One label you might have seen repeatedly at your local dispensary is probably “live resin.” Maybe you’re not sure how it differs from a standard vape cartridge, or maybe you’ve heard that the effects are “stronger” or “mind-blowing.” What exactly is going on inside of a live resin cartridge, and how is the substance inside different from other distillates on the vape shelf?

Why is live resin so distinct compared to other cartridges?
Compared to other cartridges, live resin doesn't have the highest THC potency. However, numbers aren't everything when it comes to getting the best experience for your money. THC distillate tends to have some of the highest potency on the market, but the distillation process it endures filters out a large amount of chemical impurities, including flavorful terpenes. Live resin is a concentrate in which recently harvested cannabis flower has been immediately flash-frozen and kept frozen throughout the extraction process, preserving the live cultures in the plant before extraction. While it doesn't have the highest THC potency, it does have a higher terpene content, stronger aroma, and ability to induce extra-heightened psychoactive effects. Furthermore, THC distillate is more easily available because it can be more cheaply manufactured from any unused parts of the plant that might otherwise be considered "throwaway." On the other hand, live resin focuses on incorporating the best qualities of the original plant through a very extensive preservation process.

What are terpenes?
​On a basic level, terpenes are aromatic oils responsible for the distinct smells that accompany various strains of cannabis. If a certain strain smells fruity and another smells savory, it's because of the difference in terpene types. Different variations may also promote different mental states, such as relaxation or heightened focus. In flower preparation, many of the terpenes are lost during the drying and curing processes. With higher terpene profiles in live resin, the extra-heightened psychoactive effects are delivered as a result of the terpenes interacting with THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids — "the entourage effect" — making live resin a glimmering pinnacle among other cartridges and concentrates. 

How to consume live resin?
There are a few ways to take live resin. The simplest method is to simply buy a live resin cartridge and use it with a vape pen. Another method is called "dabbing" — a special water pipe called a rig is used with another component called a nail (a flat bowl) that is preheated to somewhere between 315-400 degrees Fahrenheit with a gas-powered torch. Live resin is then dropped onto the nail, where it evaporates, and the vapor can be inhaled through the other end of the rig. One other method uses nectar collectors, which consolidate this process into just one device. All three methods involve vaporizing the live resin and inhaling the resulting vapors loaded with terpenes and cannabinoids. 

If you're looking for a reason to love live resin, do it for the terpenes — the richer aromas and preserved flavors that are less abundant in other forms of weed. Anything described as "pretty terpy" is sure to be a wild experience, both for your senses and for the resulting high. Here at Bento, we recommend trying the SFV OG and Wedding Crasher live resin cartridges.

While cannabis has been cultivated and consumed for thousands of years, the evolution of marijuana has been rapidly accelerating, especially with an increase in crossbreeding and a consistent introduction of new and improved strains each year. However, the potency of weed wasn’t always what it is today, partially due to the limitations and restrictions that persisted all the way through the first decade of the 21st century.

How strong was weed in the past?
The height of marijuana made its mark in the ’60s and ’70s, a period when psychedelic rock also hit its stride. Although the spirit of weed was at its true peak, the potency of the marijuana was undoubtedly lower than today’s standards. This is because the quality of the weed was relatively poor all-around — countries like Colombia controlled the weed market and exported product heavy in leaves, stems, and seeds rather than the dense, resin-packed buds that most consumers have grown accustomed to today. Since cannabis was outlawed in the US, there was little freedom to experiment with genetics that could produce a superior hybrid. In 1972, the Potency Monitoring Program started measuring THC potency levels in samples that US law enforcement had seized. However, there were many limiting factors that affected the accuracy of the recorded data — low sample size (averaging at roughly 18 samples per year), age and storage conditions, and inefficient methods of measurement. Average THC content was reported to be 3-4%, but the numbers were likely much higher in reality. In the ’80s and ’90s, cannabis importation hit a decline with the rise of hydroponically grown weed. The products of this technique were fresher, domestic, and of higher quality. It is estimated that the potency was still much lower than today’s standards, although the data is not truly accurate, again, due to improper storage of samples and the aging of THC over several months (or even years). 

