Different Types of Cannabinoids

Due to the previous illegal status of marijuana, researchers did not discover the endocannabinoid system that is present in the human body until the 1990s; and, even though we still have a lot to learn, research since the ’90s has uncovered a good deal of information about this system. Essentially, the system works to regulate certain bodily functions such as appetite, metabolism, immune response, memory, reproduction, mood, and sleep – just to name a few. Cannabinoids work within this system to help assist in these important regulating functions.

What Are Cannabinoids and How Do They Work

Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids that are created by your body. So you do not have to ingest marijuana or CBD to “introduce” cannabinoids into your body – they are already there! These amazing molecules work by communicating with and signaling cells in other centers of the body and helping to maintain homeostasis throughout these systems. Much like endocannabinoids that the body produces, cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis or hemp plant work within the body by binding to cannabinoid receptors.

So far we have uncovered two classes of cannabinoid receptors:

• CB-1, which is found most abundantly in the cells of the brain and central nervous system; and
• CB-2, which is typically found in the immune system and throughout the rest of the body.

Essentially, both endocannabinoids and cannabinoids obtained from the plant family of cannabis work by binding with these receptors in various parts of the body. By communicating with and binding to these receptors, the cannabinoids are able to perform their job of regulating a wide variety of bodily systems. So now that we have an idea of what cannabinoids do, let’s take a look at some of the various types of cannabinoids that have been discovered so far.

Most Common Cannabinoids

THC

This is the most widely-known and hotly debated compound found in the cannabis plant family, of which hemp is a member. It has been the reason for the illegal status of marijuana until recently, because THC provides people with often enjoyable psychoactive effects, including relaxation, euphoria, and laughter. However, along with those psychoactive effects, THC acts in the body in many therapeutic ways. THC binds mostly with CB-1 receptors and provides relief from aches within the body, helps regulate mood, and can help decrease the unpleasant symptoms associated with certain diseases and the treatment of those diseases.

THCA

The abbreviation, THCA, stands for Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid. This compound can actually be thought of as the precursor to the compound THC. The cannabis plant actually contains THCA, but to get the desired benefits, you must activate it first. This is called decarboxylation and requires that you heat the plant material up to a certain temperature – at which time THCA is converted to THC. Aside from the euphoric feeling, this converted acidic cannabinoid has significant wellness qualities.

CBD

CBD binds to CB-2 receptors and does not result in the psychoactive “high” that THC provides. In fact, CBD can actually dampen the psychoactive effects of THC. CBD is unique in that it also interacts with adenosine and serotonin receptors in the body. These are neurotransmitter receptors, and the interaction between CBD and these receptors can release neurotransmitters that have positive effects within our physiology.

CBDA

Much like THCA is the precursor to THC, so CBDA is the precursor to CBD. In this precursory acidic form, these substances cannot be utilized by the body unless and until decarboxylation (or heating) occurs.

CBN

CBN stands for cannabinol. This cannabinoid is interesting because it is created by THCa, the same compound that THC is created from. It seems that, as THC ages or is exposed to oxygen, it degrades to CBN, which explains why CBN is associated with a significantly lower level of psychoactive properties than THC.

CBG

CBG is short for cannabigerol and is found in greater quantities in younger hemp plants, but the amount of CBG lessons as the hemp plant matures. This cannabinoid is less commonly known than CBD or THC, and also contains no psychoactive properties – just like CBD. CBG is currently being studied as it is believed to have many positive health benefits as well.

CBC

Tropical cannabis plant varieties contain the cannabinoid called cannabichromene (or CBC). This compound seems to interact with receptors outside of the endocannabinoid system in the body, and much like CBD, it seems to dampen the psychoactive effects of THC. It is not found in abundance in cannabis plants and has not been as well studied as CBD and THC. However, current research holds out the promise that CBC can have positive implications for neuroplasticity and neurogenesis – although more studies need to be done before any conclusions can be definitively drawn.

Brain Body Health Knows Cannabinoids

When you consume a premium CBD product like the ones you find at Brain Body Health, you are getting a product that is made from a hemp derivative that has been through a gentle, scientifically-advanced extraction process. This process extracts all of the CBD goodness as well as other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that are found within the hemp plant. When that extraction process not only preserves these health-inducing compounds but also takes the added step to remove all traces of THC, that results in what is known as a broad-spectrum CBD product. As an added benefit, whenever these compounds are brought together in a broad-spectrum product as they are in all of our Brain Body Health inventory, they produce what is known as “The Entourage Effect.” This “Entourage Effect” greatly increases the effectiveness of the CBD and brings greater results than a CBD isolate alone.

So whether you are shopping for CBD tinctures, salves, or gummies, you can be assured that all of our broad-spectrum products will help you take the next step toward reaching your wellness goals. You can order any of our all-natural CBD products and supplements online or give us a call at (317) 973-5097. If you have any questions, we’d be excited to answer those, too. You can send us an email at support@getbrainbodyhealth.flywheelsites.com or use our online contact form so that we can get you the information you need to make an informed choice. We look forward to meeting all of your CBD needs soon!