You may have heard discussions around “PGRs weed” and whether it is safe to consume. PGR stands for “plant growth regulator” – substances used to control and modify plant growth. Some cannabis growers use synthetic PGRs to maximize bud size and yields.
However, these PGRs come with health risks and reduce cannabis quality. This article covers everything you need to know about PGR weed.
Contents
What Are Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs)?
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are chemicals that alter the natural growth cycle of plants. There are two main types of PGRs:
- Growth inhibitors – Slow down specific parts of plant growth, like stem elongation. This redirects energy to flowering.
- Growth promoters – Speed up plant growth and development.
PGRs work by mimicking natural plant hormones that control growth and development. They have been used in agriculture since the 1920s to improve crop yields.
Some common synthetic PGRs used on cannabis plants are:
- Paclobutrazol
- Daminozide
- Chlormequat chloride
These PGRs make cannabis buds grow thicker and denser. However, they also reduce resin and cannabinoid production, limiting quality and potency.
How Are PGRs Used to Grow Cannabis?
Unethical cannabis cultivators use synthetic PGRs through two methods:
- Foliar sprays directly onto plant leaves and flowers.
- Mixing PGRs into nutrient solutions that get absorbed by the plant’s roots.
PGRs are sometimes included in pre-mixed nutrients from cannabis-focused brands without clear labelling.
Popular nutrient lines that contain undisclosed PGRs include:
- BushMaster
- Gravity
- TopLoad
- Flower Dragon
Always check ingredients lists and ask brands directly about PGR usage. Reputable organic nutrient lines will never include synthetic PGRs.
Health Risks and Dangers of PGRs Weed
Research shows that consuming PGRs weed poses the following health risks:
- Carcinogenic effects – Inhaling burnt paclobutrazol creates nitrosamines, which are highly carcinogenic and toxic. Daminozide is also a probable carcinogen.
- Hormonal issues – Animal studies show synthetic PGRs like paclobutrazol impair fertility and reproduction. Further research is needed on effects in humans.
- Organ damage – Paclobutrazol causes liver toxicity. Chlormequat chloride may also damage organs when ingested in high doses.
As PGR weed becomes more dry and dense, it also burns hotter with smoke that irritates lung tissue.
Overall the science shows it’s best to avoid consuming synthetic PGR cannabis whenever possible. More research is still needed, but the risks are very real.
How to Identify and Avoid PGRs Grown Cannabis
Learning how to spot the visual signs of PGRs weed lets you make educated choices:
| PGRS Weed | Natural Cannabis |
|---|---|
| Rock hard, dense, heavy buds | Light, fluffy buds |
| Excess red/brown pistils | More trichomes than pistils |
| Sparse trichomes, lacking frost | Heavy trichome coverage (frosty) |
| Reduced aroma | Strong, pungent aroma |
| Harsh smoke, chemical taste | Smooth, flavorful smoke |
You’ll also notice that PGR weed provides a short-lived, headache-inducing high. This comes from lower resin and cannabinoid levels limiting potency and full spectrum entourage effects.
The easiest way to avoid PGR cannabis is to grow your own organic plants or purchase lab-tested products from licensed dispensaries. Reputable growers understand the risks posed by synthetic PGRs.
Natural Alternatives to Synthetic PGRs
While synthetic PGRs are risky, natural plant hormones provide a safer way to influence cannabis growth. Two great options are:
- Chitosan – Boosts flowering, derived safely from insect/crustacean shells. Provides similar growth enhancing results as synthetic PGRs without the risks.
- Triacontanol – Made from plant-based beeswax and alfalfa. Speeds up nutrient uptake and CO2 absorption for faster, more efficient growth. Completely non-toxic.
These organic compounds work synergistically with the cannabis plant’s natural growth hormones without endangering your health.
Conclusion
Synthetic PGRs enable unethical cannabis cultivators to rapidly increase yields without regards to quality or safety. Make sure to inspect buds carefully and buy lab-tested strains from reputable sources. Seeking out small-batch craft growers using natural cultivation methods is the best way to avoid dangerous PGRs weed.
FAQS
What are the side effects of PGR?
Consuming PGR weed can lead to several concerning side effects:
– Skin and eye irritation upon contact
– Nausea and breathing issues from inhaling fumes during application
– Potential long-term organ damage if ingested
– Increased cancer risk – some PGRs like daminozide are probable carcinogens
– Hormonal disruption that may impair fertility and reproduction
– Birth defects and developmental issues documented in animal studies
The full extent of health consequences in humans requires further research but existing science shows real risks that consumers should take very seriously.
Why is smoking PGR bad?
Smoking PGR weed poses multiple health hazards:
– Dense PGR buds burn hotter, producing harsh smoke that irritates lungs
– Chemical residues you inhale get absorbed directly into the bloodstream
– Heating paclobutrazol PGR converts it into highly toxic nitrosamines known to cause cancer
– You miss out on terpenes and full-spectrum cannabinoids that modulate effects
– More likely to experience racing heart, anxiety, lethargy, headaches, and “crash”
For medical marijuana patients especially, missing key therapeutic compounds makes PGR cannabis ineffective and undermines the core reasons for using cannabis as medicine.
Why is the use of PGRs controversial?
PGRs are controversial because:
– They enable higher profits for unethical growers at the cost of consumer safety
– Most are banned from human food crops due to health risks but still used on cannabis
– Long-term impact on humans at smoked/ingested doses remains understudied
– Cannabinoid and terpene levels lowered substantially, reducing therapeutic effects
– Negative environmental impact from chemical runoff and reduced soil biodiversity
While growers stand to benefit greatly from using PGRs, the risks posed to consumers and the environment are substantial and form an unethical trade-off.
What are the effects of PGRs?
The effects of PGRs on cannabis plants include:
– Faster vegetative growth and onset of flowering
– Shorter internodal length between flower clusters
– Increased bud density and flower mass production
– Excessive pistil production appearing red/brown
– Lower terpene and resin gland (trichome) development
– Reduced cannabinoid levels including THC and CBD
So while PGRs maximize flower size and growth speed, they also degrade aroma, potency, and full spectrum entourage effects for a purely visual appeal that comes with an array of health consequences.
