The plant world has a plethora of elements that can support and heal the body, at a cellular level. Cannabinoids are one of the gifts of mother nature. Cannabis is rich with cannabinoids. And cannabinoids are botanical magic for us.

Cannabinoids are natural compounds and molecules of hemp oil that are extracted from the hemp plant. Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, a well known cannabinoid, is just one of many cannabinoids and accounts for up to 40% of the plant’s extract. Cannabinoids promote balance and overall wellness by moderating the communication between the cells of our bodies. There are two types of cannabinoids: endocannabinoids, which our body naturally creates and phytocannabinoids, which are derived from cannabis and hemp. Phytocannabinoids work naturally with the body’s endocannabinoid system and other natural body systems to help regulate a variety of processes like appetite, sleep, mood and immunity.

What are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are the molecules that interact with receptors in the body, like CB1 and CB2.

• CB1 Receptors: Mainly found in the brain and affect coordination, movement, learning, sleep, pain, appetite, anxiety, addiction, nausea, and vomiting.
• CB2 Receptors: Mainly found in the peripheral nervous system, immune system, and the gastrointestinal tract.

The Basics: Phytocannabinoids

The cannabis pant has over 400 naturally occurring compounds, in which more than 100 are classified as phytocannabinoids. Here is the list of the classes of cannabinoids:

• THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
• THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid)
• CBD (cannabidiol)
• CBDA (cannabidiolic acid)
• CBN (cannabinol)
• CBG (cannabigerol)
• CBC (cannabichromene)
• CBL (cannabicyclol)
• CBV (cannabivarin)
• THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin)
• CBDV (cannabidivarin)
• CBCV (cannabichromevarin)
• CBGV (cannabigerovarin)
• CBGM (cannabigerol monomethyl ether)
• CBE (cannabielsoin)
• CBT (cannabicitran)

The most frequently known and studied are THC, CBD, and CBN.

Quick Facts: THC, CBD, & CBN:

THC:

• Primary Psychoactive component
• Bind to CB1 receptors in the brain

CBD:

• Non psychotropic
• Indirectly interacts with endocannabinoid receptors by changing other molecule bindings
• Can work with serotonin, vanilloid, and orphan receptors.

CBN:

• Product of THC degradation
• Mildly psychoactive
• Binds more often to CB2 than CB1

To Sum Up:

Cannabinoids are key chemical compounds that interact with receptors in our bodies. They have a key role in the central nervous and immune system functioning.

Sources:

https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Cannabinoids.aspx

https://www.news-medical.net/health/Phytocannabinoids.aspx

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