Matt Rize
Hashmaster
The Trichome:
Cannabis has special trichomes to say the least. The resin within these trichomes has encouraged our ancestors to work with this plant for millennia. Cannabis resin contains strong smelling medicinal compounds that glisten in the sun to call extra attention. These resin glands protect the plant from insects and predation by being sticky and intoxicating. Trichomes also protect the growing seeds from the sun and wind. The essential oil, or resin, of Cannabis is contained within the trichome. This essential oil includes cannabinoids (high) and terpenes (smell).
What is a trichome?
A trichome is defined by wiki as a hair or scale-like extension of the epidermis (skin) of a plant. Contrarily, Cannabis resin glands are called trichomes and the hair-like extensions of the epidermis are called cystolith hairs. Technically resin glands and cystolith hairs are both trichomes. For simplicity, the trichome will refer solely to the cannabinoid containing resin glands as the cystolith hairs are of little value.
Kinds of trichomes:
Mature resin glands are capitate stalked trichomes. Within the gland heads lie the cannabinoids: THC, THCV, CBD, CBN, CBC, CGN, and some eighty other identified compounds. Also contained in the resin glands are terpenes, which are responsible for smell and contribute to the "high" and medicinal properties . These mature trichomes can vary in size from 25 to 200 microns, depending on environment and genetics. To attain full-melt bubble hash only the mature trichomes can be collected. This is somewhere in the 60-100 micron range for hybrids, but again, this depends on many factors including the oil soluble terpenes present.
A detailed description of trichomes can be found here:
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Trichome#Trichomes_and_cannabis
Trichome power:
The Cannabis trichome serves multiple functions. It protects the plant from predation, desiccation, and radiation. The trichome also calls to mankind, and has seduced us to spread the Cannabis plant to every corner of the earth. The cannabinoids and terpenes within the trichome have proven to help the human race with a multitude of debilitating and degenerative conditions. Cannabinoid research has only scratched the surface of the medicinal benefits of trichome. The ailments statistically proven to be aided by cannabinoids will surely grow.
Cannabis has special trichomes to say the least. The resin within these trichomes has encouraged our ancestors to work with this plant for millennia. Cannabis resin contains strong smelling medicinal compounds that glisten in the sun to call extra attention. These resin glands protect the plant from insects and predation by being sticky and intoxicating. Trichomes also protect the growing seeds from the sun and wind. The essential oil, or resin, of Cannabis is contained within the trichome. This essential oil includes cannabinoids (high) and terpenes (smell).
What is a trichome?
A trichome is defined by wiki as a hair or scale-like extension of the epidermis (skin) of a plant. Contrarily, Cannabis resin glands are called trichomes and the hair-like extensions of the epidermis are called cystolith hairs. Technically resin glands and cystolith hairs are both trichomes. For simplicity, the trichome will refer solely to the cannabinoid containing resin glands as the cystolith hairs are of little value.
Kinds of trichomes:
Mature resin glands are capitate stalked trichomes. Within the gland heads lie the cannabinoids: THC, THCV, CBD, CBN, CBC, CGN, and some eighty other identified compounds. Also contained in the resin glands are terpenes, which are responsible for smell and contribute to the "high" and medicinal properties . These mature trichomes can vary in size from 25 to 200 microns, depending on environment and genetics. To attain full-melt bubble hash only the mature trichomes can be collected. This is somewhere in the 60-100 micron range for hybrids, but again, this depends on many factors including the oil soluble terpenes present.
A detailed description of trichomes can be found here:
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Trichome#Trichomes_and_cannabis
Trichome power:
The Cannabis trichome serves multiple functions. It protects the plant from predation, desiccation, and radiation. The trichome also calls to mankind, and has seduced us to spread the Cannabis plant to every corner of the earth. The cannabinoids and terpenes within the trichome have proven to help the human race with a multitude of debilitating and degenerative conditions. Cannabinoid research has only scratched the surface of the medicinal benefits of trichome. The ailments statistically proven to be aided by cannabinoids will surely grow.