How strong is weed today?
In recent decades, THC potency has increased significantly. By 2014, the potency average — according to a study published in Biological Psychiatry — had risen to around 12%. THC contents over 20% are also becoming more common, with some strains boasting numbers above 30%. While today’s strains are, by all appearances, more potent than the strains of past generations, this is probably due to a difference in quality and resources available in the US — not just time itself. The legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana in various regions has also greatly contributed to the rise in potency, as growers have started racing to develop superior strains at a faster rate than ever before.

The strains available to the public today are almost a luxury when it comes to THC content. If you’re looking for something especially potent from our menu, check out Bento Delivery’s top-shelf Sin Mint Cookies [THC 33.55%] and Sonoma Cake [THC 30.52%]. 

Holiday stress means something different for everyone — tight work deadlines, preparing for family gatherings, booking travel plans, or even dealing with crowds and traffic in public places. When the holidays hit, you’ve probably found yourself more stressed by just the little things and how they seem to add up at the end of the year. You might even be sleeping less or finding yourself with less free time than before.

While there are plenty of ways to unwind, cannabis is a trusted method that tackles both mind and body relaxation. If you find yourself in need of temporary relief, both mentally and physically, carve out a small window of time and space to smoke a joint or vape. The best way to tackle stress is to find activities that make you feel refreshed and calm.

Here are Bento Delivery’s top 5 strain recommendations for dealing with stress and anxiety:    
 
1. GSC (aka Girl Scout Cookies)
Brand: Bento
THC: 22.69% (flower)
Effects: relaxed, euphoric, creativity
Description: GSC, which has won multiple Cannabis Cup awards, is best described as a nightcap strain. It is a cross between OG Kush and Durban Poison, and can be identified by its purple buds sewn through with slim orange hairs. As the name suggests, it has a dessert-like flavor that sucks you into a dreamlike void of euphoria and couchlock. 

2. Blue Dream
Brand: Stiizy
THC: 82.62% (cartridge)
Effects: relaxed, energized, creativity
Description: At first appearance, Blue Dream is appropriately named — its long blue nugs are dotted with blue and amber hairs, as well as an abundance of trichomes. A cross between Blueberry and Haze, it boasts high THC levels and a pinch of CBD. The high that it builds starts with a wash of motivation and focus, followed by a sense of calm and relaxation.

3. Mack Diesel
Brand: BOB Stash
THC: 13% (flower)
Effects: focused, relaxed, social
Description: Mack Diesel is a cross between Sour Diesel and AK-47, two strains praised for their ability to soothe anxiety and nerves. Its flavors are simultaneously sweet and herbal, accompanied by an extraordinarily smooth smoke. The high created by this strain is mellow, with side effects similar to those of other indica-dominant hybrids.

4. Gasolina x Jilly Bean
Brand: King Roll
THC: 40.89% (infused preroll)
Effects: uplifted, euphoric, energetic
Description: This preroll is a unique cross between two strains that are not easily found. Gasolina is known for its relaxing effects, while Jilly Bean adds bursts of citrus flavoring that uplift its user and boost creativity when high. 

5. Wedding Cake
Brand: Cali Select
THC: 27.99% (flower)
Effects: pain relief, relaxed, happy
Description: Wedding Cake, created by crossing Cherry Pie and GSC, is slightly deceiving with its name. It tastes sour with a hint of creaminess, and its buds are round with large concentrations of trichomes, resin, and orange hairs. The high that follows starts with mind-racing effects and giddy euphoria before settling down into a gentle heaviness.

​Lately, the health and wellness industry has witnessed a rise in products containing cannabidiol (CBD). These products take a wide range of forms — lotions, sodas, oils, supplements, and, of course, edibles. Much of the general public mistakenly believes that using CBD products is the same thing as taking marijuana. The majority of people don’t actually know how CBD interacts with the body. What is CBD, and why is it so beneficial? 

