Two kinds of cannabinoid receptors have
been found to date and are termed CB1
and CB2. CB1 receptors, located within
the nervous system, the brain and nerve
endings, and CB2 receptors, located within
are a class of diverse chemical compounds
the immune system.
that act on cannabinoid receptors in cells that
How Do They Work?
repress neurotransmitter release in the brain.
In the early 1990s,
scientists discovered the link between
There are over 480
cannabis and feeling high.
natural components
Your brain creates its own set of
found within the
cannabinoids — similar to those found in
Cannabis sativa plant,
cannabis — via the endocannabinoid
of which 66 have been
system. The endocannabinoid system,
classified as
named after Cannabis sativa, is
"cannabinoids;"
responsible for many important functions,
chemicals unique to
such as appetite, sleep, emotion and
the plant. The most well-known and
movement.
researched of these, delta-9When marijuana enters your body, THC
tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), is the
activates the endocannabinoid system by
substance primarily responsible for the
attaching to cannabinoid receptors. As a
psychoactive effects of cannabis.
result, your reaction time slows, memory
is affected, and judgment is impaired.
The effects of THC are believed to be
Because of where CB1 receptors are
moderated by the influence of the other
located in the brain, you begin to feel high.
components of the plant, most particularly
This concept is the cornerstone of
the cannabinoids.
cannabis as medicine, and the results are
The cannabinoids are separated into
so promising that these cannabinoids have
subclasses. These are as follows:
been synthesized for legal prescription
use. Some synthetic cannabinoid
Cannabigerols (CBG);
medications include Marinol, Nabilone,
Cannabichromenes (CBC);
and Rimonabant. While these synthetic
Cannabidiols (CBD);
forms are effective, resear ch shows that
Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC);
herbal cannabis contains a far wider
Cannabinol (CBN) and cannabinodiol
variety of therapeutic compounds.
(CBDL);
Knowing which types best treat your
Other cannabinoids (such as
symptoms is a handy piece of knowledge.
cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabielsoin
The below wheel serves as a handy
(CBE), cannabitriol (CBT) and other
resource to determine which cannabinoids
miscellaneous types)
help treat symptoms associated with
Cannabinoids affect the user by interacting
mood, eating/gastrointestinal disorders,
with specific receptors, located within
neurological disorders, pain, sleep
different parts of the central nervous system. disorders, and other medical conditions.
Cannabinoids