cannabis+heat is it bad?

[Edward Hyde]

usually i let my jar with my materials on my computer (the tower) and some times when i take the jar is seems a little bit hot and there is an awesome smell coming out when i open it...does anyone know if that's bad or good for my weed and why?

 

[tikimaize]

I've always keep mine cool to RT in the dark. I know light can be bad, but I guess it depends how hot the computer gets your stash. Personally I would not keep it there.

 

[Edward Hyde]

its not burning or really hot...its just a slight heat.i mean not jus tu can touch it but u can hold and u feel nothing unpleasan...just a slight heat and when u open it its obvious that its a bit hot in there and there is an intense (awesome) smell coming out...anyone else knows if that can harm the actives in thematerial?

 

[pakalolo]

its not burning or really hot...its just a slight heat.i mean not jus tu can touch it but u can hold and u feel nothing unpleasan...just a slight heat and when u open it its obvious that its a bit hot in there and there is an intense (awesome) smell coming out...anyone else knows if that can harm the actives in thematerial?

You are getting enough heat to drive off some of the terpenoids that give cannabis its odour and taste. While these terpenoids aren't psychoactive themselves, they have been identified as aiding the active components and providing other benefits as well. See this report: Terpenoids, ‘minor’ cannabinoids contribute to ‘entourage effect’ of cannabis-based medicines. You're also losing some of that wonderful taste you get from your first hit. You aren't ruining your stash but you are degrading it somewhat. I'd find another place to keep it.

 

[Wolf46]

Like pakalolo says, put your pot in another place or you going to lose taste and flavour!

 

[lwien]

You ARE degrading it. The enemies are:

Light
Heat
Air

 

[OO]

The terpenes are being vaporized, which is why it smells nice, but that will reduce the taste when you are using it.

There is X number of terpene molecules at the start, you boil off Y of them by heating the material as described, making a pleasant smell. You now have X-Y terpene molecules left to stimulate the receptors in your tongue and nose when you inhale the vapor.

Decomposition is a spontaneous process, which can change the chemical composition of your substance.
The hotter the substance, the faster the process occurs.

On a similar note, try leaving you ABV around exposed to open air for a while, and then vaping or smoking it approximately 1 month later for a very drastic effect.

I will warn you that you may feel as if you are falling from the face of the earth.

 

[that herb guy]

On a similar note, try leaving you ABV around exposed to open air for a while, and then vaping or smoking it approximately 1 month later for a very drastic effect.

I will warn you that you may feel as if you are falling from the face of the earth.

That's interesting. I've been saving the bulk of mine but putting it into decent size sandwich zip bags in a drawer. I always thought that would keep it more potent than allowing it to sit out, but mine is pretty well spent (milk-chocolate brown) so I'm not sure it has any more actives to degrade from natural causes.

Wouldn't leaving it out also cause a harsher smoke?

I'm interested, it just seems to oppose what I've heard up to this point.

 

[Puffers]

That's interesting. I've been saving the bulk of mine but putting it into decent size sandwich zip bags in a drawer. I always thought that would keep it more potent than allowing it to sit out, but mine is pretty well spent (milk-chocolate brown) so I'm not sure it has any more actives to degrade from natural causes.

Wouldn't leaving it out also cause a harsher smoke?

I'm interested, it just seems to oppose what I've heard up to this point.

OO is referring to degradation of the cannabinoids by heat and air into other cannabinoid compounds (primarily CBN in this scenario i think but i would have to fact check that) that we normally have a lower tolerance to because our levels of exposure is much lower through normal consumption.

 

[that herb guy]

OO is referring to degradation of the cannabinoids by heat and air into other cannabinoid compounds (primarily CBN in this scenario i think but i would have to fact check that) that we normally have a lower tolerance to because our levels of exposure is much lower through normal consumption.

Yes, but once run through a vape I would think that most all have been converted to the extent possible without adding more heat. I suppose enough time or light may take it a little further.

I suppose it's best to leave this to the pros. I don't have enough background knowledge to carry past a basic conversation. Chemistry was not my best subject.

 

[OO]

Not all of the actives will volatize, and some will remain. If you research the particular compounds, many of them in their decarboxylated state or otherwise will still decompose with long term exposure to oxygen, heat, and light. The potency is very much increased, but the effect is substantially different, so don't go in think it will be an improvement, if anything, it's more intoxicating.

I cannot speak to harshness.

 

[Bon Dog]

back when i was in the corps of cadets, and subject to room inspections at any time, i had to keep my herb in a friends car (we drove in mine, we had a deal going where his car was the only one that we smoked in and mine was the one we drove lol) but any chance i got i took it out. the few times we got what i would conceder med-equivelent herb or made oil i would keep it in an ice chest for as long as possible

 

[PierceLaw]

I've been wondering if I ought to be storing my stash in a refrigerator rather than in a relatively cool, dark place around the house. Lot of anecdotes about the right thing to do, of course, but little hard facts.

After a cursory search of the scientific literature, I found one journal article, albeit from 1976. It seems that light is the biggest factor affecting potency, then oxygen. Oxidation can be minimized by not overhandling and damaging the resin glands, within which the good stuff is contained and protected. Room temperature has an insignificant effect on potency.


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The stability of cannabis and its preparations on storage
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Volume 28, Issue 1, pages 1–7, January 1976
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6643

Abstract:
Solutions of pure cannabinoids, nine samples of herbal and two of resin cannabis (one freshly prepared) were stored in varying conditions for up to 2 years. Exposure to light (not direct sunlight) was shown to be the greatest single factor in loss of cannabinoids especially in solutions, which should therefore be protected from light during analytical and phytochemical operations. Previous claims that solutions in ethanol were stable have not been substantiated. The effect of temperature, up to 20 degrees [Celsius or 68 degrees Fahrenheit], was insignificant but air oxidation did lead to significant losses. These could be reduced if care was taken to minimize damage to the glands which act as “well filled, well closed containers”. Loss of tetrahydrocannabinol after exposure to light does not lead to an increase in cannabinol, but air oxidation in the dark does. It is concluded that carefully prepared herbal or resin cannabis or extracts are reasonably stable for 1 to 2 years if stored in the dark at room temperature.
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