If you have been keeping an eye on our posts, you may have heard us talking about trichomes before. Not only a wonderful reason to keep your keif but also one of the benefits of smoking sticky weed, trichomes are a hot topic. But what are trichomes?
Trichomes, literally named after the Greek word for ‘hair,’ are small, hair-like structures that can be found on a wide variety of plants, not just cannabis. In fact, trichomes are common among many plant species and play a variety of roles in the plant’s defense system and overall health.
Some examples of other plant species besides cannabis that have trichomes include:
Mint: Mint plants have trichomes that produce oils that give the plant its distinctive smell and flavor. These oils also help repel insects and other pests.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes have trichomes on the surface of their leaves and stems, which help protect the plant from UV radiation and insects.
Peppers: Like tomatoes, peppers have trichomes on the surface of their leaves and stems that help protect the plant from UV radiation and insects.
Aloe: Aloe plants have trichomes on their leaves that produce a sticky, gel-like substance that helps protect the plant from pests and retain moisture.
Roses: Roses have trichomes on the surface of their petals that help protect the plant from UV radiation and pests.
Lavender: Lavender plants have trichomes on their flowers and leaves that produce oils that give the plant its distinctive smell and flavor. These oils also help repel insects and other pests.
In addition to these examples, trichomes can be found on many other plant species, including cannabis, as well as on fungi and algae. Trichomes play a vital role in the plant’s defense system and overall health, and their presence is an important indicator of the plant’s quality and potency.
Weed trichomes are most commonly found on the flowers and leaves of the plant, although they can also be found on other parts of the plant, such as the stems and seeds. While a single trichome is extremely small, measuring only a few micrometers in size, they play a vital role in the plant’s defense system.
One of the main functions of cannabis trichomes is to produce cannabinoids, which are chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that are responsible for its psychoactive effects. The most well-known cannabinoid is THC, which is responsible for the feeling of being “high” which is commonly associated with cannabis use. However, there are also other cannabinoids present in cannabis, such as CBD, which has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.
Cannabis trichomes also produce terpenes, which are aromatic oils that give cannabis its unique smell and flavor. There are over 100 different terpenes found in cannabis, and each strain of the plant has its own unique blend of terpenes. These terpenes play a role in the plant’s defense system, as they can repel insects and other pests. In addition, terpenes have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and anti-depressant effects.
In fact, medical marijuana users like myself can benefit from keeping track of the terpenes in the strains that they consume. By tracking my tokes, I have been able to figure out which terpenes are best for me to get energized and which are best for relaxing. Terpene content in cannabis truly matters when dealing with medical reasons for using cannabis.
Trichomes on weed also produce flavonoids, which are plant-based compounds that have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits. Flavonoids are known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties, and they may also play a role in the plant’s defense system.
So, why is weed better with trichomes? Simply put, the presence of trichomes is a good indicator of the overall quality and health of the cannabis plant. Trichomes are responsible for producing the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that give cannabis its unique effects and flavor, and a plant with more trichomes is likely to be more potent and have a higher concentration of these beneficial compounds.
Additionally, trichomes provide a physical barrier that helps protect the plant from pests and other environmental threats, making the plant more resilient overall. You can get quality cannabis that includes quality trichomes by visiting any of our cannabis dispensaries, including our dispensary near Elk Grove Village, Il.
In conclusion, weed is better with trichomes. What are your thoughts? Hit me up on social media, and let’s spark up a conversation about them!
