What Are Cannabinoids and How Do They Work?

So, What Are Cannabinoids?
 

Simply put, cannabinoids are a group of chemical compounds naturally found in cannabis sativa plants that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to produce various therapeutic and psychoactive effects.  
 
Cannabis plants have other key compounds like terpenes and flavonoids. However, cannabinoids are the most dominant. They are fat-soluble molecules and were first discovered in the early 1900s. 
 
When you use cannabis products like cannabis flowers, weed edibles, and cannabis tinctures through vaping, smoking, or ingesting it sublingually, in reality, your body consumes the different types of cannabinoids. When these natural compounds interact with your body, they start to influence your mood, appetite, and pain sensation. 
 
According to one research, 125 cannabinoids have been isolated and/or identified as cannabinoids. But the most well-known of them are THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol). Both these cannabinoids, THC and CBD, produce different effects in our bodies. 
 
THC is famous for its psychoactive effects. It simply means this cannabinoid compound makes you feel “high”. On the other hand, CBD is considered non-psychoactive which means it doesn’t give you the “high” sensation rather it’s praised for its potential therapeutic benefits. 
 
All the cannabinoids are quite helpful in the medical context. They can help you to alleviate symptoms like chronic pain, anxiety, and stress. Besides, medical marijuana is used to treat epilepsy. Scientists are still researching about cannabinoids in treating cancer and multiple sclerosis. 
 
However, recreationally cannabinoids are enjoyed for their relaxing and euphoric effects. As a cannabis user, understanding this compound can help you get your desired effects and benefits. 
 

What Are Cannabinoid Receptors and Endocannabinoid System: How Do They Work?

 
To understand what are cannabinoids and how cannabinoids work, it’s compulsory to learn about different cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoid systems (ECS).  
 
Cannabinoid receptors are part of the ECS and are found throughout the body. The endocannabinoid system, on the other hand, is a complex cell-signaling system that regulates various bodily functions such as mood, sleep, appetite, memory, pain sensation, and so on. 
 
There are two types of cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. 
 
CB1 receptors are located in the brain and central nervous system but are also found in other tissues. These receptors are responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabinoids like THC, as well as for regulating pain, appetite, memory, and mood. 
 
CB2 receptors, on the other side, are found in the peripheral nervous system, particularly in the immune cells. They play a key role in modulating inflammation and immune responses. 
 
Cannabinoids like THC and CBD from cannabis sativa plants, interact with the ECS by binding to cannabinoid receptors. THC binds CB1 receptors which leads to psychoactive effects. In contrast, CBD has a low binding affinity for both CB1 and CB2 receptors. However, it influences our ECS system through other mechanisms including the modulation of receptor signaling. 
 

Different Types of Cannabinoids
 

So, what are the different cannabinoids? There are three types of cannabinoids: