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The cannabis plant is complex. It contains over 100 cannabinoids, which are active chemical compounds that can cause drug-like effects throughout the body. It also produces over 150 different terpenes that are naturally found in every plant, and give them their individual smells and flavours. However, they also have medicinal uses. Terpenes work in holistic harmony with cannabinoids and other compounds in cannabis, helping everything to operate more effectively overall. Together, they can offer a number of potential medical benefits. This is known as the entourage effect.
Tetrahydrocannabinolis (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of these natural compounds, and they’re what you’ll see most often when researching medical cannabis. The main difference is that THC can produce a ‘high’, while CBD doesn’t. And remember, whilst there is evidence to give a general idea of how both THC and CBD may react with the body, they can affect every individual differently.
Both compounds work by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), a messenger and receptor system that is integral to homeostasis (the management of balance) within the human body. The ECS influences and modulates pretty much every single function within your body, directing, correcting and managing your overall health.
One of the core components of the ECS are the cannabinoid receptors, which includes CB1 and CB2. They’re one of the main reasons behind why medical cannabis might work so positively on so many different conditions. Many experts believe that, by consuming compounds like THC and CBD, it’s possible to interact with these receptors.
Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legally available on prescription through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf for 50+ conditions. You can find out if you’re eligible by completing the quick questionnaire on our website. Below, we’re specifically exploring kief in UK cannabis products.
What is Kief & How is it Collected?
Cannabis flower is most often consumed using a dry herb vaporiser. But before this happens, you need to grind the flower. When you grind cannabis flower, it leaves behind a ‘dust’. And once this ‘dust’ is separated from the flower, it is known as kief. Here’s a little more detail.
Kief itself is made up of the tiny, resinous trichomes that coat the cannabis flower. These trichomes contain a high concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes, making kief especially potent compared to the rest of the plant material.
Trichomes contain oily resin, which is often extracted for other medical and recreational cannabis products. As trichomes dry and break off the flower, their outer layer becomes brittle, turning into the fine, powdery kief.
You can use a grinder to collect kief. Some have a separate container underneath that catches the ‘dust’, and makes the grinding process itself easier and less messy. These are often referred to as 3 or 4 ‘piece’ grinders. They’re usually metal, but can also be made from plastic or hemp materials.
Smaller, ‘2 piece’ grinders, which don’t have a compartment underneath, tend to retain and chuck out the kief amongst your ground flower.
However, regular use of grinders can lead to kief build up, which may impact your ability to easily grind flower. It can also affect the efficiency of your medication. For example, some of the kief from your medication may be getting absorbed and lost amongst old build up in your grinder, which will in turn reduce the efficiency and expected dosage. Cleaning your grinder, or replacing it, is the best thing to do in this situation.
Simply use a dry brush to clean your grinder, and consider replacing it if it’s plastic, old or seems damaged.
Kief vs cannabis flower: Why is it Unique?
Cannabis flower is a form of cannabis that you could be prescribed. And as we explored above, kief is the ‘dust’ that is separated from the flower post-grinding/handling. The main difference between the two is potency.
When it comes to kief potency vs cannabis flower, kief alone has been known to be more potent, and so it can be harder to manage dosage. Pure kief is said to have a high THC content. However, it may feel harsher than cannabis flower and relief may not last as long. This is because it lacks other compounds found in the whole plant.
Some recreational users will collect kief in their grinder, to consume high amounts of it at once. However, if you’re a medical patient, you should ensure that you’re dosing flower (and any of the subsequent kief that falls off) correctly. This means emptying your grinder regularly, and keeping it clean so there’s no significant build up of kief.
As we said above, a combination THC, terpenes and CBD, can make medical cannabis more effective.
Potential Medical Benefits of Kief
Some potential benefits of medical cannabis, and therefore kief medical benefits (when it's consumed as part of your prescription) include:
- Pain relief: Medical cannabis works by harnessing cannabinoids (compounds found in the cannabis plant) to bind to pain receptors and nerve cells, then slow down the pain response. This, in turn, may ease discomfort for some people.
- Anxiety and stress relief: In a recent trial of 300 adults with anxiety, both THC and CBD-dominant cannabis helped reduce some people’s anxiety.
- Sleep aid: In a 2021 observational trial participants self-reported a drop in depression symptoms, alongside less pain, better sleep and improved quality of life.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: Various studies support the claim that medical cannabis is an effective anti-inflammatory. For example it’s been seen to ease symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) alike.
Again, it’s important to keep in mind that most studies back the idea of the entourage effect. Combining terpenes, THC, CBD, and other compounds in cannabis, could produce more effective results, but more research is still needed.
How to Use Kief
Using a dry herb vaporiser is the most common legal way to consume kief. Essentially, when you grind cannabis flower for your vaporiser, you can add the ‘dust’, or kief, that is left over to your vaporiser.
When consuming medical cannabis as prescribed in the form of ground flower, this method provides rapid onset of effects, typically within minutes, making it suitable for immediate relief of symptoms such as pain.
Remember that smoking any form of cannabis is illegal in the UK and could lead to lung damage. So, you should purchase a dry herb vaporiser through a licensed clinic like Alternaleaf.
Every time you use a grinder to prepare cannabis for your vaporiser, you should add all the leftover kief to the chamber with your flower. This ensures you’re accessing all of the medicine, and will have an accurate dose.
Side Effects and Risks of Kief
Every medication comes with potential side effects, and medical cannabis is no different. However, serious side effects are uncommon and can vary depending on personal factors such as your past use, physiology and health condition, as well as consumption method (for example oil, vaporiser, edible), and THC and CBD content.
Kief side effects are pretty much the same as the risks of medical cannabis. But keep in mind that kief alone can be more potent than your prescribed medical cannabis flower. And therefore side effects may be stronger and harder to manage. Also consuming kief alone wouldn’t be in line with how your prescriber intended you to consume your medication, so effects can be more unpredictable.
Speak to your clinician if you’re ever concerned. They’ll explain everything in detail ahead of prescribing any medication. But, some potential risks and side effects to keep in mind include:
- Dry Mouth
- Drowsiness
- Red eyes
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in weight
- Dizziness
- Increased Appetite
- Psychoactive Effects. However, the ‘high’ feeling cannabis can be associated with is much more controlled with medical cannabis due to the dosage guidance of a clinician.
Also keep in mind that medical cannabis could potentially interact with other medications. If you’re ever unsure, it’s best to speak to your Doctor or clinician.
Is Kief Legal in the UK? Medical Cannabis & Regulations
Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 1st November 2018, but it needs to be prescribed by a specialist doctor. To be eligible, you’ll need a diagnosis for a qualifying condition such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, ADHD or autism.
Just because it’s legal in the UK, doesn’t mean it’s legal everywhere. It is always a good idea to check if you’re travelling somewhere, what their rules and laws are around medical cannabis.
But again, as kief alone could be more potent than your prescribed medical cannabis flower, it’s important to use it safely and responsibly. Our advice is to always start low and go slow. This allows new patients to get used to their medicines with minimal side effects and disruption to everyday life.
Summary
Medical cannabis research is still being explored today. Which is great, because more is needed. But there’s one thing we know: different compounds working together results in more effects. So, whilst pure kief may contain higher levels of THC, you won’t necessarily feel more effects when consuming it on its own. And consuming medical cannabis as it’s been prescribed to you will have more potential benefits.
The best thing to do is speak to your Doctor or clinician, or seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf if you’re considering medical cannabis treatment. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second questionnaire.