While browsing websites and reading product descriptions for your favorite CBD products, you are likely to come across the word “trichome.” If you don’t know exactly what trichomes are or what they do, you may utilize some context clues to deduce that they may be something good, even if you aren’t completely sure why. When selecting a health or wellness product to incorporate into your daily life, it is in your best interest to truly get to know what is inside of the products you consume and what impact they can have on your overall vitality. Getting to know what trichomes are and the importance of them will forever change how you read product descriptions in the future, as you’ll be completely informed about the purchase you are making.

CBD Basics

If we are aiming to be better informed about our CBD purchases, it’s best to start with the basics. Here’s a quick cheat sheet to ensure we all begin with the same foundation of CBD understanding:

• CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of over 100 beneficial cannabinoids extracted from hemp – a variation of the cannabis plant.
• As a variation of the cannabis plant, hemp (which is similar to marijuana, but not the same plant strain) is completely legal in the United States. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD extracted from hemp (which naturally contains .3% THC or less), is legal for growth, purchase, and consumption.
• After a careful extraction process, CBD is added to numerous health and wellness products available in stores and online.
• Because CBD supplements contain up to .3% THC (full-spectrum) or 0% THC (broad-spectrum), consumers find hemp-derived CBD to be an attractive option, as these safe-to-use products can be taken throughout one’s typical day without fear of psychoactive side-effects.
• CBD is taking the wellness market by storm, as consumers are reporting benefits impacting their mental fatigue, physical discomforts, ability to wind-down after a long day, and more as a result of incorporating CBD into their lives.

You may be wondering: Where do trichomes fit into this? To answer that, let’s look a little bit closer at what trichomes are and the marvelous plant responsible for the helpful compounds within them.

Trichomes: The Key to Quality Cannabinoids

“Trichome” is derived from the greek word “Trichoma,” which means “hair.” Appropriately named, trichomes are microscopic hairlike resin glands. Trichomes are found on many plants, but for the purposes of understanding their role in your CBD products, we are going to focus on the trichomes found on the splendid hemp plant.

Trichomes are small, sticky, and glandular, and can be found in three distinct sizes/categories. Using photosynthesis, they are responsible for creating helpful compounds, including CBD (and other cannabinoids) as well as terpenes. From smallest to largest, here are the three trichomes found on the hemp plant:

1. Bulbous Trichomes – The most microscopic of the bunch, these teeny tiny trichomes can be found on the surface of the entire plant. Because they are so small, they cannot be seen by the naked eye.
2. Capitate Sessile Trichomes – Slightly larger and more plentiful along the exterior of the plant than the bulbus type, this trichome has a more distinct shape, forming a head-and-stalk structure.
3. Capitate-Stalked Trichomes – The largest (no microscope needed!) and most common trichome, this fully-developed stalk has a gland-like head.

Together, each of these trichomes works together to protect the hemp plant, as the bitter taste and pungent smells (terpenes) they create help ward off critters or pests who may otherwise find the plant to be an appetizing snack. In addition to being a naturally-occurring defense mechanism to their plant, trichomes are the most vital, beneficial part of the hemp plant.

Are All Trichomes of Equal Importance?

While each trichome is important, and they all work together to defend and protect the plant. Capitate-Stalked Trichomes – the largest of the three which contain the glandular head – are the most fruitful of the group. They are responsible for creating the helpful cannabinoids and terpenes found in the most effective CBD products. All trichomes do not contain the exact same quality of compounds, however. It is important to note that, in the growing process, there are important indications for farmers to observe which reveal the optimal time to harvest. Over the course of the plant’s life cycle, some trichomes may fall off if not harvested at the appropriate time, which reduces the number of helpful cannabinoids that can be extracted.

Now, when you read product descriptions outlining the quality of your trichomes, you can understand the important role they play as part of a quality hemp plant, and consequently, as part of a high-quality CBD product. You now know that trichomes are the tiny resin glands found all over the plant, and they are responsible for creating the cannabinoids you find in your CBD health supplements.

Bonus tidbit: You may have also noticed the mention of terpenes. Terpenes are responsible for the variation of smells and hints of flavor one can experience when they use some hemp products. You may frequently see retailers mention details about the terpene profile, and now, you more intimately know what they are! Terpenes can vary; some can be sweet, pungent, citrusy, fruity, or even minty. Whichever distinct scent or flavor you prefer, you can now take pride in being an informed shopper as you browse different products and understand how vital the compound-rich trichomes are to the creation of your product.

The Hemp Doctor Difference

You can shop with confidence when you trust The Hemp Doctor to provide the best CBD products (derived from hemp organically grown in the United States) backed by a money-back guarantee. As industry professionals, The Hemp Doctor realizes that premium CBD products come from the best, highest-quality hemp plants nurtured in nutrient-dense soil and harvested at the perfect moment to preserve the trichomes at their peak of potency and quality – so that is exactly what we do.

You can choose from a variety of helpful, potent CBD products from softgels and salves to gummies and tinctures, just to name a few. For customers interested in trying hemp flowers, feel free to browse the numerous hemp/CBD flowers and prerolls. Now that you know exactly what to look for, you can explore the variations of trichomes and terpene profiles to find a product that meets your personal preferences.

If you have any questions or curiosities regarding CBD, trichomes, or a specific product, help from The Hemp Doctor is just a simple call or click away. Get the personalized attention you deserve so you feel the utmost confidence in your CBD purchase, and you will surely be pleased with your experience. Visit The Hemp Doctor today!