Since there’s a deficit for this kind of information, we take a new therapeutic effect at a time and breakdown their compounds. This week we are focusing on how we can use cannabis to lift your mood.
Cannabis Compounds Known To Lift Your Mood
THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC for short, is a cannabinoid that is the main psychoactive component in cannabis. What does psychoactive mean? A psychoactive substance is one that affects brain function and mental state, temporarily altering one’s mood, consciousness, perception and behavior. THC is the component in cannabis that delivers the “high” people often associate with marijuana. Different cultivars of cannabis will have different levels of THC, which in turn deliver different degrees of psychoactive effects. For example, a cultivar with 20% THC will make you feel higher than a cultivar with only 10% THC.
There currently isn’t any limit for how much THC can be in cannabis, however anything below .03% THC level is considered to be hemp, and we wouldn’t recommend consuming that! Always remember when consuming cannabis for certain therapeutic effects, start off small, and make sure you work on finding your therapeutic sweet spot for your desired effects. We wouldn’t want your search for finding the perfect cannabis to lift your mood be ruined by overconsuming.
CBD
Cannabidiol, often referred to as CBD, is another cannabinoid that’s found in the cannabis plant. There are multiple species of cannabis that naturally contain CBD. THC delivers the “high” that occurs from ingesting marijuana. CBD, on the other hand, has no “high” associated with it. Instead, this compound has calming, anti-anxiety, and anti-psychotic effects.
If you ever find that you passed your therapeutic sweet spot, you can use CBD to help counteract the effects of the THC. It’s a good idea to keep some CBD around as you continue your search for your perfect cannabis therapy to lift your mood.
CBN
Cannabinol, otherwise known as CBN, occurs naturally within the cannabis plant as the plant ages. It comes from the oxidation and decomposition of THC. This means when THC is exposed to Co2 (oxygen) through heat, it is converted to CBN. When processing, CBN can also be produced from the THC when it’s extracted from the cannabis. There is a psychoactive response from the CBN, more so from CBD, but not more than THC.
Lift Your Mood With These Terpenes As Well
Other compounds known as “Aromatic Organic Compounds” are called Terpenes. Consider terpenes a connoisseurs’ approach to cannabis, in the same way that a wine lover would consider the blackcurrant notes in a Chilean merlot versus the crisp citrus of an unoaked Californian chardonnay.
Several studies (some from as early as the 1980s) have shown that terpenes work together to help cannabinoids (like THC, CBD, and CBN) pass through the bloodstream easier and “lower” the blood-to-brain barrier. Basically, you feel more, or less, of the effects of a strain based on the terpenes found in it.
Limonene (citrus)
Pronounced: lim-uh-neen. Like its name suggests, limonene smells like lemons, oranges, mandarins, limes, and grapefruits. It’s also, interestingly enough, probably found in your favourite cleaning products or perfumes because of its’ citrusy scent. It’s been shown to not lift your mood, but to relieve stress. Limonene also has antifungal and antibacterial properties. It also improves the absorption of other terpenes and chemicals through the skin, which makes it great in strains that you use for tinctures, ointments, and other topicals.
It doesn’t come as a surprise to us that some of the cultivars with the highest levels of limonene are those with “lemon” in the same, such as Super Lemon Haze, Lemon Kush, and Lemon Skunk.
Linalool (floral, spicy)
Pronounced: lin-uh-lool. Linalool is found in flowers and spices like lavender and coriander. It’s widely known for its stress-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and anti-depressant effects. The linalool terpene balances out the anxious side effects of THC, which makes it a useful treatment of both anxiety and psychosis. Some studies also suggest that linalool can boost the immune system, and significantly reduce lung inflammation. Linalool has also been found to reverse neuropathological and behavioral impairments in mice with alzheimers. So if alzheimer’s runs in your family, you now have an excuse to consume some more cannabis to help stave that off. There are cultivars that have more linalool than, such as Ghost Cookies, so if you’re looking for something with a little more linalool than your last batch, you might want to start there.
Key Points To Remember
Terpenes are to cannabis like notes are to wine. The amount of THC, CBD, CBN, Limonene, and Linalool in each cultivar type will vary, and can even vary from plant to plant within the same family. It’s also interesting to note that limonene and linalool that isn’t found in the cannabis plant still has these same qualities to lift your mood. If you know someone who could benefit from these terpenes, but aren’t so eager to try cannabis, they could always try different spices or flowers to get some of the benefits. However, one of the great things about cannabis is how all the compounds work together, so for the best experience you’re going to want the THC, CBD, CBN along with limonene and linalool.
Trying to find a cannabis that helps lift your mood? Just ask your budtender! They’ll be happy to help you out, and if they aren’t reach out to us and schedule a free consultation with one of our informative cannasultants right online.
Did we answer all your questions about which cannabis compounds lift your mood? If not ask us questions in the comments below and we’ll be sure to get back to you!
If you’re interested in learning more about cannabis types that lift your mood, check out our Cannabis Therapy PotCast to watch our episode about lifting your mood.
