Cannabinoids are compounds contained in the hemp and cannabis Sativa plants, and they communicate with the body’s Endocannabinoid System used in performing different cognitive and physiological tasks. Cannabinoids are in different forms and they possess different unique properties.
There are more than 480 different compounds existent in plants and some of the widely known cannabinoid types include delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and CBD.
The word “cannabinoid” actually relates to any chemical substance responsible for connecting cannabinoid receptors of the brain and body and reflects a lookalike effect to what the Cannabis Sativa plants generate.
The cannabis plant has been reported to have between 80 and 100 cannabinoids with cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol being the most abundant . The delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most popular of the two, and it is the chemical that is linked with cannabis’s “high” effects.
One key distinction between both cannabinoids is that while THC is known to produce strong psychoactive effects on a consumer – that is it makes a person ‘high’ after ingestion, CBD on the other hand is revealed to produce an anti-psychoactive effect on its consumer.
In essence, it moderates the THC ‘high’ effect and also controls some other negative side effects that are caused by the THC including the feeling of anxiety.
Some other classes of cannabinoids include THCV CBD Cannabidiol, THCV Tetrahydrocannabivarin, CBDV Cannabidivarin, CBG Cannabigerol, CBC Cannabichromene, CBN Cannabinol, THCA Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid, CBDA Cannabidiolic Acid, and CBGa Cannabigerolic Acid.
What Do Cannabinoids Do?
Cannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors within the endocannabinoid system to perform tasks such as pain perception, regulating mood, and inflammation, and can also be efficient in treating a wide array of medical functions. Cannabinoids are of three main types in their functionality. For instance, CBD is commonly used in neurological disorders such as epilepsy.
The delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychotropic cannabinoid, is effective in treating nausea and pain. While CBG, which is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid, is reported to house potential anti-cancer properties.
Additionally, cannabinoids have been beneficial for recreational purposes. For instance, THC has been revealed to generate the ‘high’ effect connected with cannabis smoking. The CBD compound has also been shown to entail different medical benefits but doesn’t make the consumer feel ‘high.’ Some research also shows that cannabinoids can regulate blood sugar, appetite, energy, and metabolism.
Cannabinoids are of three main types: endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids
1. Phytocannabinoids
These are cannabis elements that are existent in nature. They are often gotten from plants and the two popular types are CBD and THC. The term “Phyto” means ‘of a plant or ‘relating to plants.’
2. Endocannabinoids
This element produces more effect on the general health of a human. From the term ‘endo’ which means ‘within,’ or ‘inner,’ it can be deduced how endocannabinoids are internally and naturally produced by our body. Some functions of the endocannabinoids include regulating sleep, appetite, mood, memory, and several other activities within the body.
3. Synthetic Cannabinoids
This third Cannabinoids type is man-made chemicals, otherwise referred to as “fake weed,” and are used as alternatives to marijuana. However, they can generate much stronger effects than marijuana. Synthetic cannabinoids are products of the lab and can cause rapid heart rate, confusion, vomiting, hallucinations, and agitation in the consumer.
Cannabinoids’ Effects on a Consumer
When a person smokes or vaporizes cannabis they may feel the effect instantly. And if they have eaten, the effect may be suppressed until after an hour or two. Some general effects of cannabinoids include:
- Euphoria
- Dry mouth
- Heightened appetite
- Quietness
- Reflective mood
- Spontaneous excitement and laughter
- And the feeling of well being.
Cannabinoids and Other Drugs
Consumers can hardly predict the outcome of combining different drugs with cannabis. The effect of using prescription medications, alcohol, and over-the-medications may generate some adverse effects on the consumer. For instance, mixing cannabis with alcohol can make you feel anxious, cause nausea, panic, paranoia, and vomiting. And combining cannabis with ecstasy has been connected to reduced motivation and some mental health effects.
While cannabinoids combination with other drugs may have diverse unpredictable effects on you as a consumer, depending on substance being combined and the quantity, you can reduce the harmful effects by:
- Avoiding it when driving or operating heavy machines.
- Avoid consumption if you already suffer heart problems.
- Avoid consumption when alone, especially if urgent medical assistance may be needed.
- Avoiding mixing it with alcohol and other drugs, especially stimulants like crystal methamphetamine.
For safe practice for both consumers and producers, cannabis cultivators and infused product manufacturers are required to pass their products through cannabinoid profiling and California cannabis compliance testing before it gets to the legal marketplace.
