Know Your Cannabinoids
There are over 480 natural components found within the Cannabis sativa plant. 66 of them are cannabinoids—chemicals unique to the plant. The most well known and researched of these, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (aka Δ9-THC, or just plain THC), is the substance primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. It's also appreciated for its pain relief, anti-inflammatory, and sedative/sleep aid properties. But that's not all that cannabis has going on!
What do cannabinoids do?
The effects of THC are believed to be moderated by other components of the plant, most particularly the cannabinoids.
Other well-known cannabinoids include...
Cannabigerols (CBG), known for their pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties
Cannabidiols (CBD), known for their pain relief, anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory, anxiety relief, sedative/sleep aid, anti-tumor, and anti-seizure properties
Cannabinols (CBN), known for their pain relief, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-seizure properties
Cannabinoids affect the user by interacting with specific receptors, located within different parts of the central nervous system.
For example, two kinds of cannabinoid receptors have been identified as CB1 and CB2. A substance that occurs naturally within the brain and binds to CB1 receptors was discovered in 1992 and termed "anandamide," aka "the bliss molecule." Additional naturally occurring substances that bind to CB1 have since been discovered, and these, together with the receptors are what is known as the Endocannabinoid System.
The scientific community is still learning about the endogenous cannabinoid system, and as more studies are performed, we're discovering more and more each day.
CBD, CBG, CBN—what's the difference?
The major differences between the cannabinoids are determined by the extent to which they are psychologically active. Three classes of cannabinoids, the CBG, CBC and CBD are not known to have such an effect. THC, CBN, CBDL and some other cannabinoids on the other hand are known to be psychologically active to varying degrees.
CBD is probably the most abundant cannabinoid, contributing up to 40% of cannabis resin. Interestingly, CBD may actually have anti-anxiety effects and lessen the psychoactive effects of THC. This means that a plant with a greater percentage of CBD may reduce the intensity of the effects of the THC, which in effect lowers the potency of the plant. Use of a cannabis plant with less CBD has been shown to have an increased psychological impact and result in unwanted effects such as anxiety.
Our Equanimity vape products feature a 1:1 blend of THC and CBD to recreate the experience of the Equanimity flower in vape form. We added more terpenes in the process to accentuate the fragrance (and the feeling!) of the strain.