What Are The Benefits Of The Different Cannabinoids?

The cannabinoids in cannabis have attracted a lot of media attention lately. In this article we take a quick look at some of the most important cannabinoids found in cannabis and list their beneficial effects.

WHAT ARE CANNABINOIDS?

Cannabinoids are a group of diverse chemicals that act on cannabis receptors in cells. There are two main kinds of cannabinoids; phytocannabinoids, which are found in plants like cannabis, and endocannabinoids, which are naturally produced by the endocannabinoid system found in humans and other mammals.

The cannabis plant contains over 400 different active chemicals and at least 80 of those are phytocannabinoids. When introduced into the human body, these cannabinoids can interact with our endocannabinoid system or ECS.

This system mainly consists of two types of cannabis receptors: CB1 and CB2. It plays a key role in a wide variety of chemical processes, including memory, appetite, sleep, emotion, stress, and much more. The ECS can also produce endocannabinoids like anandamide and 2-AG (or 2-Arachidonoylglycerol).

Once they’ve entered the body and interacted with the receptors of the ECS, phytocannabinoids like those found in cannabis can produce a wide variety of effects. Arguably the most well-known is the psychoactive euphoria associated with smoking or consuming cannabis, which is produced by THC.

However, there are many other effects that cannabinoids can produce. Below is a list of some of the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis and some information on how they might affect the body.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT CANNABINOIDS?

THC

THC is the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis. It is known to produce a strong euphoria or “high”, but research suggests it can also have a variety of other beneficial effects:

According to a 2015 study^[1] published by researchers from Brazil, THC can disrupt contextual fear memory and potentially help relieve some of the symptoms associated with conditions like post traumatic stress disorder.

According to an article^[2] by the US National Academies press, THC can also help mask pain signals sent to the brain and temporarily numb the pain of a variety of conditions, including everything from arthritis to specific traumatic injuries.

THCA

THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is an acidic cannabinoid that’s very similar in structure to THC. However, it can have very different effects. First of all, THCA is not psychoactive. This means it does not produce the iconic “high” associated with cannabis.

Secondly, THCA is actually found in higher concentrations in live cannabis. When cannabis is harvested and dried, THCA slowly begins to convert into THC. Just like the other cannabinoids on this list, THCA has a wide variety of benefits.

Research^[3] published in the Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin shows that THCA, much like THC, has potent anti-inflammatory effects.

A study^[4] published in the Phytomedicine journal in 2012 shows that THCA also has unique neuroprotective effects. The study suggests that these effects may help protect brain cells against the neurodegenerative damage from some specific conditions.

In 2013, a study by a team of Italian researchers published in the British Journal of Pharmacology also found that THCA can slow the spread of malignant cells like those of certain cancers (like prostate).

THCV

Tetrahydrocannabivarin is another cannabinoid often found in cannabis. It is similar in structure to THC (with only a few minor differences), but produces different effects and is not psychoactive. THCV has some very promising list of beneficial effects:

A 2013 study^[5] published in the Nutrition and Diabetes journal found that THCV can help reduce glucose intolerance and increase insulin activity in a mouse model of obesity. The authors concluded that THCV is a new potential treatment for obesity-related glucose intolerance.

Some sources claim THCV can help suppress appetite and may help promote weight loss. According to Dr. Bonnie Goldstein, medical director at Canna-Centers[6]^[6], THCV can block CB1 receptors in the brain and thereby increase weight loss, lower body fat levels, and increase energy expenditure. Some sources also claim THCV can help reduce the psychoactive effects of THC.

CBD

CBD is by far one of the most well-known compounds in cannabis. A ton of new research has been devoted to understanding CBD and its many promising effects. Like THCV, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound and is said to be able to reduce the psychoactive effects of THC.

A large body of research^[7] shows that our bodies can benefit from CBD in a number of ways. For example, CBD reduces the unwanted side effects caused by THC, such as paranoia.

CBD has also been shown to positively effect people dealing with tension or social phobias. A 2011 study^[8]  by researchers from the University of Sao Paolo, Brasil, shows that CBD helped reduce panic-like symptoms in high-strung individuals.

CBG

CBG is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis. While it is only found in trace amounts in most modern strains of cannabis, it promises to have a variety of beneficial effects:

CBG is said to boost the production of anandamide, also known as the body's own "bliss molecule", therefore affecting mood in a positive way.

In 2015, researchers from the University of Madrid ^[9] were led to the suggestion that CBG may have a protective role regarding our nervous system.

CBN

Cannabinol is another non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis with a wide variety of beneficial effects:

According to Steep Hill Labs^[10], CBN is has extremely relaxing properties. Based on their research, 5mg of CBN is an effective dose, and a powerful option for people looking for a good night's rest.

A 2012 study^[11] by researchers from the University of Reading found that CBN is a strong appetite stimulant. The study (conducted on rats) found that CBN increased appetite, while CBD, on the other hand, had the opposite effect.

CBC

CBC, or cannabichromene, hasn’t been as well studied as some of the other cannabinoids on this list. However, the limited research on this cannabinoid shows it can have a wide variety of beneficial effects:

A study^[12] published in 2013 showed that CBC improved the function of neural stem progenitor cells. These cells are self-renewing and multi-potent and have the ability to develop into a variety of other cells, which makes them essential for brain growth and recovery. The study suggests that, by helping these cells function.

CBDA

CBDA is the acidic form of CBD. Like THCA, it is found in raw and live cannabis that hasn’t been cured and has a variety of beneficial effects:

A 2008 study^[13] published in Drug Metabolism and Disposition showed that has strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies have shown that CBDA can have anti-proliferative effects and according to a paper^[14] in the British Journal of Pharmacology, it is also an antiemetic.

CBL

Cannabicyclol is another little-studied cannabinoid found in cannabis. It is known to occur as a by-product of the degradation of CBC, and hence is usually found in older stashes of cannabis. Very little studies have looked into CBL, and more research is needed to really begin to understand this cannabinoid and how it works.

UNDERSTANDING THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT

While understanding the benefits of individual cannabinoids is important, it doesn’t paint a complete picture of why cannabis might be such a beneficial herb. Raphael Mechoulam, the highly revered cannabis researcher, has long suggested that the key to understanding cannabis and how it works lies in how all of the cannabinoids and other chemicals in the plant combine and work together.

Steven Voser

Steven Voser is an independent cannabis journalist with over 6 years of experience writing about all things weed; how to grow it, how best to enjoy it, and the booming industry and murky legal landscape surrounding it.

Read full bio