Cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant with a chemical structure related to endocannabinoids. The classical cannabinoids are formed through decarboxylation of their respective 2-carboxylic acids (2-COOH), a process which is catalyzed by heat, light or alkaline conditions. The most well-characterized, so far, are described below.
- CBD: Cannabidiol, one of the major cannabinoids derived from cannabis, or synthesized. CBD is under evaluation for its anticonvulsant properties, among other therapeutic uses. CBD has very low affinity at the cannabinoid receptors, type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2), and is not believed to have euphoric effect.
- THC: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a major Phyto cannabinoid derived from cannabis, is thought to be the most pharmacologically active cannabinoid of the cannabis plant, largely responsible for its psychoactive properties due to its agonist activity at CB1 receptors (causing behavioral, cognitive, and euphoric effects).
- CBDV: Cannabidivarin, a variant of CBD with some animal evidence supporting anticonvulsant and other effects that are under investigation.
- THCV: Tetrahydrocannabivarin is structurally similar to THC and an antagonist at CB132
- THCA: Δ1-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, the most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis bred for recreational use; as a nonpsychoactive precursor of THC, THCA converts to THC when heated (to temperatures greater than those found in the human body) or smoked