Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that interact with or influence the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) and related signaling pathways. They aren’t all found in cannabis—the body makes cannabinoids of its own.
Major cannabinoids found in cannabis:
There are well over 100 identified phytocannabinoids, so there isn’t a short definitive list of all of them. Some of the better-known ones include:
- CBD — Cannabidiol: Non-intoxicating; one of the most extensively studied cannabinoids.
- Δ9-THC — Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: The primary intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis.
- CBG — Cannabigerol: A non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Its acidic precursor, CBGA, is important because the plant uses it to produce several other cannabinoid acids.
- CBC — Cannabichromene: Non-intoxicating and being investigated for several potential biological effects.
- CBN — Cannabinol: Formed largely as THC degrades and ages. Often marketed for sleep, although evidence that CBN itself is an effective sleep aid remains limited.
- THCV — Tetrahydrocannabivarin: Structurally related to THC but has different pharmacological properties.
- CBDV — Cannabidivarin: Structurally related to CBD and non-intoxicating.
- CBGV — Cannabigerovarin: A less-studied cannabinoid related to CBG.
- CBCV — Cannabichromevarin: A less-studied counterpart of CBC.
You’ll also encounter CBDA, THCA, CBGA and CBCA. These are the acidic forms produced by the living plant. Heat and time can cause them to undergo decarboxylation, producing CBD, THC, CBG and CBC respectively.
