Have you ever wondered why smoking weed gets you high? This is because of some of the cannabinoids, which are different chemical compounds found in cannabis that work with the human endocannabinoid system.
There are many cannabinoids present in marijuana and each has a slightly different effect from the others. Their cumulative effects can produce the psychoactive effects we associate with weed.
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How Many Cannabinoids Are There?
There are over 120 different cannabinoids in natural weed. Overall, most people consider THC to be the most important aspect of any cannabis product.
It is only in the last decade that the benefits of marijuana cannabinoids beyond THC have been explored. When these different cannabinoids work together, they create what is called the “entourage effect”.
This effect manifests in the human body because all of these cannabinoid compounds interact with the endocannabinoid system in concert with each other, creating specific health benefits and / or that particularly pleasurable psychoactive reaction known as ‘getting high’.
What Are the Different Cannabinoids?
As stated above, there are over 120 different cannabinoids found in the natural cannabis flower. Many of these cannabinoids are also found in hemp.
However, with hemp, you won’t find any of the psychoactive cannabinoids found in marijuana. Here is a short list of some of the main cannabinoids:
What Are the Main Cannabinoids?
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)
- Cannabidiol (CBD)
- Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)
- Cannabinol (CBN)
- Cannabigerol (CBG)
- Cannabichromene (CBC)
- Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
When Was Marijuana Discovered?
Marijuana, with its ever-changing legal status in America, may make it seem like a relatively new discovery, only being regulated and demonized in the 20th century.
However, if one inquired about when marijuana was first discovered, they would find that cannabis has been used for its medicinal benefits and practical uses for thousands of years.
The answer to the discovery of marijuana for the first time dates back to ancient China, over 2,500 years ago. Science Magazine cites recent archaeological findings that grass has been found used in ritual contexts.
When weed proved to be a valuable crop, it traveled along trade routes, known as the Silk Road, from East to Africa and West Asia.
What Is the Difference Between Cannabinoids and Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is one of the many cannabinoids found in weed.
There are many different cannabinoids in marijuana, and CBD is just one of over 100, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBN), which are primarily used for therapeutic purposes, such as relief of pain and anxiety.
What Cannabinoids Are in CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the main component of CBD oil, naturally. However, the presence of other cannabinoids depends on the type of oil you have.
Full Spectrum Oil uses all of the natural cannabinoids in marijuana, including THC. The broad spectrum, on the other hand, contains almost all cannabinoids but without THC. CBD isolate contains a narrow range of cannabinoids, primarily CBD in a carrier oil.
How Many Cannabinoids Are There in a Hemp Plant?
Hemp and marijuana are both classified as cannabis and largely possess the same cannabinoids, with over 100 cannabinoids found in hemp.
The main difference between hemp and marijuana is that there is a much higher concentration of CBD and very minimal THC in hemp, eliminating the psychoactive properties.
