{"id":10781,"date":"2020-10-02T12:14:40","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T12:14:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/?p=10781"},"modified":"2024-07-08T20:24:11","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T00:24:11","slug":"a-new-study-discovers-that-consumers-prefer-classic-flower-to-concentrates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/a-new-study-discovers-that-consumers-prefer-classic-flower-to-concentrates\/","title":{"rendered":"A New Study Discovers That Consumers Prefer Classic Flower to Concentrates"},"content":{"rendered":"

A study conducted by Sarah Okey and Madeline Meier has compared the subjective effects of concentrates<\/a> and cannabis flower (commonly referred to as bud<\/em>). The team conducted the study under the premise that cannabis concentrates have a higher concentration of the cannabis cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)<\/a>, and that the bud tends to have a lower quantity of those cannabinoids. In light of the concentrates\u2019 increasing popularity, Okey and Meier decided to conduct their research and found that cannabis consumers still prefer the bud over the concentrate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Classic Dry Cannabis Flower vs. Concentrates<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Cannabis Flower<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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Cannabis Concentrates<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Form\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nCannabis flower contains organic parts of the plant such as leaves and trichomes. The flower can be bought in the form dried buds or finely ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nConcentrates are a broad term referring to the extracts of the cannabis flower and plant. Concentrates can be in the form of oil, dab, tincture, capsules, and the list could go on. The products can feel gooey, like wax, like lip balm and it can even be hard.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Potency<\/b><\/td>\nBud is less potent than the concentrates. <\/span>The Research Gate explains that<\/span><\/a> the average flower contains between 5-15% CBD and 5-20% THC.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nConcentrates are more potent than cannabis flower. <\/span>The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains<\/span> that concentrates have higher quantities of cannabinoids, for example, concentrates contain an average between 50-80% THC.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delivery Method<\/b><\/td>\nThe cannabis flower can be crushed up and smoked, maybe even eaten.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nGiven the various forms that concentrates can come in, it can be consumed by smoking, eating, swallowing, and applying it.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Content<\/b><\/td>\nConsuming the cannabis plant can taste and smell better due to the fact that it contains terpenes<\/a> in the plant matter but on the same point, you are consuming that plant matter. The bud is the rawest and natural form of cannabis. It naturally contains cannabinoids, terpenes, including other compounds. It also leaves the risk open to residual pesticide and other chemicals used while growing- keep an eye out for organically grown buds to minimize exposure to residual chemicals.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nThe processes involved in making cannabis strips the product from the plant matter, which means that the end product contains only the good stuff-the cannabinoids. Depending on the process<\/a>, the concentrates stand to lose their smell and taste in the extraction part of the process since terpenes are sensitive to the heat.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How is it made?<\/b><\/td>\nThe cannabis is grown inside, outside, or in a greenhouse. The plant then goes through phases, one of which is referred to as flowering. Once the flowers have matured, they\u2019re cut down, dried, and then cured.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nConcentrates are made by putting the flower and plant through any of the following: dry processing, dry ice processing, water-based processing, combining pressure with heat, using non-flammable carbon dioxide solvents as well as using flammable solvents such as alcohol.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

One may suggest that the reason why cannabis consumers may still prefer the bud is due to all the unknowns and confusion that so often accompanies cannabis concentrates. Another valuable point to consider is <\/span>that higher quantities of cannabinoids, such as those found in concentrates, could lead to undesired results such as increased anxiety<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Study Finds That People Prefer Dry Flower<\/b><\/h2>\n

The study conducted by Okey and Meier<\/span><\/a> recruited participants through an online platform where the participants were required to complete a survey. The consumers who reported using both flower and the concentrate were required to answer further questions on their experiences (which makes it subjective) with the effects of cannabis flower and concentrate. The experiences effects were categorized as follows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Category<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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Definition (proposed)<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Affect<\/strong><\/td>\nThis refers to the difference brought about after consuming cannabis (in comparison to before consumption).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cognitive Function<\/strong><\/td>\nThis refers to mental functioning and abilities such as thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, attention, memory, and decision making.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Psychotic-like Experiences<\/strong><\/td>\nThis refers to experiences related to psychosis such as hallucinations and delusions.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Physiological Effects<\/strong><\/td>\nThis refers to the effects on body functioning and the functions of its parts such as walking, eating, etc.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reduced Consciousness<\/strong><\/td>\nThis can also be referred to as decreased consciousness and involves reduced ability to stay awake, aware, and oriented.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The participants of the study reported consuming the bud 5-6times a week while using concentrates \u201cslightly more\u201d than once per month. While the study of their subjective effects displayed that the flower was rated as \u201cproducing greater overall positive effects including greater positive affect and enhanced cognitive function\u201d. It was also found that minimal negative effects were reported for both the concentrate and the bud. The study concluded its results with an overall of 77.5% of the participants choosing the cannabis flower as the \u201cpreferred type\u201d of cannabis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Which is Best for Medical Purposes?<\/b><\/h2>\n