The cannabis sector has sped along with one of the quickest-growing sectors since, well, the Industrial Revolution. Economic journals believe the cannabis industry will continue its prosperous journey well into the next few decades. Furthermore, we are still in the middle of a global pandemic. Specifically, this year has begotten a slew of dangerous variants of COVID-19. Since March of last year, the Coronavirus has claimed the lives of over 850,000 people in the United States alone. COVID-19 destroyed the economy across the globe. Promptly, dealing with the Coronavirus has been downright stressful for people and many industries. People everywhere are using cannabis of all kinds to cope.

The Endocannabinoid System

CBD works immediately with the ECS, or Endocannabinoid System of our bodies. This system enables cannabinoids such as CBD or THC to attach to our CB1 and CB2 nodes in the brain and in the body. Further, CBD is paired with many medicinal benefits for patients seeking natural medication or holistic treatment without dealing with the high associated with THC. It is worth pointing out that both cannabinoids, THC, and CBD, are recommended together to engage the Entourage Effect. Cannabinologist believes that when THC and CBD are used concurrently, people receive more of the health benefits of the cannabinoids mentioned above. Considering the mental stress associated with COVID-19, patients are looking for all of the ‘effects’ they can get.

Cannabinoids

CBD, commonly regarded as cannabidiol, is one of the hundreds of cannabis compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive. Essentially CBD does not get patients ‘high.’ Both of these cannabinoids are held in high regard, praised, and can offset the effects of one another. Cannabinologists have studied CBD’s ability to balance the psychoactivity or ‘high’ of THC as the key to enacting the Entourage Effect.

THC, or Delta-9 TetraHydroCannabinol, is the psychoactive compound found in all cannabis. It is assuredly the most widespread cannabinoid in the industry. Patients often obtain THC through a bevy of cannabis products. Some of these products include cannabis concentrates, live resins, and distillates. 

Other forms of cannabis and cannabinoids

Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are available in a variety of forms. Most consumers are familiar with CBD in dry cannabis and cannabis concentrate states. However, these are not the only forms of CBD. Cannabidiol can come in the style of CBD topicals (lotion, muscle creams, dermal patches), CBD oil, CBD isolates, and CBD distillate carts. CBD edibles are also available in a range of dispensaries. Cannabis companies have also taken the liberty of producing distillate carts for those who utilize vaporizers.

THC is another cannabinoid that comes readily available. Aside from the typical THC-laden buds, consumers get THC from concentrates (wax, budder, shatter, etc.), edibles, vape carts, and even distillates.

Cannabis and stress during a pandemic

Recent studies revealed that CBD usage had increased nearly 24% since March of last year. This is notable since March 2020 marked the conscious beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic for those in the United States. Weed studies performed by Aclara Research yielded nearly 63% of CBD usage is connected with stress relief and pain relief. Moreover, CBD is favored by the remaining percentage for relaxation, sleep, and general wellness. Summarily, 1 of 5 cannabis consumers purchases CBD for stress relief that is believed to be the result of the pandemic. Considering the factors mentioned earlier, it is very believable that CBD usage for stress relief is higher than ever before

As mentioned earlier, people are using more cannabis products and CBD now than ever before. Cannabinoids such as CBD, THC, CBN, and more have been linked to anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.