Endocannabinoids and Phytocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds that are made by the body (‘endo-’ meaning ‘coming from within’) and are part of a network of cellular receptors called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Phytocannabinoids are compounds that interact with the Endocannabinoid System, but they are instead created by plants (‘phyto-’ meaning ‘relating to plants’). CBD and CBG are two such phytocannabinoids.
There are over 100 phytocannabinoids, but the following are the dominant ones found by researchers:
- ● Cannabigerol (CBG)
- ● Cannabidiol (CBD)
- ● Cannabichromene (CBC)
- ● Cannabinol (CBN)
- ● Cannabicyclol (CBL)
- ● Cannabielsoin (CBE)
- ● Cannabitriol (CBT)
- ● Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Cannabidiol - CBD - is the second highest dominating cannabinoid in the Cannabis Sativa plant, and it is non-psychoactive.
THC is another well-known phytocannabinoid and is responsible for the ‘high’ associated with the marijuana plant. For people who may not want the psychoactive experience of the cannabis plant, but want to receive the therapeutic benefits of it, CBD is the answer.
CBD was actually discovered before THC was, but researchers didn’t understand its molecular structure until the late 1960s. CBD has been found to deliver a broad range of benefits, including sleep promotion, relaxation, increased energy, mood regulation, inflammation, and discomfort. These are all natural bodily processes that are regulated by the Endocannabinoid System, and it is through its effect on that system that CBD can affect these various processes.
