Why Decarboxylation Is Required With Weed

Decarboxylation is a process that changes the game of using weed in its entirety. It is an important but often misunderstood process in cannabis use. Decarboxylating your cannabis is a way to get the most out of it. Weed gets a bad rap due to its prohibition in several states and countries and a lot of misinformation that has been doing the rounds. This has caused many people to reject the idea of consuming weed without being aware of the many benefits that it can bring to our body. 

The main goal of consuming weed is not to simply encourage addiction. Cannabis actually helps promote wellness and good health because of its many medical benefits. Therefore, an open mind is needed as there are certain myths that must be debunked. 

What Is Decarboxylation?

Cannabinoids are found in the cannabis plant but their concentrations are often very low. Two compounds that can be found within cannabis are the THC and the CBD. But before they are fully activated they first start out as Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA) and Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA). THCA and CBDA will not give you the full benefits of Cannabis, and thus need to be converted first to THC and CBD through the process of decarboxylation. 

Decarboxylation requires time, proper temperature and the right atmosphere. Activating THC without destroying other cannabinoids requires a meticulous scientific process. Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that uses heat to convert THCA and CBDA into THC and CBD. When heated, the cannabinoid acids shift because a carboxyl group is removed. Upon activation, the cannabinoids can start interacting with the endocannabinoid receptors in your brain and body that produce health benefits and pain-relieving effects. 

Why Is Decarboxylation Important When Using Weed?

It is important to learn to decarb weed when it comes to making your own edibles or cannabis-infused treats. Two critical elements in this process are temperature and time. You can use an oven, crockpot or toaster oven when making edibles. Ovens vary in their features, so invest in a good thermometer that helps monitor the temperature inside. The second important element is time. Heating a cannabinoid for a long time can destroy some of the compounds inside while not heating it long enough can result in it not being properly decarboxylated. A delicate balance is needed. One important tip to remember is to start low and go slow so that every cannabinoid will be preserved to ensure that its maximum effects reach your body. 

Unlocking CBD and THC through decarboxylation delivers many benefits to the body.

1. Pain relief is the top benefit of THC and CBD, and has been used ever since 2900 B.C. Did you know that worldwide, over 1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain? Their discomfort is mostly related to nerve-related pain.

The human body has a system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is in charge of regulating various functions such as sleep, appetite, pain, and the immune system. Endocannabinoids produced by this system are neurotransmitters that bind the cannabinoids to your nervous system, resulting in a reduction in chronic pain and reduced inflammation. The cannabis compound is able to activate pathways in the nervous system that prevent pain signals being sent to the brain

2. Cannabis helps to protect brain cells. One of the famous myths around weed is that its consumption kills brain cells. However, this is actually a complete misconception because cannabis does the exact opposite. THC is considered to be neuroprotectant and not neurotoxic. This means that it protects the cells in the brain from damage.

One study in 2014 even concluded that people with THC in their systems were less likely to be affected by fatal head injuries.

3. A lot of people are fighting against the demons of anxiety and depression. These mental health disorders can have devastating effects on the daily activities of people. Pharmaceutical drugs are usually recommended to help people who are struggling with these issues. However, the side effects of these medicines can include drowsiness, agitation, insomnia, and migraines. CBD oil has proven to be a promising treatment for depression and anxiety. It has also been proven to safely treat insomnia in children who suffer from PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder.

These wonders can be attributed to CBD’s ability to increase the production of serotonin, (also known as the happy chemical) in the brain which is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behavior.

4. Cannabis also helps reduce acne which is a common skin condition that many people suffer from. Common causes of acne include genetics, bacteria, and inflammation. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and can also reduce sebum production. 

There are so many health benefits weed offers that can be unlocked through proper decarboxylation. So the next question at hand is how do you properly do this process? 

How Do You Properly Decarboxylate Marijuana At Home? 

If you are going to try decarboxylating cannabis at home, you will need the following to get you started: 

• An oven set at 223-235 degrees
• Parchment paper
• Baking tray

First, break your cannabis into smaller portions until you are able to spread it thinly on the baking sheet. Don’t grind it. 

Spread it on a baking paper, making sure that there are no overlapping pieces. 

Place it in a preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes. The color should change from green to light brown. It should also be very dry at the end of 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it to make sure that it doesn’t burn.

Remove it from the baking sheet and allow it to cool for a few minutes. After it has cooled down sufficiently, you can put it in a food processor in order to grind it. Then simply add it to your food. If you are going to mix it with your drinks then you should grind it until it turns into a powder. 

Conclusion

Decarboxylation is very important when consuming weed because it unlocks CBD and THC. These compounds provide many health benefits to the body including pain alleviation, relief for anxiety and depression, and even reduced acne. In addition, following proper decarboxylation, you can put it in your food and drinks directly. You can even do this in the comfort of your own home. Weed has a lot of benefits that we take for granted. So spread the word and don’t believe the myths!