefits of inhaling cannabis, since there’s no potentially toxic smoke involved. But the [methods used to extract cannabis oils for vaping, and the way oils are heated during vaping](https://www.projectcbd.org/update-toxic-marijuana-vape-oil-additives-endanger-patients), can also expose users to toxins and carcinogens.\n\n### Cannabis Vape Oils Can Contain Toxic Additives\n\nCannabis oils for vaping are created by extracting or distilling essential oils from parts of the raw cannabis plant. The [various processes used to make cannabis oils](https://www.safeaccessnow.org/is_vaping_cannabis_safe) both commercially and at home often rely on some highly toxic substances to complete the extraction. And residues from those toxic substances can remain in the resulting oil. \n\nChemicals used in extracting cannabis oils can include ethanol (alcohol), ammonia and even lighter fluid. Butane, used for creating butane hash oil, and the various solid and semi-solid versions used in dabbing, is highly flammable and toxic when inhaled or ingested. Since vaping delivers molecules from cannabis oils and other ingredients directly to the lungs and from there into the bloodstream, toxins can reach the lungs, brain and nervous system very quickly.\n\nCannabis concentrates used in [commercially produced vape pens](https://www.projectcbd.org/about/safety-and-quality-control/how-safe-your-vape-pen)\ncan also contain other additives, such as:\n\n* Ethanol\n* Polyethylene glycol\n* Propylene glycol\n* Pesticides\n\nSome of these additives are used to add flavoring and have been approved as safe for use in other ways—but not for vaping. For example, propylene glycol is considered safe to ingest, but at high temperatures, it transforms into carbonyls, a group of toxic, carcinogenic chemicals that includes formaldehyde. \n\n### Vaping Cannabis Oils at High Temperatures Creates Toxins\n\nVaping lets a user avoid the risks of toxins that are created during smoking by the process of combustion. But vaping cannabis oils and other kinds of extracts at very high temperatures (above 160 degrees F) creates toxins, too. \n\nWhen oils are heated beyond their flash point, they begin to degrade. As they degrade, they release new chemical elements—and some of these, such as acrylamide, are highly toxic and even carcinogenic. The risk rises even more when cannabis oils are contaminated with additives or residues such as butane and ethanol. These substances add still more toxins of their own when heated to excessively high temperatures.\n\nControlling vaping temperatures can be difficult, and this lack of control can expose a user to toxins from multiple sources. Homemade vaporizers and dab rigs don’t have temperature controls, and neither do many commercially produced models. This allows vaping temperatures to rise quickly to unsafe levels.\n\nAs well, commercial vape pens are typically set to produce vapor at a particular temperature, without a way for users to make adjustments. The metal heating elements in some brands of vape pens and other kinds of e-cigarettes can also release toxic heavy metals such as nickel and a variety of silicates into the vapor a user inhales.  \n\n### How to Stay Safe While Vaping Marijuana\n\nSo far, there are no federal safety regulations around the safety of vaping devices or concentrates. This means it’s up to you to be vigilant about the safety of your vape pens and concentrates. One key strategy is to read product labels on oils, concentrates, and vape pens and other devices. Look for chemical ingredients such as propylene glycol or other additives in cannabis concentrates. Try to buy commercially produced devices with usage guidelines and product descriptions whenever possible.  \n\nIf you’re planning to use a vaporizer or a dab rig, look for ones with temperature controls. When using a device without temperature controls, such as a homemade dab rig, monitor temperatures carefully, and use ceramic nails and other heating elements whenever possible to reduce the risk of exposure to heavy metals and other industrial byproducts.\n\nWhen buying a vape pen, check the manufacturer whenever possible for information about how a pen is produced and what it contains. Look for vape pens that have ceramic heating elements to avoid metals. If you’re considering a vape pen with a premade cartridge, make sure you can view a full list of ingredients. All reputable vape companies should be able to tell you exactly what’s in their vape oils. \n\nAdjusting the way you vape can also help protect against exposure to harmful chemicals. Avoid inhaling or pressing controls on your pen too long, since this can expose your lungs to the heated concentrate itself, not just the vapor. \n\nCannabis vaping is growing in popularity as more users see it as a safer alternative to smoking. Vaping has its own risks, too—but careful consumers can stay safe and enjoy the health benefits of cannabis concentrates at the same time.