Cannabinoids Found In Hemp
Cannabinoids found in hemp are natural chemical compounds. They are produced in plants, and naturally by the human body. The ones naturally produced by the body are known as endocannabinoids or “endogenous cannabinoids.”
Many Cannabinoids In Hemp
Each one of them has its own individual properties. They work by attaching to specific cannabinoid receptors found all over the human body, in our endocannabinoid system. As research is slowly being conducted, we know of 2 of those receptors so far – CB1 and CB2.
There are over 100 cannabinoids in the hemp plant.
Two Major Cannabinoids
- THC – The primary psychoactive cannabinoid found abundantly in the cannabis plant.
The isolation of THC came from an Israeli chemist by the name of Raphael Mechoulam. In 1964, Mechoulam isolated and synthesized THC, marking the beginning of cannabis research that would lead to the discovery of many other cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, and “endocannabinoids” – the THC-like compounds our body naturally produces to maintain stability and health. THC affects the CB1 receptors. - CBD – A powerful non-euphoric compound found abundantly in the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. CBD has been demonstrated to possess anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic, and anti-seizure properties. It has also been proven to have neuroprotective effects. CBD affects the CB2 receptors.
The main difference between THC and CBD is in their perceived effects – THC causes strong cerebral euphoria, while CBD lacks intoxicating effects. As a guide, marijuana typically contains much more THC than hemp, while hemp has more CBD.
Lesser-Known Cannabinoids
Here are a few of the lesser-known cannabinoids to get familiar with:
- CBC (Cannabichromene): After THC and CBD, CBC is the third most common cannabinoid. Similarly to CBD, CBC is non-psychoactive. Research suggests that CBC has, to varying degrees, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-depressant, and anti-fungal properties.
- CBN (Cannabinol): CBN is produced when THC breaks down from time, light, heat, etc.. Therefore it’s not surprising that CBN has mild psychoactive properties. It also has powerful sedative and pain-relieving qualities.
- CBG (Cannabigerol): CBG is only present during the early growth cycle of the cannabis plant. It is non-psychoactive, and thus a prime target for medical research. Studies have demonstrated this cannabinoid to have antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-depressant properties. It has shown the potential to promote bone growth and treat skin diseases such as psoriasis.
- THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin): THCV is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid. It is only found in certain strains of cannabis, typically in small concentrations. THCV suppresses appetite. It also counteracts some of the negative, anxiety-related psychoactive effects of THC. Additionally, research has shown that THCV has antiepileptic and neuroprotective properties.
- CBDV (Cannabidivarin): CBDV is a slightly degraded version of CBD. As with THCV and THC, small changes to the molecule can result in potentially significant variations in the way this cannabinoid interacts with the body.
This is not an extensive list. There are many more different types of cannabinoids, and they each have different effects on the body. These effects are based on the particular endocannabinoid receptors they interact with.