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If you want to get the most out of your cannabis, you need to decarboxylate it first. This process activates the plant’s medicinal compounds, making them more bioavailable to the body.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to decarboxylating cannabis so you can enjoy all its health benefits.
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What is decarboxylation?
Decarboxylation is a process that converts the raw form of cannabis (THCA and CBDA) into the version that we are more familiar with, THC and CBD. When cannabis is heated, a chemical reaction takes place that removes a carboxyl group, releasing carbon dioxide in the process. This “activation” of THC and CBD makes them much more potent and bioavailable to our bodies.
Cannabis that has not been decarboxylated will not produce the same psychoactive or therapeutic effects when consumed. This is because our bodies cannot convert THCA and CBDA into THC and CBD efficiently. For this reason, it is important to decarboxylate your cannabis before consuming it, whether you are cooking with it or using it in other ways.
There are many ways to decarboxylate cannabis. The most common method is to simply bake it in the oven. You can also use a dehydrator, a slow cooker, or even just leave it out in the sun for a few days. Regardless of which method you choose, the goal is to heat the cannabis to a temperature of around 245°F for at least 30 minutes. This will fully decarboxylate THC and CBD, making them available for your body to use.
Why is decarboxylation important?
Decarboxylation is the process of converting THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) into THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the main psychoactive component in cannabis that gives users the “high” feeling. However, before THC can produce its psychoactive effects, it must first be decarboxylated.
THCA is not psychoactive and actually has a few potential therapeutic benefits of its own, such as being an anti-inflammatory agent. However, in order for THCA to exert its potential therapeutic benefits, it must first be decarboxylated.
There are a few ways to decarboxylate cannabis. The most common way is to smoke or vaporize it. When cannabis is smoked or vaporized, the heat from the flame or vaporizer will cause the THCA to decarboxylate into THC. Another way to decarboxylate cannabis is to bake it in an oven at a low temperature for a period of time.
The length of time and temperature you need to decarboxylate your cannabis will depend on the method you use. For smoking or vaporizing, cannabis should bedecarboxylated prior to consuming it. For baking, cannabis can be decarboxylated ahead of time or during cooking/baking; however, if you choose to decarb during cooking/baking, do so at a lower temperature for a shorter period of time to prevent burning off any THC that has already been produced
Decarboxylation methods
There are several ways to decarboxylate your cannabis, but the two most common methods are baking it in the oven or using a cannabis decarboxylation machine. We’ll go over both methods so you can decide which is best for you.
Baking in the oven:
The most common way to decarboxylate cannabis is by baking it in the oven. This method is easy and does not require any special equipment.
Preheat your oven to 245 degrees Fahrenheit. Break your cannabis into smaller pieces and spread it out on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Once the time is up, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cannabis cool before handling it.
Cannabis decarboxylation machine:
If you want to decarboxylate a large amount of cannabis at one time or you want to be sure that all of the THC is converted into its active form, you may want to invest in a cannabis decarboxylation machine. These machines heat your cannabis to the perfect temperature for decarboxylation and can often do it in a shorter amount of time than baking in the oven.
Which is the best decarboxylation method?
There is no one “best” way to decarboxylate cannabis. The method you choose will depend on your personal preferences and the type of cannabis you are using.
Some people prefer to decarboxylate their cannabis in the oven, while others prefer to use a slow cooker or a rice cooker. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The most important thing is to make sure that you decarboxylate your cannabis at a low temperature for a long period of time. This will minimize the risk of damaging the cannabinoids and ruining the potency of your product.
