Cannabinoid Guide
Explore 22 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Each guide covers mechanism of action, therapeutic effects, potential benefits, side effects, legal status, and the latest research.
Looking for strains with specific cannabinoid profiles? Browse our strain database or explore how cannabinoids interact with terpenes.
THC (Delta-9-THC)
PsychoactiveDelta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol
Learn about THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. Explore its mechanism of action, therapeutic benefits, side effects, legal status, and latest research.
CBD
Non-PsychoactiveCannabidiol
Comprehensive guide to CBD (Cannabidiol), the non-psychoactive cannabinoid used for anxiety, pain, seizures, and inflammation. Explore research, benefits, dosing, and legal status.
CBG
Non-PsychoactiveCannabigerol
Discover CBG (Cannabigerol), the 'mother of all cannabinoids' and precursor to THC, CBD, and CBC. Explore its unique therapeutic potential, mechanism of action, and emerging research.
CBN
PsychoactiveCannabinol
Explore CBN (Cannabinol), the mildly sedating cannabinoid formed from aged THC. Learn about its sleep-promoting properties, mechanism of action, research evidence, and how it compares to other cannabinoids.
CBC
Non-PsychoactiveCannabichromene
Learn about CBC (Cannabichromene), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid with potent anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and neurogenesis-promoting properties. Explore its unique mechanism of action and therapeutic potential.
THCV
PsychoactiveTetrahydrocannabivarin
Explore THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin), the 'diet weed' cannabinoid known for appetite suppression, energizing effects, and blood sugar regulation. Learn about its unique dose-dependent pharmacology.
Delta-8 THC
PsychoactiveDelta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol
Complete guide to Delta-8 THC, the milder psychoactive cannabinoid. Learn about its legal status, effects compared to Delta-9 THC, safety concerns, mechanism of action, and current research.
THCA
Non-PsychoactiveTetrahydrocannabinolic Acid
Explore THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid), the raw precursor to THC found in fresh cannabis. Learn about its non-psychoactive anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, how decarboxylation converts it to THC, and emerging research.
CBDA
Non-PsychoactiveCannabidiolic Acid
Comprehensive guide to CBDA (Cannabidiolic Acid), the raw precursor to CBD with potent anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory properties. Explore its 5-HT1A receptor activity, research findings, and therapeutic potential.
Delta-10 THC
PsychoactiveDelta-10-Tetrahydrocannabinol
Learn about Delta-10 THC, the mildly stimulating cannabinoid isomer. Explore how it compares to Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC, its effects, legal status, safety considerations, and available research.
HHC
PsychoactiveHexahydrocannabinol
Complete guide to HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol), the hydrogenated cannabinoid. Learn about its unique chemistry, effects compared to THC, legal status, safety profile, and how hydrogenation changes cannabinoid properties.
CBDV
Non-PsychoactiveCannabidivarin
Learn about CBDV (Cannabidivarin), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid being researched for autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and nausea. Explore its unique mechanism, clinical trial status, and therapeutic potential.
CBGA
Non-PsychoactiveCannabigerolic Acid
Explore CBGA (Cannabigerolic Acid), the ultimate precursor cannabinoid from which all other cannabinoids are derived. Learn about its role in cannabinoid biosynthesis, therapeutic potential, and research.
THCP
PsychoactiveTetrahydrocannabiphorol
Learn about THCP (Tetrahydrocannabiphorol), the ultra-potent cannabinoid discovered in 2019 with 33 times the CB1 binding affinity of THC. Explore its extreme potency, safety concerns, and research implications.
CBT
Non-PsychoactiveCannabitriol
Learn about CBT (Cannabitriol), a rare non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis. Explore what is currently known about its structure, occurrence in the plant, and limited but emerging research.
CBL
Non-PsychoactiveCannabicyclol
Explore CBL (Cannabicyclol), a rare non-psychoactive cannabinoid formed from the photochemical degradation of CBC. Learn about its unique formation pathway, limited research, and what is known about its properties.
CBE
Non-PsychoactiveCannabielsoin
Discover CBE (Cannabielsoin), a rare cannabinoid metabolite of CBD. Learn about its formation from CBD metabolism, what limited research reveals about its properties, and its place in cannabinoid science.
