8 Types of Cannabinoids and Their Effects
What are cannabinoids? Let's take a look into the fascinating universe of cannabis compounds and how they produce their unique effects.
What Are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are compounds that are naturally produced by the cannabis plant. These compounds form in the plant’s trichomes hairlike outgrowths distributed across the plant’s surface. Without trichomes, weed wouldn’t have any psychoactive effects.
The plant’s trichomes also produce terpenes, another category of chemical compounds that give cannabis its unique flavors and aromas. Cannabinoids and terpenes both interact with your body’s cannabinoid receptors, making getting high a dynamic, exciting, and rewarding experience.
8 Cannabinoids To Know About
As we mentioned above, there are dozens of cannabinoids that make up the chemical structure of the cannabis plant. While we’d love to talk about all of them, we’re sticking with the ones that are most relevant to your experience with weed.
These are eight cannabinoids that you need to know about because of their unique effects and prominence in cannabis products like flower, concentrates, and edibles.
1. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
THC is the main psychoactive component in cannabis products, it’s what’s primarily responsible for getting you high. This cannabinoid comes in multiple forms: Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC
- Delta-8 THC: is less potent than delta-9 and produces milder psychoactive effects. It’s also less likely than Delta-9 to make you feel overwhelmed, which can be a side effect of cannabis use for some.
- Delta-9 THC: is the most abundant form of THC in the cannabis plant. Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol has powerful psychoactive effects that vary from strain to strain. It’s associated with physical and mental relaxation.
- Delta-10 THC: is the least powerful of these three cannabinoids but can still enhance your high. It’s abundant in Cannabis Sativa strains and is known for its mood-boosting and invigorating effects.
All forms of THC can produce effects like:
- The munchies, which is a very common experience for cannabis users. THC is a known appetite stimulant, so you might find yourself extra hungry while high.
- Heightened mood and an increased sense of well-being are common effects produced by THC.
- Changes in your perception, including enhanced focus and possible creative stimulation. The specific psychoactive effects of THC can vary based on the strain you use and the amount of THC you ingest.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD is a minor cannabinoid, but it’s majorly popular. Unlike THC, cannabidiol won’t get you high on its own. However, CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids can coexist within the chemical structure of cannabis flower and interact with each other, producing unique effects.
When you use CBD on its own, you can expect to feel relaxed, chill, and possibly a bit tired. CBD can also calm your body and make you feel more at ease after a long day or a tough workout.
If you’re new to cannabis products and aren’t interested in getting high quite yet, CBD is a fantastic place to start. You can find CBD products with a wide range of potency levels in the Mood Shop, and we’ll share some of our top recommendations below.
Cannabigerol (CBG)
CBG is sometimes affectionately called the “mother of all cannabinoids” because of its role as the chemical precursor to THC and CBD. However, unlike THC, CBG doesn’t have any psychoactive effects on its own.
This cannabinoid interacts with your body’s CB2 and CB1 receptors in the same way THC does, but its binding affinity is much weaker. That means the effects of CBG are less noticeable when you’re using cannabis, but they still contribute to your overall experience. CBG can make you feel calm and relaxed, which makes it comparable to CBD. However, it’s not as commonly featured in cannabis products as CBD or THC.
Cannabinol (CBN)
CBN is a minor cannabinoid with only mild psychoactive properties. It’s a byproduct of THC that forms as the trichomes on the cannabis plant degrade over time.
Once a cannabis plant is past its prime harvest point, its trichomes (the hairlike outgrowths we talked about earlier) take on an amber-gold color, which tells growers that the plant has started producing cannabinoids like CBN. At this point, the plant has lost much of its potency, but it’s still useful; CBN is known for its calming, sedating effects. CBN is often featured as a component in cannabis products designed for PM use. It’s also frequently combined with minor cannabinoids like CBD and HHC for even more powerful relaxation.
Cannabichromene (CBC)
This non-psychoactive cannabinoid plays a role in the overall calming effects of cannabis, along with other minor cannabinoids like CBN and CBD. CBC interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system to soothe your body and mind.
Strains and products high in CBC tend to be best for evening use. The cannabinoid can be intensely relaxing and sedating, but it’s also a source of an uplifting mood boost at times.
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)
Hexahydrocannabinol is a partially synthetic cannabinoid created by hydrogenating THC. Hydrogenation is the process of adding hydrogen atoms to a molecule (in this case, THC), creating a new molecule with its own set of unique psychoactive effects.
