Cannabinoids: what are they?
So to cover this, we've got to get a little scientific here for a quick minute: cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in bud, and although THC and CBD are the most commonly known cannabinoids, there are actually over 450 compounds and more than 60 cannabinoids found in the plant.
Different cannabinoids have different effects on the body, but each work by interacting with cannabinoid receptors found in parts of the central nervous system. The various effects cannabinoids have on us depends on which receptors they interact with and the area of brain involved. This is why some strains will alter your cognition more than others, some will relax you more than others, and some will even offer pain relief more than others.
The cannabinoids that you'll ever encounter fall into a few subclasses:
- CBD, or Cannabidiol
- THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol
- CBN, or Cannabinol
- CBDL, or Cannabinodiol
- CBC, or Cannabichromenes
- CBG, or Cannabigerols
- CBL, or Cannabicyclol
- CBE, or Cannabielsoin
- and CBT, or Cannabitriol
Psychoactive vs. non-psychoactive
Typically, cannabinoids are differentiated based on what degree they act as psychological agents.
THC is the most commonly known psychoactive cannabinoid and THC-based strains are known to have some of the more noticeable affects from ingestion, while CBD is well-known for its non-psychoactive properties like anti-anxiety outcomes.
We wrote this article on the difference of the main cannabinoids in your bud, and this article on cannabinoids, and what deciding factors to consider when you're picking your strain.
