Many have become familiar with the cannabinoid CBD and the potential health benefits, but CBD cannabinoids are just one piece of a much larger cannabis puzzle. In fact, there areover 100 different cannabinoids isolated from cannabis that exhibit varied effects. Synthetic cannabinoids can also be produced artificially and encompass a variety of distinct chemical classes.

All of these cannabinoids, their presence, and how they’re highlighted by different strains can potentially  impact / enhance the mind and body in unique ways. For example, THC is a cannabinoid, but its effects are far different from its CBD counterpart; THC is theprimary psychoactive compound found in cannabis, while CBD is non-psychoactive. Much of a cannabinoids effect also depends on what cannabinoid receptors they interact with and how —CB1 receptors found primarily in the brain orCB2 receptors predominantly found in the immune system. 

However, to learn more about these less discussed cannabinoids and their prospective benefits, taking a step back is in order. Let’s break down the basics of cannabinoids and what makes them so impactful on different cannabis experiences. 

What are cannabinoids?

The cannabis plant synthesizes several cannabinoid acids, not just the most popular CBD and THC.These cannabinoid acids must be“activated” or decarboxylated, most often by some level of heat, to produce the most desirable compounds. While that’s usually CBD and THC, many more cannabinoid acids can be produced — just see the chart below. 

These acids are unlike THC in that they don’t promote intoxicating-like effects. Although, they can have antibiotic or insecticidal properties, probably initially produced by the cannabis plant, to defend itself from predators and disease. With that being said, different cannabinoids are also believed to impact THC, and the “high” consumers feel. For example, CBD doesn’t get users high but has the potential to influence how THCinteracts with the CB1 receptors in one'sendocannabinoid system and, therefore, a cannabis product's ultimate effect. 

Cannabinoids are similar to terpenes in this regard, being guided by anentourage effect of sorts. Some cannabis producers have even startedselective breeding practices to create cannabinoids with more specification, often to attempt to enhance the health benefits of marijuana. Cannabis strains can be made with more CBD for medicinal use or higher THC content for recreational use, all by altering their cannabinoid profiles. 

Those are just the mostpopular cannabinoids, though, below are some that create different effects and potential benefits. 

Major cannabinoids found in marijuana 

Cannabinoid	Name	Potential Benefits
CBD	Cannabidiol	Potentially calms and soothesPTSD and anxiety. Works as a possible anti-inflammatory / potentially eases pain. Possibly helps withinsomnia issues.
CBDA	Cannabidiolic acid	Could help relieve inflammation and associated pain. May aidcore human functions such as sleeping, motor skills, etc. Is thought toEase nausea.
CBN	Cannabinol	Is believed to act as anappetite stimulant.  May be a powerfulneuroprotectant / delay the onset of conditions such as ALS. Antibacterial andanti-inflammatory properties are possible.
CBG	Cannabigerol	Is thought to acts onvery specific physiological systems and problems. May have effectiveantibacterial andanti-inflammatory agents. Is thought to have great potential as acancer fighter / possibly inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells.
CBC	Cannabichromene	Thought to be a powerfulinhibitor of acne. Suspected to deliverantidepressant properties. Is thought to havethe potential to be a powerful cancer fighter, alsoblocking pain and inflammation.
CBL	Cannabicyclol	May have medicinal or therapeutic properties. Is believed to have the potential to serve as anentourage effect cannabinoid.  Is thought to have the potential toinhibit production of prostaglandins.
CBV	Cannabivarin	Should have a chemopreventive effect on colon cancer May assist in the treatment of both psychiatric and mood disorders. Is thought to reducevomiting and severe nausea.
THCV	Tetrahydrocannabivarin	Is believed to promote thegrowth of new bone; used for the treatment of osteoporosis.  Is thought to act as anappetite suppressant, unlike THC. May help curb anxiety and help ease issues with PTSD.
CBDV	Cannabidivarin	Is believed to have demonstratedanti-epileptic and anti-convulsive action.  May act as a stronganti-nausea agent.  May reduce inflammation andrestore / enhance muscle function.
CBCV	Cannabichromevarin	Believed to be an effectiveantidepressant.  Is listed as an ingredient alongside other cannabinoids inan anticonvulsant drug for infants. Potentially possesses antifungal properties.
CBGV	Cannabigerovarin	Is thought to enhance CBD metabolism therein makingCBD more powerful. Is believed to hold great potential fortreating cancer / correlated bodily and mood effects.  Is thought to help treatinflammatory skin diseases.
CBGM	Cannabigerol monomethyl ether	Potentiallymimics the effects of CBG without producing any negative side effects. Could help in the treatment of many conditions includingnausea, pain, and arthritis. Possibly aids in the treatment of glaucoma.
CBE	Cannabielsoin	Is thought to have the potential to be used with THC (or as a derivative of) totreat cancer. Could play an important role in the entourage effect of othercannabinoids. A non–psychoactive metabolite of CBD.
CBT	Cannabicitran	Very rare part of the THC branch of cannabis. Can potentially lessen THC’s myriad psychoactive effects, according to some. Presentsa potential treatment for glaucoma and other similar conditions.

