The aroma of a freshly lit cannabis cigarette is unmistakable. But have you ever stopped to wonder what’s behind that distinct scent and the effects that follow?
The journey of cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant to the smoke we inhale is a fascinating tale of transformation, evaporation, and re-evaporation.
A new study has tested the output of a standard cannabis joint and the results are quite amazing!
Let’s examine this process and unravel the mystery behind the smoke.
Cannabinoids on the Move
When you light up a cannabis cigarette, you’re not just burning the plant material. You’re initiating a series of complex chemical reactions.
As the heat touches the cannabis, some cannabinoids, the compounds responsible for many of the plant’s effects, begin to break down. This is just the start of their transformation.
The next step is called decarboxylation. While it might sound like a term straight out of a chemistry textbook, it’s simply a process where cannabinoids undergo a chemical change, making them ready for their voyage into the smoke.
Once transformed, these cannabinoids turn into a vapor, moving swiftly away from the direct heat source.
But their journey doesn’t end there. As these vapors travel through the cooler parts of the cigarette, they begin to condense, forming tiny droplets.
These droplets linger momentarily, but as the heat catches up, they re-evaporate, finally joining the smoke that makes its way to the smoker.
Terpenes – The Aromatic Travelers of the Cannabis World
Terpenes are what give cannabis its unique aroma. Unlike cannabinoids, terpenes have their own journey when exposed to heat.
Sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenoids, for instance, have boiling points that are quite close to cannabinoids. This means they follow a path similar to cannabinoids, but with one key difference: they don’t undergo decarboxylation.
They don’t need this transformation to make their way into the smoke.
Then there are the monoterpenes. These compounds are the early risers of the cannabis world. With their lower boiling points, they’re quick to evaporate, often before the cannabinoids have even started their journey.
This rapid evaporation means that when you take that first puff, it’s often the monoterpenes you’re tasting first.
The Ever-Changing Profile of Cannabis Smoke
As you continue to smoke, you’re not getting a consistent dose with each puff. The composition of the smoke changes as the cigarette burns.
Early on, you might be getting a higher concentration of monoterpenes, but as you smoke more, the cannabinoids begin to dominate the scene.
This dynamic shift is why the effects of cannabis can change as you progress through your smoking session.
The Inconsistency of Cannabis Smoke
One of the most intriguing aspects of smoking cannabis is the inconsistency in the smoke’s composition.
If you were to split your spliff in half and smoke one part in the morning and the other in the evening, you’d likely find that the evening session feels stronger.
In fact, the dose from the latter half might be almost double that of the first. It’s a quirk of the way cannabinoids and terpenes respond to heat and something every cannabis user should be aware of.
Terpenes in the Spotlight
When it comes to who enters the smoke first, terpenes take the lead. Whether you’re smoking or using a vaporizer, terpenes are often the first compounds to make their presence felt.
Monoterpenes, with their lower boiling points, are especially quick off the mark. They evaporate rapidly, ensuring they’re the first compounds you encounter.
This means that as you smoke, you’re not just experiencing changes in the strength of the active compounds but also in their composition.
Cannabis Extracts and Oils
For those who prefer cannabis oils or extracts over traditional smoking, it’s worth noting that the experience is different.
The process of making oils often results in the loss of monoterpenes. So, while oils offer a different kind of convenience and experience, they might not capture the full spectrum of terpenes that traditional smoking offers.
