Magic Mushroom Concentrates – Everything you need to know

Concentrates are products that have more terpenes and cannabinoids than raw cannabis flowers.

Concentrates have been popular for a long time. They started in ancient China and India. Concentrates manufacturing technology has changed dramatically in the last few years, and they are going through a cultural revival.

The Basics Of Concentrates

To help us understand concentrates, we should learn some basics concerning the psychoactive compounds in cannabis.

• Trichomes

Cannabis Terpenes and cannabinoids are formed in trichomes. Trichomes are the white crystalline hairlike structures that cover the buds of the cannabis plant and protect it from the sun. Trichomes make cannabis buds sticky. The cannabis plants are likely to help the plant fight off bad weather and protect itself from bugs. 

• Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are compounds responsible for interactions with the body and brain’s endocannabinoid system. Some of the cannabinoids that can be sourced from the cannabis plant include THC distillate, CBD, HHC, THC Concentrates, THC-O, CBG, and CBN.

All these cannabinoids interact with the human body in different ways, and they all manifest various health benefits from one another.

• Terpenes 

Terpenes are a group of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. They give off a strong smell, which may help protect the cannabis plant from predators. According to research, cannabis is made up of about 150 terpenes, making it smell and taste different. Terpenes also give characteristic flavors to diverse cannabis strains and can be used to improve or change their medical and euphoric effects. An ideal concentrate should persevere both terpenes and cannabinoids of the cannabis plant.

Types of Concentrates

What brings about differences between concentrates is the method of extraction. Concentrates are made up of a lot of different things. Preparation and even how much you eat will depend on the type of concentrate you make. The first thing you’ll have to decide is which concentrate to use. There are two major types of Concentrates:

1. 1. Non-solvent based concentrates
   2. Solvent-based concentrates

1. Non-solvent based concentrates

Non-solvent concentrates are the ones that are made without the use of solvents. Instead, only pressure and heat are applied.

Below are some common non-solvent-based concentrates that you can’t miss in the market.

• • Kief

Kief is one of the simplest kinds of concentrates you can ever find in the market. 

• • • Can be smoked in a bong
    • Obtained from pure trichomes
    • Made in grinders

Kief is a collection of cannabis trichomes that have been isolated from cannabis flowers. In the cannabis plant, trichomes can be dislodged easily. Hence, one can get kief with ease. All one needs is a grinder and a kief catcher.

• Hash

Hash is a form of kief concentrate that is compressed. 

• • Made by compressing kief
  • Rich in cannabinoids
  • Has an earthy flavor

The compression increases the density and Potency of hash concentrates. Other forms of non-solvent concentrates include charas, bubble hash, and rosin hash.

 2. Solvent-Based Concentrates

Extracts or solvent-based concentrates are also called hash oils. Extracts can be classified depending on their consistency (shatter, wax, budder). However, their consistency is not linked to a particular method of extraction. 

Each extraction method with similar starting material will give you several consistencies. It all depends on how the end product is set and dried. Hence, starting materials and drying methods play a key role in determining the quality of your cannabis extract.

Some of the standard extracts include:

• BHO 

BHO stands for Butane Hash Oil. It is used to make budder, shatter, wax, and several other forms of extracts.

Despite being popular, it tends to be risky. BHO is sourced from butane which is flammable. Hence, it’s not advisable to use it at home as homemade BHO is likely to have contaminants. 

Types of BHO

• • Crumble
  • Wax
  • Honeycomb
  • Amber glass
  • Live resin
  • Diamond and Terp Sauce
  • Budder

Other solvent-based extracts include Propane Hash Oil (PHO) and CO2 oil.

Take Away

Concentrates are a world of their own. They are vast! However, choosing one may be confusing and equally fun. However, they are a unique and modern way to ingest cannabis with a spice of ancient history. As with anything else, you experience products better when you are informed. Having any questions on concentrates that you feel should be addressed? Kindly don’t hesitate to reach us!