Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are a group of more than 100 compounds identified in the cannabis plant that act on the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). In the plant they occur as acids (THCA, CBDA, CBGA) and convert to their active forms through heat or aging.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)The primary psychoactive cannabinoid — CB₁ partial agonist, effects, legal status.

Key concepts

• Entourage effect: cannabinoids and terpenes modulate each other — the overall profile predicts a strain’s effect better than THC percentage alone.
• Decarboxylation: THCA → THC requires roughly 105 °C+; raw flower is effectively non-psychoactive.
• Receptor pharmacology: CB₁ dominates in the brain (psychoactive), CB₂ on immune cells (anti-inflammatory).