Hops And Cannabis: Thc In Beer Explored

Hops and marijuana have a lot in common. They are both green, resinous flowers with serrated leaves. They also share the same terpenes, which are responsible for their distinctive scents and flavours. However, hops and cannabis differ in that hops are typically used to flavour beer, while cannabis is often used for medicinal and recreational purposes. So, does hops in beer contain THC?

Hops and marijuana are related and belong to the same plant family, Cannabinaceae

Originally, biologists classified plants based on structural similarities, which led to hops and cannabis being placed in the same family under the order Urticales. However, with the advent of DNA sequencing technology, molecular biologists discovered that the order Urticales was not as distinct as previously thought. In 1998, the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group published a new classification system that placed the Cannabinaceae family within the order Rosales.

The similarities between hops and marijuana go beyond their taxonomic classification. Both plants have lobed and serrated leaves, although hops have hooked hairs on their stems that allow them to climb, while cannabis grows upright on a woody stem. They are also both dioecious, producing male and female plants, and are wind-pollinated. Additionally, both plants produce resinous glands that contain their active compounds—lupulin glands in hops and trichomes in cannabis.

The two plants also share some traditional uses, such as medicinal and recreational purposes, as well as in the production of cloth and paper. However, the most well-known use of hops is in brewing, where it adds bitterness and acts as a preservative due to its antibacterial properties.

While hops and marijuana have many similarities, there are also some key differences. Hops contain alpha acids, which give beer its bitter taste, while marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinoids, which are responsible for its psychoactive effects. Additionally, while hops generally do not contain cannabinoids, a subspecies of hops, Humulus yunnanensis, native to South-West China and North-East India, has been found to contain THC, CBD, or both.

Hops and marijuana share similar organoleptic properties, including taste and smell

The similarities between hops and marijuana extend beyond their organoleptic properties. Both plants have a somewhat similar appearance, with lobed and serrated leaves. Hops have hooked hairs on their stems, which they use for climbing, while cannabis grows upright on a woody stem. Additionally, both plants are dioecious, meaning they produce both male and female plants, and they are pollinated by the wind.

The connection between hops and marijuana goes even deeper when considering their traditional uses and effects on human health. Hops and marijuana have been used medicinally and recreationally for centuries, and both have similar, psychoactive effects. Hops are known to have sedating effects and are traditionally used as an herbal sleep remedy. Similarly, marijuana can induce a sense of euphoria and relaxation due to its influence on receptors in the brain.

The similarities between hops and marijuana are not just a coincidence but are rooted in their shared ancestry and complex biochemistry. They are both members of the Cannabaceae family, indicating a close botanical relationship due to their shared genetic background. The evolutionary heritage of these two plants is evident in their morphological and structural characteristics, such as palmately lobed leaves and the presence of stipules.

In summary, the shared organoleptic properties of hops and marijuana, including taste and smell, are just one aspect of the profound synergy between these two botanical cousins. Their similar appearances, traditional uses, medicinal benefits, and psychoactive effects further highlight the intricate connection that has fascinated researchers and enthusiasts alike.

Hops and marijuana have similar physical characteristics, including the structure of their leaves

The taxonomic classification of these plants has been a subject of debate and change over the years. Historically, biologists grouped plants based on structural similarities, placing hops and cannabis under the order Urticales. However, with the advent of DNA sequencing, it was discovered that Urticales was not a distinct order, leading to a revision in the classification system.

In terms of physical characteristics, both hops and cannabis have lobed and serrated leaves. Hops also have hooked hairs on their stems, which they use for climbing, while cannabis grows upright on a woody stem. Additionally, both plants produce resinous glands containing their active compounds. These glands are known as lupulin glands in hops and trichomes in cannabis.

The similarities extend beyond physical characteristics. Both plants are dioecious, producing both male and female specimens, and are pollinated by the wind. They also share some traditional uses, such as medicinal and recreational purposes, as well as in the production of cloth and paper.

Hops and marijuana contain the same terpenes, which add to their relaxing effects

Hops and marijuana, or Humulus lupulus and Cannabis sativa, respectively, are two different plants with a lot in common. They are both members of the Cannabaceae family and share similar appearances, uses, and effects on human health.

One of the most notable similarities between the two plants is the presence of terpenes, which are organic compounds that give rise to their characteristic aromas. Hops contain terpenes such as myrcene, beta-pinene, and alpha-humulene, which are also found in cannabis plants, contributing to their distinctive smell.

These shared terpenes not only influence the scent of hops and marijuana but also contribute to their relaxing effects. Both plants contain high levels of myrcene, a terpene known for its sedating and muscle-relaxing properties. In addition, hops and marijuana also contain other terpenes such as humulene, caryophyllene, and farnesene, which further enhance their calming effects.

The terpenes in hops and marijuana work in conjunction with other compounds in each plant to influence the body's endocannabinoid system, which regulates various biological processes. In marijuana, terpenes work together with cannabinoids to produce a range of effects, from uplifting cerebral experiences to sedating body highs. Hops, on the other hand, do not typically contain cannabinoids but have their own unique compounds, including alpha acids, which increase the activity of inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA, resulting in a calming and anxiety-reducing effect.

The shared terpenes in hops and marijuana are a key factor in the relaxing and sedative properties associated with both plants, contributing to their long history of use as herbal sleep remedies and recreational intoxicants.

While hops generally do not contain cannabinoids, one subspecies, Humulus yunnanensis, does contain THC, THC and CBD, or CBD alone

Hops and cannabis share many similarities, from their appearance to their chemical makeup. They are both members of the Cannabaceae family and have similar organoleptic properties, including a shared terpene called myrcene. Hops also contain antibacterial properties, which is why beer can be preserved for longer. However, hops generally do not contain cannabinoids.

That being said, one subspecies of hops, Humulus yunnanensis, does contain cannabinoids. Native to South-West China and North-East India, Humulus yunnanensis is visually very similar to cannabis. Dr. Bomi Joseph theorised that the two plants could cross-pollinate in the wild, and travelled to northern India to test his theory. He found hops plants containing THC, a combination of THC and CBD, and CBD alone.

Dr. Joseph was particularly interested in the CBD plants, believing that they could be used to create a cannabis-free source of CBD. He took seeds back to Ooty in India, where he developed the species further, eventually creating a new variety of hops known as Humulus yunnanensis var. kriya, or Humulus kriya for short. Through careful cross-breeding, Dr. Joseph was able to produce a variety of hops containing as much as 18% CBD. He patented his creation, and Medical Marijuana Inc. made the product available to the public.

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