THC, CBD, and CBN all have one thing in common: They’re cannabinoids, the natural compounds found in the cannabis sativa plant. Cannabinoids are responsible for the plant’s wellness-promoting properties, but there are a lot of them to keep track of — in fact, some experts estimate that there are as many as 140 different cannabinoids in a single plant. Read on to explore the different types of cannabinoids and how they impact the body.

Exploring the Different Types of Cannabinoids

Like we mentioned above, cannabinoids are the natural chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. These compounds have a powerful, wellness-promoting effect on the human body, thanks to receptors in the human endocannabinoid system. The receptors are located throughout our central and peripheral nervous systems, and they help signal the pathways responsible for homeostasis — in other words, regulating the body and keeping everything working as it should. There are a number of different kinds of receptors in the human body, but for our purposes, we’ll stick to the two main receptors: CB1 and CB2.

Sound familiar? That’s because the best-known cannabinoid, THC, binds with these receptors. That receptor produces the high that many users expect when using cannabis products. But THC is far from the only cannabinoid.

Phytocannabinoids: The Most Well-Known Types of Cannabinoids

Both CBD and THC are classified as phytocannabinoids, which come directly from plants and have a range of beneficial effects. But while both CBD and THC are classified as phytocannabinoids, they have very different effects on the body. That’s because THC binds primarily to the CB1 receptor, while CBD binds primarily to the CB2 receptor. This receptor doesn’t contribute to psychotropic effects; it does, however, appear to have an impact on a number of health functions that make it a great therapeutic target.

Fun fact: Phytocannabinoids aren’t unique to the cannabis plant. Scientists have discovered that some flowers and fungi also contain these molecules. However, those phytocannabinoids have slightly different chemical structures and haven’t been shown to produce the effects of cannabis-derived molecules. Still, it goes to show how powerful plants can be, even outside of the cannabis family.

Medicinal and Synthetic Cannabinoids

We’d be remiss if we explored types of cannabinoids without mentioning medical and synthetic cannabinoids. While phytocannabinoids occur naturally in plants, these compounds are engineered. The term “medicinal cannabinoids” encompasses pharmaceutical cannabis products that are designed to promote a number of positive health outcomes. But while all medicinal cannabinoids are technically synthetic, not all synthetics are engineered for use in medicine. For example, HU-210 is a synthetic, highly potent analogue of THC. On the other hand, we have UR-144, another synthetic that is engineered to be less potent than THC, working to activate the CB2 receptors we mentioned above. Unlike THC or CBD products, you won’t find these synthetics in retail settings.

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There are dozens — even hundreds — of different types of cannabinoids. While experts are still exploring the different types of cannabinoids, as well as their unique applications, one thing is certain: Plant power is a great thing to tap into for a variety of health outcomes. Whether you’re looking to relax after a hard day, improve your sleep, or generally improve your mental and physical health, cannabinoids have a lot to offer.

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