What is the endocannabinoid system?
The body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a vast network of neurotransmitters and receptors that are compatible with a system of compounds (called cannabinoids) found in marijuana. The ECS naturally helps control functions such as pain response, emotions, and appetite. The brain produces its own cannabinoids that fit into special receptors associated with each of these processes. While CBD doesn’t have any high-inducing effects on the brain, it works on a therapeutic level with receptors all across the body.

What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the two most major cannabinoids found in marijuana, the second being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is known for being psychoactive and inducing the feelings associated with being high, while CBD is non-psychoactive and most commonly used for its calming effects. In addition, CBD possesses qualities that counteract the negative side effects associated with THC, such as anxiety or paranoia.

Are CBD and marijuana the same thing?
Many people attach a negative association to CBD because they think that it is the same thing as marijuana. This is not true. While CBD is found in marijuana, it is an active chemical compound that can be extracted from the plant and used for its own medicinal qualities. It is simply one of many pieces that make up marijuana.

Cannabis vs hemp CBD?
A term likely to be associated with CBD products at the store is hemp. Any CBD products sold in convenience stores derive their CBD from hemp sources. One common misconception about hemp is that it is a different species of cannabis. Another misconception is that hemp is “weed.” Hemp is cannabis — more specifically, cannabis sativa — that is bred to have lower THC percentages than the established legal limits (which is less than 0.3% in the United States). Hemp is non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive due to its insignificant THC levels but does contain high levels of CBD, which is extracted for medicinal and therapeutic use.

What are the effects of CBD?
CBD is most commonly used for its medicinal properties — to relieve physical or mental ailments such as inflammation, anxiety, pain, and insomnia. It is a popular alternative to prescription medications. It should be noted that CBD is used to treat, but not cure, medical conditions. Additionally, it is not associated with any negative health effects in the scientific community.

In a nutshell: CBD is an active chemical compound with healing qualities derived from the marijuana plant, but using it is not the same thing as using marijuana or smoking weed. CBD will not get you high, either. Whether it is extracted from cannabis or hemp sources, CBD provides safe and reliable relief to a vast number of chronic medical conditions by interacting with specialized receptors across the human body.

Old cannabis seems like a bit of a bummer. Once it’s aged, it loses both potency and color vibrancy, meaning it wouldn’t be the highlight of a smoking sesh with your friends. However, not many people know that old cannabis is useful in other ways — particularly medicinal ways. It contains a higher ratio of a special ingredient called CBN.

Most people know about tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), the two primary cannabinoids in marijuana. However, the cannabis plant contains over 100 different types of cannabinoids, including cannabinol (CBN). 

Put simply, CBN is aged THC, and is therefore abundant in old weed. As a result, it is non-intoxicating — not the best for getting high at a party — but useful for its range of medicinal benefits. What exactly are those benefits, though?

1. CBN contains antibacterial properties
In a study published in the Journal of Natural Products, five major cannabinoids were tested on strains of MRSA bacteria that had developed a resistance to normal antibiotics. All five cannabinoids, including CBN, exhibited antibacterial qualities against the evolved bacteria strain. This finding offers promise for the use of cannabinoids in a wider range of medicinal applications, including future antibiotics.

2. CBN contains neuroprotective qualities
In a study published in a neurological disorders journal, CBN was tested on rats with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The results showed that CBN was able to delay the onset of the disorder’s effects by a significant amount of time. This finding suggests that CBN and other cannabinoids may be useful in neuroprotective applications, meaning that they would help slow the progression of conditions that erode the brain’s functions.

3. CBN helps increase appetite
A study in the journal Psychopharmacology tested the effects of three cannabinoids, including CBN, on appetite change in rats. CBN was the only cannabinoid out of the three to drastically increase appetite, while the other two either reduced food consumption or had no effect. These results show hope for CBN as a key ingredient in medications that could help increase appetite in affected patients.

