The belief that different strains have different characteristics may be misguided
There have been a number of reports that talk about the properties associated with different strains of marijuana. Some have been said to be better at treating insomnia, while others are more effective at fighting pain. A recent study reveals that there may not be much of a difference and that all strains are virtually the same.
According to researchers, the different strains have relatively the same levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the two ingredients most often associated with marijuana’s positive benefits. University of British Columbia chemistry professor Elizabeth Mudge, who led the study, points out, “A high abundance compound in a plant, such as THC or CBD, isn’t necessarily responsible for the unique medicinal effects of certain strains.”
To reach the results, researchers studied 33 different strains of Indica and Sativa. What they found was that they all produced almost exactly the same results in combatting anxiety.
However, the researchers added that there still could be different benefits associated with different strains. Overall, there are around 100 cannabinoids in cannabis and not enough research has been conducted to determine the impact each has on the human body. Two, cannabinol and cannabichromene, for example, may be able to target certain ailments that CBD doesn’t. “Understanding the presence of the low abundance cannabinoids could provide valuable information to the medical cannabis community,” explained Mudge.
The distinction will ultimately be important. The research will continue to open new doors and discover the power of cannabis in combatting a variety of ailments, and may even lead to the isolation of certain ingredients to specifically target certain diseases or afflictions.
