Cannabinoids Found in Cannabis, and Their Effects

Cannabis plants contain an abundance of phytocannabinoids, or just cannabinoids. Of many types. Over 100 cannabinoids exist for weed delivery already, and scientists are discovering more regularly. They are unique to cannabis plants, whether hemp or marijuana. Some exist at low levels. Others higher. Not all are easy to detect, let alone extract, and there are many of them. What are they, and what do they do? 

Essential Phytocannabinoids

Each cannabinoid has its own function, its own properties, and its own unique effects. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, there is many, all working together to present the entourage effect. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the famous psychoactive compound, and cannabidiol, or CBD, are the two most famous of them. THC is the only one likely to make you “high,” but only in high doses. 

The list of known phytocannabinoids is large and growing. However, listing them all is impossible, so it is wise to name those highest in concentration. Phytocannabinoids work by interacting with the body’s own endocannabinoid receptors, after decarboxylation occurs or their activation by heat, such as by smoking or cooking. These include the following, along with their effects: 

• Cannabigerolic Acid

Cannabigerolic acid, or CBGA, converts into cannabigerol, or CBG, after decarboxylation. It has a huge effect on mood, ideal for treating depression, anxiety, bipolar, and more. It also has huge neurological benefits, with much neuroprotection against related diseases. CBG also helps to balance sleep, helping to regulate sleeping patterns to ensure you get healthy doses of both sleep and wakefulness. 

• Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCA, is non-psychoactive and only present in cannabis in its raw form. After cooking, smoking, or otherwise consuming raw buds, THCA converts into psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, that famous cannabinoid we all love so much for its legendary “high.” THC is antiemetic, neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and more. Its effects are many. 

• Cannabidiolic Acid

Cannabidiolic acid, or CBDA, is the precursor to cannabidiol, or CBD, its famous counterpart. Prior to heating, CBDA is rich in many therapeutic properties, but both CBDA and CBD affect mood, intestinal issues, pain, and sleep problems, neurological worries, and more. It improves sleep, relieves hypertension, and even treats cancer, along with all of the side effects that come with treating it. 

• Cannabichromenenic Acid

Cannabichromenenic acid, or CBCA, is not particularly famous. However, its properties are, since CBCA and CBC in its converted form are abundant in cannabis, many and powerful. CBC is especially under investigation for its potential in treating ALS and other neurological conditions with muscle degeneration and loss of all function and independence at life’s end. 

• Cannabigerovarin Acid

Cannabigerovarin, or CBGV, and its precursor, cannabigerovarin acid, or CBGVA, influence mood enormously, for the better. It treats a variety of mental health issues, as well as glaucoma, muscular dystrophy, cancer, inflammation, and more. Although scientists are still studying the many benefits of this specific cannabinoid, it is clear that CBG, including its primal cannabigerol, has a huge future role. 

• Tetrahydrocannabivarin Acid

Tetrahydrocannabivarin acid, or THCV, is a specific class of cannabinoid in the tetrahydrocannabinol family. Non-psychoactive, THCV is great for relieving diabetes and all its associated symptoms. It treats epileptic seizures, osteoporosis, and much more. It is especially important in communicating between cannabinoids, stimulating synergy of their combined effects.  

• Cannabidivarin Acid

Cannabidivarin acid, or CBDV, derives from the cannabidiol class of cannabinoids. As such, it defines the focus of CBD, effectively relieving all the same conditions as CBD. However, what make CBDV of especial importance are its effects on cancer. Not just on its symptoms either, but also on the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, today’s most common approaches to fighting cancer. 

• Cannabichromevarin Acid

Cannabichromevarin acid, or just CBCV for short, comes from the cannabigerol family of cannabinoid classes. It is antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, anxiolytic, analgesic, antipsychotic, antispasmodic, and anticonvulsant, anti-most everything else. Like all cannabinoids, its form changes according to time and method of decarboxylation. As such, its effects change too. 

Marijuana Delivery Pacific Palisades

All of these cannabinoids, and more than 100 others with healthful benefits, are available for weed delivery. Whether you live in Pacific Palisades or elsewhere in California, cannabinoid science is advancing rapidly. You can already find THC-, or CBD-heavy extracts on the market, with CBG derivatives soon to follow. Many predict that cannabinoid therapy may be the future of human medicine.