What Are Cannabinoids?

A cannabinoid is a chemical compound that alters the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.

There are three main types of Cannabinoids.

Endocannabinoids

Located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, endocannabinoids function by signaling molecules released from one cell, and activating cannabinoid receptors in other nearby cells. They operate very similar to dopamine, but differ by not being soluble in water and they are not stored in vesicles. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is responsible for a wide range of physiological processes such as memory, appetite, pain sensation, mood, neuroprotection, immune balance, stress recovery and homeostatic regulation. The ECS is also involved in triggering sensations of motivation or reward after locomotive activity like voluntary exercise (for example Runner’s High).

Synthetic cannabinoids

Man-made, mind altering chemicals that get sprayed on dried plants so that they may be smoked or sold as liquids to eventually be vaporized. When synthetic cannabinoids are used recreationally, they can become hazardous. Between 2012 and 2014, poison control centers in the United States received over ten thousand calls from users who had experienced some form of toxicity.

Photocannabinoids

Occur naturally in the cannabis plant. Formed through decarboxylation of their 2-carboxylic acids (2-COOH), a process ignited by heat, light or alkaline conditions. THC is the main photocannabinoid in Cannabis, and is responsible for its mind-altering effects.

While THC is the predominant psychoactive cannabinoid, Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most prevalent cannabinoids in the cannabis plant that is completely non-psychoactive.

Unlike THC, with CBD the user does not feel “high,” and the effect can best be described as “relaxation without intoxication.” From a medicinal perspective, during preclinical trials over the last four years, CBD has shown promise as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotectant, anxiolytic, antidepressant, analgesic, anti-tumoral agent, and anti-psychotic.

From a medicinal perspective, each patient responds to the cannabinoids THC and CBD in a different fashion, and each one is beneficial for different medical conditions. THC for example intensifies appetite and is an anti-microbial. CBD on the other hand decreases anxiety, eases the symptoms of psoriasis, acts as a bone stimulant, relieves rheumatoid arthritis and fights bacteria.

While the recreational effects of THC are a selling feature to some, its medicinal value as a cannabinoid does not cover as many ailments as its less psychoactive counterpart.

When Cannabis enters the human body its physiological and behavioral effects occur as it interacts with cell membranes known as cannabinoid receptors.

There are two types of cannabinoid receptor.

Cannabinoid receptor type 1

Located in the brain’s basal ganglia, the limbic system including the hippocampus, the cerebellum in the reproductive systems of both males and females, and the anterior eye and retina.

Cannabinoid receptor type 2

Found in the immune system, with the greatest density in the spleen. These receptors are responsible for the therapeutic effects of cannabis.