Cannabinoids and How They Work

There is a lot of information available about Cannabinoids and how they work. So much new information arises so often that by the time this article is published, it will likely contain outdated information. It’s an understatement to say that this is a deep topic, and we encourage you to research further on the foundation of this article.

Because we, here at Earth’s Own Naturals, exist in a space where we need to know how cannabinoids work in our bodies but cannot speak on the potential benefits, we will be exploring this topic with a primarily scientific perspective. We will briefly talk about the chemical makeup of these cannabinoids and focus on how they interact with our bodies.

Cannabis is a complex plant with over 420 chemical entities, over 60 of which are cannabinoids. Four major cannabinoids are at the forefront of our consumption experience:

• • THC – delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

• • CBN – Cannabinol

• • CBD – Cannabidiol

• • CBG – Cannabigerol

THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the most common and most sought-after cannabinoid for consumption. THC attaches to the CB receptors in the endocannabinoid system, triggering the release of dopamine. This will often create an uplifted and euphoric experience.

CBN, or Cannabinol, is mildly psychoactive and most commonly found in cannabis that is aged and stored. As the cannabis flower ages, the THC chemically degrades and changes into CBN. Much speculation suggests that CBN can be practically sedative, helping many people achieve a restful experience. However, these effects may be caused by a higher amount of sedative terpenes or a combination of CBN with other cannabinoids. It may be any combination of these factors that produce the specific, desired effects of a high CBN flower. Many people may prefer using aged cannabis for these reasons.

CBD, or Cannabidiol, is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after cannabinoids. CBD is non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating, and many people find it helpful in many ways but how CBD exerts its potential therapeutic effects is still being sorted out. We know that CBD impacts more than just the CB receptors on the endocannabinoid system, unlike other common cannabinoids. As there are more than 65 molecular targets for CBD it is difficult to say exactly how CBD will affect a person. However, it’s because of this wide molecular target that so many people find it helpful for so many things. CBD can also help to balance out a THC experience that has become too intense, for this reason, CBD can be very helpful for people who are new to cannabis.

CBG, or Cannabigerol, is relatively new in our scope of understanding cannabinoids. It has become known as the “Mother of all Cannabinoids” because without CBG there would be no cannabis as we know it. In the early stages of plant growth, all cannabinoids essentially start out as a basic form of CBG. Then, as the plant absorbs more UV light, CBG-A is converted into other cannabinoid chemicals like the highly sought-after THC and CBD. Therefore, CBG is often extracted from younger plants. CBG, like CBD, is non-psychoactive, and will not create a “high” feeling without the presence of other cannabinoids. Also like CBD, CBG works differently on a molecular level than other cannabinoids. CBG works by binding to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, essentially enhancing the binding of THC to those same receptors. This can lead to an enhancement of your THC experience, some would describe this feeling as “blissful”. There has been significant research done on the potential medical applications of CBG and of all the cannabinoids it has garnered an incredible amount of attention regarding its possible medical applications.

You may have heard of the “Entourage Effect”, which is the idea that the cumulative cannabis experience comes from the presence of cannabinoids and terpenes, naturally occurring together, and working together. This is the reason that a Live Resin or Full-spectrum extract will provide a more true-to-flower experience than a distillate extract will, regardless of potency.

As we mentioned at the top of the article, the topic of cannabinoids is deep and complex. Many people dedicate their lives to understanding how they work and how to most effectively use them. As the stigma around cannabis starts to wane, we will be able to gain more knowledge and understanding. The more knowledge we have, the more effectively we can tailor our cannabis use to our preferences.

We hope this article has helped you scratch the surface of cannabinoid information. As always, please reach out to us, online or in-store, with any questions or conversations. We strive to carry the best selection of cannabis products. We love to talk shop and educate!

May you have a Blissful day!

Happy Blazing!