Structure and composition of a CBD head

What is a CBD head ?

From a botanical standpoint, the CBD head is the floral top of the cannabis plant. Most of the time, it is called "weed head" or "CBD flower." When cannabis plants are healthy, they develop a main head and several smaller heads around the stem. Certain cultivation techniques allow for an increase in the number and volume of heads.

For cannabis growers, the buds are the most important part of the plant because they contain the terpenes and cannabinoids. Therefore, it is the buds that offer all the therapeutic properties and flavors of cannabis. To obtain beautiful voluminous flowers, the cultivators must control many parameters during the growth and the bloom. For example: nutrition, watering, lighting, temperature, humidity, etc.

Note that cannabis plants can be male, female or hermaphroditic, but only female plants are consumed. Male plants are usually eliminated from cultivation because they pollinate female plants to produce seeds that are unfit for consumption. Hermaphroditic plants can pollinate themselves during flowering. Today, growers have the option of choosing feminized seeds to optimize their yields.

The flowers found on the market are from the female plants, without seeds. Rich in resin and cannabinoids, these flowers are both relaxing and tasty.

How does a CBD head look like ?

The anatomy of the weed head is divided into 3 parts, and each part plays a vital role in the development of the hemp plant. The best cannabis growers know the structure of a CBD head inside out. This knowledge leads to the best possible harvests!

The calyxes

The cannabis flower is composed of several heads packed together. Each head is composed of many calyces. Calyces are small, teardrop-shaped buds that are intended to envelop the seed in case of pollination. In other words, it is the calyces that contain the reproductive organs of the plant. The calyxes are found between the stem and the branches and they appear before the flowers. When flowering begins, the calyces proliferate and become covered with a thin layer of sticky, potent resin that corresponds to the trichomes.

Depending on variety and cultivation techniques, calyces can vary in shape, size, and color.

Pistils

Around the calyxes are pistils that resemble small colored hairs. The pistils serve to collect pollen from male plants and thus provide part of the sexual function of cannabis. Pistils are born white and then gradually change color to yellow, red, pink, orange or brown. While they play an important role in the plant's reproduction, pistils are also essential to the development of aroma and potency in CBD flowers.

Trichomes

Trichomes are microscopic resin glands that look like shiny crystals. Rich in terpenes and cannabinoids such as CBD or THC, trichomes serve to protect the plant from external aggression and pests. The trichomes are also used to produce the CBD resin. To do this, the trichomes must be detached from the plant and processed. This thick layer of trichomes that varies from a translucent color to a milky amber color is a guarantee of potency and quality.

What are the benefits of a CBD head ?

Stress and anxiety

In the world of CBD, flowers are used for their relaxing and calming properties. They help reduce stress and anxiety, while remaining focused and productive. Depending on the level of CBD, some weed heads have more powerful relaxing effects than others. One thing is for sure, CBD flowers are great for regaining calm and well-being after a long day of stress.

Sleep disorders

CBD flowers are also used to combat sleep disorders such as insomnia, hypersomnia, sleep apnea or even parasomnia. Thanks to its regulatory role on the endocannabinoid system, CBD facilitates sleep and improves the quality of sleep. Instead of knocking you out with fatigue like a sleeping pill, CBD regulates the sleep cycle deeply and over the long term.

Chronic pain

CBD flowers are known for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Most CBD users choose the flowers to overcome the most common chronic pains. CBD relieves muscle, joint and bone pain without any side effects.

How to use a CBD head

Vaporization

Traditionally, weed heads are crumbled with a grinder and consumed in a joint. The problem is that this method involves the use of tobacco and the burning of the flowers, which is particularly harmful to health. For smokers, there is a healthy alternative to enjoy a smooth and controlled smoke. It is called vaping.

The vaporizers are equipped with a temperature controller that comes to heat the CBD buds without burning them. This method provides relaxing effects in just a few minutes. However, the effects do not last long.

Infusion

For non-smokers, it is quite possible to consume your CBD buds through an herbal tea or infusion. To do this, simply crumble your flowers and put them in a tea ball or stainless steel infuser, just as you would with a conventional tea.

Let it steep for a few minutes and add a fat such as honey or milk. The addition of a fat is essential to release the active ingredients of CBD and maximize the benefits.

The advantage of this tea is that it's not just for the sake of it.

The advantage of this method is that it allows you to enjoy the relaxing effects of CBD for several hours. However, you will need to be patient as the effects can take 30 minutes to 1 hour to kick in. This is a good solution for people who suffer from stress, anxiety or chronic pain and need relief throughout the day.

Cooking

CBD buds also have their place in the kitchen and in all of your culinary preparations. Before incorporating them into your sweet or savory recipes, they must be heated in the oven for about 1 hour between 100 and 120 degrees. This step of decarboxylation is mandatory to activate the active principles of CBD.

Then simply add the crumbled flowers to your preparations: cake, muffin, pie, cookies, pancakes, pancakes, smoothies, milkshakes, etc. For more convenience, you can also make your oil, butter or honey with CBD. This ensures that you always have a CBD-rich fat in the kitchen that you can add to your dishes.

As with the infusion, you have to wait for the CBD to pass through the digestive system before you feel the relaxing effects. As it passes through the digestive system, CBD can offer you its benefits for 3 to 7 hours.