Cannabis #

Introduction #

Cannabinoids, a fascinating family of substances found in cannabis, remain shrouded in mystery despite their growing popularity. While over 100 cannabinoids have been identified, our understanding of these compounds is surprisingly limited. The scarcity of peer-reviewed research has left a significant gap in scientific knowledge, with many individual cannabinoids yet to be fully characterized and potential synergistic effects largely unexplored.¹

In light of this knowledge deficit, personal exploration becomes a valuable, albeit limited, source of insight. Here I present my evolving ideas about cannabinoids, primarily based on self-experimentation and a critical analysis of available scientific literature, anecdotal reports, and expert opinions. By combining these sources, I aim to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of cannabinoids while acknowledging the shortcomings of this approach.

Fellow Travelers #

Cannabinoids with Turkey 🦃 – This guy has an ahead start of 10 year on me. Page numbers given below reference:

• Turkey. (2024). The Classical Cannabinoid Consumers Guide (2024 Edition): Everything you need to know about cannabinoids in terms you can understand. Independently published.

Background #

Medicinal use of cannabis dates back at least 5,000 years. Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive in cannabis. Commonly reported effects of THC include relaxation, euphoria, increased appetite, pain reduction, drowsiness, and occasionally, anxiety. Cannabidiol (CBD) is another widely known cannabinoid. It is widely studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic properties.

Terpenes #

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give different cannabis strains their unique scents and flavors. Found in many plants, cannabis contains over 100 different terpenes. These compounds may work synergistically with cannabinoids in what’s called the entourage effect. Common terpenes include myrcene, limonene, and pinene.

I know nothing about terpenes.

Routes of administration #

Inhalation is probably the most widely known route of administration because it is so conspicuous.

• Inhalation (Smoking or Vaporizing):
  • Pros: Rapid onset of effects (usually within minutes)
  • Cons: Respiratory irritation (especially with smoking), short duration of effects, imprecise dosing, must avoid acetate forms²
• Oral Ingestion (Edibles, Oils, Capsules):
  • Pros: Longer-lasting effects (4-8 hours typically), no respiratory risks, discreet consumption, precise dosing
  • Cons: Slow onset (30 minutes to 2 hours)
• Sublingual (Tinctures, Sprays):
  • Pros: Relatively fast onset (15-45 minutes), bypasses first-pass liver metabolism
  • Cons: Hard to segregate from oral ingestion
• Topical (Creams, Balms) or Transdermal (Patches): This is not comparable because the effect is localized and non-intoxicating.

Why prefer a longer duration? #

The extended duration aligns well with those seeking a more profound, intimate experience, allowing for deeper introspection or prolonged relaxation. This lengthier effect discourages casual or frequent use, potentially promoting a more mindful and respectful relationship with the substance. However, the delayed onset of ingested cannabis makes accurate dosing crucial, as miscalculations can lead to uncomfortable experiences lasting several hours. Users must carefully consider their dose and timing, as the extended duration can become problematic if unexpected obligations arise.

The THC:CBD Ratio #

THC is often taken in concert with CBD. But the intensity of the experience is mostly a function of the amount of THC. I’m not sure exactly how much CBD is required to complement the THC. You definitely want enough CBD and extra isn’t a problem. Unless you are already an expert user:

Do not take THC without CBD. The combination of THC and CBD feels completely different than either molecule ingested alone.³

I am skeptical about the following infographic, but I tentatively agree that a ratio of 1:1 is a good place to start. The same ratio applies for both Δ8-THC and Δ9-THC.

The combination of THC and CBD is obsolete. Check out my favorite blends.

New cannabinoids #

Cannabis plants were traditionally categorized into two main types: sativa and indica, each known for distinct effects:

• Sativa
  • Energizing, uplifting effects
  • Often described as producing a “head high”
  • Believed to enhance creativity and focus
• Indica
  • Relaxing, sedating effects
  • Often described as producing a “body high”
  • Believed to aid sleep and reduce anxiety

However, the botanical validity of this simple dichotomy has been eroded by two significant trends:

• Decades of selective breeding have resulted in a diverse array of cannabis varieties, each with unique characteristics. Connoisseurs now recognize and appreciate a much wider spectrum of cannabis experiences beyond the traditional sativa-indica divide.
• Creative chemists have worked to isolate and synthesize individual cannabinoids. This has expanded the catalog of available substances, moving beyond what can be produced solely through plant cultivation.

As a result, the cannabis landscape has shifted. The insatiable demand for novel cannabinoid blends no longer relies exclusively on careful plant cultivation. Instead, isolated cannabinoids can be mixed in precise proportions to produce desired effects, offering a level of customization previously unattainable through traditional growing methods. Since 1986, cannabinoids were hindered by legal ambiguity.⁴ After the 2018 Farm Bill, many interesting cannabinoids became legal.⁵

Cannabinoids can be organized into two categories: THC-like and CBD-like. In general, the experience of one or more THC-like substances are improved by pairing with one or more CBD-like substances. However, some single cannabinoids are great in isolation.

