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What are cannabinoids, exactly?

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Last updated on Dec 19, 2024

Created on Apr 20, 2022

infographic of cannabinoids - showing the major and minor cannabinoids

Article written by

Tina MagrabiSenior Content Writer

Content reviewed by

Dr. Lewis Jassey

Table of contents

  1. What are cannabinoids?
  2. How cannabinoids work
  3. Health benefits and uses
  4. Side effects and risks
  5. Maximizing the potential of cannabinoids
  6. The takeaway: Cannabinoids are rich in benefits and relatively safe
  7. Frequently asked questions

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring chemical substances. The most well-known cannabinoids in the Cannabis sativa plant are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD and THC are just two of at least 150 cannabinoids found in cannabis.

Cannabinoids play a major and vital role in the therapeutic use of cannabis. These compounds are unique in how they interact with our bodies to deliver a wide range of potential positive effects.

Understanding cannabinoids on both a collective and individual level can help you find the relief you’re looking for when you shop for medical cannabis products.

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What are cannabinoids?

CBD:THC palabra con gotas de aceite cayendo a la botella

Cannabinoids are the main chemical components in the cannabis plant. Inside the human body, they interact with receptors in our endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates our mood, appetite, experience with pain, and more.

There are 113 known cannabinoids unique to the cannabis plant, and it’s believed that up to 150 exist.

Many cannabinoids are psychoactive, meaning they affect your mood or mental state, and they have been studied over several decades for other medicinal properties.

Cannabinoids have no color, flavor, or aroma of their own. This is why pure cannabinoid extract products are colorless, flavorless, and odorless. Other chemicals in the plant called terpenes and flavonoids create the smell, taste, and color of cannabis.

There are three main classes of cannabinoids: endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids.

Endocannabinoids

endocannabinoids in the endocannabinoid system

Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids that the body naturally produces. Also called endogenous cannabinoids, these molecules serve as chemical messengers between different parts of the body. They transport signals between nerve cells while carrying instructions on pain, pleasure, and other sensations.

Two important endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). These endocannabinoids bind to phytocannabinoids (plant-derived cannabinoids) when a person consumes cannabis. Anandamide is sometimes called the “bliss molecule” thanks to its influence on serotonin uptake.

Endocannabinoids are essential for keeping your body’s functions in balance. When endocannabinoid levels change, your body can become dysregulated, potentially leading to various health problems.

Phytocannabinoids

structure of phytocannabinoids

Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that the cannabis plant produces. This includes major cannabinoids, which are found in high concentrations:

  • CBD
  • THC

Phytocannabinoids also include minor cannabinoids, such as:

Minor cannabinoids are not as well understood as major ones, and more research is needed to understand their effects in the body. However, all phytocannabinoids play a unique role in the entourage effect, which suggests that major and minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work together to create therapeutic effects.

Synthetic cannabinoids

group laboratory of test tubes, one test tube contains green liquid

Synthetic cannabinoids are made in a lab and mimic natural cannabinoids.

There are a few synthetic cannabinoid medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manage pain, nausea, and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. These medications contain synthetic chemicals that mimic the action of THC:

  • Dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros)
  • Nabilone (Cesamet)

It’s important to note that certain synthetic cannabinoids can be harmful. They may not be as well tolerated by our bodies as natural cannabinoids, and more research and regulation are needed. It’s best to avoid purchasing or using synthetic cannabinoids from unlicensed dispensaries.

How cannabinoids work

graphical image of human brain

Each time we consume cannabis, whether we’re smoking flower, applying cannabis oil, or ingesting a gummy, we’re supplying our body’s ECS with cannabinoids. These cannabinoids enter the bloodstream before attaching to cannabinoid receptors of the ECS.

From there, a chemical reaction occurs between cannabinoid and cannabinoid receptors, which causes different effects in the brain, nervous system, and other parts of the body.

Different cannabinoids act on different receptors based on their unique chemical structure, leading to varied effects. Some may relieve pain, while others lead to happiness, relaxation, or an increase in appetite. For example, CBD does not attach to receptors in the brain that induce intoxication, while THC does.

This is also why some cannabinoids produce more potent effects than others. Delta-8 THC causes less intoxication than delta-9 THC, as delta-9’s chemical structure allows it to bind more effectively to receptors in the brain.

Some cannabinoids can have different effects at different doses. THCV, for example, is anti-psychoactive and can reduce the effects of THC at low doses. At higher doses, THCV is psychoactive and enhances THC’s effects.

Some cannabinoids, such as CBD, may create therapeutic effects via other receptor systems (e.g. serotonin, dopamine, opioid) or affect cannabinoid receptors indirectly.

Health benefits and uses

cannabis oil

Cannabinoid use has many possible health benefits. Some of the most common uses for cannabinoids are:

The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis alone may be extremely useful in addressing a broad spectrum of common health issues.

