The Significance and Benefits of Cannabis Trichomes

Does the concept of cannabis trichomes seem convoluted to you? What are they, and how are they grown? How are they harvested? What is the best way to consume trichomes?

Yes, gotcha! We will help you understand what the buzz about trichomes in the cannabis community is all about. Read through the end of this article to discover trichome’s biology for you and the rest of the cannabis plants.

We provide information about how trichomes are grown and extracted so you can make a well-informed decision to optimize your cannabis consumption. We break down the basics of several traditional trichome consumption methods and briefly introduce dabbing with trichomes.

 

What Is the Background of Cannabis Trichomes?

Trichomes come from the Greek word meaning “growth of hair.” The appearance of trichomes mimics that of frost-like hair that sprouts out from female cannabis flowers. Similar to plants that come in various shapes and sizes, this also applies to trichomes. For example, trichomes like the ones found on female cannabis plants are grouped into two categories known as glandular and non-glandular. These trichomes can be distinguished via their ability to generate and secrete various cannabidiol metabolite quantities.

The non-glandular trichomes protect the cannabis plant and are located on the top and bottom of cannabis leaves. In contrast, glandular trichomes have a specific role: producing and storing large quantities of cannabis resin – an icing layer on an already delicious cake. In addition, non-glandular type trichomes are grouped into two types: cystolithic and multisyllabic trichomes. The primary difference between these types is their shape and origin. Afterwards, these glandular trichomes disintegrate into three types known as the following: bulbous, capitate-sessile, and capitate-stalked trichomes.

Bulb-like trichomes are the smallest and generate limited amounts of special metabolites. Trichomes of the capitate-sessile types sit atop the epidermis of cannabis flowers. These plants have a short stalk, ball-shaped head made up of secretory cells, and a cannabinoid metabolite storage cavity.

Trichomes in the capitate-stalked category are shaped like capitate-sessile trichomes with the same globose head, except the head is a bit larger and has what is referred to as a multicellular stalk. Also, the capitate-stalked trichomes produce more cannabinoids compared to the other two types. Curious to know more? The Herb Centre Guide: How to buy Marijuana Online.

 

Therapeutic Effects of Trichomes

Millions of people consume cannabis for purely recreational purposes, but many consume it strictly for medicinal purposes. Trichomes deliver therapeutic and medicinal effects and are responsible for the biosynthesis desirable cannabinoids, THC and CBD. As cannabis grows in popularity and usage, trichomes should be top of mind because it has the key components of the cannabis plants that provide them with a range of psychotropic effects and therapeutic properties. In addition, frosty trichomes consist of the cannabis plant’s various pungent essential oils, cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

The result is therapeutically useful cannabis that also delivers distinct flavors and potency. As trichomes are gaining more attention and recognition as a vital part of the female cannabis plant, they still tend to be underrated. Beyond medicinal and therapeutic effects, trichomes serve another purpose: protecting the cannabis plant from predators and pests.

Trichomes even decrease the healing effect caused by sunlight and act as a natural sunscreen. To top it off, because trichomes have gluey consistency, it works as a natural defense mechanism to combat different insects from various insects and predators that may not have the ability to push through a sticky, gooey barrier or are discouraged because of the trichome’s unpleasant taste and texture.

 

Growth and Life Cycle of Trichomes

Before harvest, cannabis plants undergo several growths and development stages that apply to trichomes. The first stages of trichome development are their appearance, clear, cloudy, amber, and mixed. When the trichomes are clear or translucent, it is a sign that the weed plant is nearing peak concentration levels. In the first stage, the trichomes are not potent enough to be harvested, and the cannabis plant, if harvested too early, may not be rich enough.

The second stage develops when trichomes have a cloud-like appearance – a sign that cannabinoid levels have reached their maximum potential. The next is the third stage, which occurs once the trichomes turn amber in color. Once trichomes turn amber, it can sometimes indicate a decline in levels of THC. Hence, cultivators regularly monitor their plants once they notice any color changes. The final stage is when the trichomes are mixed in color – cloudy -looking, whereas others are amber in color or at least seem halfway.

Contingent on the cannabis’s strain, harvesting occurs when most trichomes are already amber in color. But for other strains, harvest can occur once most trichomes are cloudy, and the remainder is slightly amber. Eventually, harvesting time will be contingent on the specific cannabis strain and the vision of the cultivator for the plant.

 

Strains with High Trichome Content

Out of all the strains of cannabis available, two varieties found to be the richest in trichomes are Purple Kush and the Hindu Kush. Enthusiasts who have consumed this may have experienced a potent punch of psychoactive and euphoric effects.

Or did you notice a cluster of frosty and hair-like bursting buds of fluffy cannabis ready to be ground up? If so, you may have had a small taste of both trichomes’ beauty and benefits.

Besides Purple Kush and the Hindu Kush, several other cannabis strains are notable for their rich trichomes, including White Widow, Chemdawg, and OG Kush. Next time, visit your favorite local dispensary and consider these rich strains to discover what the hype is all about.

 

What Is the Relationship Between Trichomes, Concentrates, and Extracts?

From another perspective, whether you are curious about the extract of cannabis and concentrates, have tried them before or are fond of this product category, there are a couple of ways to separate the trichomes from the rest of the cannabis plant: extraction or concentration. The extract method utilizes a solvent to separate the active chemical components from the material of the plant. In contrast, concentrates utilize physical means to separate the trichomes from the surface of the flowers.

