Yo, what’s up fam? It’s ya boy, Dan, here to drop some knowledge on you about two of the dopest substances in the world: marijuana and beer. These two bad boys are gaining mad popularity, especially now that cannabis is getting legalized all over the U.S. People be smokin’ weed to chillax after a long day and also for its mad medicinal benefits. And beer? Well, it’s been a chill way to unwind for ages, but now there’s more variety than ever with microbreweries and craft beers takin’ over the scene. But check this out, there’s more to weed and beer than just their ability to get you faded. They actually got a close connection through a little somethin’ called hops. Let me break it down for you, homie.
So, turns out marijuana and hops are like cousins or somethin’. They both belong to the Cannabaceae family, which also includes another plant called Celtis or hackberries. But that’s not all they got in common, fam. Weed can be divided into three types: Sativa, indica, and ruderalis. Sativa plants are tall and skinny with delicate leaves, while indica plants are short and bushy with wider leaves. Ruderalis, on the other hand, is the least-known type and it grows in Russia. Hops also got three subspecies: Humulus lupulus, Humulus japonicus, and Humulus yunnanensis. These bad boys are native to Asia, Europe, and parts of North America. The one used in brewing is Humulus lupulus ’cause it got that dank aroma and flavor.
Now here’s where things get even more interesting. Marijuana and hops ain’t just look-alikes, they also got similar traditional uses and health benefits. Weed has been used for centuries as an herbal medicine and a way to get your groove on. Back in the day, it was loved all over the world until it got a bad rep and got banned in the 1900s. But now, thanks to science, we know that weed is actually pretty awesome. It can help with pain, nausea, mood disorders, and even seizures. The plant’s got these compounds called cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that work together to make you feel good.
And guess what? Hops have similar effects! They’ve been used as a sleep remedy for ages and people used to eat ’em like veggies. Hops got this chemical called 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol that helps calm your nervous system and make you feel all relaxed. And get this, both weed and hops got terpenes that add to their chill vibes. Myrcene is one of ’em and it’s got sedating effects and helps relax your muscles. So next time you’re struggling to catch some Z’s, try sniffin’ some hops or puffin’ on a joint.
But here’s where things get real juicy, fam. There’s this subspecies of hops called Humulus yunnanensis that grows in South-West China and North-East India where weed also grows wild. This got scientist, Dr. Bomi Joseph, thinkin’ that maybe cross-pollination was goin’ on. Turns out he was right! He tested some hops plants in India and found ones that contained THC, THC and CBD, and even just CBD on its own. That’s right, you can get CBD from hops! Dr. Joseph took those seeds back to India and created a new variety of hops called Humulus kriya with as much as 18% CBD.
So, next time you’re lightin’ up a blunt and crackin’ open a cold one, remember the connection between weed and beer goes way deeper than you think. They both got ancient roots and similar effects on your mind and body. And who knows, maybe in the future, we’ll even be sippin’ on CBD-infused beer. It’s a wild world out there, my dudes. Stay lit!