Whats The Science behind "The Cure"

k5kreep

Member
What are you actually asking or meaning when you say; "can anybody explain to me the science behind the curing process?"

Do you mean as in what is the best way to cure or as in what occurs during curing?

If you mean what occurs during curing, after cannabis is harvested, during curing, various carboxyl groups begin to degrade, releasing CO[SUB]2[/SUB] and leaving behind the desired decarboxylated active cannabinoids.

Some THC in resin is present in the form THC-A, also called THC acid. This form of THC has a carbonate molecule (COOH) attached to it, which is also called a carboxyl group or acid. THC is only marginally psychoactive when a carboxyl group is attached.


To decarboxylate is to remove the carbonate molecule. This simply means breaking the bond between the COOH molecule and the THC molecule

When the carbonate molecule is removed from THC acid, the COOH evaporates away in the form of water vapor (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and THC is left behind. Converting THC-A through decarboxyltion improves the available THC content, sometimes called potentiating the THC. The potency is increased because more psychoactive elements are available.

If that is not what you were asking and instead were asking about the best method to accomplish that, sorry, but the above is what I took what you said as asking because there really isn't anything scientific about putting buds in jars, keeping them in a dark place with a moderate temperature and burping them often.
Thanks Brick Top. That's what I was looking for. I want to better understand the chemical breakdown that occurs, for personal reference. Thanks again
 
What are you actually asking or meaning when you say; "can anybody explain to me the science behind the curing process?"

Do you mean as in what is the best way to cure or as in what occurs during curing?

If you mean what occurs during curing, after cannabis is harvested, during curing, various carboxyl groups begin to degrade, releasing CO[SUB]2[/SUB] and leaving behind the desired decarboxylated active cannabinoids.

Some THC in resin is present in the form THC-A, also called THC acid. This form of THC has a carbonate molecule (COOH) attached to it, which is also called a carboxyl group or acid. THC is only marginally psychoactive when a carboxyl group is attached.


To decarboxylate is to remove the carbonate molecule. This simply means breaking the bond between the COOH molecule and the THC molecule

When the carbonate molecule is removed from THC acid, the COOH evaporates away in the form of water vapor (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and THC is left behind. Converting THC-A through decarboxyltion improves the available THC content, sometimes called potentiating the THC. The potency is increased because more psychoactive elements are available.

If that is not what you were asking and instead were asking about the best method to accomplish that, sorry, but the above is what I took what you said as asking because there really isn't anything scientific about putting buds in jars, keeping them in a dark place with a moderate temperature and burping them often.
Awesome post Brick Top! However, if you could give the same scientific explanation of the processes involved in curing cannabis while at the same time explaining the best practices needed in order to achieve all those processes i.e. using exact RH and temperatures etc. - that would be truly fantastic.
 
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