Next time you buy a cannabis extract or concentrate, the cannabis-rich resin plays a significant role in the effects and overall experience you will likely encounter post-consumption. If you are anxious to reap the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of cannabis and experience its psychoactive effects along the way, consuming trichomes is one option. Other options for enjoying trichome’s effects are eating, drinking, bathing, dabbing, or even old-fashioned smoking.

 

How to Extract the Gooey Stuff off the Ganja

Farming resin, the separation of trichomes from the rest of the pot plant into a cannabis concentrate, is the underlying essence of modern medicinal marijuana advances. Concentrates like oil, shatter, and wax is created via pressurized butane oil, a solvent to separate the trichome resin from the plant. Butane hash oil, otherwise known as BHO, is the most controversial form of cannabis concentrate because it is not safe for handling in-home preparations.

But professionally made BHO is a standard cannabis concentrate on the legal marijuana market. It is the most common because it is the simplest and least labor-intensive method available. But beyond its apparent simplicity, dangers lurk there. First and foremost is the very high risk that butane will explode. Even a tiny spark is enough to get it off. Besides the risk of combustion, toxic butane molecules can settle in the solution and eventually inhale in your lungs. Hence, BHO may not be your best option.

Reputable cannabis brands do not offer BHO because they prefer to utilize more organic extraction methods to make trichome concentrates. As a substitute, high-proof alcohol can be used instead of butane as a homemade solvent to strip trichome resin from plants safely and cost-effectively. In this case, plant matter is soaked in an alcohol-like substance like Everclear, a simple way to produce highly effective THC and CBD tincture. This simple extraction method takes 30 to 60 days to generate a viable tincture. But this process can be accelerated by incorporating cold or heat into the alcohol, which can be dangerous because of alcohol’s flammability. But this method can cut the production time to as little as two days or hours. 

Ice water extraction is the preferred method of making cannabis concentrates. This method is chosen because the process is safe, more eco-conscious only utilizes ice water, and does not use any chemicals in the extraction process. This all-natural production method generates a high-THC Bubble Hash; it is clean and refreshing with no chemical residue. But concentrates are not the only for you to enjoy the range of effects of the cannabis plant’s trichomes.

Via a three-chamber grinder, you can enjoy raw, dry, and finely ground trichomes known as kief that naturally breaks away from the rest of the bud into the lower third area of your grinder every time you use it. Keep and collect lots of kief to enjoy on special occasions or whenever your main supply runs out. Kief can be utilized in various ways: sprinkling on food, mixing drinks, incorporating kief in your joints or bong bowl.

 

Examine the Buds Before Partaking

If you have some awesome ganja, you might be able to see the trichomes growing there. You must examine trichome resin on your cannabis plant with your naked eye using a small and inexpensive pocket-sized magnifying glass, which is a must for any severe cannabinoid enthusiast before consuming it.

It would be best if you went out to try trichomes each time you purchase a fresh supply of marijuana to appreciate the beauty of trichome patterns fully. This examination ensures you do not have bad buds infested with spider mites or Aspergillus mold.

 

Tasting Your Trichomes

Various vaporizing processes heat the pot plant material or decarboxylate it until the cannabinoids in the trichome resin melt and sublimate into vapor. It is safer than smoking which requires a method of burning because the lower temperature does not break down and recombine or oxidize the molecules into new forms. Once trichomes are transformed, this invisible trichome-rich vapor can be inhaled via your lungs. Afterwards, it will be transferred into your bloodstream and transported throughout your body. Each of these occurs without any combustion; hence, it is the ideal method for anyone who utilizes cannabis to treat asthma symptoms or for anyone who needs to medicate in public discreetly.

A vaporizer pen is all the rage these days and can be utilized to vaporize trichome resin off the flower or in a concentrated form. Hash pipes can be made from wood, metal, or glass and typically have a smaller bowl and are usually a bit longer than a typical pipe. This difference lets the hash smoke down a bit more before hitting your lungs.

That being said, there is no one right way to smoke hash and choose whatever suits you. You can smoke hash and any other pipe meant for cannabis use. But it must be specifically designed for cannabis and not marijuana. It takes more heat to burst concentrated hash than it does for cannabis flowers. Hence, warming up your hash with a lighter before fully igniting does wonder to activate the hash’s cannabinoids. You must also crumble or cut up pieces of hash and combine them with your regular flower for an extra kick.

We recommend you sprinkle kief from the bottom of your three-chamber grinder onto some ground-up weed before rolling it into a joint which is the most effective way to enjoy your trichomes. Sometimes, folks dip their joints into their kiefs to get a unique outcome. Cannabis concentrates dabs from trichomes provide potent and fast-acting relief for medical patients compared to rolling a joint. Consuming cannabis via dabbing is the best way to taste and benefit from a trichome’s terpenes.

 

Conclusion

Trichomes are gooey sticky resins that you get from your ganja. The purpose of the sticky resin is to protect the plant from insects, animals, and the sun while it grows. It would be best if you consumed as many trichomes as possible because this is where the medicinal and recreational compounds of the plant lay, such as THC, CBD, and terpenes within the heads of trichomes. It would be best to separate the trichomes by utilizing butane, ice water extraction, or a standard three-chamber grinder once you discover that the trichome gland heads start to turn opaque. In addition, you can choose to taste your trichomes via vaping, taking a tincture or simply smoking them. For additional information on marijuana use, you must check our all-natural cannabis products and visit our website today at The Herb Centre Mail Order Marijuana Service Areas.