You’ve heard the terms “THC” and “CBD” thrown around a lot, but what does it all mean? And what even is a cannabinoid? To answer the question of what are cannabinoids, such as THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC, we first need to understand our own body. Our brain is made up of neurons and neural circuits. Neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids travel from one neuron to another and attach onto receptors to send signals throughout our body. This signaling network, called our endocannabinoid system, helps us maintain balance and that mind-body connection.
There are over one hundred different known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. These cannabinoids look and act very similarly to our body’s endocannabinoids and, therefore, can latch onto the receptors throughout our body and brain. Once they do, each cannabinoid interacts with our body’s endocannabinoid system in different ways to create a diverse range of effects.
We’ve created this helpful chart outlining cannabinoids and their effects with the support of our Medical Advisor Dr. June Chin, who has been integrating medical cannabis into treatment for nearly 20 years. As a pioneer in the industry, she is a frequent keynote speaker for cannabis science and medicine and has been featured on USA Today, NBC, and the Huffington Post, among others. Dr. Chin also co-authored Cannabis and CBD for Health and Wellness this year.
You’ll notice we covered the basics with THC and CBD, but we’ve also added CBC, CBG, CBN for a little extra credit. You’re welcome.
Our individual biochemistry, genetics, health, and lifestyle all contribute to how our endocannabinoid system interacts with different cannabinoids.
Dr. Chin recommends you:
- Record the time of day you ingest
- Note what you’ve had to eat or drink, as well as your mood before and after consumption
- Detail the effects you feel—both positive and negative—including how long they last.
- Track the THC and CBD ratios of the products you consume as well as the strains, if you know them
- Remember that CBD can temper THC so is often helpful when you have both in the cannabis products you consume.
We often get locked into this one-size-fits-all thinking. But we’re not one-size-fits-all people, and there is no such thing when it comes to working with plant medicine like cannabis. There are synergistic effects of the complex compounds found in plants. Therefore, it’s important to be open, be mindful, and don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions.
