Medical cannabis is rapidly becoming more common as doctors prescribe it for an ever-growing list of conditions. Certain strains are known to have specific effects, some very positive and others not so much. One thing that all medical marijuana patients can agree on is that when used correctly, cannabis has remarkable potential benefits.
There are several types of trichome you will come across while studying about cannabis. Some are good and some are bad, but overall they add to the health and efficacy of the plant.
The term “trichome” comes from the word trace, because these tiny hair-like projections contain chemical compounds similar to those found in skin. The two main components are cannabinoids and alkaloids.
Cannabinoid trichomes usually look like short hairs with small bumps at the tip, whereas alkaloid trichomes typically grow longer hairs with larger rounded tips. Both play important roles in the end effect of the medicine being administered.
This article will discuss the different types of trichomes you will find in marijuana flowers and leaves, what chemicals they contain, and how they contribute to the drug’s medicinal properties.
You may be asked questions about the differences between each type during routine doctor visits or self-diagnosis surveys, so this information will help you be prepared.
Glandular trichomes
First, you will want to make sure that your plant is in good health before starting growth processes. This means making sure it has enough water, sunlight, and nutrients.
When plants grow they sometimes develop special glands or hairs called trichomes. These are mostly due to stress from poor growing conditions, nutritional deficiencies, or disease. When this happens the plant produces these glandulars as a protective mechanism.
Trichomes can help protect your cannabis plant by acting like tiny shields or armor. They contribute to the overall durability of the plant and aid in self-defense against external threats such as dirt, moisture, and other nearby vegetation.
There are three main types of trichome that can be found on most marijuana flowers. The first type is gernillary trichomes which have hair-like projections that emerge directly off of the leaf surface. These usually form during the bud stage.
The second type is globulary trichomes which come in clusters or balls. These typically form at the flower stage and drop off later.
Then there are stickleback trichomes which are longer than the others but not quite as tall. These also cluster together and remain attached until they fall off.
Which kind you have depends on the strain and what part of the plant they’re located on. There is no one set length for any of them so each individual plant may vary slightly.
Soluble trichomes
The first type of trichome that most people notice when looking at cannabis flowers is called a soluble trichome. These are small, round droplets that come off the whole plant or individual hairs as soon as you brush up against it.
The reason they’re called soluble trichomes is because they dissolve in your saliva when you swallow them. This action usually takes around five minutes to occur and can be done several times during use.
Some examples of plants with large amounts of soluble trichomes include strains like Bubba Kush, Northern Lights Haze, and OG Dabs.
These types of trichomes are not only noticed for their aesthetic appeal but also due to the similarities to pearls. They both look pretty and add some elegance to the flower.
However, not every strain has enough soluble trichomes to draw attention to themselves so don’t worry about losing out on this beauty if you can’t find any!
Semi-soluble trichomes
Another kind of trichome that doesn’t disappear easily is what we refer to as a semi-soluble trichome. These take longer to dissapear than a soluble one but still leave a trace behind. Some examples of these are ghost nails and bear paws.
Ghost nails are long strands of hair that hang down and slowly break away from the surface of the bud.
Insoluble trichomes
The first type of cannabis trichome is called an insoluble trichome. These are very interesting because they come off when touched, but then re-appear at another area of your skin.
This can be annoying as they might stick to your hand or face where you’ll have to dig them out.
However, this doesn’t mean that these trichomes aren’t important. People who use cannabis for medical reasons often enjoy having trichomes that fall off as a way to clear their skin.
Some people even like them! They find it fun to pull them off and see what kind of trace chemical components they contain.
There may also be ways to use these chemicals to help treat certain conditions. But more information is needed so do your research before experimenting on yourself.
Cannabicyclic trichomes
Another interesting type of trichome you will find on cannabis is called a cannabicyclic (or C-Tr) trichome. These are short, thick hairs that contain small amounts of cannabinoid content.
What makes these special is that they can be picked off the plant and used in dabs or tinctures. Because they have little to no THC content themselves, it helps to increase the effect of your extracts by using more of them.
There are several ways to extract CBD from plants including processing the raw hemp material yourself, using separate equipment to process and filter the cannabinoids, using pre-made solvent-based extraction liquids, and using oils or fats as the extracting agent.
Chemotype trichomes
The first type of trichome that most people notice when looking at cannabis flower is the chemotypic or crystal-like hair. These are typically one length, with each individual hair sticking up slightly from the surface.
This type of trichome can be found almost anywhere there’s mature plant tissue – leaves, flowers, stems, even if you don’t see it yet then they will as time passes.
The reason why we usually only see these types of trichomes in fully grown plants comes down to what kind of trichome they are.
Chemical trichomes contain chemicals such as THC and CBD. As the plant produces more chemical compounds, the hairs also grow longer and thicker, creating the very obvious crystals.
But not every part of the plant contains either THC or CBD! Some parts are rich in other substances like CBN (cannabinol) which are totally legitimate things for your body to absorb, use and feel while using marijuana.
Why is this important? Because some people who use marijuana exclusively through vaping or smoking find that their symptoms remain, or get worse because they are missing out on the rest of the cannabinoids.
That is why it is crucial to know where else in the cannabis plant those extra chemicals may be!
What are chemotypes?
A chemotype is a specific trait within a particular part of the plant.
Morphotype trichomes
Another important group is called morphotypes or polymorphic trichomes. These do not fit into any of the other categories, but they are very interesting to look at!
Trichome types such as whisker-like hairs, spines, bumps, or even crystals all fall under this category. There are several theories about what these different shapes and patterns mean for each plant type.
Some believe that thick hair helps protect plants by acting like a protective layer if something harmful comes in contact with the plant. This could be from surrounding debris, insects, or another plant trying to take away resources.
Thicker hairs also may help prevent the plant from getting too close to other plants or soil so it can’t grow properly. In fact, some strains are known for having thicker hair than others due to their popularity!
With all of those reasons, it makes sense to admire them! They are definitely an attractive feature of cannabis flowers.
Therapeutic trichomes
Certain types of cannabis have trichomes that contribute to their medicinal properties. These include: CBD-rich strains, full spectrum or whole plant extracts, solid oils, topicals, and supplements.
Trichome means “dendritic” in Greek. This term is typically used to describe hair-like projections that arise from some part of an organism. In this case, it describes small protrusions that grow out from the surface of a marijuana leaf or bud.
These trichomes contain chemicals such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and/or flavonoids that promote pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, and other benefits. By extracting these compounds, users can ingest them directly or use them in topical applications (for example, applying oil drops onto skin irritations).
There are several reasons why certain parts of the cannabis plant produce more trichomes than others. Some plants develop trichomes in response to external stimuli, while others don’t. Genetic variations also play a role.
Recreational trichomes
There are two main categories for cannabis trichomes, recreational and medicinal. Recreational trichomes refer to those that contribute to the feeling or perception of pleasure when smoking or ingesting marijuana.
These trichomes come in three varieties: protective, glandular, and hair-like. Protective trichomes cover your smoke or ingested products with a layer so other harmful substances can’t affect you. Glandular trichomes secrete compounds such as CBDs or THCV, which have medical benefits. Hair-like trichomes grow longer and shorter depending on what stage of growth you are at.
This article will discuss all types of recreational trichomes! Read on to learn more about them.
