By J Gordon Curtis
Nano-emulsion is taking the cannabis community by storm and we’re thrilled to jump in on the fun. By breaking up large molecules into smaller ones, producers can improve the bioavailability, water-solubility, and effectiveness of THC.
If you’re wondering what all that means, don’t worry, we’ll get into it all below.
We’re proud to offer our High Spirits® cannabis shots, utilizing this exciting new way to create drinkable THC and CBD options. Like the process we’re discussing, let’s break down nano-emulsification into easy-to-digest information.
After, we’ll talk about our products and some delightful recipes you may want to try with them.
What is Nano-Emulsion?
Nano-emulsification refers to the various processes of breaking cannabis molecules into smaller ones. Cannabinoids are typically fat-soluble which makes them great for edibles and tinctures but bad for beverages.
Tinctures suspend the molecule in oil to make it stable but you still have to hold it in your mouth as opposed to just mixing it with a drink or taking it straight up. When you do this, the oil works to enable the cannabinoids to cross the thin membrane of your tongue.
Swallowing the oil will result in some effect but it will drastically reduce it. Nanoemusification uses various methods to break the particles into stable, nano versions of themselves.
While there are many ways to go about doing this, the main components all of them involve include:
- An oil to stabilize the molecule and the nano molecules it will turn into.
- A “surfactant” — or, a chemical that decreases the tension of liquids, making it easier for them to mix.
- Water
- Additional surfactant to increase the capabilities of the first.
Production methods vary from high-pressure homogenization to the use of sound waves to break molecules up. Regardless of how they get there, the conclusion is always the same, however.
What are the Benefits of Cannabis Nano-Emulsion?
The biggest benefit of nano-emulsification with cannabis is in making the molecule water soluble. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear a molecule capable of blending with water is more effective than others.
Human bodies are made largely of water (as you may remember from school.) Here are some of the benefits a nano-emulsified cannabinoid has over its oil-soluble counterpart:
With this in mind, it’s no wonder producers are working overtime to try and get these products on their shelves. If you’re on the hunt for something with better effect, immediate action, and higher bioavailability, look no further.
High Spirits® Extra Strength Cannabis Shot by Perfect Plant™
Our cannabis shotshave been one of the most exciting recent additions to our line. Utilizing nano-emulsion technology, we’ve managed to make some new shots with higher potency.
Each of these clocks in at 30mg of THC and 30mg of CBD per shot. Consume responsibly as this is a considerable amount of THC, even for heavy users.
Tiger’s Blood
Expect a tart but delicious flavor thanks to the ginger, lemon, and hibiscus ingredients making it up. This delicious concoction minimizes the herbal flavor associated with cannabis products by complimenting their flavors instead of trying to cover them up.
Consume over ice, mix with other drinks, or take it straight-up.
The result is a shot you’ll find yourself reaching for over any beer or mixed drink. Speaking of which, here are a couple of recipes for replacing your next cocktail with one of these amazing beverages.
Cocktail Idea #1 — Shirley Trichome
This cannabis takes on the famous alcohol-free recipe with a fun way to put your own twist on this classic cocktail. Fill a glass with ice and add:
- ½ tsp grenadine
- ½ cup Sprite
- ⅓ cup ginger ale
- 3 oz Tiger’s Blood Extra Strength THC Shot
- Ice
Stir the ingredients lightly and add a maraschino cherry and/or lemon to garnish
Cocktail Idea #2 — Canna-Cola with Lime
Create your own substance-infused soda just like a major soft drink conglomeration you may know. Simply add ice to a tumbler glass and add your Tiger’s Blood Extra Strength THC Shot along with club soda or ginger ale and mix gently.
Take a lime wedge and squeeze it over top of the drink before wiping the rim of the glass and garnishing it.
Forbidden Fruit
Passion fruit, ginger, and lime combine for this fruity, fanciful concoction. After a few times trying this extra strength shot, you’ll find your mouth salivating at the very thought of the delightful flavor.
If you don’t want to enjoy the taste of this by pouring it over ice or taking it as-is, here are a couple of ideas for ways you can incorporate it into mocktail recipes.
Cocktail Idea #1 — Cannabis Pina Colada
To make this summertime favorite, combine these ingredients and blend until smooth.
- 1 Cup frozen pineapples
- ⅓ Cup coconut cream
- ½ Cup pineapple juice
- 3 oz Forbidden Fruit Extra Strength THC Shot
After blending, garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Cocktail Idea #2 — Mari-Margi
Wet the rim of a glass with lime juice and coat it with salt before combining the following in a glass or blender:
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ¼ tsp simple syrup
- 3 oz Forbidden Fruit Extra Strength THC Shot
- Ice
Blend until smooth or stir until the ingredients mix and then add 3 oz of tonic water and garnish with a lime wedge.
Is Drinking Worse than Weed?
By nearly every metric, alcohol is a worse drug than THC. Alcohol is a poison your body struggles to process whereas cannabis interacts with your endocannabinoid system — receptors some researchers believe we evolved to have specifically for this purpose.
Nobody is trying to look down on anyone else for having a drink every now and then. Still, it’s undeniable that the effects of cannabis have far fewer risks than alcohol.
It is likely disingenuous to say THC couldn’t kill you but there are no known deaths from marijuana alone today and it would take a very unlikely amount to accomplish. Compared to alcohol, weed is an infinitely safer substance unlikely to leave you regretting your actions the next morning.
Where to Find Nano-Emulsion Cannabis Products
As with all products falling under the category of hemp, under-regulation of the industry is something you should consider. With tragically low standards for production, there’s very little companies must do to back up the claims they make on the packaging.
Reporting is the number one indicator of quality for a product and a company. If a dispensary isn’t willing to take the extra steps to prove their products are worth being proud of, they likely aren’t.
Luckily, you don’t have to look any further than our webstore or either of our physical locations. We have cannabis experts ready to guide you at our Germantown location and our shop off Whitebridge Pike.
If you have further questions but can’t make it in, we’re still here to help. Reach out via the form on our website and we’ll gladly walk you through the options and what they mean.