As the CBD industry
has gotten more and more advanced and popular over the years, we’ve seen the
market diversify, offering a wider selection of formulas in various delivery
methods, strengths and compound combinations.
Nowadays, the average hemp enthusiast has higher standards when it comes
to the CBD products that they buy, combined with more education on the hemp
plant in general. Therefore, it’s no
surprise that many of today’s cannabidiol users are seeking out specific
strains that they believe will give them the most desirable effects. But, if you’re new to the hemp scene, you may
not quite understand what strains are, or why they matter.
Terpenes: Why These Compounds Matter
Because the strain of a hemp plant is mostly
determined by its composition of terpenes, it’s important that we discuss these
secondary hemp compounds in detail, as many people still aren’t sure as to what
they are and why they matter. Terpenes
are the active compounds that come after cannabinoids, and are found, like cannabinoids,
in the flowering buds of the female hemp plant.
Cannabinoids include CBD (cannabidiol), CBN (cannabinol), THC
(tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBG (cannabigerol).
They absorb into the body and are used by the endocannabinoid system to
bind to cannabinoid receptors that regulate bodily processes.
Terpenes are different. For one thing, while cannabinoids are unique
to the cannabis genus, that produces both hemp and marijuana, terpenes
naturally occur in all plant life. These
compounds are responsible for giving each plant its flavor and aroma, which
basically means that if you’ve ever eaten a vegetable, you’ve consumed
terpenes. Secondly, terpenes exist to
protect a plant from pests, disease and other threatening circumstances, with
unique properties that keep it as healthy as possible.
When we extract terpenes from plants, we can
experience their properties in a way that’s useful to us. For instance, myrcene, a terpene abundant in
hemp, is known for its calming properties.
Limonene, meanwhile, may offer pain-relieving properties as well as the
ability to lift one’s mood and energize the mind.
Hemp naturally offers over a hundred individual
terpenes, which each add to the specific effects of the plant, alongside
cannabinoids.
What is a Hemp Strain?
When we talk about the strain of hemp, we’re referring
to its breed. Hemp comes in a wide
variety of strains, with each strain having a specific chemical
composition. The main determining factor
of a strain is its terpene composition.
This refers to the terpenes that are present in the strain, as well as
the levels in which they are present, which both impact specific effects of the
strain. For instance, some strains have
high levels of particularly calming terpenes, thus making them appropriate for
bedtime. Others have lots of
anti-inflammatory terpenes that make them particularly useful for pain.
Categories of Cannabis Strains
There are three different types of strains, and
knowing which type suits your needs the best will help you determine the
specific strain to look out for:
- Indica: Indica
strains have a higher myrcene content, and myrcene is a sedating terpene. Therefore, indica strains are more associated
with calming effects, sleep and relaxation.
Many people seek out indicas to use in the evening after a long day. - Sativa: Sativa
strains have lower myrcene levels, and so, may offer more uplifting and
energizing properties. Sativa strains
may be better for daytime, often giving you a boost in focus, motivation and
even sociability. - Hybrid: A
hybrid strain is the result of crossing an indica with a sativa, offering a
balance between the effects of each type of strain.
How are Strains Made?
Currently, the hemp market offers an enormous variety
of strains, and it seems like more and more new strains are popping up each
week. This is because hemp farmers now
have a big incentive to breed new strains using expert techniques. As hemp is now legal, and more and more
people are buying it regularly, farmers are always dreaming up new strains that
can address more specific needs. And,
advancements in technology have allowed breeders to design strains with more
precision than ever before. Strains are
produced by crossing two existing strains together, so that the result offers a
balance between the properties of its parents, and even emphasizes specific
traits that are desirable.
What Does This All Mean for Today’s CBD Enthusiast?
Now that you have an idea of what strains are and how
they are made, it’s time discuss what this means when shopping for a hemp
product.
First, not all CBD products come in a variety of
strains. For starters, products made
with CBD isolate are terpene-free, as they only contain cannabidiol, and
therefore the strain from which the cannabidiol was derived does not matter, as
you won’t be experiencing its effects.
Furthermore, the most common products that come in
different strains are flower and vape products.
So, if strains are particularly important to you, try sticking with
these delivery methods as they will allow you to explore a wider array of
strain options so that you can get more out of your daily regimen.
Choosing a Strain for Your Routine
So, how can you find the best strain for you? We know that the idea of strains can be
overwhelming, especially to beginners who are still trying to figure out which
delivery method is right for them, as well as the dosage for their needs. First, let’s make it clear that there are no
strains that are associated with harmful effects, so don’t worry that choosing
the “wrong” strain will result in a disastrous experience.
To select a good strain, it’s a wise idea to first ask
yourself what you want out of your daily CBD experience. Many of us want to take it for something
specific, like stress or aches and pains.
Once you’ve come up with an answer, think about whether a sativa, indica
or hybrid will best suit our needs. If
you want something for stress or sleep, indica strains are a good call. For something that is more energizing, sativa
is the way to go. Hybrids give you a
blend of the two in a balanced way.
Next, it’s a good idea to research different strains
to learn more about them. Read up on the
properties of different strains, in order to figure out which ones might be
best for you. Then, look for them in the
form of a CBD product that has the right delivery method and strength for your
needs.
Also, keep in mind that you may find that it takes a
while to come across the strain that best suits you. It’s okay to experiment with different ones –
arguably, that’s part of the fun of developing a hemp hobby.
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