An Introduction to Green Magic & The Endocannabinoid Profile

With so many strains of cannabis available, all offering different benefits, effects, and even flavors, we understand choosing the right one can be difficult. At Green Nexus, we’re dedicated to helping our customers meet their wellness goals through cannabis, which is why we have written in-depth profiles about all the seeds we carry. Green Magic is an short photoperiod plant-dominant strain from Amsterdam Genetics, cultivated from Green Manalishi and White Choco. Learn more about this potent, popular strain, from growing information to how it will affect your endocannabinoid system.

Growing Green Magic

If you’re new to growing cannabis, Green Magic is an excellent option. It’s fairly hardy, easy to grow, and doesn’t get too tall while producing a solid crop. Indoor growers find Green Magic usually reaches around three to four feet high and produces around 400 grams per square meter while the plant reaches between four and five feet tall with a yield of around 550 grams per square meter when grown outdoors in warm summer months. Whether you’re growing indoors or out, expect flowering within around nine weeks. 

Photoperiod Cannabis Strains

Green Magic, like most cannabis strains, is a photoperiod variety. This means it requires long periods of light during the vegetative stage, at least 14 to 16 hours but will only produce flowers when the exposure to daylight decreases. When grown outside, this occurs naturally when the days get shorter in September, but when grown indoors, make sure you reduce the light to 12 hours a day after eight or nine weeks in the growth phase. 

How Does Green Magic Interact with the Endocannabinoid System?

Because cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), it is able to relieve a variety of health and wellness concerns, including:

• Chronic pain
• Insomnia
• Stress and anxiety
• Depression and malaise
• Inflammation
• Nausea
• Headaches

Understanding the Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is a cell-signaling network within the central and peripheral nervous system (Lu, et al; 2016) that controls a wide range of responses throughout the body to maintain optimal balance (Zou, et al; 2018). These responses include: 

• Appetite and hunger
• Sleep and fatigue
• Mood
• Immune response
• Inflammatory response
• Pain response
• Memory

Three components comprise the ECS:

1. Endocannabinoids: These are the neurotransmitters the body produces to send signals between nerve cells to signal a response. For example, when the stomach is empty, endocannabinoids send signals to stimulate hunger or when there is pain, endocannabinoids send signals to release endorphins to relieve or reduce pain. 
2. Endocannabinoid Receptors: These receptors rest on top of nerve cells. As endocannabinoids bind to the receptors, they “receive” the signal to stimulate the biological response. 
   1. CB1 receptors bind to cells in the central nervous system to increase appetite or relieve stress;
   2. CB2 receptors bind to cells in the peripheral nervous system where immune and inflammatory responses occur. 
3. Enzymes: These are produced to break down endocannabinoids after they’ve completed their function. 

Phytocannabinoids and Green Magic

Cannabis L. short photoperiod plant and cannabis L. long photoperiod plant contain active ingredients called phytocannabinoids. These chemical compounds within the plant have a very similar structure to endocannabinoids produced within the body and will impact the ECS (Swift, et al; 2013). Tetrahydrocannabinol (Potency) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two phytocannabinoids most known to affect the ECS. 

• Potency binds to endocannabinoid receptors to stimulate more pronounced responses to endocannabinoids. Thus, it’s common to experience increased appetite, nausea relief, and sleepiness. It also has psychoactive effects that trigger feelings of euphoria, increased creativity, and the “high” feeling. 
• CBD doesn’t bind to CB1 receptors but it does work to lengthen the lifespan of endocannabinoids within the body, keeping them from breaking down. Thus, the natural pain relief, relaxation, and improved sleep can be extended and heightened. CBD also does not produce a psychoactive effect, meaning it doesn’t get you high. 

Using this information, you can see that strains higher in Potency content lead to a more potent psychoactive response while those high in CBD content tend to produce stronger physiological effects. 

Green Magic has a Potency content of around 19 percent, which is a moderately potent variety. It is combined with a 1.2 percent CBD content, which is quite strong for cannabis, allowing users to experience more of the pain relief and physical impact. 

The Terpene Profile of Green Magic

Terpenes are the chemical compounds within plants that create their unique aroma profile, and the concentration each terpene is found in plays an impact. In addition to aroma, recent studies show that terpenes present in cannabis can heighten their effects and how they react to the ECS. 