THC-O
PsychoactiveTHC-O-Acetate
Learn about THC-O-Acetate, the synthetic acetylated cannabinoid reported to be 3x more potent than THC. Understand its safety risks, legal status, DEA ruling, and why many experts urge caution.
HHC-O
PsychoactiveHHC-O-Acetate (Hexahydrocannabinol Acetate)
Learn about HHC-O (HHC-O-Acetate), the acetylated form of HHC. Understand its legal status, safety concerns related to acetylated cannabinoids, effects, and how DEA rulings affect its future.
CBDP
Non-PsychoactiveCannabidiphorol
Learn about CBDP (Cannabidiphorol), the CBD analog with an extended seven-carbon side chain discovered alongside THCP in 2019. Explore its potential enhanced potency, limited research, and relationship to CBD.
THCB
PsychoactiveTetrahydrocannabutol
Explore THCB (Tetrahydrocannabutol), the butyl-chain cannabinoid discovered in 2019 with enhanced CB1 binding affinity. Learn about its potency, research findings, and relationship to THC and THCP.
CBF
Non-PsychoactiveCannabifuran
Learn about CBF (Cannabifuran), a rare furan-containing cannabinoid found in cannabis. Explore what is known about this unusual compound, its unique furan ring structure, and why it remains largely unstudied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body. Over 100 cannabinoids have been identified in the cannabis plant, with THC and CBD being the most abundant and well-studied. Cannabinoids can be classified as phytocannabinoids (produced by plants), endocannabinoids (produced naturally by the human body, such as anandamide and 2-AG), or synthetic cannabinoids (created in laboratories). They exert their effects primarily through CB1 receptors (concentrated in the brain and central nervous system) and CB2 receptors (found in the immune system and peripheral tissues).
What is the difference between major and minor cannabinoids?
Major cannabinoids (THC and CBD) are found in high concentrations in cannabis, typically comprising 10-30% of flower weight. Minor cannabinoids (CBG, CBN, CBC, THCV, and others) are present in much lower concentrations, usually less than 1-2%. Despite their lower abundance, minor cannabinoids have distinct pharmacological profiles and therapeutic potential. The distinction is based on concentration, not importance — some minor cannabinoids like THCV and CBG have demonstrated significant therapeutic effects in clinical and preclinical research.
What is the entourage effect with cannabinoids?
The entourage effect is the theory that cannabinoids, terpenes, and other cannabis compounds work synergistically to produce effects greater than any single compound alone. For example, CBD can modulate THC's psychoactive effects, reducing anxiety while maintaining pain relief. Terpenes like myrcene may enhance cannabinoid absorption, while caryophyllene directly activates CB2 receptors. This synergy is why full-spectrum cannabis products often produce different effects than isolated cannabinoids, and why the overall chemical profile of a strain matters as much as its THC or CBD percentage.
Are all cannabinoids psychoactive?
No, most cannabinoids are not psychoactive. THC (Delta-9-THC) is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for the cannabis high. Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC, HHC, THCP, THCB, and THC-O also produce psychoactive effects of varying intensity. CBN is mildly psychoactive. Non-psychoactive cannabinoids include CBD, CBG, CBC, CBDV, THCA, CBDA, CBGA, and several others. Non-psychoactive cannabinoids can still have significant physiological effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and anticonvulsant properties.
Which cannabinoid is best for pain?
THC has the strongest evidence for pain relief, with multiple randomized controlled trials demonstrating analgesic effects for chronic pain conditions. CBD offers anti-inflammatory pain relief without psychoactive effects and is often preferred for daytime use. CBG has shown analgesic potential through both CB receptor and TRPM8 channel activity. CBC provides pain relief through TRPA1 channel activation and anandamide reuptake inhibition. For many patients, a combination of multiple cannabinoids produces the most effective pain management through the entourage effect.
Terpene Database
Browse Cannabis Terpenes
Learn how terpenes interact with cannabinoids through the entourage effect.
Medical Cannabis
Conditions Guide
See which cannabinoids are recommended for specific medical conditions.
Disclaimer: Cannabinoid information is provided for educational purposes only. Medical benefits are based on published research and are not intended as medical advice. Individual responses to cannabinoids vary. Always consult a healthcare professional before using cannabis for medical purposes. Legal status information is current as of publication but may change — verify your local laws.