Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that, when ingested, trigger a cascade of cellular responses within the body.
They interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system where they alter neurotransmitter release in the brain (by way of CB1 and CB2 receptors).
Put simply, cells within the body have a series of “locks” that allow for them to be activated. Cannabinoids act as keys that trigger those cells to “fire” and release other keys that cause a plethora of different events throughout the body.
This process is what is responsible for both the “high” and medical relief (particularly by way of restoring the body to homeostasis) that users feel after smoking or eating cannabis.
Some of the most well-documented cannabinoids include:
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCa)
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCv)
Cannabichromene (CBC)
Cannabigerol (CBG)
Cannabinol (CBN)
These chemicals found in the raw cannabis plant all work together in what is known as the entourage effect to provide people with a wide range of subjective experiences and medical benefits.