4. CBN may be useful for those with glaucoma
The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology published a study examining the effect of several cannabinoids on intraocular pressure in healthy rabbits’ eyes. Most of the cannabinoids used, including CBN, were successful in reducing the pressure. This result may lead to future uses of CBN in glaucoma treatments.

5. CBN works for anti-inflammatory purposes
A study in the FASEB Journal found that CBN acts as a reliable anti-inflammatory agent, among other cannabinoids. This offers promise for the use of CBN in treatment for conditions such as arthritis and localized pain relief. While cannabis is already used for these purposes, further research could be conducted on the use of cannabinoids other than THC and CBD in anti-inflammatory medications.

As cannabis legislation gradually increases the accessibility of marijuana throughout the nation, more attention is being drawn to the benefits of medical marijuana — and under that umbrella, the effects of medical marijuana on patients suffering from PTSD.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a brutal condition that affects millions of lives. Trauma can include (but is not limited to) traumatic events while serving in the military, sexual assault, physical assault, catastrophic events, and other forms of abuse. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, 7-8% of people will experience PTSD in their lifetime, and roughly 8 million people will develop PTSD at some point in a given year. The effects of PTSD are diverse, ranging from symptoms like nightmares and anxiety to suicide or violence. In recent decades, PTSD patients have reported that cannabis helps relieve many of their symptoms. A handful of studies have been conducted on these claims — notably, one that examines the link between marijuana and a part of the brain called the amygdala, and one that investigates the hypothesis that cannabis can help “overwrite” traumatic memories.

Researchers from Wayne State published a study in the journal Psychopharmacology on the link between cannabis use and changes in threat-processing in the amygdala, a region of the brain linked to emotional responses. An overactive amygdala, which is a feature found in PTSD patients, triggers side effects such as excessive fear, anxiety, and panic attacks. Previous studies have shown that low doses of THC, a cannabinoid found in marijuana, can help reduce the frequency of threat-related amygdala activation. In this experiment, the researchers found that THC reduced the level of amygdala activity during threat processing in adult patients with PTSD. This finding could help expand the medical marijuana market for war veterans and others who have experienced overwhelming trauma. In addition, it could be a useful ally in convincing non-legal states to pass new legislation allowing medical cannabis consumption. 

In another study published in BMC Psychology by Brazil’s Federal University at Parana, researchers explored the link between THC and distressing memories. They hypothesized that cannabis could help decrease the level of intensity attached to particularly traumatic events in patients with PTSD. One interesting side effect of PTSD is that it impairs extinction learning, a term used to define gradual detachment of fear with traumatic associations — for example, associating masked people with guns. Additionally, people with PTSD often have impaired endocannabinoid systems. This study found that THC has the unique ability to kickstart the extinction learning process in PTSD patients. In other words, it allows them to slowly decrease memory-related anxiety responses. This finding establishes cannabis as a valuable tool in helping to suppress aversive memories in the medical marijuana field.

Further studies need to be conducted on the relationship between cannabis and PTSD since the field is relatively recent. However, current research is incredibly promising, and marijuana is slowly growing its reputation as a beneficial part of the medical field rather than a threat to be outlawed.

The cannabis market is not limited to just smokers and medical users. Lately, the healing properties of marijuana have begun expanding their way into new forms, including topical creams and dermal patches. Marijuana is reaching an entirely new audience of people who are looking for pain relief without the intoxicating effects.

What are cannabis topicals?
Cannabis topicals can be lotions, balms, or oils that can be absorbed through the skin to provide relief for conditions such as pain and inflammation. Such topicals are designed to maximize the medicinal benefits of cannabis rather than the psychoactive ones. 

How do topicals work?
Throughout the body, there is a vast network of cannabinoid receptors that respond to both naturally-produced endocannabinoids and cannabinoids from cannabis that make their way in from the outside. Cannabis-infused topicals are able to bind to these receptors in order to bring pain relief to the applied area. The good news is that you won’t get high from using the topical — even if there is active THC in it, it will not cross through into your bloodstream. Instead, the cannabinoids will only provide surface-level relief. Furthermore, most cannabis-infused creams and salves contain THCA instead of active THC, which is the acid form of THC. A handful of studies have been performed exploring the extent of THCA’s medical benefits on patients with various conditions. In particular, some findings that stood out included anti-inflammatory properties (for arthritis and lupus, specifically), anti-seizure and anti-epileptic properties, protection from neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia), relief from appetite-related conditions like nausea or appetite loss, and properties that helped slow down the progression of different diseases and cancer. For topical forms of cannabis that penetrate the bloodstream with active THC, try using a transdermal patch. 

What can topicals treat?
Topicals are best for symptoms like inflammation, muscle pain, joint pain, stiffness, or soreness. They’re the perfect remedy for post-workout aches and arthritic pain. A lot of products on the market contain menthol and peppermint, which provide a cool tingling to the painful area. In addition, topicals have been reported to help other symptoms like headaches, cramps, psoriasis, and dermatitis.

Some topicals are created to mimic a specific strain of marijuana. The producer will try to create a terpene and cannabinoid profile that matches the desired strain, resulting in different ratios of THC, CBD, THCA, and other cannabinoids. CBD and THCA in particular are utilized for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Depending on the ingredients and cannabinoid profiles of various topicals, products may have slightly different effects on the body. The best way to figure out which topical is best for you is to try a few different salves and creams and take note of their effects on your symptoms. There is a growing market for medicinal cannabis, and as more studies are conducted on the topic, consumers will likely see an increase in non-psychoactive uses for marijuana. 

A lot of unorthodox workout trends have risen to popularity in the recent past. For example, goat yoga — yoga in which participants mingle with cute goats who use them like climbing playgrounds as they flow through various poses. Or paddleboat yoga, in which people practice yoga atop paddle boards in the water. On the more controversial side are activities such as ganja yoga and going to weed gyms.

Ganja Yoga
Ganja yoga is the practice of using cannabis before a yoga session to heighten one's experience. Marijuana and yoga go hand-in-hand for a lot of reasons. Yoga places heavy emphasis on mindfulness, mental connections, conscious breath, music, and being in the present moment. Smoking weed before yoga could help enhance all of these individual aspects. The relaxed state and clear-headedness that weed induces helps the user focus on mind-body connections and perform a mental inventory of their subtlest sensations and breathing rhythm. Furthermore, when time starts to slow down after taking cannabis, users can really immerse themselves in the music and savor each present moment. People who have participated in ganja yoga often reported feeling ultra-connected to their surroundings, as well as appreciative of everything their heightened senses picked up — including silence.

Weed Gym
When Power Plant Fitness opened, it was the first of its kind — a gym that blended cannabis with working out. Its motivation? To "integrate cannabis into one's daily routine of wellness," both before and after a workout, and dispel any negative stereotypes about the "evils" of marijuana. It even helps its members create weed-assisted fitness plans and offers a line of athletic edibles "for pre-workout focus and post-workout recovery." Given that a large percentage of cannabis users like to get high before working out for the sense of relaxation and focus that is induced, Power Plant Fitness targeted exactly that clientele with the intent of promoting more motivated, weed-friendly workouts.

However, you don't have to do ganja yoga or go to a weed gym to have a great weed workout. If you're looking for a different vibe while you exercise — a mood booster, less mental tension, or greater mind-body connection — try adding some cannabis to your routine! As always, stay mindful of dosage and the effects that weed has on your body if trying this for the first time.

Many of the anti-inflammatory steroids and medications currently on the market come with a long list of side effects, some of which you probably won’t experience, but are enough to scare you just from reading the label. If you’re looking for another form of treatment for inflammation you may be experiencing, cannabis is a good alternative. It’s not a new form of treatment either, despite its increasing popularity for medicinal benefits in recent decades. Using marijuana as an anti-inflammatory has been around for thousands of years across multiple cultures.

