Cannabinoids
Over 100 cannabinoids exist in the cannabis plant. Explore 2D molecular structures and interactive 3D models β and read critical safety information about synthetic cannabinoids.
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
CB1 Receptors
Found primarily in the brain and central nervous system. Responsible for the psychoactive effects of THC. Involved in pain, mood, appetite, and memory.
CB2 Receptors
Located mainly in the immune system and peripheral organs. Play a role in inflammation and immune response. CBD primarily interacts with these.
Endocannabinoids
Your body produces its own cannabinoids: Anandamide ('bliss molecule') and 2-AG. These regulate mood, sleep, appetite, pain, and immune function.
THC
TetrahydrocannabinolPsychoactiveThe primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. THC binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, producing euphoria, altered perception, and pain relief. Discovered by Raphael Mechoulam in 1964.
Research Highlights
Extensively studied for pain management, nausea reduction in chemotherapy patients, appetite stimulation in HIV/AIDS, and PTSD symptom management.
CBD
CannabidiolThe second most abundant cannabinoid. CBD is non-psychoactive and FDA-approved as Epidiolex for epilepsy. It modulates many receptor systems without directly binding to CB1 or CB2.
Research Highlights
FDA-approved for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. Studied for anxiety disorders, chronic pain, neurodegeneration, and inflammation.
CBG
CannabigerolThe 'mother cannabinoid' β CBGa is the biosynthetic precursor to all other cannabinoids. Found in small quantities in mature plants as enzymes convert it to THC, CBD, and CBC.
Research Highlights
Showing promise for inflammatory bowel disease, glaucoma, Huntington's disease, and as an antibacterial agent effective against MRSA.
CBN
CannabinolPsychoactiveFormed when THC ages and oxidizes. CBN is mildly psychoactive (~10% of THC potency) and increasingly studied for insomnia. It's a good indicator of a strain's age.
Research Highlights
Phase 2 clinical trials for insomnia underway. May enhance THC's sedative effects. Shows antibacterial activity against MRSA.
CBC
CannabichromeneThe third most abundant cannabinoid. Non-psychoactive, CBC interacts with TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors involved in pain perception rather than CB1 or CB2.
Research Highlights
May promote neurogenesis (brain cell growth). Studied for depression, pain, inflammation, and potential anti-cancer properties in vitro.
THCV
TetrahydrocannabivarinPsychoactiveA propyl homolog of THC β same structure but with a shorter carbon chain. At low doses blocks CB1 receptors; at high doses activates them. Called 'diet weed' for appetite suppression.
Research Highlights
Investigated for obesity, type-2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and anxiety disorders. May assist with insulin sensitivity.
CBDV
CannabidivarinA propyl homolog of CBD with a shorter carbon chain. Like CBD, it is non-psychoactive. Shows particular promise for neurological conditions and is in Phase 2 clinical trials.
Research Highlights
GW Pharmaceuticals (now Jazz Pharma) has investigated CBDV for Rett syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and epilepsy. Promising Phase 2 results.
THCA
Tetrahydrocannabinolic AcidThe raw, non-psychoactive form of THC found in fresh, living cannabis. Decarboxylation (heat) converts THCA to psychoactive THC. Raw cannabis juice is rich in THCA.
Research Highlights
Potent anti-inflammatory without psychoactivity. Studies show neuroprotective properties relevant to neurodegenerative diseases. Being researched for cancer cell inhibition.
CBDA
Cannabidiolic AcidThe raw form of CBD present in living plants before decarboxylation. Shows 100x greater affinity for serotonin (5-HT1A) receptors compared to CBD itself.
Research Highlights
Shown to be superior to ondansetron for nausea in animal models. Studied for anxiety disorders and inflammation. May enhance COVID-19 antiviral effects.
CBGA
Cannabigerolic AcidThe 'grandfather cannabinoid' β the first cannabinoid to form in the plant from olivetolic acid and geranyl pyrophosphate. All other cannabinoids begin as CBGA.
Research Highlights
May inhibit colon carcinogenesis in animal models. Research in early stages. Important as a precursor to understand cannabis biosynthesis.
