Varied Effects: Your Guide to 8 Major Cannabinoids

Categorized as naturally occurring chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant, cannabinoids are partly responsible for the wide array of medicinal and psychoactive effects that cannabis may provide. Hey, there’s a reason we make reference to them week in and week out.

Each possessing unique characteristics of their own, there are at least 113 known cannabinoids. With others certain to be discovered as studies continue, here are eight major ones right now.

1. Cannabichromene (CBC)

It’s a powerful cannabinoid that is non-psychoactive. In other words, it won’t cause you to feel high. Like THC and CBD, by increasing the viability of developing brain cells in a process known as neurogenesis, CBC has been proven to stimulate the human brain to grow. CBC also plays an important part in the anti-cancer and anti-tumour capabilities of cannabis. CBC further battles inflammation, except without activating any of the endocannabinoid receptors in your body. This is why the healing powers of CBC increase significantly after being combined with other cannabinoids, such as the aforementioned THC or CBD, which do activate endocannabinoid receptors in the brain and throughout the body.

2. Cannabidiol (CBD)

Lauded for dramatically reducing symptoms in patients suffering from seizure and spasm disorders, like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, CBD is the cannabinoid most often recommended for children, for the elderly and for other patients who must remain clear-headed in their activities. Since it’s non-psychoactive, it won’t produce euphoria or the sensation of feeling high. Instead, CBD reacts with cannabinoid receptors throughout the human body, while working to relieve inflammation and pain, ultimately producing a calming effect in patients. It is often called upon to treat anxiety and sleep disorders for this reason, plus has been demonstrated to work with THC to reduce the size of tumours. (If you’re a regular reader, you knew all that already. If not, well, now you do!)

3. Cannabidivarin (CBDV)

CBDV is found more prevalently in indica strains like landrace, as well as strains which are lower in THC. Like CBD, it’s non-psychoactive. And like CBD, it can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of seizures. CBDV further reduces nausea associated with several conditions, even eliminating it in some cases. Finally, it helps to reduce inflammation throughout your body, while is oft-deemed beneficial in the treatment of pain and mood disorders.

4. Cannabigerol (CBG)

Usually most plentiful in low-THC and high-CBD cannabis strains, including hemp, this non-psychoactive cannabinoid reacts with the cannabinoid receptors in your brain. CBG is similar to THC in that respect. That said, by working to alleviate the paranoia sometimes caused by higher levels of THC, CBG acts as a buffer to its psychoactivity. CBG not only works to fight inflammation, pain and nausea, as well as to slow the proliferation of cancer cells, but research confirms it also significantly reduces intraocular eye pressure caused by glaucoma. Strains high in CBG can prove beneficial in treating conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, cancer and Crohn’s disease.

5. Cannabinol (CBN)

Like strongly psychoactive THC, the mildly psychoactive CBN is derived from THCA. Created when the latter oxidizes, it can effectively function as a sleep aid or sedative. Further shown to help regulate the immune system, this cannabinoid also works to relieve the pain and inflammation caused by several conditions, from arthritis to Crohn’s disease. And if that wasn’t enough, research indicates CBN can be utilized to reduce the intraocular eye pressure brought about by glaucoma, in addition to acting as an anticonvulsant, which means it’s beneficial to patients suffering from seizure disorders. Yes, that includes epilepsy.

6. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Besides typically being the most prevalent cannabinoid found in cannabis, it’s easily the most famous. Which means you’re probably already aware THC is the psychoactive component known to produce euphoria, which is associated with the feeling of being high. Binding primarily to the receptors found throughout your brain, research has shown THC to work to reduce or sometimes eliminate pain, nausea and stress, while also helping to stimulate your appetite and combat insomnia. Of course, THC may cause some patients to feel paranoia or an increased heart rate, but these adverse effects correspond to high doses. Moreover, they will subside with time.

7. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (TCHA)

Ah, the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid you’ll find in cannabis. Most of THCA’s health benefits are best absorbed by your body through a raw method of consumption. Think cannabis juicing. THCA works to relieve inflammation and pain, and it’s an ideal cannabinoid for treating symptoms of conditions like arthritis and seizures. As an effective neuroprotectant, it’s also beneficial in the treatment of such conditions as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Alternatively, THCA can help to stimulate the appetite in patients suffering from cachexia and anorexia nervosa. But most impressively, studies contend that THCA helps to slow the proliferation of cancerous cells. 

8. Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

Known to produce a more motivated, alert and energizing feeling of euphoria, the psychoactive cannabinoid known as THCV is most frequently found in sativa strains of cannabis. As such, it’s recommended for daytime or any time when functionality is critical. THCV doesn’t just relieve stress, but research insists it can help to reduce anxiety and panic attacks. It could even prevent them, according to that research. This is the reason it plays a crucial role in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. It is also neuroprotective, rendering it an apt choice for treating conditions that include Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Oh, and unlike THC, THCV works to suppress the appetite. That’s why it isn’t recommended for patients who suffer from cachexia or anorexia nervosa.

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This article was written by The Blissed Team.

This article was published December 4th, 2019.