In-depth profiles of all major cannabinoids — covering molecular mechanisms, receptor pharmacology, therapeutic applications, clinical research, and practical guidance. Built on peer-reviewed science, not marketing claims.
8
Cannabinoids Profiled
30+
Research Studies Cited
40+
Therapeutic Applications
All entries
Evidence Levels Rated
Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors throughout the human body. The cannabis plant produces over 100 distinct phytocannabinoids (plant-derived cannabinoids), of which a handful have been studied in sufficient depth to characterize their pharmacological profiles.
The human body also produces its own endocannabinoids — including anandamide and 2-AG — that activate the same receptors. This endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates a remarkable range of physiological processes: pain, mood, appetite, memory, immune function, and sleep. Phytocannabinoids from cannabis interact with this system, which explains their broad therapeutic potential.
Major Cannabinoid
Present in significant concentrations; most studied therapeutically.
Minor Cannabinoid
Present in trace amounts; emerging therapeutic research.
Acidic / Raw Form
Raw, unheated precursor forms with distinct pharmacology.
The most abundant and extensively studied cannabinoids in cannabis. These compounds form the foundation of cannabis pharmacology and have the largest body of clinical evidence.
Present in lower concentrations but with distinct and increasingly well-characterized pharmacological profiles. Minor cannabinoids are key contributors to the entourage effect.
The unheated, acidic precursor forms of major cannabinoids. Present in raw cannabis, these compounds have their own pharmacological activity distinct from their decarboxylated counterparts.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a biological signaling network present in all vertebrates. It consists of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), endogenous ligands (anandamide and 2-AG), and the enzymes that synthesize and degrade them. The ECS acts as a master regulator of homeostasis — maintaining balance across virtually every major physiological system.
Concentrated in the brain and central nervous system. Mediate psychoactive effects of THC, pain modulation, appetite, memory, and mood. The most abundant G-protein coupled receptor in the brain.
Concentrated in immune tissues, peripheral nervous system, and gut. Mediate anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Activation does not produce psychoactivity.
Anandamide ("bliss molecule") and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are the primary endogenous cannabinoids. They are synthesized on demand and act as retrograde neurotransmitters, modulating synaptic activity.