\n\nPhoto credit: [Vaping 360](https://www.flickr.com/photos/vaping360/)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101]( https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/14b42/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.jpg","srcSet":"/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/f836f/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.jpg 200w,\n/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/2244e/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.jpg 400w,\n/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/14b42/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.jpg 800w,\n/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/47498/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.jpg 1200w,\n/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/0e329/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.jpg 1600w,\n/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/573b1/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.jpg 3674w","srcWebp":"/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/58556/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/61e93/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.webp 200w,\n/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/1f5c5/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.webp 400w,\n/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/58556/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.webp 800w,\n/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/99238/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.webp 1200w,\n/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/7c22d/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.webp 1600w,\n/static/14f963cd4b7b266b2727096784967fbe/4a26e/9fb5783ab81b1e9e9d9b323a83f5e518.webp 3674w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2691-markdown","title":"Know Your Terpenes: Humulene","slug":"know-your-terpenes-humulene","content":"Every beer lover knows the power of humulene, though they may never have heard of it. This common terpene is so abundant in the hops plant (_Humulus lupulus_) that it’s largely responsible for the flavor and aroma of all varieties of beer. Humulene is also found in many spices such as sage and ginger—and in cannabis, where it adds [potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects to cannabis products of all kinds](http://terpene.info/terpene/humulene/).\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Terpenes Are Powerful Plant Healers\n\nTerpenes are found in many plants around the world, and even in some insects. These essential oils produced by plant resin glands are responsible for the aroma and taste of a wide range of plant and tree families such as pine, citrus and cannabis. \n\nAs interest in the medicinal properties of cannabis continues to grow, research has begun to focus on the properties of the more than 200 terpenes found in the various strains of the cannabis sativa plant. That research is now confirming what natural healers have known for centuries: Many terpenes have healing properties all their own. And they can also interact with other compounds for a synergistic result that boosts the effects of both.  \n\nEach cannabis strain has its own unique terpene profile, and the dominant terpenes in that profile are responsible for cannabis’s many different aromas and flavors. Terpenes also interact with cannabis compounds like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD); the combined effects of both terpenes and compounds on the body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS) can explain why cannabis has such a wide range of therapeutic applications.\n\n### Cannabis Compounds, Terpenes & the Endocannabinoid System\n\nThe ECS was discovered in the early 1990s, and since then it’s been the subject of intense research. This research continues to reveal new information about the role the ECS plays in modulating all kinds of processes in the body such as:\n\n* Supporting immune responses\n* Regulating signaling in the brain\n* Maintaining autonomous functions like temperature, heart rate and respiration  \n\nThe ECS also plays a role in digestive health and cognitive processes such as mood and memory. The ECS contains two primary receptors, called CB1 and CB2. These receptors are found throughout the body, and they can be triggered both by cannabinoids produced naturally by the body (endocannabinoids), and by the compounds and terpenes in cannabis. All of these compounds bind to those receptors in nearly identical ways. That’s why cannabis products of all kinds can have such a profound effect on so many different health conditions.\n\nCannabis terpenes can bind to cannabis receptors, or they can affect processes that happen when cannabis compounds like THC and CBD bind to either the CB1 or CB2 receptor. The CB1 receptor plays a role in moderating the movement of neurotransmitters in the brain, which affects things like mood, memory and pain signaling. The CB2 receptor, which is found in many peripheral tissues, glands and organs, affects many processes related to the immune system and cellular health.