Have you ever wondered just what it is about CBD that makes us feel so euphoric, relaxed, and pain-free? Understanding cannabinoids can give some insight.
Cannabinoids are a class of compounds found within cannabis. Some cannabinoids interact with the human body to control functions, but some do not. In fact, there are over 113 different cannabinoids in cannabis, and all have different effects or purposes.
The science of cannabinoids isn’t as complicated as it may seem, but it is rather fascinating nonetheless. Understanding this science is personally beneficial, but also advantageous over all; the more we learn, the more we can manipulate cannabinoids and take advantage of all the health benefits they may have to offer.
In this article, we’ve taken accurate information and used it to answer all the questions you care about so you can medicate safely and thoughtfully.
The term cannabinoid refers to a class of compounds that are in the cannabis plant.
Some interact with the receptors found within the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body to create different effects, but not all cannabinoids have an effect on our minds and bodies.
The most well-known of these cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
THC is famous for producing the “high” or “stoned” feeling that is associated with cannabis. CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive, but responsible for most of the medicinal benefits that the cannabis plant offers.
Cannabinoids, due to their effect on the endocannabinoid system, play a role in regulating a range of functions and processes, including:
Once inside the body, cannabinoids bind to specific receptors within the ECS to influence the above elements of homeostasis.
Different cannabinoids bind to different receptors and interact with the ECS in unique ways, so it’s possible for some cannabinoids to cause different effects than others.
This is the case with CBD and THC – though they are very similar in terms of makeup, they work with the ECS in very different ways.
In cannabinoid science, there are three different types of cannabinoids: endocannabinoids (made natural within our bodies), phytocannabinoids (plant based), and synthetic cannabinoids (man made in a lab).
Cannabinoids work by activating, suppressing, or otherwise interacting with receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Let’s zoom in on the cannabinoid science.
Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the brain and control a number of important processes in our bodies.
When a cannabinoid meets a receptor, it can match with and activate that receptor, similar to the effect of a key opening a lock.
What happens next will depend on the compound.
When certain cannabinoids, such as THC, meet the receptors, the individual may start to feel intoxicated.
Other cannabinoids, such as CBD, interact with the receptors to reduce feelings of pain or anxiety.
Because the human body contains so many of these receptors, naturally occurring cannabinoids play an important role in overall well-being for everyone. But whether or not you supplement the cannabinoids that already exist in your body with something more, like CBD oil or THC, is up to you.
Again, there are hundreds of types of cannabinoids, but for the sake of understanding overall cannabinoid science, let’s break it down and look at the four most famous types of cannabinoids and what functions they serve.
Below is a list of cannabinoids (the most famous ones) and the cannabinoids derivatives.
Which cannabinoids can be found in a bottle of CBD oil depends on the type of oil it is. Understanding the difference between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate products can help you easily and quickly understand what you may be consuming.
Full-spectrum CBD oil is deliberately made to include everything the cannabis plant has to offer, including terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids, to produce a more rounded and fulfilling experience.
As a result, full-spectrum CBD oil contains trace amounts of THC and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids.
Full-spectrum oil is a great choice for those looking to maximize the benefits of their product, but if you’re looking to completely avoid THC or other cannabinoids aside from CBD, it may not be the best option for you.
Broad-spectrum oil serves as a sort of happy medium between full-spectrum and isolate products. Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains multiple compounds, just like full-spectrum oil, but it typically does not contain any THC.
So, with broad-spectrum oil, the main cannabinoid you’ll encounter is CBD itself. Again, small amounts of other cannabinoids will be present in your oil, but a lack of THC means you won’t have to worry about failing a drug test.
Broad-spectrum oil is a wonderful choice if you’re not enthused by the idea of consuming even trace amounts of THC but don’t want to sacrifice the potential benefits of the entourage effect.
CBD isolate oil contains only CBD – no other cannabinoids, including THC.
As the name suggests, CBD isolate oil isolates CBD from other molecules. The extraction process used to create these products ensures that the presence of other additions isn’t an issue.
If you choose to use CBD isolate, you’ll avoid consuming any other cannabinoids, but you may also sacrifice some elements of a more complete experience.
Different cannabinoids can cause different side effects, but for the purpose of this discussion, we’ll consider the side effects of both CBD and THC, since those are really the only two cannabinoids that interact with the human body in a notable way.
The side effects of THC might include:
Because the amount of THC that’s found in even full-spectrum, hemp-based products is so small, it’s highly unlikely that it should give CBD patients any problems. Still, it’s useful to be aware of these side effects and keep an eye out for them.
Experiencing side effects from CBD is fairly uncommon, but it can happen. Examples include:
These side effects tend to go away on their own, but if they persist, don’t hesitate to consult a medical professional. If you notice side effects after using CBD, consider lowering your dosage, switching products, or discontinuing use until a better solution can be found.
The stigma around cannabis has prevented us from harnessing the enormous therapeutic potential that cannabinoids offer.
With the ability to affect so many different functions and processes throughout the human body, these natural compounds play an important role in our overall health and well-being.
As science advances, cannabinoids will allow us to treat symptoms of different ailments with greater effectiveness and offer hope to everyone.
Creating a space for cannabis in the world of medicine starts with informed and passionate consumers, quality and effective products (like those displayed over at our directory), and dedication. Understanding how the compounds we know to be so beneficial work takes us one step closer to a cannabis-friendly world.
Yes, CBD is a natural cannabinoid. While it is found in the cannabis plant, it is a non-psychoactive compound, meaning it does not create the “high” feeling. However, it is a very promising compound as it is very effective in treating symptoms like anxiety and chronic pain.
The term “cannabinoid” could refer to any one of three things.
Cannabinoid science has produced various methods to consume cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Some include:
“Natural cannabinoids” could refer to the compounds that naturally occur in your body. These chemicals are produced by your body to regulate the endocannabinoid system, an important, overall regulatory system within your body. “Natural cannabinoids” could also refer to the compounds found in cannabis or hemp like CBD or THC, when compared to synthetic compounds created in a lab meant to mimic these naturally-occurring compounds’ effects.
The two most well-known cannabinoids come with a variety of benefits.
THC has been shown to help with:
CBD can aide with:
When used in tandem, THC and CBD can increase the effects of one another in a process known as the entourage effect.
CBG, another, lesser-known cannabinoid, promotes bone growth.
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