Ξ8-THC
Delta-8-TetrahydrocannabinolPsychoactiveA THC isomer with the double bond at the 8th carbon. Occurs naturally in tiny amounts in cannabis. Most commercial Delta-8 is semi-synthetically derived from CBD.
Research Highlights
1995 Israeli study showed near-100% success eliminating nausea in pediatric cancer patients. Effects described as a clearer, less anxious high than Delta-9.
Ξ10-THC
Delta-10-TetrahydrocannabinolPsychoactiveAnother THC isomer, discovered accidentally when California cannabis was contaminated with a flame retardant in 2020. Mostly lab-derived. Produces a mild, energizing effect.
Research Highlights
Very limited research. Anecdotally described as more sativa-like than Delta-8. Less potent than Delta-9. Legal status varies widely.
THCP
TetrahydrocannabiphorolPsychoactiveDiscovered in 2019 by Italian researchers. Has a 7-carbon side chain vs THC's 5, giving it up to 33x stronger CB1 receptor binding. May explain why some strains feel unexpectedly potent.
Research Highlights
Initial mouse studies show extremely potent effects at low doses. Very early stage research. May be responsible for the extraordinary potency of some modern cultivars.
CBDP
CannabidiphorolThe CBD equivalent of THCP β discovered alongside it in 2019. Has a 7-carbon side chain giving it higher receptor affinity than standard CBD. Very rare in natural cannabis.
Research Highlights
Discovered in 2019 alongside THCP. Research is extremely limited. Expected to mirror CBD's therapeutic profile but with potentially greater receptor affinity.
HHC
HexahydrocannabinolPsychoactiveA hydrogenated form of THC first synthesized by Roger Adams in 1944 via hydrogen addition. More chemically stable and longer shelf life than THC. Naturally occurs in tiny traces in cannabis pollen.
Research Highlights
Limited clinical research. Anecdotal reports suggest effects between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC. Being actively regulated in many countries due to novel psychoactive substance laws.
CBGV
CannabigerivarinThe propyl analogue of CBG. Non-psychoactive. Has been found to enhance CBD's effectiveness by modulating how cells interact with CBD at TRP receptors.
Research Highlights
Studied for its ability to amplify the effectiveness of CBD. Potential for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Shows analgesic properties in preclinical models.
SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS \u2014 EXTREME DANGER
Synthetic cannabinoids are NOT cannabis. They share no meaningful relationship with the plant. They are man-made chemicals created in labs to mimic THC \u2014 and they do so catastrophically.
Bind 100β800x more powerfully to brain receptors than natural THC
No antidote exists. Emergency services cannot reverse effects
Each batch may contain completely different chemicals
Can cause permanent psychosis, organ failure, or death after ONE use
The information below is provided for harm reduction and education only. CannaChain strongly urges everyone to avoid synthetic cannabinoids entirely.
K2 / Spice
SYNTHETIC \u2014 DO NOT USEBackground
Developed by chemist John Huffman in the 1990s for research. Never intended for human use. Illicitly mass-produced in chemical labs and sprayed onto plant material.
\u26a0\ufe0f Why This Is Extremely Dangerous
- 1.
Binds to CB1 receptors 100β800x more powerfully than natural THC β with no natural ceiling
- 2.
Full agonist (unlike THC which is partial) β it completely overwhelms the receptor with no self-limiting mechanism
- 3.
No antidote exists. Emergency services cannot reverse the effects
- 4.
Each batch uses different unregulated chemicals β impossible to know what you're taking
- 5.
Causes acute kidney injury, seizures, heart attacks, psychosis, and respiratory failure
- 6.
Associated with hundreds of deaths globally. Documented mass overdose events in multiple countries
- 7.
Can cause permanent psychosis, brain damage, and organ failure even after a single use
Documented Effects
Emergency Action
If you suspect someone has taken synthetic cannabinoids: CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY. Tell them it may be synthetic cannabinoids. Do not leave them alone.
