What Are Cannabinoids

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are natural compounds found in cannabis plants. They're the reason cannabis has any effect at all. When people talk about THC or CBD, those are two of the most well-known cannabinoids, but there are actually over 100 of them packed into the plant.

These compounds interact with a part of your body called the endocannabinoid system. That system plays a role in things like mood, appetite, and how you feel pain. So when cannabinoids hit those receptors, they can change how your body reacts to things. That's where the high comes from, or the calm, or whatever else people experience when they use cannabis.

You'll find cannabinoids in flower, concentrates, edibles, vapes, and even topicals. They don't all hit the same way. Some are stronger, some are more relaxing, and some are still being studied. But the bottom line is, cannabinoids are the active ingredients that make cannabis what it is.

How Cannabinoids Work in the Human Body

Cannabinoids work by linking up with something called the endocannabinoid system. Your body already makes its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, and this system helps regulate things like mood, appetite, memory, stress, and sleep. It's basically a balancing act that keeps a lot of things in check.

When you use cannabis, the plant-based cannabinoids jump in and interact with two main types of receptors in the body: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are mostly in your brain and nervous system. That's where THC does its thing and causes the high. CB2 receptors are more about the immune system and help with things like soreness and inflammation.

So here's the simple version:
Cannabinoids connect with CB1 and CB2 receptors
→ That connection sends signals to your brain and body
→ Those signals affect how you feel and function

Different cannabinoids hit these receptors in different ways. THC locks into CB1, CBD mostly stays out of the way and does more indirect stuff, and others like CBG or CBN have their own unique effects. It's all a kind of chemical conversation happening in the background every time you light up or drop some oil.

Types of Cannabinoids

Not all cannabinoids are the same. Some come straight from the cannabis plant, some are made by your body, and others are created in a lab. Each type works a little differently, but they all interact with the same system in your body.

Phytocannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBN, CBG)

These are the cannabinoids that naturally come from cannabis plants. THC is the one that gets you high. CBD doesn't make you feel high, but a lot of people use it for its chill, balanced vibe. CBN is usually linked to sleepier effects, and CBG is still being researched but shows potential for mood and focus. All of these come from raw cannabis and can change depending on how the plant is grown or processed.

Endocannabinoids (Anandamide, 2-AG)

These are the cannabinoids your body makes on its own. Anandamide is sometimes called the "bliss molecule" because it's linked to pleasure and mood. 2-AG plays a role in things like immune response and metabolism. Basically, your body already knows how to use cannabinoids because it makes its own.

Synthetic Cannabinoids

These are made in a lab and designed to mimic the effects of natural cannabinoids. Some are used in research or medicine, but a lot of the ones sold on the street or at corner stores can be unpredictable and risky. They don't always interact with your body the same way as natural ones and can come with a range of serious risks. When you can, stick with regulated, legal cannabis from a licensed Canadian retailer under the Cannabis Act.

Common Effects and Health Impacts

Cannabinoids can hit everyone a little differently, but there are some effects that show up pretty often. THC is the one most people think of first. It's known for giving you that classic high — feeling euphoric, relaxed, giggly, creative, or just really into snacks. Some folks get more of a body melt, others get a heady buzz. It depends on the cultivar, how much you take, and your own body chemistry.

CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, which means it won't get you high. A lot of people turn to it for help with stress, focus, or just to feel a little more balanced. It's often used on its own or mixed with THC to mellow things out.

Other cannabinoids like CBN, CBG, and CBC are still being studied, but they each bring their own thing to the table. Some may support a sense of calm, help with recovery after a workout, or encourage rest after a long day.

Cannabinoids can have different effects based on how you use them too. Smoking or vaping hits fast, while edibles take longer but usually last way longer. Topicals tend to stay local, so they don't usually come with a head high.

If you're new to cannabis or trying a new cultivar, starting low and slow is usually the move. Pay attention to how your body reacts, then adjust from there. Everyone's system handles cannabinoids a little differently.

Cannabinoids vs THC vs CBD

A lot of people use the words cannabinoid, THC, and CBD like they all mean the same thing, but they're not interchangeable. So far, scientists have discovered more than 80 individual cannabinoids present in cannabis plants, and while the entourage effect means that cannabinoids work much better in synergy than on their own, there are a few that occur in high enough concentrations to prove medically beneficial. Of these, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are lauded as the rock stars of the group. They get most of the attention, but there are plenty of others like CBN, CBG, and CBC that are out there doing their own thing too.

Anybody with even a cursory introduction to cannabis will know about THC, the chemical responsible for bringing about giggling euphoria and a hearty case of the munchies. THC is the one that gets you high. It connects directly to the receptors in your brain and usually brings on that strong mental and physical buzz. Depending on the cultivar, you might feel happy, hungry, giggly, spaced out, or totally relaxed.

CBD doesn't get you high. It interacts with your body in a more subtle way and is usually used for a more chill, clear-headed experience. Some people mix it with THC to balance out the effects or to smooth out any unwanted intensity.

So to break it down:

• Cannabinoids is the umbrella term
• THC gets you high
• CBD doesn't but still has effects

They all come from the same plant, but they do different things once they're in your system. Knowing the difference can help you figure out what kind of product or cultivar is right for what you're trying to feel.

The Other Cannabinoids

THC and CBD get a lot of press, but with ongoing research into the medical potential of cannabis, more in-depth information is going to come out about other cannabinoids.

Interestingly, CBN (cannabinol) was one of the first cannabinoids to be discovered alongside THC and CBD but doesn't occur in nearly as much frequency as the other two because it's a by-product of THC oxidation. CBN is considered sedating and is currently under the microscope while scientists look at it for its anti-bacterial properties.

Without cannabigerol (CBG) there would be no THC or CBD. CBG stimulates appetite, bone growth, brain cell growth, and suppresses cells, along with having anti-seizure, sedating, and anti-inflammatory properties. This phytocannabinoid is found in its highest concentrations in plants that are in the early stages of growth, and then it slowly degrades over time. Scientists have been looking at CBG and its positive effects on bladder dysfunction and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as considering it one of the most potent tumour-fighting cannabinoids currently being researched.

Boosting cannabinoids in your home-grown cannabis

We all want more for less, but even master marijuana gardeners know while they can increase their yield, they can't coax a higher percentage of THC out of a strain to improve its potency. This is because a cannabis plant sets an "upper limit" of how much cannabinoids it will be able to produce, no matter what you do.

You want to grow plants with high levels of THC or CBD? Start with superior quality, high-potency, high-THC/CBD cannabis strains from a breeder like Pacific Seed Bank or our affiliate brands. Then visit our research library for tips and advice on maximising your at-home yield.