What are cannabinoids? The cannabis plant has major compounds that interact with or bind to receptors in the endocannabinoid system.

The ability of cannabinoids to impact the endocannabinoid system was a major trigger for medical research. There are approximately 540 chemical substances in the cannabis plant, and cannabinoids are one group. Over 100 types of cannabinoids have been identified, but some are more common than others, like CBD.

What are the Most Common Cannabinoids?

The two major cannabinoids are THC and CBD. THC is a psychoactive compound, and is not legal at the federal level. Legal products with any THC must contain less than 0.3 percent THC. CBD and the other common cannabinoids are legal. Medical research to date has consistently found that even minor or less abundant cannabinoids can potentially have positive effects. You can learn more on this CBD Guide about the effects of CBD
Do you want to buy the best CBD gummies? Would CBC oil be the best choice? These are the kinds of questions cannabinoid users are asking, especially when they are new to shopping for products and are faced with many options.
Following is a cannabinoids list to help understand the basics of CBD, CBG, CBN and CBC.

CBD

CBD (Cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound that has shown promise in medical research as an anti-inflammatory, anti-pain and anti-anxiety cannabinoid. It is one of the most studied cannabinoids. CBD is the second most common single active compound in the cannabis plant.

CBG

CBG (Cannabigerol) is sometimes referred to as the “mother of all cannabinoids.” As the cannabis plant matures, the acidic form of CBG is the precursor of other cannabinoids, mainly THC and CBD. The mature plant has a very low amount of CBG. Medical studies to date have found that CBG may have therapeutic possibilities because it appears to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

CBN

Another non-psychoactive cannabinoid is CBN (Cannabinol) which is created as THC breaks down in the cannabis plant. The concentration in the cannabis plant increases as the plant ages. There are few medical studies on CBN, but the ones completed have found CB may have antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory properties. Another study found the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBN combined with CBD might provide analgesic relief for muscle pain disorders.

CBC

CBC (Cannabichromene) is yet another non-intoxicating cannabinoid. It is produced from CBGA, a precursor to THCA, CBDA and CBCA. When CBGA is exposed to ultraviolet light or heat, it is converted to CBC in a process called decarboxylation. Studies have found CBC oil impacts what are called TRP channels that overlap with cannabinoid receptors. CBC research to date has found that CBC may relieve pain, reduce inflammation and provide antibacterial effects.

Cannabinoid Effects

How do cannabinoids work? The endocannabinoid system is present throughout the body. It is a network of cellular receptors and chemical signals that regulate many functions in the body, including pain control, immune responses, sleep and inflammatory responses.
CB1 and CB2 are the two main receptors. CB1 receptors are found in high amounts in the brain and are more widespread in other areas of the body. These receptors play a big role in emotional regulation. The CB2 receptors are primarily found in the Central Nervous System and play a role in pain management, immune function and inflammation. The receptors the cannabinoids interact with or bind to determine the effects.
For example, CBD does not bind to the endocannabinoid receptors and only interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBD users have reported they feel less anxiety. Research has indicated CBD may improve sleep. CBN binds mostly to the CB2 receptors, and users say CBN helps with their inflammation. There are animal studies backing up this claim, but more research is needed.
It is important to understand that much more medical research is needed on all the cannabinoids, and quality companies do not make health claims. They share what customers say they experience but do not make claims that are not backed by science.

How to Find the Cannabinoid that is Right for Me

Finding the right cannabinoid is usually a matter of trying different products. For example, you can try CBN gummies, which may improve sleep or CBC oil to see if it helps with inflammation. If these gummies do not deliver desired effects, try CBD edilbes.
Some guidelines to keep in mind when shopping for any cannabinoid products.

• Buy high-quality products from reputable CBD stores
• Read the product labels and the Certificate of Analysis to verify the contents
• Start with low potency products to assess the effects of the cannabinoids

Summary

Research on the different types of cannabinoids and their effects is ongoing and increasing. Much of the research is focused on the impact of combining cannabinoids, like CBD and CBN. There are many products available now that blend cannabinoids to enhance the effects. This is an expanding market because cannabinoids are natural compounds that come directly from Mother Nature.