Why Marijuana Gets You High

Why Marijuana Gets You High

Trichomes are the entire purpose of growing marijuana- they are the appendages, or hairs, covering your bud that contain cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes, which give Marijuana the ability to get you high. Here we'll walk through how each of these influence your body.

Cannabinoids (Trichomes)

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that influence the endocannabinoid system, a system of receptors that regulate a variety of functions across the body. Cannabinoids are the main contributors to the psychoactive properties and body soothing effects associated with a Marijuana high. 

There are over 100 types of cannabinoids that are produced within Marijuana, the most widely known being THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).

Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids produced by plants, while endocannabinoids are cannabinoids produced within the body.

Endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors exist throughout your body and interact to serve regulatory and communicative functions.

  • Endocannabinoids circulate throughout your body to stimulate cannabinoid receptors

  • Cannabinoid receptors coat a variety of cells throughout different systems and structures in your body, receiving the input of cannabinoids and directing the cells accordingly

Cannabinoids influence the body in two primary ways, driven by the two types of Cannabinoid Receptors throughout your body:

CB1 Receptors are located throughout your nervous system, serving vital functions for the brain including mood, memory, motor function, appetite, and even perception of pain. 

  • The psychoactive properties of THC and other Cannabinoids trigger reactions with these CB1 receptors

  • They exist in a variety of systems besides the nervous system- namely respiratory, nutrient processing, and reproduction related

CB2 Receptors are located throughout your immune system, moderating your body's response to foreign influences, like pathogens, and response to damage through inflammation levels

  • The pain soothing that CBD can provide is often related to the reaction of CB2 receptors to CBD stimuli

  • Some posit that the interaction between Cannabinoids and CB2 receptors can slow neurodegeneration in cells, assisting those with degenerative diseases like Parkinson's

  • CB2 receptors also exist in the digestive, cardiovascular and orthopedic systems

Terpenes

Terpenes are an aromatic compound found throughout a wide variety of plants, mainly known for their aromatic effects. Different types of terpenoids cause the strong aromas found in plants like Pine, Citrus, and Lavender.

Terpenes are the primary source of your bud's smell and flavor of its smoke. 

  • Within the cannabis field, terpenes are namely defined by their aromatic effects.

  • The terpenes found in cannabis are not considered psychoactive on their own, but some theorize that they may have an effect on how cannabinoids interact with your body.

  • Others believe that terpenes like linalool have a calming effect through both Lavender and Marijuana rich in Linalool

The "Entourage Effect" postulates that compounds not considered psychoactive like Terpenes and Flavonoids have a cumulative effect on how cannabinoids affect your body. 

  • The theory argues effects of terpenes and flavonoids are the reason your body reacts differently to different strains with the same amount of THC.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are a class of phytonutrients common to almost every plant and vegetable. Their primary function in nature is to provide color to attract pollinators. Different types of flavonoids determine a wide array of plant's colors throughout the world, and have similar effects on your Marijuana. 

In the dietary world, flavonoids rich diets are recommended for prevention against cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disease prevention. Flavonoid high foods include onions, spinach, kale, tea, brussel sprouts, red wine, and dark chocolate.

In the Cannabis world, flavonoids are the most understudied compounds in how they affect your body. They are however known to have a variety of effects on your plants.

Flavonoids make up about 10% of the chemical compounds found in your trichomes

  • Extremely colorful Cannabis is saturated in certain types of flavonoids that determine deep purple or evergreen hues

  • Some posit that flavonoids interaction with terpenes contributes to the taste or flavor of your bud

  • Cannaflavins are a particular type of flavonoid known to only exist in cannabis

  • Cannaflavin A is active in the pharmaceutical community, determined to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties

Through continued research on the subject we'll learn more in the future about how flavonoids influence cannabinoids to change the way in which your body reacts to cannabis.