White Choco Auto & Your Endocannabinoid System

White Choco Auto is an autoflowering strain that was cultivated by Amsterdam Genetics from the genetic line of White Russion and Chocolope bred to create White Choco which was crossed with Ruderalis to ensure autoflowering. Is this the right strain for you? Read about growing tips, aroma and flavor profiles, and how it can affect your endocannabinoid system in our in-depth strain profile below. 

Growing White Choco Auto

White Choco Auto is a fairly easy strain for beginners to grow successfully. This short, stocky plant doesn’t require a great deal of space, resists mold, mildew, and fungus, and can even thrive in cooler temperatures (just not below freezing). If you live in a cooler, damp area, like the Pacific Northwest, or want to grow in the “off season” when there’s no danger of frost, this is an ideal choice. 

Like other autoflowering strains, this one begins flowering in around nine weeks, and when it’s ready to harvest, you’ll have plenty to enjoy. Indoor growers typically harvest up to 600 grams per square meter, while outdoor growers can see up to 1,000 grams per square meter. 

About Autoflowering Plants

Most strains of cannabis are photoperiod plants, meaning that their stages of growth are determined by the hours of sunlight they are exposed to each day. Their vegetative stage lasts as long as they are getting 15 or more hours of sunlight per day, but they won’t begin flowering until the sunlight exposure is decreased. Thus, outdoor flowering and harvesting doesn’t usually occur until shorter days in late September into October while indoor growers have to reduce the light to 12 hours a day to trigger the flowering stage.

Autoflowering eliminates the need for decreased sunlight and these plants will go into their flowering stage regardless of how long the days are. This means you can grow them outside in spring and summer or keep them under lights for 18 to 20 hours a day and in about nine weeks, you’ll start seeing buds, making this an easier plant for beginners. 

How Does White Choco Auto Interact with Your Endocannabinoid System? 

For centuries, people have used cannabis to relieve pain, achieve spiritual enlightenment, or enjoy it recreationally. However, it wasn’t until 1988, when the endocannabinoid system in the body was discovered, that we began to understand why cannabis affected people both physically and physiologically.  

Understanding the Endocannabinoid System 

The endocannabinoid system (ECS)  is a nerve cell signaling system (Lu, et al; 2016) that is responsible for regulating many bodily processes, including appetite, immune responses, mood regulation, pain sensation, and even creating memories. .  

The ECS is comprised of three specific components

• Endocannabinoids: These are neurotransmitters that carry signals.   
• Endocannabinoid Receptors: These receptors sit on nerve cells and the endocannabinoids attach to them to transmit the signal they were carrying. This way, the receptors receive the signal and stimulate the biological response. Endocannabinoids bind to two key types of receptors (Kendall et al; 2017): 
  • CB1 receptors in the brain and central nervous system.
  • CB2 receptors are found in the immune system, controlling immune and inflammatory responses. 
• Enzymes: These break down endocannabinoids after transmitting the signal. 

The ECS is responsible for keeping the internal environment of your body in balance. If an external stimulus throws your body out of balance, such as an event that triggers an panic attack or you sustain an injury that causes pain, the ECS steps in to help your body return to ideal functionality. 

Understanding Phytocannabinoids

Phytocannabinoids are chemical structures in plants that have a similar structure to endocannabinoids produced by the body and are thus capable of interacting with the ECS  (Swift, et al; 2013). The two active phytocannabinoids in cannabis L. short photoperiod plant and cannabis L. long photoperiod plant are: 

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (Potency): Potency binds to receptors in the same manner as endocannabinoids do, which can cause heightened responses, including pain relief, increased appetite, and mood regulation (and in some cases anxiety or paranoia). Potency also stimulates psychoactive responses, including feelings of euphoria so you feel high.  
• Cannabidiol (CBD): This is not a psychoactive chemical, so users don’t get the “high” feeling. However, research shoes it prevents enzymes from breaking down endocannabinoids, increasing their lifespan and allowing them to have a greater effect. CBD can often help with pain, nausea, and insomnia.  

White Choco Auto is a fairly potent strain at around 18 percent Potency, so users will find this provides pleasant psychoactive effects, even in light to moderate usage. 

Terpene Profile of White Choco Auto

All plants have unique aroma profiles caused by chemical compounds called terpenes. Individual terpenes carry different aroma compounds, and many plants contain multiple terpenes in various concentrations. Cannabis can contain over 100 terpenes, which is why there are so many unique aromas and flavors from one strain to the next. 

Terpenes have recently been found to be capable of interacting with the ECS. Because their molecule structure is so small, they can cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate responses. For example, linalool, a terpene in lavender, can promote feelings of relaxation and calm, not just when inhaled, but when used topically while limonene in orange and lemon peels have uplifting qualities. 

The terpenes in cannabis can create an “entourage effect” with cannabis, making the benefits more pronounced and offering additional supports (Russo, 2011). The dominant terpenes in White Choco Auto are: 

• Caryophyllene, a terpene found in cinnamon and black pepper that has a warm, spicy aroma. This also has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties (Scandiffio, et. al. 2020)
• Myrcene, a terpene that creates a green, herbal aroma that’s also found in basil and lemoncannabis. Myrcene offers anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and pain relieving properties (Surendran, Qassadi, Lilley, 2021). 

As a combination of White Russian and Chocolope, as well as the terpene profile, the aroma of White Chocolate Auto is richly chocolatey and sweet with a peppery zing and light, herbal notes making it a pleasantly sweet, but not overpowering aroma.

Type of Strain: Short Photoperiod Plant vs Long Photoperiod Plant

There are two primary types of cannabis used for wellness: short photoperiod plant and long photoperiod plant. While they are fairly similar in how they interact with the ECS, relieving pain and prompting feelings of happiness and euphoria. However, cannabis L. short photoperiod plant tends to be accompanied by a stronger physical reaction with intense physical relaxation and sleepiness. Strains high in short photoperiod plant tend to cause the “couch-lock” sensation. On the other hand, cannabis L. long photoperiod plant strains tend to be energizing and motivating, with users experiencing increased creativity, focus, and social engagement.

White Choco Auto is a combination between short and long photoperiod plant with 70 percent short photoperiod plant, 20 percent long photoperiod plant, and only 10 percent ruderalis genetics needed for autoflowering. With this makeup, this strain tends to provide a stronger “body buzz” though the long photoperiod plant presence creates a delicate balance. 

Physical and Psychoactive Effects of White Choco Auto

By looking at the terpene profile, type, and Potency potency along with listening to user feedback, we have found the following effects most closely associated with White Choco Auto:

• Stress relief
• Relieves feelings of depression and malaise
• Promotes feelings of euphoria and happiness
• Relieves joint and muscle pain from tension
• Relieves pain caused by inflammation
• May cause fatigue
• Increases appetite 

Purchase White Choco Auto Seeds Today

If you would like to grow White Choco Auto, purchase your high-quality seeds today! If you have additional questions, reach out to us today by calling [phone] or filling out the form below to get started. 

Author

Mo Smyth, BSN, RN Cannabis Nurse Educator

References

Kendall, Debra; et. al. “G Protein-Coupled Receptors: Neuromodulation and Disease.” Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 04 January 2017 https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2016.00294

Russo, Ethan B. “Taming Potency: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects.” British Journal of Pharmacology vol. 163,7 (2011): 1344-64. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x

Scandiffio R, 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, et. al. “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; et. al. “Analysis of Cannabis Seizures in NSW, Australia: Cannabis Potency and Cannabinoid Profile” PLoS ONE 8(7): e70052. 24 July 2013. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070052