This article was originally published on Askgrowers and appears here with permission.
Marijuana lovers already know that cannabis contains THC and CBD. The percentage of these cannabinoids decides the weed characteristics. But in fact, there are many more cannabinoids definitions than just two. They are found not only in marijuana but also in the bodies of animals and people. But first things first.
What Are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Of over 480 different compounds present in the plant, only around 66 are termed cannabinoids.
The most well known among these compounds is the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), which is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is another important component, which makes up about 40% of the plant resin extract.
As chemical compounds, cannabinoids can be divided into 3 types:
Endocannabinoids
These are the cannabinoids found in mammals. Accordingly, people also have this component. Endocannabinoids are compounds produced by the organs and tissues of our body. These cannabinoids have a structure similar to those we find in marijuana. They have a great influence on our central nervous system and thus support essential processes in the body.
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Synthetic cannabinoids are created artificially in laboratories. More than 200 such compounds are known, they are created specifically to have a strong effect on the human body. For example, the synthetic cannabinoid AMB-FUBINACA is almost a hundred times more potent than THC. Still, the safety of synthetic cannabinoids is highly questionable, as people may experience severe panic, paranoia, and anxiety. They can also interfere with the normal functioning of the brain.
Phytocannabinoids
These are the same cannabinoids found in marijuana. However, in addition to weed, you can find this component in other plants. It can also be everyday products, such as cocoa or black pepper.
See also: From Exotic Strains To High-Tech Automation: An Exclusive Tour Of Trufflez's Cannabis Facility In LA
Before they can become the cannabinoids we know (THC and CBD, for example), phytocannabinoids need to go through a process of decarboxylation. The marijuana plant does not produce cannabinoids but only cannabinoid acids such as THCA and CBDA. To activate them, you need to heat the flowers. When making cannabutter, the flowers are first heated in an oven. Smoking also activates THCA and CBDA.
How Can Cannabinoids Be Consumed?
The most common way of consumption is smoking. However, you can pick up an alternative:
- Smoking
- Vaping
- Edibles
- Oils
- Isolates (crystalline form)
- Creams and balms.
In order to try different types of cannabinoids, it is worth looking for their extracts. However, be aware that some extracts (like THC-P) can be very expensive as they require a lot of marijuana to make. Still, you can learn more about extracts to understand what they are for and how to buy them.
When choosing your type of consumption, it is worth considering the duration of the cannabinoid. For example, the effect of THC when smoking marijuana lasts up to three hours. But if you eat THC-infused cookies, the effects of cannabinoids can last up to 10 hours.
There are no general dosage guidelines for cannabinoids, so you should check with your budtender to make sure you are taking cannabinoids correctly.
How Many Cannabinoids Are There
There are quite a few major types of cannabinoids out there. Since the marijuana industry is still relatively new, science is just beginning to explore the concept of cannabinoids.
CBD
CBD is the non-psychoactive component of cannabis. In recent years, attempts at CBD products have been on the rise. All since this component began to be explored more. Medical use of cannabinoids has increased recently. It has been proven that CBD can relieve pain, relax muscles, help with sclerosis, and so on. Besides, in everyday life, many people use CBD oil, which helps them calm down and improve sleep. CBD in capsules or in the form of oil does not have an immediate effect, but they work like …