Here are some of the conditions that cannabinoids may improve:

Many more therapeutic uses may be possible.

With regard to medical marijuana use, every state medical program will have a different list of qualifying conditions. This matters if you are interested in using medical marijuana for your particular health condition.

States are increasingly recognizing the medicinal value of cannabinoids, and many medical marijuana programs are doing away with qualifying conditions entirely, allowing the decision to be made by the healthcare professional as to whether their patient may benefit from medical cannabis.

Side effects and risks

safety and risks

While cannabinoids are nontoxic and generally well tolerated, there are some side effects and risks.

You may not experience any side effects when consuming cannabinoids, but these are among the most commonly reported:

Most side effects occur after a person consumes too much cannabis or a high dosage of THC that exceeds their tolerance level. CBD, when used together with THC, may reduce any negative mental effects.

While most side effects of cannabis are generally minor, some rare and extreme ones, such as hallucinations, may require further consultations with a physician.

Cannabinoids can also interact with other medications, especially ones that have sedative or mood-altering effects. Combining medical cannabis with prescription opioids or sedatives, for example, may increase the likelihood of experiencing some side effects, such as over-intoxication.

Maximizing the potential of cannabinoids

medical cannabis oil and capsules

To benefit from cannabinoids as much as possible, it’s important to consider product choice and dosage.

Choosing the best cannabis product

To experience the entourage effect, consider choosing a full-spectrum product that contains the “full spectrum” of cannabinoids in the plant, along with its terpenes and flavonoids. Flower is naturally full-spectrum, but just about any product type will have full-spectrum options as well.

Also, consider experimenting with different formulas that combine extracts of individual cannabinoids —  for instance, a gummy with CBD and THC in a 2:1 ratio that gives you two major cannabinoids in one dose.

Getting your cannabis dosage right

Dosage is key to effective marijuana use. Talk with your healthcare provider to choose a dosage suitable for your condition, tolerance, and needs. If you’re using cannabinoids for the first time, try starting with a low dose and working your way up only as tolerated.

The administration route (e.g. inhalation, sublingual, ingestion, etc.) and cannabinoid ratio also affect potency and duration. It may take some experimentation to discover which product or administration route is best for you.

The takeaway: Cannabinoids are rich in benefits and relatively safe

Cannabinoids are the chemicals in the cannabis plant that act on our body, affecting mood, appetite, pain, energy, and more. CBD and THC are two major cannabinoids that produce therapeutic effects.

Cannabinoids can be used to support treatment for various health problems. They are relatively well-tolerated and safe, with fewer side effects than many prescription drugs.

You can experience cannabis’ healing benefits for yourself with a medical marijuana card. Meet online with Leafwell’s team of medical professionals and apply for your medical marijuana card today.

Frequently asked questions

Are cannabinoids drugs?

Some cannabinoids, like THC, are classified as drugs, while others, like CBD, are not. Cannabis plants are classified as a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level.

However, cannabinoids can have many of the same effects as other drugs, both therapeutic and adverse, and should be consumed under a doctor’s supervision.

Are cannabinoids legal?

Some cannabinoids, like CBD, are legal at the federal level, and others, like delta-9 THC, are illegal at the federal level. Delta-8 THC is legal at the federal level as long as it’s derived from a hemp source.

As components of medical marijuana, cannabinoids are legal for those who hold a valid medical card.

Can I take multiple cannabinoids together?

You can take multiple cannabinoids together. In fact, it’s often encouraged, as cannabinoids work together to boost the efficacy of one another via the entourage effect. Not only that, but many patients find that combining CBD with THC helps take the edge off of some of THC’s side effects.

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Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cannabinoids drugs?

Cannabinoids themselves are not necessarily considered "drugs." Phytocannabinoids are chemical substances that naturally occur in cannabis and are considered drugs. Cannabis is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level, but cannabinoids are not necessarily directly classified as drugs. However, cannabinoids can have many of the same effects as other drugs, both therapeutic and adverse, and should be consumed under a doctor’s supervision.

Are cannabinoids legal?

Some cannabinoids, like CBD, are legal at the federal level, and others, like delta-9-THC, are illegal at the federal level. Delta-8-THC is legal at the federal level as long as it is derived from a hemp source. As components of medical marijuana, cannabinoids are legal for those who hold a valid medical card.

What are the four major cannabinoids?

The four major cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD), delta-9-THC, CBG, and CBC. When in cannabis, they are still in their acidic forms, so the most abundant cannabinoids in cannabis are usually THCA, CBDA, CBGA, and CBCA. These cannabinoids have also been more researched than any others to date. Beta-caryophyllene, sometimes considered an "atypical cannabinoid," is abundant in many cannabis varieties.

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