\n\n### Humulene & the Terpene Beta-Caryophyllene\n\nHumulene’s main claim to fame may be its leading role in flavoring beer, [but it can also do much more](https://terpenoids.net/terpene-humulene/). Humulene is also known as alpha-caryophyllene, because of its relationship to beta-caryophyllene (BCS), another terpene found in cannabis and many other plants. \n\nBCS binds to the CB2 receptor and has a long list of documented healing properties including:\n\n* Reducing inflammation\n* Supporting the growth of healthy cells\n* Suppressing the growth of tumor cells\n\nBCS has also been called the first “dietary cannabinoid,” because it was awarded the FDA’s GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) designation for use in food. \n\nIn chemical terms, [humulene is an isomer of beta-caryophyllene](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/humulene). It has the same chemical formulation as BCS, but its atoms are arranged differently. This means that humulene shares many of the characteristics of BCS, but it also has some different properties of its own. BCS binds uniquely to CB2 receptors associated with immune functioning and system regulation, which accounts for its effects on cell growth and inflammation processes. \n\nAs an isomer of BCS, humulene appears to behave in similar ways, so that it can add antibacterial and anti-inflammatory support to cannabis products of all kinds—along with some other surprising effects:\n\n* **Humulene is antibacterial and antifungal:** Recent research reveals that humulene has antibacterial and antifungal properties. This makes it useful in treating a variety of bacterial and fungal infections, particularly certain strains of Staphylococcus, a bacterium responsible for many kinds of infections. Humulene can also be used topically to combat fungal skin infections.\n\n* **Humulene fights inflammation:** Like BCS, humulene can help control inflammation and boost the body’s immune responses. Humulene has shown promise in reducing airway inflammation due to allergies, and in helping the body fight infection by supporting the immune system as a whole.\n\n* **Humulene could help fight cancer:** In a number of laboratory experiments, humulene has been shown to reduce cancerous tumors by depriving cancer cells of the oxygen they need to grow and spread. In this way, humulene, like BCS, may be able to suppress tumor development and support a process called apoptosis—the natural death of cells.\n\n* **Humulene is a natural insecticide:** Along with its immune-boosting and inflammation- fighting properties, humulene can also help reduce the spread of insect-borne diseases. Some studies show that humulene is toxic to the larvae of several varieties of mosquitos responsible for transmitting diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and West Nile virus. Used topically, it can also be an effective repellent for mosquitos and other flying insects.\n\n* **Humulene can help with weight loss:** Like other terpenes and compounds in cannabis, humulene can affect the appetite. But humulene doesn’t stimulate the appetite and satiety pathway. Instead, this terpene appears to suppress activity in that pathway, so that there’s less desire to eat. For this reason, some research suggests that humulene could be used as a weight loss treatment.\n\n### How to Consume Humulene\n\nSome humulene is found in just about every strain of cannabis, although certain strains, such as Bubba Kush and Super Lemon Haze have a much higher content. Humulene can also be purchased alone as a terpene extract that you can add to various cannabis products to increase their immune-boosting and bacteria-fighting effects. Like BCS, humulene is so prevalent in foods that it’s also sold as a food-grade supplement.\n\nConsuming humulene can come with risks, though. It can cause allergic reactions in some people when inhaled, used topically or added to food. And like other terpenes, when heated to very high temperatures such as in dabbing, it can produce toxins. Still, when used wisely, this terpene, which flavors beer and spices, can add potent healing power of its own to the many therapeutic uses of cannabis.\n\nPhoto credit: [Yutacar](https://unsplash.com/@yutacar)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/14b42/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/f836f/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.jpg 200w,\n/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/2244e/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.jpg 400w,\n/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/14b42/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.jpg 800w,\n/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/47498/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.jpg 1200w,\n/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/0e329/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.jpg 1600w,\n/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/15f9c/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.jpg 3611w","srcWebp":"/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/58556/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/61e93/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.webp 200w,\n/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/1f5c5/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.webp 400w,\n/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/58556/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.webp 800w,\n/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/99238/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.webp 1200w,\n/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/7c22d/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.webp 1600w,\n/static/6d462b5f9b176d1ff428abb536cff6f4/328de/736874bd076a253af4b1b11e3430d702.webp 3611w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":60,"numPages":15,"currentPage":6,"id":5053,"name":"Cannabis 101","slug":"cannabis-101","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}