MDMB-CHMICA
SYNTHETIC \u2014 DO NOT USEBackground
A synthetic cannabinoid belonging to the indazole carboxamide family. Emerged in European drug markets around 2014. Known as 'Black Mamba' in the UK.
\u26a0\ufe0f Why This Is Extremely Dangerous
- 1.
Responsible for at least 29 documented deaths across Europe between 2014β2015
- 2.
Estimated 700x more potent than natural THC at CB1 receptors
- 3.
Causes rapid loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma within minutes of use
- 4.
Has no medicinal application whatsoever β created solely as a THC alternative to evade drug laws
- 5.
Effects are severe and unpredictable even at microscopic doses
- 6.
Banned in the EU, UK, and most countries but still found in illicit markets
Documented Effects
Emergency Action
MDMB-CHMICA causes rapid collapse. Call emergency services immediately and report the substance name.
AB-PINACA / ADB-PINACA
SYNTHETIC \u2014 DO NOT USEBackground
Indazole carboxamide synthetic cannabinoids. ADB-PINACA was detected in a 2014 mass poisoning event in the US where 15 people were hospitalized from one batch of 'synthetic marijuana'.
\u26a0\ufe0f Why This Is Extremely Dangerous
- 1.
Active at doses as small as 0.1mg β making safe dosing nearly impossible
- 2.
Multiple mass poisoning events documented in the US, Russia, and Europe
- 3.
Causes dangerous respiratory depression (breathing slows and stops)
- 4.
Has been detected as an adulterant in products labelled as CBD or herbal supplements
- 5.
In Russia alone, caused thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths per year
- 6.
Classified as Schedule I in the US and banned in most jurisdictions
Documented Effects
Emergency Action
Respiratory depression from AB-PINACA is a medical emergency. Call 911/112 immediately.
5F-ADB (ADB-BUTINACA)
SYNTHETIC \u2014 DO NOT USEBackground
A more recent synthetic cannabinoid generation detected in drug markets from 2018 onwards. The fluorine atom in the structure makes it even more potent and harder to detect on standard drug tests.
\u26a0\ufe0f Why This Is Extremely Dangerous
- 1.
One of the most potent synthetic cannabinoids ever identified β active at nanogram (billionth of a gram) doses
- 2.
Specifically designed to evade standard drug screening tests
- 3.
Responsible for multiple mass poisoning events in the USA in 2018β2019
- 4.
Users often cannot be treated effectively as emergency staff may not identify the substance
- 5.
Associated with permanent cognitive damage and chronic psychosis in survivors
- 6.
Rapidly evolving chemical variants make regulation almost impossible
Documented Effects
Emergency Action
If someone has used 5F-ADB or any synthetic cannabinoid and is unresponsive: put them in the recovery position and call emergency services NOW.
CUMYL-4CN-BINACA
SYNTHETIC \u2014 DO NOT USEBackground
A cyanoindazole synthetic cannabinoid detected in European drug markets from 2017. Known by street names including 'Annihilation'. Linked to death clusters in UK prisons.
\u26a0\ufe0f Why This Is Extremely Dangerous
- 1.
Linked to a cluster of deaths in UK prisons in 2017β2018 where it was smuggled in as liquid on paper
- 2.
Extremely potent β a single contaminated sheet of paper contains dozens of lethal doses
- 3.
Causes instant and prolonged loss of consciousness with no warning symptoms
- 4.
The 4-cyanopyridine group makes it especially difficult to metabolize and particularly toxic to the liver
- 5.
Has been found sprayed on cannabis flower and sold as 'strong weed' in illegal markets
- 6.
No specific treatment protocol exists β doctors can only manage symptoms
Documented Effects
Emergency Action
If you believe someone has taken CUMYL-BINACA or similar: emergency services only. Do NOT try to manage this alone.
Harm Reduction Note: If you or someone you know has used a synthetic cannabinoid and is experiencing severe symptoms, call emergency services immediately (112 in EU, 999 in UK, 911 in US). Tell the dispatcher it may be synthetic cannabinoids. Do not leave the person alone. Place unconscious persons in the recovery position. There is no shame in seeking help \u2014 harm reduction saves lives.