What is TAC and why should you care about it in your cannabis products?

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.

Cannabis is a very versatile herb. As the world continues to embrace it, millions of people are being introduced to the various cannabinoids that make up the plant. The “TAC” label is often found on the packaging of cannabis products. But very few understand what this “TAC” is all about.

First of all, TAC stands for Total Active Cannabinoids. It refers to a strain’s cannabis profile. When purchasing a cannabis product or seed, consumers can gain more insight into the total cannabinoid content of the strain. TAC allows users to customize their cannabis sessions.

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The total active cannabinoids in a strain draws the focus away from THC alone and draws more attention to other minor cannabinoids in the plant. TAC information informs users of how potent or effective a strain can be when consumed. Most often, the TAC is given by a cumulative number, while some manufacturers choose to disclose the individual properties of the cannabinoids present in the strain. This allows users to effectively decide which product they need at that moment based on its potential effects.

TAC represents the total amount and potency level of the different cannabinoids found in a given cannabis plant. Cannabis plants contain over 50 different cannabinoids, although not all are detectable. Current testing methods can only identify a number of cannabinoids that are available in significant quantities. So in reality, the TAC number is usually lower than the exact amount of cannabinoids in the strain.

Note that the undetectable cannabinoids in a strain are dormant or insufficient to produce an appreciable effect. The inclusion of cannabinoids in the TAC means that they have some form of impact on the effects manifested in the user. Cannatech operators have yet to find a direct mechanism to identify the mechanism of a single cannabinoid in a strain.

The Entourage Effect and the TAC Relationship

The “entourage effect” best describes the synergy between all of the cannabinoids in a cannabis plant. The theory shows that all of the compounds, including terpenes and phytocannabinoids, available in a cannabis herb work together to produce the best effects.

The total number of active cannabinoids is very important for the entourage effect. Scientists believe the TAC shows how the entourage effect works. Explains why THC and CBD produce better physiological effects when consumed together or in addition to other minor cannabinoids.

RELATED: What Is Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and Is It Legal?

Knowing about TAC is more beneficial for medicinal cannabis users. It gives them a clue as to what to expect from the entourage effect. On the other hand, recreational users use TACs to enhance their smoking or dabbing experiences.

Some newcomers to the industry often confuse the meaning of TAC with aerobic totals. This is different from all active cannabinoids and has a different meaning. An aerobic total is a measure of the total number of microbes in a cannabis sample.

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Cannabinoids in Hemp

Over 60 cannabinoids can be found in cannabis plants. Some TAC labels can list up to 100 cannabinoids in one product. However, most of these compounds are relatively unknown – they have been identified but their mechanisms are not understood. Some of the most common cannabinoids found in large amounts and trace amounts in cannabis plants are as follows:

Cannabidiol (CBD)

CBD is one of the two most bioavailable cannabinoids found in marijuana plants. It is known for its relaxing, non-psychoactive, and medicinal benefits.

CBD induces effects that help counteract the “high” produced by psychoactive cannabinoids. It does this by inhibiting the release of FAAH (an enzyme that breaks down anandamide). This effect promotes the availability of anandamide, also known as the lucky compound. Studies have shown that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and other therapeutic potential.

Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

THC is literally the most famous cannabinoid in the weed ecosystem. This cannabinoid is the dominant compound that induces psychoactive effects in the user. THC reacts with CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system to produce the “high.” It emulates anandamide to induce the release of FAAH. Unlike other cannabinoids, THC is more potent and lasts in the system much longer.

Cannabidivarine (CBDV)

CBDV is a minor cannabinoid commonly found in wild and hybrid strains of cannabis. Cannabis plants grown in Central Asia contain traces of this cannabinoid. Research is ongoing to understand how the compound reacts with the ECS, but cannabis researchers have pointed out that it shares a similar chemical structure to CBD.

Cannabichromene (CBC)

is a minor cannabinoid found in trace amounts in cannabis plants. Information on this cannabinoid is limited. Very little is known about its interaction with CB1 and CB2 receptors. Some studies suggest that CBC adds holistic effectiveness to the entourage effect.

terpenes and flavonoids

Aside from cannabinoids, cannabis contains other essential compounds such as fatty acids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Most of these other connections are poorly known in the ecosystem. Nonetheless, they all play an important role in the entourage effect.

Terpenes are compounds that give cannabis strains their unique taste. Terpenes are found in plants, fruits, and flowers of all crops, not just cannabis crops. Examples of terpenes are pinene, limonene, eucalyptol, and linalool. Terpenes also enhance the effects of cannabinoids in the endocannabinoid system.

RELATED: Caryophyllene: What Is This Terpene, and Why Should You Care Right Now?

On the other hand, flavonoids give plants their dye. They trigger antioxidant effects in consumers. Their role in the entourage effect is vague, and their interaction and degradation process have yet to be determined.

bottom line

It is very important to know the TAC value of your cannabis products. This is just another reason why cannabis regulations require manufacturers to include this information on product labeling. It’s even better if all the cannabinoids are listed. With this information, you can experiment with different product ratios to find the concentration that gives you the best cannabis experience. Medical professionals can use this accurate measurement to determine the best therapeutic concentration for cannabis patients.

Over time, more studies will begin to look at the specific interaction of minor cannabinoids and other cannabis compounds in the consumer’s system.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.