HHC binds to your CB1 and CB2 receptors, altering your perception and bringing on feelings of deep relaxation. This cannabinoid is a relatively new addition to the mainstream cannabis industry, but it’s taking the world by storm thanks to the powerful high it can produce.
Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCp)
THCp is an extremely powerful cannabinoid, but it’s only found in small amounts in its natural form. It’s also one of the most recently discovered cannabinoids, a team of Italian scientists unveiled its existence in 2019.
Tetrahydrocannabiphorol has a similar chemical structure to THC, but its alkyl side chain is longer (it’s made up of more carbon atoms). This small change makes THCp exponentially more powerful than THC. Since THCp only exists naturally in trace amounts, professionals create the cannabinoid in a lab for use in products like gummies, vapes, and more. Products made with THCp are high-potency and best for experienced cannabis enthusiasts.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
Sometimes called “diet weed”, THCv is known for its appetite suppressing effects and mild psychoactive properties. It’s not nearly as potent as THC (or THCp, for that matter), but it can have a noticeable effect on your overall high.
THCv is one of those cannabinoids with a lot of hype surrounding it, in large part due to its reputation for reducing a user’s appetite. As you navigate the world of cannabis, keep in mind that experiences with specific cannabinoids can be very subjective and often vary from person to person. That means you might not necessarily notice an impact on your appetite when using THCv products.
What Are The Best Ways To Experience Cannabinoids?
Smoking Flower
Smoking is the classic method of enjoying cannabis and cannabinoids. When you smoke, cannabinoids reach your bloodstream via your lungs for fast-acting and powerful effects.
It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that can vary based on the strain of cannabis that you choose and the amount of hits you take.
Smoking a joint, which you can roll yourself or order pre-rolled from the Mood Shop, is one of the most popular ways to smoke flower. If you’re just getting started with cannabis, we recommend picking up a pre-roll featuring a strain that piques your interest.
Dabbing
Dabbing is one of the best ways to enjoy a high concentration of powerful cannabinoids and flavorful, aromatic terpenes. To dab, you’ll need a specialized pipe called a dab rig, which features a heat-resistant nail instead of the typical bowl. This nail vaporizes cannabis concentrates like hash, badders, and live resin
as you introduce heat and inhale.
Bear in mind that a little bit of concentrate goes a long way. If you’re just getting started with cannabis, consider loading up a smaller amount onto your nail and seeing how it makes you feel.
Edibles
Edibles are delicious and highly psychoactive treats that often contain a mix of multiple cannabinoids. For example, some of the edibles in the Mood Shop are made with a combination of Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC, along with other cannabinoids like CBD and THCp for good measure. Enjoying edibles is a fantastic way to get high while satisfying your sweet tooth. You can find options for every mood and craving in the Mood Shop, including gummies, popcorn, freezer pops, and much more.
FAQs About Cannabinoids
Have questions about our products, or services? Find answers to the most common inquiries here
Are cannabinoids legal?
The Farm Bill changed the way that cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and THCp are labeled and regulated. Under this bill, products containing no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight are classified as hemp, which you can order online or pick up at a local dispensary in many parts of the country.
Any products with a Delta-9 THC concentration higher than 0.3% are labeled marijuana, which is still federally illegal in the US. Fortunately, thanks to the Farm Bill, you can enjoy the effects of cannabinoids via hemp products.
All of the premium cannabis that we sell meets the Farm Bill’s standards for hemp products and is third-party tested for quality, consistency, and safety. Before you order, make sure you know your state’s specific regulations for hemp.
How do cannabinoids affect the human body?
Cannabinoids have a diverse range of unique effects on the human body, interacting with the central nervous system and the endocannabinoid system to dramatically affect the way that you feel while high. However, not all cannabinoids are psychoactive; some have effects that act as modulators for psychoactive compounds like THC. Non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD can balance out your high and make cannabis use more calming and soothing.
How are cannabinoids different from terpenes?
Like cannabinoids, terpenes are chemical compounds produced by the trichomes of the cannabis plant. Terpenes aren’t psychoactive, but they impact your cannabis experience by creating the plant’s unique smells and flavors.
Are cannabinoids approved by the FDA?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t currently approve cannabinoids for use in food or dietary supplements. However, CBD and other cannabinoids are prescribed by doctors for their health effects in other countries.
For example, Sativex, an epilepsy drug, contains cannabinoids derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant and is approved for medical use in certain parts of Europe.We sell our products for recreational use; only order from the Shop to enjoy the effects of cannabis. If you need pain relief or another form of medical treatment, talk to your doctor.