Instead of smoking marijuana, a lot of consumers now prefer a cannabis strain that contains CBD. Cannabidiol is a compound found in the cannabis plant, but it has few side effects. It will not make the users stoned because it does not have any psychoactive properties.
Many people choose a lot of hemp strains because of their relaxing and sweet tastes. They can reduce their anxieties and stress levels with the help of CBD buds. You can find more about them on sites like Cheefbotanicals and get more information about hemp flower golden sour varieties. With this said, here are some of the things to know when choosing a strain.
How to Choose the Right Strain?
1. Know the Chemotype that’s Best for you
When choosing the buds, you must consider the chemotype. This is the ratio of THC to CBD, which will impact the users in a big way. Some chemotypes to know about are the following:
- CBD-Dominant: As the name implies, this variety has a higher CBD level and lower THC content.
- THC-Dominant: This is a bud with higher levels of THC compared to CBD levels.
- Balanced: An equivalent amount of both CBD and THC is mixed into the product.
The chemotype is indicative of the genetics of the plant where the buds came from. Most manufacturers will add the strain on the labels or websites to let you know which plant they have used. Some will get the Indica, Sativa, or hybrid, and you can determine the cannabinoid potency on the labels as well. Dominant THC strains may contain 20% THC and only 1% cannabidiol. You can learn more about THC on this site here.
Chemotypes are very important because they will determine how your body will react after smoking the flowers. THC strains will be more intoxicating, and they can provide the users with a more psychoactive experience. Others may be sedative in nature, but they will be accompanied by side effects such as paranoia or anxiety.
Balanced varieties may be intoxicating, but they won’t have the same effects as the dominant types. Higher levels of cannabidiol may negate some of the results brought by THC, including sedation and intoxication. Instead, many users may feel drowsy and calm afterward.
2. The Potency of the Flowers
The overall potency matters and this is something important that you need to consider aside from the ratio. Strains that have more than 30% THC are illegal, and they may give you a very different experience than those buds that only contain 0.3%.
3. Terpene Profile should be Considered
Terpenes contribute to the so-called entourage effect. If you are planning to get a golden sour, you may want to check the terpene profile to see if it’s in large quantities. The terpenes will have a subtle effect that’s beneficial to the users. In many ways, terpene can add a richness in smell and taste that many users are looking for. Buds with pinene will smell like earth and pines, while those that are limonene may have a more citrusy flavor.
The Entourage Effect
Different strains of Sativa can interact together and affect the body’s endocannabinoid system. In many studies, larger samples of Sativa and Indica strains were used for making products and flowers for medicinal uses. The researchers discovered that the terpenoids that are responsible for the flavors and scents could vary from Sativa and Indica. The terpenes can also range from stimulating to a more sedative feel.
When put together, the terpenes and cannabinoids can do many benefits in a much better way than they are used individually. This synergy is popularly known as the entourage effect in the cannabis world. Read more about this effect here: https://www.wired.com/story/cannabis-science-entourage-effect/. The research may be in its early stages, but the results are promising.
Conclusion
When you are trying to pick the buds that are right for you, you should consider the flowers’ overall potency, chemotype, and terpene profile. These are information that was obtained from careful and sensitive terpene and cannabinoid profiling done by legitimate manufacturers. When buying the flowers, ensure that they have an ISO/IEC 17025 certificate from lab tests and comprehensive analysis that will help you determine the unique aspects of the buds that you are getting.