By Sada Piquolette
When toking up the Devil’s lettuce for the first time, the feeling you get is intense. You get the giggles, the munchies, the world is wonderful, and you’re having fun. However over time and with regular use, that high decreases into a slight buzz that quickly wears off.
If you’ve been smoking for a while, you’re probably in search of new ways to elevate your cannabis high. After all, the more you smoke, the more you’ll grow accustomed to it as your tolerance levels increase. One theory I’ve been curious to try and elevate my high is eating mangoes. Mangoes and weed are said to be a match made in heaven, leading to a faster, stronger, and longer lasting eutrophic feeling of highness. But why is this so? Let’s dig a little deeper!
Similarities in the Terpene Called Mycrene (Science!)
The effect of this overall better high is described by the similarities found in the chemical make-up of the fruit and the flower. This connection starts off with terpenes, the essential oils produced in the cannabis flower’s sticky resin glands. It’s an important compound that influences how the plant interacts with your body. Give your bud a sniff and what you’re smelling there is actually provided by terpenes. Have a bite of a mango and that distinct taste (and smell) is also provided by terpenes.
The connection of the two is believed to lie in Mycrene, the unique terpene in question. How do we know this to be true? Well one day a group of Swiss’ got together and decided to study 16 different cannabis strains. It showed Myrcene as the most common terpene found in each plant. This connection of Mycrene is why mangoes and weed are the perfect match for each other and for us; leading to an overall better high.
The Bond of Mycrene in the Bloodstream
When mangoes are consumed an hour before a smoke session, Myrcene enters the bloodstream where it binds with various cannabinoid receptors. By aiding cannabinoids through the blood-brain barrier, these bonds “prime” the receptors over time which then helps them respond more effectively to cannabinoids. It is said that on average, THC takes seven seconds to reach the brain before inhaling. But if you eat a mango (or drink a mango smoothie) an hour before smoking, you could potentially halve that time. Now, to put the theory to the test.
Mango-ing it up!
After enjoying two mangoes and lighting up a joint an hour after, I found myself sitting in my room, strangely excited about watching repeats of the Office. I’m definitely high, but is it because of the fruit or the bud? In my research, I’ve also come to find that the “mango effect” doesn’t work for everyone as the fruit shows varying Mycrene content. Meaning it could be a hit or a miss depending on the individual and as this was my first go at it, I’d consider it a miss.
Although I enjoyed my high, I’m hesitant to say that this theory is a proven scientific fact. Personally, my tolerance to weed has weakened thanks to an increase in workload and a decrease in smoke sessions. Even with the research behind it, I found myself unreliable as a puff would get me going immediately nowadays. But then again, it was my first attempt.
Although there’s a definite link between mangoes and cannabis, the effect is still up for a debate. I have friends who swear by it, and friends who say the effect is purely psychological. But what do you think? Have a go at it yourself and let me know in the comments if it’s worked for you!
References
- Essential Oil of Cannabis Sativa L. Strains
- Mango & Weed - A Match Made in Heaven
- Why Growing Numbers of Pot Smokers Eat Mango Before Lighting Up
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