Euphoriants (THC-like buzz) #

• THC (Δ8-THC or Δ9-THC) offers a relaxing high. Trip time is about 6-7 hours from ingestion. Δ9 is a touch more beautiful than Δ8, but they are both marvelous. 💡
• Δ10-THC (actually 70% Δ10-THC, 22% Δ8-THC) offers an energizing head high. Trip time is about 8-9 hours from ingestion. When combined with CBN, it doesn’t feel much different, but CBN affects the head-heart balance. Compatible: CBN, THCV, CBT, CBC. CDBV is not bad, but I prefer the softness of CBC/CBT. Incompatible: CBD, H4CBD. For occasional use, tolerance half-life seems to be about 36 hours.
• HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) feels similar to Δ8-THC, but distributed unevenly across the body. Most of the effect is from the neck up, with some sensation from the waist up. The high is roughly balanced between energizing and relaxing. Weird.⁶ 👎

My tentative take is that there are not that many real choices for euphoriants. There are substances with different potency and duration, but most of the variety in subjective effect is obtained through pairing with potentiators.

Closest Cousins: Δ8-THC vs Δ9-THC #

If you haven’t tried THC, start with Δ8-THC before trying Δ9-THC.

For occasional use, tolerance half-life seems to be about two days. There is likely cross-tolerance because both substances are CB1 agonists.

Potentiators (CBD-like) #

• CBD is the classic potentiator. CBD opens the emotional spigot around the heart.
• H4CBD (hydrogenated CBD) offers the reassurance of CBD, but in an even more delightfully exquisite way. More cognitive and longer duration than CBD. H4CBD is not only stronger than CBD; it has a different character. H4CBD is serious, not blissful.
• CBN (cannabinol) offers a head high without narrowing focus. This is the most underrated cannabinoid. 🤙🏼
  Consider a cup of coffee in the morning. The first few sips often bring the most pleasure–the warmth, the aroma, the initial burst of flavor. By tuning into these sensations, we might find that a single well-brewed cup brings more satisfaction than drinking several cups mindlessly. The same principle applies to many pleasures in life.
  This approach isn’t about deprivation–it’s about discovering that enough often contains more joy than excess. When we eat until we’re comfortably satisfied rather than stuffed, we feel energized rather than lethargic. The Japanese concept of hari hachi bu–eating until you’re 80% full–captures this wisdom. It’s not about rigid restriction, but rather finding that sweet spot where satisfaction lives.
  This principle extends beyond food to many areas of life–entertainment, shopping, work, even social media consumption. In the cannabis world of euphoria and bliss, arguable the most important dimension is finding contentment in sufficiency. That is one of the virtues of cannabinol. Cannabinol bolsters our innate wisdom to be satisfied.
• CBG (cannabigerol) taken alone, I don’t notice any effect from it. With THC activation, CBG narrows focus. This results in a scatterbrain feeling where it takes more effort to hold onto a single coherent train of thought. It also stokes impatience. Why do people enjoy this? It’s cognitively fucked up. It might be okay at moderate dosage if you have a well-defined project to latch onto, but otherwise I’ll pass. Overrated. 👎🏼
• THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) simulating head high. Just a touch of scatterbrain. More alert than CBG. Maybe too alert. Harsh alertness? (Despite starting with the letter T, this is a potentiator because it doesn’t do much without a euphoriant.)
• CBC (cannabichromene) holds the heart steady in a courageous propeller shape. The propeller blades are about two inches in diameter and centered near the sternum. The stationary propeller blades extend left and right. The blades start spinning above some threshold of THC activation. Beautiful, but not better than CBDV or CBT.⁷
• CBT (cannabicitran) holds the heart steady in a hollow, receptive shape while allowing a head high. Possibly more potentiating and gentler come-down than CBDV.⁸
• CBDV (cannabidivarin) holds the heart steady in a neutral shape while allowing a head high. A bit stimulating, but not incompatible with relaxation.

Two-way Interactions #

Munchies #

The munchies refer to a sharp increase in appetite that can make food seem irresistibly delicious. CBD causes this food-craving phenomenon. For H4CBD, the effect is most pronounced during the comedown period, when its effects resemble those of standard CBD. For the appetite-stimulating effect to occur, CBD must comprise more than 50% of a given blend’s total CBD-like potentiators. For example, a blend containing Δ8-THC, CBD, and CBN in a 4:1:1 ratio does not increase appetite because the CBD concentration is too low (only 50%).

Some users report an appetite-suppressing effect with certain cannabis blends. Is this for real? I think blends are either appetite-neutral or cause food cravings. None of the blends I’ve tried noticeably suppress appetite.

Blends #

What happens if you combine energizing and relaxing cannabinoids? #

Favorites #

My reference dose is strong. To judge these blends, I gotta feel ’em vividly. You might start with 1/2 or 1/4 of my reference dose.

Experimentation #

Log #

Agenda #

Storage #

Acetylated cannabinoids are particularly vulnerable to thermal degradation. Store them in the refridgerator. Other cannabinoids will probably be happier in the refridgerator too.⁹

Hepatotoxicity #

• CBD: Less than 300 mg/day is safe.¹⁰

Notes #