The active ingredients in your CBD oil are cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. These hemp-derived compounds have their own beneficial properties.

So what’s the secret behind cannabinoids like CBD? Let’s find out.

Types of Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds. The cannabis sativa plant produces 113 known compounds, the most abundant of which are CBD and THC.

Interested in the types of cannabinoids you are most likely to encounter?

Introducing the “Big Five:”

* CBD (Cannabidiol)
* CBG (Cannabigerol)
* CBC (Cannabichromene)
* CBN (Cannabinol)
* THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

You are likely to find all five of these cannabinoids in full spectrum CBD oil.

Benefits of Cannabinoids
Humans have used cannabis for spiritual, medicinal, and recreational purposes for thousands of years. Despite this, the actual science behind the benefits of cannabinoids has only recently come into question. So far, clinical studies show that cannabinoids exhibit a variety of properties. They may help with issues like inflammation, pain relief, nausea, poor sleep, and stress.

Cannabinoid Receptors
Every human has an endocannabinoid system (ECS), regardless of whether they consume cannabis compounds. Scientists believe the ECS plays a role in regulating homeostasis, which is the balance of the body’s internal functions. The ECS produces endocannabinoids that bind to cannabinoid receptors. This binding triggers reactions that improve sleep, inflammation, and pain sensitivity. When you consume cannabinoids, they mimic the role of endocannabinoids to produce similar reactions. The two main cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2.

Effects of Cannabinoids
THC binds to your cannabinoid receptors to produce an intoxicating effect known as a “high.” If you have heard of Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC, you might be confused and wondering what the difference between them is. There are two isomers of the THC cannabinoid, each with different numbers of carbon atoms (hence the ‘-8’ and ‘-9’ that distinguish them). Delta-9 THC, also called “Diet Weed” or “Weed Lite,” binds weakly to cannabinoid receptors. That is why it produces a weaker “high” sensation than Delta-9 THC, which is also the most common form found in cannabis flowers.

So far, we known some cannabinoids exhibit a variety of properties, including:

* Analgesic
* Antimicrobial
* Anti-inflammatory
* Anxiolytic

Everyone has a different reaction to cannabinoids. Try out different formulations to CBD oil formulations to see which ones work best for you. Consider full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD oils, which contain more cannabinoids than just CBD.

Side effects of cannabinoids
Common side effects from cannabinoids include drowsiness, intense hunger (also referred to as “munchies”), dry mouth, and paranoia. Each person’s endocannabinoid system and tolerance to cannabis compounds is unique, so each individual’s reactions to them will be different. Likewise, consuming different ratios of cannabinoids together can also have different reactions. For instance, when combined with CBD, THC is less likely to cause intense paranoia.

When combined with the benefits of terpenes, cannabinoids may have more enhanced effects. This phenomenon is known as the “Entourage Effect.” This occurs when cannabis compounds produce greater effects together than when consumed on their own. If you want to experience the Entourage Effect, try a full spectrum CBD oil. Its combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work synergistically to produce heightened effects. If you are sensitive to THC, choose broad spectrum CBD oil, which contains non-intoxicating cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, but no THC.

Cannabinoid Lab Tests
Before putting their products on the shelf, brands determine cannabinoid content by conducting cannabinoid lab tests. It’s important for consumers to know the exact concentration of cannabinoids in their CBD products, especially those that contain THC. Delta-9 THC is federally illegal, so only products containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC are allowed to be purchased in all fifty states.