A cannabinoid is a chemical produced and stored in the trichomes(the crystals) of a cannabis plant, specifically the flower of a plant. A Cannabinoid mimics endocannabinoids naturally produced by the body. When a cannabinoid binds with a cannabinoid receptor in the ECS it produces a physical effect in the body. This is the same process that happens naturally when endocannabinoids binds with a cannabinoid receptor but the chemical reaction is triggered by the ingestion of cannabis, in some form.
What type of physical effect will a cannabinoid produce in the body?
There are 113 different cannabinoids to date that have been discovered in the cannabis plant. The types of cannabinoids will determine the effects that you will feel. Some are psychoactive, and others are not. So depending on what you’re looking to accomplish, you may want to focus on certain cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids can be administered into the body by smoking, vaporizing, oral ingestion, transdermal patch, intravenous injection, sublingual absorption or rectal suppository.
Relationship Between THC and CBD
THC and CBD are two primary cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. Both of these substances interact with the cannabinoid receptors found in the human body and brain, but they differed dramatically in their effects. THC is the psychoactive compound found in cannabis that produces a ‘high’ feeling, while CBD is not psychoactive and will not mentally affect you. Because of this trait, CBD appears more frequently than THC in dietary and natural supplements. Research has shown that THC and CBD work synergistically in the treatment of medical conditions, the levels can vary but a 1:1 is a good place to start if you don’t have much experience.
When looking for products, depending on the strain type and THC:CBD levels, you should be able to get a good idea of what kind of feeling should be produced. Knowledgeable cannabis consumers and patients seeking specific uses and benefits will look for strains with particular THC to CBD ratios. It is important to know that higher THC to CBD ratios will create stronger euphoric effects while higher CBD to THC produced milder euphoric effects
THC is an agonist, it is absorbed into the body through the endocannabinoid system by binding to the CB1 receptors. It activates the endocannabinoid ‘lock-and-key’ system and gets into the bloodstream to create the ‘high’ feeling. CBD is an antagonist, it binds to the receptors but does not unlock them to create a euphoric feeling.