Medicating with High-THC Cannabis Strains: Amplifying the Effects of Medical Cannabis

by | Jun 21, 2018 | Health Featured

There are three types of cannabis consumers: medical cannabis consumers, recreational cannabis consumers and a blend of the two.

If you think you fall into the latter category, why not medicate with high-THC cannabis strains?

Plants that are bred with psychoactive genetics can be used to treat a long list of medical ailments and conditions, including chronic pain, nausea, insomnia and appetite loss.

Should you be interested in maximizing your high without increasing the THC content, think about combining your cannabis with some high-intensifying ingredients.

What is THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)?

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC as it is known in its abbreviated form, is an abundant psychoactive cannabis compound (cannabinoid). THC occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. It is responsible for making consumers feel “high”, “stoned” or “baked”. Anyone who finds themselves bursting into a fit of giggles after smoking some weed will probably have been smoking a high-THC strain.

The primary psychoactive cannabis component is one of over 400 contained in the cannabis plant. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli chemist, was the man responsible for isolating THC for the very first time back in 1964. He accomplished this using Lebanese hashish – a very potent type of cannabis extract.

After Mechoulam isolated and synthesized the psychoactive cannabinoid, research into the plant’s many cannabinoids took off. This ultimately allowed scientists to discover THC’s mind-altering effect once it binds to cannabinoid receptors inside the Endocannabinoid System (ES).

How Can I Expect to Feel After Consuming High-THC Strains?

Most of the effects produced by THC are short-lived and in most cases, enjoyable. However, you should pay attention to the dosage to ensure you don’t consume too much THC with a low tolerance. Since every single person’s body chemistry is unique, it’s not for everyone.

While some users claim to feel peaceful and calm after consuming high-THC strains, others may feel anxious or paranoid. If your doctor has recommended THC-rich cannabis as a medical treatment, you can ask a budtender inside an SF dispensary which strain would be suitable for you personally.

Generally, you can expect to feel sedated, happy, giggly, relaxed and free from pain when you medicate with high-THC cannabis. A lot of users report increased feelings of hunger too, so prepare for a case of the munchies.

Amplifying Your High with Natural Ingredients

For many medical marijuana patients who use THC-dominant cannabis strains, the “high” is actually very enjoyable. Although your doctor may not advise increasing the potency of your cannabis, it is possible to intensify the mind-altering effects and make the effects last longer if you consume the following natural ingredients before/after/during your cannabis experience:

  1. Chocolate – An indulgent bar of chocolate will do more for you than simply tease your taste buds. When consumed with cannabis, anandamide (found in chocolate) will trigger cells that impact mood and stress, so you can expect to feel damn good after filling up on cacao and cannabis!
  2. Mango – Sink your teeth into a ripe, juicy mango an hour before you roll up a doobie and prepare for one of the most intense psychoactive experiences you’ve ever had. Myrcene is a terpene contained in mango. When it enters the bloodstream, it binds with cannabinoid receptors in the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). As this happens, cannabinoid receptors respond more efficiently to cannabinoids like THC.
  3. Nuts – If you are not a fan of smoking cannabis and prefer to consume edibles, you will know that edibles take longer to kick in. Or do they? Not if you add nuts to the mix! Nuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and these healthy fats help cannabinoids like THC and CBD to pass the brain-blood barrier quickly, thanks to their binding ability.
  4. Tea – Both green and black teas are the perfect accompaniment to a cannabis-smoking session. They contain catechin, which is an antioxidant that has excellent binding capabilities. What this means is that when you drink tea with cannabis (or even infuse your cannabis into the tea,) THC will bind with CB1 receptors swiftly and induce a full-body high.
  5. Herbs and Spices – Add some flavor to your foods with bay, sage, thyme, lemongrass, lemon thyme and lemon basil. By doing so, you can increase cannabinoid absorption naturally. These herbs and spices contain pinene, which is a terpene and natural bronchodilator that widens lung passages and speeds up cannabinoid absorption.

How do I find the right dosage of THC?

What might work for one person won’t necessarily work for you. After all, everybody has a different tolerance to weed, not to mention a unique biochemistry that will influence how they feel when they consume the plant. As a psychoactive compound, you should avoid consuming too much THC in one go – this might not be pleasurable and could put you off trying cannabis again.

Instead, start slow and consider your needs. For example, if you want to experience intense pain relief and a full-body high, but don’t want it to interrupt with your daily duties, take a high dose of THC right before bed. Diet, body mass, weight, gender and your environment/setting may also impact the experience, so keep this in mind.

Conclusion

If you are concerned about getting the right dosage of THC, consult with a budtender and/or your doctor. Microdosing with cannabis is an effective way of getting the desired effects of cannabis, without feeling uncomfortable.

 

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