CBD - Cannabidiol

CBD’s list of potential health benefits continues to grow lengthy as more research is compiled. Often used to balance the other popular cannabinoid THC, CBD is popularly used to attempt to treat issues likeanxiety,pain / inflammation and more.

CBDA - Cannabidiolic acid

Uniquely, CBDA doesn’t bond directly to the CB1 or CB2 receptors. The cannabinoid actually interacts with the endocannabinoid system and inhibits thecyclooxygenase-2 enzyme. For this reason, CBDA is often associated with the attempted treatment of inflammation and pain following infections. 

CBN - Cannabinol

CBN is beginning to gain popularity in the cannabis community, known as the cannabinoid created when THC ages. A few potential benefits of the cannabinoid include that people believe it to be anappetite stimulator,anti-inflammatory andneuroprotectant. 

CBG - Cannabigerol

Initial CBG study results are promising, promoting future research with the cannabinoid alone or CBG in combination with others and therapies for the treatment of multiple illnesses. CBG has been found to act on very specific physiological systems and problems, likeeye structures, for example. 

CBC - Cannabichromene

CBC has been shown toblock pain and inflammation that is often associated with collagen-induced osteoarthritis and acts very differently from other anti-inflammatory drugs. The cannabinoid CBC is also thought to be a powerfulinhibitor of acne, suppressing excessive lipid production in the sebaceous glands.

CBL - Cannabicyclol

CBL may potentially have medicinal or therapeutic properties, primarily serving as anentourage effect producing cannabinoid / enhancing other cannabinoids. The cannabinoid may also be able toinhibit production of prostaglandins according to some. 

CBV - Cannabidivarin

CBV, the second most abundant of the cannabinoidsin cannabis sativa, could potentially assist in the treatment of both psychiatric and mood disorders, as some believe.. Studies have also shown CBV could possibly reducevomiting and nausea.

THCV - Tetrahydrocannabivarin

THCV sets itself apart from other cannabinoids as some believe it can promote thegrowth of new bone and act as anappetite suppressant, much unlike THC. Although THCV is similar to THC in molecular structure and psychoactive properties, it actually provides a range of very different effects.

CBDV - Cannabidivarin

In some studies, CBDV has demonstratedanti-epileptic and anti-convulsive action and is thought to be able to serve as a seriousanti-nausea agent. Like some other cannabinoids, CBDV is also believed to restore / enhance muscle function. 

CBCV - Cannabichromevarin

Although little is known about the niche cannabinoid, CBCV is believed to be an effectiveantidepressant. And, if CBCV — when further studied — turns out to have similar benefits to CBC, it could also help users without making them feel intoxicated or impaired in any way, similar to CBD.

CBGV - Cannabigerovarin

CBGV serves as the perfect sidekick for CBD metabolism, as it’s thought to makeCBD more potent in its effects. The cannabinoid is also believed to help soothe a myriad of skin issues andinflammatory skin diseases.

CBGM - Cannabigerol monomethyl ether

Some studies show that the cannabinoid CBGM may actuallymimic the effects of CBG, but lack many of its more undesirable side effects. Like many other cannabinoids like it, CBGM may also aid in the treatment of many conditions likenausea, pain / body aches, and arthritis.

CBE - Cannabielsoin

CBE is known to be a non-psychoactive metabolite of CBD and holds with it the implications it may play an active and vital role in the effects of other cannabinoids present. For example, a study has shown CBE has the potential capacity to be paired with cannabinoids like THC (or an offshoot of such) to possiblytreat cancers. 

CBT - Cannabicitran

CBT is a rare offshoot from the THC branch of cannabis. Used in combination with other cannabinoids, CBTcan potentially lessen THC’s different kinds of psychoactive effects. A study has also shown the cannabinoid presentsa possible treatment for glaucoma and conditions alike.

To sum it up:

Ultimately, there exist a plethora of cannabinoids that warrant more research and displaya promising range of potential applications. While THC and CBD cannabinoids are the most popular on the market right now, that could quickly change as more research and information becomes available about others. It may serve cannabis consumers well to pay closer attention to their favorite strains' cannabinoid profile— it may even put them ahead of the next cannabinoid trend.