Cannabinoids: What are they and how do they effect me? Leave a comment

The cannabinoids in cannabis interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis. The endocannabinoid system regulates a variety of functions, including mood, appetite, pain, and memory. CBD and THC are just two of the many cannabinoids that can have an effect on the body. In order to understand how cannabinoids work, it is important to first understand the endocannabinoid system.

While the cannabis plant produces over 100 unique cannabinoids, we’d like to call your attention to the most commonly known cannabinoids. By all accounts, there are a lot more cannabinoids that we don’t know about than what we do know about. As scientists apply research to the other cannabinoids they’ve identified, we expect to see a growing number of ways to use cannabinoids to improve our health.

What is the endocannabinoid system ?

The endocannabinoid system is a network of receptors and cannabinoids that work together to maintain homeostasis in the body. Cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, interact with the endocannabinoid system to regulate functions like mood, appetite, pain, and memory. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for keeping the body in balance, and cannabinoids help to keep it functioning properly. When cannabinoids are introduced into the body, they bind to receptors in the endocannabinoid system and activate them. This activation can have different effects depending on which cannabinoids are used and what receptors they bind to. CBD and THC are just two of the many cannabinoids that can interact with the endocannabinoid system, and each one has its own unique effects. By understanding how cannabinoids work in the body, we can better understand how cannabis works to treat various conditions.

8 Major Cannabinoid Acids produced by Cannabis

Cannabis doesn’t just start off producing CBD and THC in its most raw form. Instead, it synthesizes (creates) several cannabinoid acids initially.

Cannabinoid acids are not known to produce intoxicating effects like THC. But they do have a variety of interesting properties. For example, many cannabinoid acids have antibiotic or insecticidal properties. This is likely why cannabis produces these compounds in the first place: to defend itself.

• CBGA (Cannabigerolic acid)
• THCA (Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinoilic acid)
• CBDA (Cannabidiolic acid)
• CBCA (Cannabichromenenic acid)
• CBGVA (Cannabigerovanrinic acid)
• THCVA (Tetrahydrocanabivarinic acid)
• CBDVA (Cannabidivarinic acid)
• CBCVA (Cannabichromevarinic acid)

The cannabinoid acids must be “activated” through a process called decarboxylation, usually by heat, to yield the compounds that most of us are after (THC or CBD).

 

Decarboxylations: The process that activates compounds in cannabis

The two main catalysts for decarboxylation to occur are heat and time. Drying and curing cannabis over time will cause a partial decarboxylation to occur. This is why some cannabis flower will also test for a presence of small amounts of THC along with THCA (levels shown in COAs).

Smoking and vaporizing will instantaneously decarboxylate cannabinoids due to the extremely high temperature, making them instantly available for absorption through inhalation.

Edibles will act slower because you are heating the cannabinoids at a lower temperature over time. This allows us to decarboxylate the cannabinoids while preserving the integrity of the material we use.

When cannabinoid acids are exposed to heat energy, they lose the “A” part and turn into neutral compounds, rather than acidic plant cannabinoids.

Example: THCA converts into THC when heat is applied (decarboxylation occurs).

Once decarboxylation occurs, each of the cannabinoid acids yield a corresponding compound.

• CBG (Cannabigerol)
• THC (Delta 9 – tetrahydrocannabinol)
• CBD (Cannabidiol)
• CBC (Cannabichromene)
• CBGV (Cannabigerivarin)
• CBDV (Cannabidivarin)
• CBCV (Cannabichromevarin)

 

Aging and oxidation

Another way that a cannabinoid is synthesized (created) by cannabis is through the aging process.

CBN is a breakdown by-product of THC. It is formed through the degradation and oxidation of THC.

Older flower products will tend to have more CBN, especially when not properly stored over time and exposure to oxygen.

 

Main Cannabinoids And their Effects.

THC

(psychoactive)

To put it simply, THC is the primary compound that gets you high. It is the most commonly known and used cannabinoid. It is used to reduce nausea, stimulate the appetite, and can also alter moods and perceptions.

• Delta 8 THC
• Delta 9 THC
• Delta 10 THC
• Delta 11 THC

CBD

(non-psychoactive)

CBD is the best-known cannabinoid for providing the benefits of cannabis without getting you high, as a result, it has gained popularity for therapeutic uses such as muscle and joint support, mood support, sleep aid and more. CBD functions differently depending on the ratios to THC that are present.

CBG

(non-psychoactive)

CBG is the precursor for other cannabinoids. When heated, CBG-A, the acidic form of CBG, breaks down. It doesn’t only form CBG, though. It also forms CBD, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabichromene (CBC).

CBN

(moderately psychoactive – depending on dose)

This mildly psychoactive cannabinoid is mostly known as a sleep aid. When THC oxidizes, it then converts to CBN.

THC-v

(highly psychoactive)

This is a highly psychoactive cannabinoid and also functions as an appetite suppressant.

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