When we think of groundbreaking scientific discoveries, most of us look back to things like the polio vaccine, or the splitting of the atom. However, one important discovery occurred as recently as the early 1990s. 

The endocannabinoid system was found during research on cannabis in the early 1990s. The endocannabinoid system is a body system that helps regulate various bodily functions in mammals.

It does this through the use of receptors that respond to substances known as cannabinoids and endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are produced within the body while cannabinoids are found in abundance in cannabis products.

We’ll discuss what a cannabinoid is and some facts about them in this article.

1. There Are Hundreds of Them

Over 100 cannabinoids have been discovered thus far, and this number may increase as time goes on. The most famous cannabinoid is THC, the ingredient in cannabis responsible for causing a high.

THC is not the only cannabinoid that can cause psychoactive effects. Delta 8 can cause these effects, though not as much.

Another well-known cannabinoid is CBD or cannabidiol. CBD cannabinoid has been attracting attention since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill.https://www.usda.gov/farmbill. This bill made CBD legal and gave birth to a thriving CBD health industry.

2. They Have Health Benefits

Cannabinoids, especially CBD, are being studied extensively for their potential medical benefits. The various cannabinoids and endocannabinoids show promising results for everything from pain relief to cancer prevention.

However, each cannabinoid will only have some medical benefits but not others. CBD and THC are among the most famous because they offer the most benefits. Some of them, like THC, can also be potentially damaging, and there is still some debate over whether the benefits are worth the risks.

There’s also the entourage effect to consider. The entourage effect occurs when various cannabinoids are combined in a single source. Their interactions with each other can skew how they affect the body, meaning that using many cannabinoids at once may not be as good an idea as it sounds.

3. Most Are Illegal

The unfortunate truth is that most cannabinoids are illegal to sell right now. Much of this has to do with research. Our knowledge of cannabinoids is limited, which means that we can’t say for sure that these compounds are mostly harmless.

We think so, but the illegal status of cannabis makes it harder to study. The good news is that things might be starting to change. With the passage of CBD and the legalization of recreational marijuana in several states, we could see an explosion in cannabinoid studies in the near future.

What Is a Cannabinoid And What Does It Do?

A cannabinoid is one of over 100 chemicals found in our bodies and in cannabis. Though not much is known about cannabinoids, they are fascinating and potentially very useful.

We’ve discussed cannabinoids and some interesting things about them and what the future might hold for them in this article but there’s a lot more to learn.

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