Cannabinoids are a class of compounds that include1:

  1. Endocannabinoids (inside the body)
  2. Phytocannabinoids (from the cannabis plant)
  3. Synthetic cannabinoids (Man-made compounds sharing structural similarities with the other 2 groups).

Over 100 phytocannabinoids can be found in the cannabis plant2. These phytocannabinoids tend to be concentrated in the flowers of cannabis plants. Besides THC and CBD, there are many other cannabinoids which may also have their own unique medical benefit.

What is the Cannabinoid Receptor System?

Endocannabinoids are part of our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates many functions in the body and is involved with maintaining homeostasis1.  The ECS includes endocannabinoids (messenger molecules) and receptors (which endocannabinoids interact with to have their physiological effects)3, 4. The two major endogenous cannabinoids are anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol5, Figure 1) and while there are many protein targets cannabinoids interact with, there are two main ECS cannabinoid receptors (CBR):

Some examples of functions that the ECS is involved with regulating are:

Phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids can interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors, as well as many others, much like endocannabinoids, but may do so in slightly different ways so that the overall effect differs between different types of cannabinoids.

Major endocannabinoids Anandamide and 2-arachiodonoylglycerol
Figure 1. Major endocannabinoids Anandamide and 2-arachiodonoylglycerol

What Sorts of Phytocannabinoids Are There?

Major phytocannabinoids include ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) (Figure 2)5. Both THC and CBD are thought to be responsible for most of the physiological effects of cannabis.

Although THC and CBD are the main phytocannabinoids consumed, they are mostly produced by the plant in their acid cannabinoid acid forms (discussed later)7.

Minor phytocannabinoids may be present in smaller quantities. Some examples include:

Main Differences Between Major Cannabinoids

There are a couple of main differences between THC and CBD, including some differences in their chemical structure (check out Figure 2, but THC has an ether group forming a ring, whilst cannabidiol has a double bond and a second alcohol functional group).  THC can cause intoxication but there is also evidence it can help relieve pain and inflammation and reduce nausea/vomiting2. As a non-intoxicating cannabinoid when taken at therapeutic dosages, CBD may also help reduce pain, inflammation and anxiety 1. CBD is also an anti-epileptic9.

Major phytocannabinoids ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).
Figure 2. Major phytocannabinoids ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).

What Are Cannabinoid Acids?

In the cannabis plant, THC and CBD are mainly produced in their acidic forms. The acid form of THC is named ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and that of CBD is cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)10 (Figure 3). When heated, these acids undergo a type of chemical reaction called decarboxylation whereby the acid is converted to THC and CBD (the acid functional group is lost as CO2)11.

Acid forms of THC (THCA) and CBD (CBDA).
Figure 3. Acid forms of THC (THCA) and CBD (CBDA).

Minor Cannabinoids

What is Cannabigerol?

Before forming THC and CBD, the cannabis plant produces Cannabigerol (CBG) (through its acid precursor) from which most other phytocannabinoids are derived7. Scientists are still learning about the effects of CBG but from preclinical research, CBG appears to have the potential to have::

Structure of Cannabigerol (CBG).
Figure 4. Structure of Cannabigerol (CBG).

What is Cannabichromene?

Cannabichromene (CBC) is produced as part of the plant’s flowering cycle in small quantities, as CBC is both antibiotic and antifungal, which may provide some protection23. Several pre-clinical studies on CBC have indicated some therapeutic potential, such as:

Structure of Cannabichromene (CBC)
Figure 5. Structure of Cannabichromene (CBC)

What is Cannabinol?

Over time, THC may be converted to cannabinol (CBN) by exposure to light, oxygen, and heat, and may also be produced in small quantities by the plant29. Although its structure is similar to THC, it has less affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors, making it less potent. In some clinical studies, the combination of CBN with THC were shown to improve various aspects of sleep quality30-32.

Structure of Cannabinol (CBN).
Figure 6. Structure of Cannabinol (CBN).

What is Tetrahydrocannabivarin?

∆9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is another cannabinoid found in cannabis in trace amounts33. Structurally similar to THC, clinical studies have tested the potential of THCV to treat obesity34, 35 as well as diabetes/metabolic syndrome36.

Structure of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV).
Figure 7. Structure of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV).

Entourage effect

Whole-plant based cannabis products have the full complement of not just THC and CBD. Along with terpenes, many of the phytocannabinoids present may also help contribute to the effects of cannabis products – a hypothesis known as the entourage effect2, 7, 37. Selection of a cannabis product that is most suitable therefore requires medical oversight and experience, as for many it may be a very individualised experience. If you’d like to have a word with a doctor about Medical Cannabis, please visit the patient section of the MedReleaf Australia website.

