What Are Trichomes? The Sticky Resin Glands Behind Every High

Trichomes are, hands down, the most amazing (and stickiest) part of the cannabis plant. They're tiny resin glands that produce and hold THC, CBD, other cannabinoids and the terpenes that give weed its smell, and they show up as the frosty crystals on your buds.

Extracting trichomes from the plant also preserves the terpenes. Terpenes are the aromatic oils that give each cannabis plant its distinctive flavor and smell.

Terpenes are also being studied for their own potential health benefits, and they help bring out cannabis's full aromatic character.

What are the types of trichomes?:

THC and other medicinal cannabinoids are found only in the heads of three different types of trichomes:

• Bulbous

• Capitate-sessile

• Capitate-stalked

Bulbous trichomes appear all over the surface of the plant, but they're so small (10-15 micrometers) that you can't see them without a microscope. For reference, a human hair is 40 to 50 micrometers wide.

Capitate-sessile trichomes are the next group up. They're slightly bigger than bulbous trichomes and far more abundant. Capitate-sessile trichomes start to take on the familiar head-and-stalk shape.

Capitate-stalked trichomes are the most common of the bunch. They range from 50 to 100 micrometers, which means you can see them with the naked eye. Capitate-stalked trichomes are made up of a basal cell (the stalk) topped by a waxy gland head.

Scientists used to think key cannabinoids like THC were made in the calyxes, the green plant tissue that serves as the base the mushroom-shaped trichome glands grow from.

Now scientists see that the trichomes themselves make the cannabinoids and terpenes. Yes, trichomes grow out of the calyx, but it's the trichomes that ultimately produce the cannabinoids.

The anatomy of the cannabis bud we usually smoke also includes pistils. These paired, hair-like strands that grow out of the calyx catch pollen from male cannabis plants so the plant can reproduce. Fun fact: trichome comes from the Greek for "growth of hair." 

Trichomes act as shields against fungi and pesky weed-loving bugs that would otherwise wipe out entire harvests. They're also the plant's "sunscreen." They help protect it from the sun's UV rays, as well as strong wind and low humidity.

Cannabinoids and terpenes build up under the trichome's outer cuticle as the plant grows. The gland head gets thicker and more bulbous as secretory vesicles produce oil and push it into the cuticle. Eventually the gland head matures and falls off as the flowering process nears its end.

If you're harvesting for the full effects of THC or CBD, you DON'T want your trichomes falling off. If that happens, it means you let the plant go too long. Most of the cannabinoids are gone, so you won't get the full psychoactive or medicinal effects. That's why it's so important to watch for these signs that your cannabis is about to be ready.

Early in the plant's life cycle, trichome gland heads are usually clear and see-through. Before harvest, when cannabinoid levels peak, the gland heads turn cloudy or milky.

You can tell cannabinoids are hitting full maturity when the trichome heads turn opaque.

Taking good care of your plants and harvesting at the right time is what lets you get the most out of your trichomes, and the terpenes and cannabinoids that come with them.

What do trichomes produce?

Cannabis trichomes produce a range of chemical compounds, the best known being cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These cannabinoids are mainly responsible for the psychoactive and therapeutic effects associated with cannabis.

Besides cannabinoids, trichomes also produce terpenes and flavonoids, aromatic compounds that give each strain its signature flavor and aroma. These compounds may also have therapeutic effects and are thought to work together with cannabinoids in a synergy known as the "entourage effect."

Overall, trichomes go a long way toward determining a plant's quality and potency, and their cannabinoid and terpene content can vary depending on the strain, growing conditions and other factors.

What is the function of trichomes, and what are they for?

Trichomes are specialized structures on cannabis plants that play a key role in producing cannabinoids and terpenes. They're tiny outgrowths you can spot on the leaves and buds, and you can get a good look at them with a jeweler's loupe.

Their job is to produce and store chemical compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes, which help protect the plant against pests and disease. Mature trichomes matter most at harvest, since that's when their cannabinoid and terpene content peaks.

Cannabis resin is found mainly in the trichomes, and their look and color change as they mature. For example, amber trichomes signal that the plant is ready (or getting past ready) to harvest, because they show the cannabinoids have started to break down. That's why it pays to check your trichomes with a loupe and pick the best moment to harvest.

How do you get more trichomes on your buds?

Several factors can affect the quantity and quality of trichomes on cannabis plants. Since trichomes hold the cannabinoids and terpenes, how many you've got can affect your weed's flavor, aroma and potency. Here are some tips for boosting trichome production:

1. Genetics: choosing strains known for big, abundant trichomes is one way to get more of them.
2. Light: make sure your plants get the right amount of light, since too little or too much can hurt trichome production.
3. Temperature and humidity: keeping the right environment for your plants can also help boost trichome production.
4. Nutrients: giving your plants the nutrients they need also matters for trichome production.
5. Harvest timing: waiting until trichomes hit their peak maturity before you harvest helps you get more, and better, trichomes on your buds.

Bottom line: to get more trichomes, choose the right strains, dial in light, temperature, humidity and nutrients, and wait for the right moment to harvest. A microscope or loupe to keep an eye on how your trichomes develop and mature can help too.

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