Beyond THC and CBD (1 of 3): Intro to Cannabinoids
Welcome to Our Three-Part Cannabinoid Series
When most people think about cannabis, two compounds usually come to mind: THC and CBD. These cannabinoids have become household names, appearing everywhere from news headlines to product labels. But while they’re important, they represent only a small piece of what the cannabis plant has to offer.
This post kicks off a three-part blog series exploring the fascinating world of cannabinoids. We’ll start with the basics—what cannabinoids are, how they interact with the body, and why THC and CBD became so well known. In the next two posts, we’ll dive deeper into lesser-known cannabinoids and explore how they all work together. Understanding these lesser-known cannabinoids helps paint a fuller picture of why cannabis is such a complex and fascinating plant. Rather than acting as a single compound, cannabis contains many components that all work together to create a wide range of effects and experiences.
What Are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant. They interact with a network of receptors in the human body known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system plays a role in maintaining balance, or homeostasis, across many bodily processes such as mood, appetite, memory, sleep, and stress response.
The human body actually produces its own cannabinoids—called endocannabinoids—but plant-based cannabinoids (known as phytocannabinoids) can also interact with this system. Each cannabinoid has a slightly different molecular shape, which influences how it interacts with the ECS.
This structural diversity is why no two cannabinoids behave exactly the same way.
THC: The Most Recognized Cannabinoid
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It binds strongly to CB1 receptors, which are concentrated in the brain and central nervous system. This interaction is what produces the intoxicating effects cannabis is known for.
Beyond intoxication, THC plays a significant role in shaping the overall cannabis experience. Its effects can vary widely depending on dose, tolerance, and the presence of other cannabinoids and terpenes.
THC’s prominence in cannabis culture and regulation is largely why it became the plant’s most recognizable compound.
CBD: A Different Kind of Interaction
CBD (cannabidiol) is non-intoxicating and interacts more subtly with the endocannabinoid system. Instead of binding directly to CB1 receptors, CBD influences how other cannabinoids interact with them. It can also interact with non-cannabinoid receptors, contributing to its wide range of effects.
CBD’s non-intoxicating nature helped push cannabis into mainstream wellness conversations. Many people are drawn to CBD products because they offer cannabis-derived benefits without the “high” typically associated with THC.
This contrast between THC and CBD highlights an important theme: not all cannabinoids work the same way, even though they come from the same plant.
Why THC and CBD Are Just the Beginning
While THC and CBD dominate research, media, and labeling, focusing only on these two oversimplifies cannabis chemistry. In reality, cannabis contains over 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids, many of which subtly shape the overall user experience.
Understanding cannabinoids as a group—rather than in isolation—opens the door to appreciating cannabis as a complex, multi-dimensional plant.
In Part 2, we’ll explore some of the most talked-about minor cannabinoids and why they’re gaining attention.
– Emily Croes, Budtender
Reference:
- “A Simple Guide to the Endocannabinoid System.” Healthline, Healthline Media,
www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system. - “Cannabinoid Signaling.” Endocannabinoid Medicine,
www.endocannabinoidmedicine.com/cannabinoid-signaling/. - Sampson, Paul B. “Phytocannabinoid Pharmacology: Medicinal Properties of Cannabis sativa Constituents Aside from the ‘Big Two.’” Journal of Natural Products, vol. 84, no. 1, 2021, pp. 142–160, doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00965.