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2.         Baron, E. P., Medicinal properties of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in cannabis, and benefits in migraine, headache, and pain: an update on current evidence and cannabis science. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 2018, 58 (7), 1139-1186.

3.         Aizpurua-Olaizola, O.;  Elezgarai, I.;  Rico-Barrio, I.;  Zarandona, I.;  Etxebarria, N.; Usobiaga, A., Targeting the endocannabinoid system: future therapeutic strategies. Drug discovery today 2017, 22 (1), 105-110.

4.         De Petrocellis, L.; Di Marzo, V., An introduction to the endocannabinoid system: from the early to the latest concepts. Best practice & research Clinical endocrinology & metabolism 2009, 23 (1), 1-15.

5.         Stasiłowicz, A.;  Tomala, A.;  Podolak, I.; Cielecka-Piontek, J., Cannabis sativa L. as a natural drug meeting the criteria of a multitarget approach to treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22 (2), 778.

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9.         Lattanzi, S.;  Brigo, F.;  Trinka, E.;  Zaccara, G.;  Cagnetti, C.;  Del Giovane, C.; Silvestrini, M., Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol in epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Drugs 2018, 78 (17), 1791-1804.

10.       Russo, E. B., Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid‐terpenoid entourage effects. British journal of pharmacology 2011, 163 (7), 1344-1364.

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21.       Borrelli, F.;  Fasolino, I.;  Romano, B.;  Capasso, R.;  Maiello, F.;  Coppola, D.;  Orlando, P.;  Battista, G.;  Pagano, E.; Di Marzo, V., Beneficial effect of the non-psychotropic plant cannabinoid cannabigerol on experimental inflammatory bowel disease. Biochemical pharmacology 2013, 85 (9), 1306-1316.

22.       Brierley, D. I.;  Samuels, J.;  Duncan, M.;  Whalley, B. J.; Williams, C. M., Cannabigerol is a novel, well-tolerated appetite stimulant in pre-satiated rats. Psychopharmacology 2016, 233 (19), 3603-3613.

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26.       DeLong, G. T.;  Wolf, C. E.;  Poklis, A.; Lichtman, A. H., Pharmacological evaluation of the natural constituent of Cannabis sativa, cannabichromene and its modulation by Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Drug and alcohol dependence 2010, 112 (1-2), 126-133.

27.       Oláh, A.;  Markovics, A.;  Szabó‐Papp, J.;  Szabó, P. T.;  Stott, C.;  Zouboulis, C. C.; Bíró, T., Differential effectiveness of selected non‐psychotropic phytocannabinoids on human sebocyte functions implicates their introduction in dry/seborrhoeic skin and acne treatment. Experimental dermatology 2016, 25 (9), 701-707.

28.       El-Alfy, A. T.;  Ivey, K.;  Robinson, K.;  Ahmed, S.;  Radwan, M.;  Slade, D.;  Khan, I.;  ElSohly, M.; Ross, S., Antidepressant-like effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa L. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 2010, 95 (4), 434-442.

29.       Stasilowicz, A.;  Tomala, A.;  Podolak, I.; Cielecka-Piontek, J., Cannabis sativa L. as a Natural Drug Meeting the Criteria of a Multitarget Approach to Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021, 22 (2).

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31.       Walsh, J. H.;  Maddison, K. J.;  Rankin, T.;  Murray, K.;  McArdle, N.;  Ree, M. J.;  Hillman, D. R.; Eastwood, P. R., Treating insomnia symptoms with medicinal cannabis: a randomized, crossover trial of the efficacy of a cannabinoid medicine compared with placebo. Sleep 2021, 44 (11), zsab149.

32.       Gannon, W. E.;  Bronfein, W.;  Jackson, D. S.;  Holshouser, K.;  Artman, B. E.;  Schestepol, M.;  Treacy, D. J.; Rudnic, E. M., Novel Formulation of THC and CBN in a Repeat-Action Tablet Improves Objective and Subjective Measurements of Sleep.

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36.       Jadoon, K. A.;  Ratcliffe, S. H.;  Barrett, D. A.;  Thomas, E. L.;  Stott, C.;  Bell, J. D.;  O’Sullivan, S. E.; Tan, G. D., Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabivarin on glycemic and lipid parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group pilot study. Diabetes Care 2016, 39 (10), 1777-1786.

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1.         Baron, E. P., Medicinal properties of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in cannabis, and benefits in migraine, headache, and pain: an update on current evidence and cannabis science. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 2018, 58 (7), 1139-1186

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