Compared to the medications you can get at a pharmacy, cannabis has relatively fewer side effects. Other steroids may cause symptoms such as decreased immune strength and muscle weakness. Cannabis, on the other hand, has minor side effects such as dry mouth and an increase in appetite. For this reason, it is a popular recommendation for patients with cancer and other conditions in which inflammation is prevalent, especially because it contains cannabidiol (CBD). In multiple studies tested on both human and animal subjects, CBD was found to suppress cytokine production. Cytokines are signaling proteins released by the immune system that trigger inflammation in the body. CBD’s ability to decrease cytokine production is helpful for individuals suffering from conditions like dermatitis and arthritis. 

If you’re uncomfortable with smoking a joint, there are plenty of other methods of taking marijuana. Vaping has a smaller footprint since you are just inhaling vapors, and edibles won’t affect your lungs at all. In addition, cannabis topicals in the form of salves, lotions, and transdermal patches are growing in popularity for their anti-inflammatory properties that can be applied directly to the skin, often without the psychoactive high effect. Cannabis-infused topicals are able to bind to endocannabinoid receptors (which respond to cannabinoids such as THC and CBD) in the body in order to bring pain relief to the applied area.

The benefits of cannabis as an anti-inflammatory are both significant and abundant. The side effects are minimal, and there are a wide range of methods to try if you’re not comfortable with smoking. The next time you’re on the way to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription of steroid cream, consider trying something else first, maybe at your local dispensary (or, if you live in a non-recreationally legal state, consider asking for a medical marijuana prescription).

​At the end of March 2019, CVS and Walgreens decided to carry cannabidiol (CBD) products in select stores. The announcement rose cannabis’s credibility by filling shelf space on some of the largest, US pharmaceutical chains. With a growing shift towards cannabis acceptance in the US and globally, it makes sense for pharmaceutical company to adapt. One survey with over 2,000 respondents showed around 40% of US adults 21 and older are willing to try CBD “under the right conditions”. But there is still a lot of confusion as to what CBD is and how it effects our body. This week’s discussion will center around why a store like CVS and Walgreens would carry CBD items. 

​CBD is a natural alternative to a variety of medication because of the way it interacts with our body. CBD is similar to THC as they provide therapeutic benefits; however, CBD differs since it binds to receptors outside of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). They take many pathways to reach their destination. There are over 65 molecular targets for CBD. Here’s a link to a previous discussion where we brought up the ECS. If you want to go more in depth, search up how a receptor interacts with CBD. Serotonin receptors and vanilloid receptors are a good start. Once CBD binds to a receptor, it has the ability to strengthen or hold the receptor’s message; thereby regulating activity. While CBD doesn’t bind to ECS receptors (CB1 & CB2), it does reduce CB1’s ability to bind with THC. 

​Last year, a panel of US Food and Drug Administration advisors recommended the approval of Epidiolex (CDB medication) for the treatment of two rare forms of childhood epilepsy. While CBD has evident therapeutic effects for epilepsy, the research is lacking for other medical benefits. This is not to say CBD doesn’t work, it merely shows the war on drugs restricted the ability to conduct research and clinical trials on the schedule 1 drug. Studies that try to prove CBDs medical benefits on other conditions aren’t as clear. Most studies are conducted on animals, with very few on humans. Now, more than ever, research is being done to prove the health benefits cannabis can offer. More evidence shows CBD can help with anxiety, pain, sleep Alzheimer’s disease, addiction, nausea, appetite, cancer, etc. 

Even with the growing number of evidence, the survey quoted earlier found seven out of 10 CBD users used a form of THC in the last three months. That’s why our menu contains pure CBD items like the CBD Protabs, as well as CBD and THC ratio items with the CBD Wellness Drops (1:1) and High CBD Wellness Drops (18:1) from Lightly Lifted. Our menu is everchanging, so new items may pop up at any time.

​We hope you were able to learn something new. Be sure to share what you found about CBD and receptors, along with anything else you’d like to share/talk about to peter@bentodelivery.com or by commenting below. We enjoy the conversations we have with our Bento Family, thank you for being part of our 10th weekly discussion!