Green Magic has four primary terpenes in its profile: 

• Myrcene: A compound that creates an earthy, herbal aroma, that’s also found in hops, lemoncannabis, and basil that has anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and pain relieving properties (Surendran, Qassadi, Lilley, 2021). 
• Caryophyllene: A spicy, peppery aroma found in cinnamon and black pepper, this terpene supports deep relaxation and minimizes inflammation (Scandiffio, Geddo, Cottone, et al. 2020).  
• Limonene: A lemony, citrus scent found in fruit peels. This terpene triggers serotonin release and can improve the mood (Eddin et al. 2021).
• Eucalyptol: Also called cineol, this terpene is found in eucalyptus and other plants, creating a minty, fresh aroma. Physically, it can support cellular health and reduce inflammation (Khan, et al; 2014). 

The terpenes and flavanoids within Green Magic work together to produce a rich, complex aroma of deep chocolatey notes and spicy tones that are brightened by a green, herbal blend with notes of mint. The smoke flavor is just as appealing with a deep chocolate-y mint flavor with a slight taste of sweet greenery.

Type of Strain: Short Photoperiod Plant vs Long Photoperiod Plant

The two primary types of cannabis are cannabis L. short photoperiod plant and cannabis L. long photoperiod plant. While they both share similar effects of stimulating the appetite and creating feelings of happiness, peace, and euphoria, they aren’t the same. Short Photoperiod Plants are known for their “bodybuzz,” blending both deep physical and mental relaxation and often leading to improved sleep. Long Photoperiod Plants are much more cerebral, often stimulating and energizing the user. 

Green Magic is a combination between short and long photoperiod plant of 60 percent short photoperiod plant and 40 percent long photoperiod plant, so users are more likely to experience two stages beginning with a mental and emotional response and ending with a deep physical relaxation. 

The Physical and Psychoactive Effects of Green Magic 

When we look at the factors of Green Magic – it’s terpene profile, Potency potency, and strain, as well as listening to user feedback and our own experiences, we’ve found that this strain produces the following results and effects: 

• Happy, euphoric sensations
• Beginning cerebral high ending in “bodybuzz” 
• Deep physical relaxation
• Increased fatigue and improved sleep
• “Couch lock” effects
• Long-lasting high
• Relief from pain, including joint pain and headaches
• Decreased inflammation
• Eases anxiety and stress

Purchase Green Magic Seeds Today

If you feel Green Magic is right for you, order your high-quality seeds from Green Nexus today. If you have questions or would like professional guidance to find the right strain to help you achieve your goals, call us today at [phone].  

Author

Mo Smyth, BSN, RN Cannabis Nurse Educator

References

Eddin LB, Jha NK, Meeran MFN, Kesari KK, Beiram R, Ojha S. Neuroprotective Potential of Limonene and Limonene Containing Natural Products. Molecules. 2021;26(15):4535. Published 2021 Jul 27. doi:10.3390/molecules26154535

Khan, A., Vaibhav, K., Javed, H. et al. 1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol) Mitigates Inflammation in Amyloid Beta Toxicated PC12 Cells: Relevance to Alzheimer’s Disease. Neurochem Res 39, 344–352 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-013-1231-9

Lu HC, Mackie K. An Introduction to the Endogenous Cannabinoid System. Biol Psychiatry. 2016;79(7):516-525. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.07.028

Scandiffio R, Geddo F, Cottone E, et al. Protective Effects of (E)-β-Caryophyllene (BCP) in Chronic Inflammation. Nutrients. 2020;12(11):3273. Published 2020 Oct 26. doi:10.3390/nu12113273

Surendran S, Qassadi F, Surendran G, Lilley D, Heinrich M. Myrcene-What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent?. Front Nutr. 2021;8:699666. Published 2021 Jul 19. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.699666

Swift W, Wong A, Li KM, Arnold JC, McGregor IS (2013) Analysis of Cannabis Seizures in NSW, Australia: Cannabis Potency and Cannabinoid Profile. PLoS ONE 8(7): e70052. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070052

Zou S, Kumar U. Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(3):833. Published 2018 Mar 13. doi:10.3390/ijms19030833