cannabinoids
What are cannabinoids?
If you’ve made it this far in your cannabis education journey, then you’ve likely heard of the two most popular cannabinoids: THC and CBD. However, there are at least 100 other cannabinoids that can be isolated from the cannabis plant.
Cannabinoids are compounds found in the cannabis plant that interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system and produce different effects and benefits. Cannabinoids turn into different forms as they’re heated (aka synthesis).
We’ve put together a list of benefits, uses and facts about some of the most popular cannabinoids so you can make more educated choices when selecting your flower… or just impress your budtender.
Cannabinoids 101
Select a cannabinoid below to learn more.
PSYCHOACTIVE
THC
Quick Facts about THC
- The most abundant cannabinoid
- Psychoactive
- Effects change when combined with other cannabinoids
- Induces feelings of euphoria
- Antioxidant
THC May Reduce
- Pain
- Nausea/vomiting
- Muscle spasms
- Resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow to the lungs
- Depression
THC May Improve
- Appetite
- Serotonin production
- Sleep
Where to Find THC Products
Your nearest High Haven dispensary
Ask your budtender about their favorite THC-rich oils, tinctures, flower, topicals, joints, or edibles.
THCa
Quick Facts about THCa
- THCa is the precursor to THC
- Non-psychoactive until heated, then becomes THC
- THCA represents the full potency potential of the product that will be smoked because it will convert to THC after decarboxylation (activation by heat, in order to produce a high)
THCa May Reduce
- Inflammation by mimicking the body’s natural endocannabinoids that help calm inflammatory processes
- Convulsions
- Nausea/vomiting without the psychoactive effects of THC
- Seizure symptoms
THCa May Improve
- Brain cell counts and protect neurons
- Symptoms of Colitis
- Symptoms of IBS
Where to Find THCa Products
Stores that are more medically focused
Powder form to add to joints
Tinctures specifically formulated with THCa
Online vendors that produce hemp-extracted cannabinoids
CBN
Quick Facts about CBN
- CBN is what THC and CBD evolve into as flower ages
- Overheating your flower when making edibles also results in high levels of CBN
- CBN + THC are a highly potent sleep aid
- CBS is the first naturally occurring cannabis compound isolated in its purest form
CBN May Reduce
- Inflammation
- Muscle pain
- Bacteria growth
- Convulsion symptoms
- Eye pressure
CBN May Improve
- Bone healing
- Bone growth
- Sleep and relaxation
- Psoriasis
Where to Find CBN Products
Your nearest High Haven dispensary
Ask your budtender if they have any products that include CBN.
The left-over toasted herb from flower vapes
CBNa
Quick Facts about CBNa
- Little to no intoxicating properties
- Extreme sedative effects
- Acidic precursor to CBN
- Converts to THCa when exposed to oxygen and UV light
CBNa May Reduce
- Inflammation
- Pain
CBNa May Improve
- Appetite
- Bone growth and development
- Glaucoma symptoms
Where to Find CBNa Products
Flower that’s several months old (it will be very stale)
NON-PSYCHOACTIVE
CBD
Quick Facts about CBD
- Easier to extract and hence easier to access than CBDa based products
- Used to treat pain since 2900 B.C.
- Can be derived from both hemp and marijuana plants
- Works best in medium doses—too much or too little brings the same unsatisfactory effects
CBD May Reduce
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Anxiety
CBD May Improve
- PTSD symptoms
- Moods
Where to Find CBD Products
Your nearest High Haven dispensary
Ask your budtender if they have any products with the CBD percentage listed on the label.
Quick Facts about CBD
- Easier to extract and hence easier to access than CBDa based products
- Used to treat pain since 2900 B.C.
- Can be derived from both hemp and marijuana plants
- Works best in medium doses—too much or too little brings the same unsatisfactory effects
CBD May Reduce
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Anxiety
CBD May Improve
- PTSD symptoms
- Moods
Where to Find CBD Products
Your nearest High Haven dispensary
Ask your budtender if they have any products with the CBD percentage listed on the label.
CBDa
Quick Facts about CBDa
- CBDa is the acidic precursor to CBD found in raw plants
- CBDa is essentially CBD in its pre-evolved state
- Considered to be more natural than CBD
- CBDa is better absorbed by mouth than CBD
CBDa May Reduce
- Nausea
- The growth of breast cancer cells
CBDa May Improve
- Serotonin levels
- Gut health
Where to Find CBDa Products
Fresh flower
Tinctures specifically formulated with CBDa
Fresh juice from plants
CBC
Quick Facts about CBC
- AKA the ‘Mysterious Cannabinoid’ because little known about it
- Non-psychoactive
- Appears when cannabis sativa plant is near full maturity
- Antimicrobial properties
CBC May Reduce
- Reduce inflammation by activating CB2 receptors
- Unwanted effects of THC (anxiety, hunger, and sedation)
CBC May Improve
- Acne
- Mood
- Diarrhea
Where to Find CBCa Products
Your nearest High Haven dispensary
Ask your budtender if they have any products with the CBG percentage on the label.
CBCa
Quick Facts about CBCa
CBCa goes through a process called decarboxylation (heating up) to become CBC
CBCa May Reduce
Formation of fungal infections
CBCa May Improve
Overall wellness (Healing potential can be enhanced when combined with other cannabinoids by enhancing their effects)
Where to Find CBCa Products
Tinctures specifically formulated with CBCa
Online vendors that product hemp-extracted rare cannabinoids
CBG
Cannabigerol
Quick Facts about CBG
- All cannabis plants make CBG
- The difference between hemp and marijuana lies in how each plant processes CBG:
- Marijuana synthesizes enzymes that convert to THC
- Hemp synthesizes enzymes that convert to CBD
- Non-intoxicating
CBG May Reduce
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease symptoms
- Eye pressure
- Huntington’s Disease symptoms
CBG May Improve
- The body’s response to bacterial infections
Where to Find CBG Products
Your nearest High Haven dispensary
Ask your budtender if they have any products with the CBG percentage listed on the label.
CBGa
Quick Facts about CBGa
- CBGa is the foundational compound that eventually converts to THC or CBD
- CBGa turns into CBG through decarboxylation (aka smoking or heating it up)
CBGa May Reduce
- Production of harmful enzymes
- Inflammation
- Aldose reductase activity (diabetic complications)
CBGa May Improve
- Metabolic disorders
Where to Find CBGa Products
- Tinctures specifically formulated with CBGa
- Online vendors that product hemp-extracted rare cannabinoids
Better TogetHer: The entourage effect
When we smoke or vaporize cannabis, our bodies take in hundreds of botanical compounds with unique effects and benefits. The behavior of these compounds may change in the presence of other compounds, resulting in the “entourage effect.” (1)
The entourage effect can be compared to your mood—how you behave alone versus at a party with strangers or alone with a close friend. Your mood shifts as the personality traits you project change depending on who you are interacting with. Similarly, the effects of different cannabinoid and terpenes vary when combined with others.
For example, CBD and THC are the two of the most popular and well studied cannabinoids that come with a unique set of benefits. When combined, they work together to maximize benefits much more effectively than they do on their own. (2)
Ready to hit the books?
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