A Brief Guide To The Top 10 Cannabinoids
Have you come across the term cannabinoids recently? Are you not quite sure what they are or how they can affect your body? If you’re familiar with the acronyms THC or CBD, you’re on the right path to understanding these obscure chemical compounds. Recent studies have discovered dozens of these chemical properties of the Cannabis sativa plant.
What are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are chemical substances that are found in the chemical makeup of a Cannabis sativa plant. Cannabis plants contain about 540 chemical substances overall, and over a hundred of them are called cannabinoids. These substances have been identified as the parts of the cannabis plant that interact with the human body, producing various side effects.
Cannabis plants are shown to naturally produce many cannabinoids, but they are not exclusively found in the Cannabis Sativa plant. The chemical compounds can also be found naturally in the human body and several other plant species like echinacea. They can also be synthetically created in a lab. Any chemical compound interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system is a cannabinoid.
Cannabinoids in the Body: The Endocannabinoid System
So, how exactly do cannabinoids interact with the body? Upon being activated and consumed, they interact with a system of receptors called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS was discovered by scientists in the late 1980s. It can be found in the body's central and peripheral nervous systems. It assists the body in creating homeostasis, which means balance. The cannabinoids that come from the cannabis plant can bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptor sites. These sites are located in the brain and body, respectively. Depending on the receptor the cannabinoid interacts with, you can experience different effects within your mind or throughout your body.
Cannabinoids are released into the body once cannabinoid acids are activated through decarboxylation. Plainly speaking, the plant needs to be activated by heating it up. This is why smoking marijuana or extracting the chemicals usually involves burning it somehow. Baking cannabis before infusing it into something else is a common step in creating quality edibles. Heating up the cannabis releases the chemicals from their acid form, making it possible for them to interact with the body. To feel the psychoactive effects of cannabis, you have to activate the cannabinoids, or you won’t experience any of the results you anticipate.
Though cannabinoids are unfamiliar territory, the main two chemical compounds are relatively well known throughout the cannabis industry. THC and CBD products are widespread and available for purchase in many states. However, other chemicals among the hundreds that have been discovered make up the cannabis plant.
Top 10 Cannabinoids and Their Potential Effects
THC-Tetrahydrocannabinol
The most studied cannabinoid is THC, also known as delta-9 THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol. This chemical substance is responsible for the mind-altering effects attributed to smoking marijuana. The chemical was first isolated from the cannabis plant in 1968. By 1988, researchers had demystified the connection between THC and the endocannabinoid system. THC primarily interacts with the body by binding to CB1 receptors in the brain, causing a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. Cannabis plants with a high concentration of THC have become more prevalent as cultivators breed plants to increase the sensation of intoxication. For this reason, this cannabinoid is typically marketed for recreational use.
Studies have shown that users also use the plant to self-medicate. Users report that THC helps with chronic pain issues, insomnia, nausea, and inducing an appetite.
CBD-Cannabidiol
The second most commonly studied cannabinoid is CBD, short for cannabidiol. Due to changes in legislation, this non-psychoactive cousin of THC has become increasingly popular throughout the industry. CBD is typically derived from non-psychoactive industrial hemp flowers that have largely been decriminalized. Around 47 states allow the sale of industrial hemp-derived CBD products.
Beyond being the second most abundant cannabinoid, it is also the most commonly marketed as an alternative to THC. Unlike THC, they do not activate the CB1 receptors. In fact, there is some evidence that CBD can lessen the effects of the intoxication of THC.
Studies have proven that CBD is effective in treating chronic pain, lessening nausea, and minimizing the symptoms of epileptic seizures. It has also been commonly offered as a treatment for anxiety, depression, and some instances of psychosis.
THCV-Tetrahydrocannabivarin
Another cannabinoid that has been discovered is THCV or tetrahydrocannabivarin. This chemical has a structure similar to THC but with fewer carbon atoms. Like THC, THCV can induce some intoxicating effects. Still, because of how little of it naturally occurs, you probably won’t get the same feelings of being high. Smaller doses can counteract some of the adverse effects associated with intoxication. Plants with higher compound levels can produce a short-lived psychedelic high that gives the user a quick burst of energy. Cannabis plants with high levels of THCV have been discovered in Pakistan, India, Thailand, China, and Afghanistan.
Although there are very few studies on how the chemical affects the body, there is evidence that it can be beneficial for those who struggle with losing weight and as a preventative measure for diabetes.
CBDV-Cannabidivarin
CBDV is a lesser-known cannabinoid with a similar structure to CBD. It is also known to be a non-psychoactive chemical. Limited studies have shown that it has anti-convulsant properties. A study on mice has shown that it has the potential to limit seizures. It also has the potential as an anti-inflammatory chemical.
CBG-Cannabigerol
CBG is another nonintoxicating cannabinoid being suggested as a treatment for pain, anxiety, nausea, and cancer. The studies have primarily been done on animals. Still, there is potential for the effects to be studied for human healthcare. It has the potential to help with neurological disorders. It also has anti-fungal properties that can assist with conditions like psoriasis.
CBC is the third most naturally occurring cannabinoid; in some cases, it takes second place to THC in the cannabis plant. It is another non-psychoactive property with similar molecular structures to THC and CBD. Studies suggest it could help block pain and inflammation in the body.
CBN was one of the earliest discovered cannabinoids, located in the 1930s. It is a compound found in cannabis plants that have been exposed to heat or have aged. When the THC is degraded in the plant, CBN is created. Most smokers would avoid CBN-heavy plants as they sign that the cannabis is stale. However, a few benefits might make it worth it not to toss the plant. CBN has been found to have potential in treating issues including appetite, sleep, psoriasis, and pain.
THCA-Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid
THCA is the acid that needs to be broken down to get THC. It does not have the same mind-altering effects as THC and occurs in raw cannabis that has not been heated up to activate the chemicals. It can be found in resin concentrates. There is very little research into its effects on humans. Still, it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on animals.
CBDA-Cannabidiolic Acid
CBDA is the cannabinoid acid that turns into CBD when it is correctly activated through heat. Though scientists initially believed it wasn't a helpful chemical until it was converted to CBD, studies are showing it has some potential on its own. Preliminary research has shown that it has potential to be used to treat inflammation, nausea, and psychosis. It might even have some anti-cancer properties within it. Studies indicate it may even be a more effective treatment for depression than CBD.
CBGa-Cannabigerolic Acid
CBGa is the most foundational cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. This chemical is found to be the foundation of all the other cannabinoids in cannabis, earning it the moniker “the mother cannabinoid.” Without CBGa, no other cannabinoids would exist. When activated, CBGa turns into CBD. It isn’t currently being studied for its medical benefits but as a building block for other more valuable cannabinoids.
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