Cannabinoids: Find Out How They Work With the Body

Everything to Know About Cannabinoids

How a cannabinoid works and interacts with the body depends on one’s endocannabinoid system. Everyone has an endocannabinoid system with receptors that use cannabinoids to signal areas of the body to provide relief. Our bodies receptors interact differently with each cannabinoid.

Cannabinoids are most commonly in the cannabis plant; whether that be from medical marijuana or industrial hemp. They have also been located beyond cannabis in other natural plant-based products. Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, and cannabidiol, CBD, are two of the most consumed cannabinoids today.

Upon the consumption of THC the user will feel psychoactive effects but pure CBD is non-psychoactive for the consumer. This is because the different cannabinoids work on different receptors.

Common Cannabinoids

• THC. This is probably the most widely known cannabinoid to date. Patients turn to medical marijuana with THC to provide them with medical benefits. It is common for people to look elsewhere for medications when their doctor prescribes them with medications that come with horrible side effects. Research and studies show results that THC helps with PTSD, cancer, chemotherapy, anxiety, Crohn’s disease and more.
• CBD. Over the past few years CBD or cannabidiol has made its way to the forefront of the cannabis industry. CBD can either be extracted from industrial hemp plants or medical marijuana. When isolated, CBD on its own provides the user with similar effects to THC, but without the psychoactive feeling. Constant studies and quality research is hard to come by on the topic of CBD but patients say they have felt positive benefits in their lives.
• CBN. Those who use cannabis as a sleep aid, CBN or cannabinol is the reason why sedative effects are present. Steep Hill claims that CBN is the most potent sedative of all the cannabinoids. In a study on mice, CBN shows to stimulate the consumers appetite. As THC degenerates it turns into CBN, fresh flower will have little amounts of CBN.
• CBC. Cannabichromene in combination with THC, CBD and CBN, is the most abundant naturally occurring cannabinoid. Research shows that CBC provides the user with anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, fights against cancer, depression and more. In a study, results show that CBC will help with the development with of your brain. This acts on a specific part of the brain called the hippocampus.
• CBG. CBG is short for cannabigerol. Minimal amounts of research and studies have been conducted on this cannabinoid. What research there is shows that CBG provides similar anti-inflammatory and antioxidant as CBD.

Endocannabinoid System and Receptors

After research of how THC interacts with the body to provide effects, the endocannabinoid system was discovered. The endocannabinoid system consists of endogenous cannabinoids of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. This system was the first to identify the reaction to cannabinoids on these receptors.

Research done by Allyn Howlett, PhD, provides proof of cannabinoid receptors. During this work they learned that cannabinoids activate G protein-coupled receptors, GPCR, which inhibit adenylyl cyclase.

Within the endocannabinoid system cannabinoids work with CB1 and CB2 receptors; they also work with GPCR like the vanilloid receptor or serotonin receptors.

• Vanilloid Receptor. Specifically with CBD, this cannabinoid interacts on other ion channels like the vanilloid receptors. These receptors medicate pain perception, inflammation and body temperatures.
• Serotonin Receptor. CBD triggers an inhibitory response that slows down 5-HT1A signaling. Having too much or too little serotonin can have biological and neurological effects the consumer. These receptors in combination with CBD provide antidepressant effects, regulates mood, pain, sleep, appetite and more.

Cannabinoids and Terpenes

Within each cannabis strain there are certain cannabinoids and terpenes that provide specific effects to the user. Terpenes are the essential oils that provide the strain with its aroma. You will also find terpenes in flowers, herbs, fruits and other common items. Like the cannabinoids of a cannabis plant, terpenes also work with the endocannabinoid system to provide effects.

Each strain has its own profile of terpenes that makes up the effects that one feels. Terpenes provide their own medical benefits; in combination with CBD, the two will contribute to the entourage effect. This is where the two cannabis compound work together to provide optimal effects to the user.

Naturally Occurring Cannabinoids

It has been shown that there are naturally occurring cannabinoids in other plants, herbs and spices besides just cannabis. This study concludes that flavonoids target proteins within the endocannabinoid system. Findings also say that the only cannabinoid outside of the cannabis plant is beta-caryophyllene.

Beta-caryophyllene. β-caryophyllene is the most abundant essential oil in plants. This component will be in hops, black pepper, cloves and rosemary. After consumption the effects of β-caryophyllene will act only with the CB2 receptor. Since the CB1 receptor is responsible for the psychoactive feeling, this cannabinoid will not provide the consumer with a “high” feeling like with THC.