Marcus RichardsDid you know the use of hemp dates back thousands of years? Early uses of hemp can be traced back to around 500 BC, when hemp fiber was used to make a variety of resources such as clothing, fiber, and rope. Hemp also provided nourishment and was used for its medicinal benefits. In the United States, hemp was a crucial part of life in the early 1600s, and hemp was even required to be grown on some colonies farms in order to operate. In fact, even the Declaration of Independence was signed on hemp paper. In the 20th century, hemp was made illegal in the United States, denying the ability to grow and utilize the valuable resource. In 2018, Congress passed the Farm Bill, legalizing hemp that contains 0.3% or less of Delta 9 THC.
Since then, popularity of hemp has soared, and 1 in 7 adults currently use a hemp-based product to support their health and wellness. Though there are numerous products with cannabinoids derived from hemp to try, smoking hemp was one of the first ways early civilizations were able to ingest hemp. Smoking hemp has many benefits for those who consume. Let’s dive into the first way our ancestors benefited from cannabinoids, and how smoking hemp can benefit us today.
What is smokable hemp?
First, what exactly is smokable hemp? Smokable hemp are the flowers and sugar leaves of the mature hemp plant that have been dried and cured. They come in a variety of products, including whole hemp flower, hemp cigarettes, prerolls, and cigars, that are often blended with other botanicals to boost the therapeutic effects and flavor. No matter which product you choose, smoking hemp can benefit you.
What are the benefits of smoking hemp?
When smoking hemp there are a vast amount of benefits a consumer can experience. Whole hemp flower has a variety of terpenes and cannabinoids that bring benefit to numerous areas of the body. When smoking hemp flower, one is able to experience the entourage effect, boosting the benefits of all cannabinoids in the plant, more so than it would be with their singular parts. This allows the body to much easier achieve a state of homeostasis and balance in the body.
Hemp flower has many cannabinoids present such as CBD, CBG, and CBN; and all have demonstrated great therapeutic value through research. Here are some of the many benefits cannabinoids can deliver:
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Anti-nausea
- Sleep Support
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Tobacco Cessation
When we smoke hemp flower, we also benefit from the various terpenes present. The types of terpenes are dependent on the strain and dictate not only the way the flower will smell and taste, but also the experience we have. For example, a citrus strain will often be limonene dominant, making it great for daytime use, as it has a more uplifting effect. A peppery strain is more likely myrcene or caryophyllene dominant, making it ideal for nighttime use and for those who seek deep body relaxation. Terpenes are a great way to experiment with different effects and flavors to find the strain that is best for your individual needs.
How can you smoke hemp flower?
Smoking hemp flower is the fastest way to administer cannabinoids to the body, as consumers will feel the effects in an average of 5 to 10 minutes after inhaling. Because of this, smoking hemp flower has become extremely popular among consumers. Here are some of the most popular ways to smoke hemp:
- Whole Flower: Whole hemp flower is the dried and cured flowering buds of the mature hemp plant that have been trimmed. There are a variety of strains to choose from with various flavors and effects.
- Prerolls: Prerolls are dried flowers that have been ground down and put into a cone shaped tube with a filter. They typically contain one gram or less of hemp flower.
- Hemp Cigarettes: Hemp cigarettes are a great option for those using hemp to quit smoking traditional nicotine cigarettes. They are dried hemp flower in a cigarette style tube with a filter and have no tobacco.
Smoking hemp has numerous benefits we can gain value from, and it is no wonder why our ancestors smoked hemp as well. If you smoke hemp, it is best to try different strains and note how they affect you. You may find some are better for day, while others help you get a good night’s rest; and with time you will learn what strains are best for you.
