cannabinoids Tags | Fortuna Hemp Seeds

Cannabinoids are compounds that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. The prominent cannabinoid elements in cannabis are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Additionally, others include cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinol (CBN), and Cannabinodiol (CBDL). The cannabis plant has at least 144 cannabinoid compounds, all of which exhibit different effects.

Effects

There are two kinds of cannabinoid receptors in the body; CB1 and CB2. The interactions tend to occur in the brain areas that affect memory, cognition, and psychomotor performance and regions of the brain associated with feelings. However, the general effects may include euphoria, feelings of well-being, increased appetite, spontaneous laughter and excitement, and dry mouth.

Moreover, cannabinoids have a range of health benefits. THC may provide pain relief, while CBD may help manage stress. Research suggests that they may reduce inflammation and relieve pain, reduce anxiety, and relax tight muscles in people with multiple sclerosis. It can also stimulate appetite and weight loss in people who have HIV and AIDS.

Variations

Their psychological activeness determines the primary differences between various cannabinoids. THC, CBN, CBDL, and others are psychoactive in varying degrees, while CBG, CBD, and CBC do not have any psychological effects. CBD may have anti-anxiety effects and can lessen the psychoactive effects of THC. Consuming cannabis with high THC may have an increased psychological impact which may cause stress in some users. When exposed to air, THC oxidizes and forms CBN, a less psychoactive cannabinoid.

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Scientists develop synthetic cannabinoids artificially in a laboratory setting. Notably, their products are similar to those of natural cannabis. However, these drugs are more potent and bind completely with cannabinoid receptors. As such, they are occasionally associated with numerous adverse effects.

These synthetic elements target the CB1 receptors in the brain, responsible for the psychoactive effects of THC in cannabis. Clearly, they are most useful in experiments to determine the relationship between the structure and activity of cannabinoid compounds by making modifications of cannabinoid molecules.

Final Thoughts

People have used cannabinoids for a long time for recreational and medical reasons. These chemical compounds are usually vaporized, smoked, or eaten in the form of edibles. Importantly, they produce their effects by interacting with specific receptors in different parts of the central nervous system.