A cannabinoid is a chemical compound found in cannabis called phytocannabinoids and also produced within the human body called endocannabinoids. Phytocannabinoids mimic the effects of endocannabinoids and are associated with the euphoric effects of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in humans.
Cannabinoids (/kəˈnæbənɔɪdzˌ ˈkænəbənɔɪdz/) are several structural classes of compounds found primarily in the Cannabis plant or as synthetic compounds. The most notable cannabinoid is the phytocannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (delta-9-THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is also a major constituent of temperate cannabis plants and a minor constituent in tropical varieties. At least 100 distinct phytocannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis, although only four (i.e., THCA, CBDA, CBCA and their common precursor CBGA) have been demonstrated to have a biogenetic origin. It was reported in 2020 that phytocannabinoids can be found in other plants such as rhododendron, licorice and liverwort
Phytocannabinoids are multi-ring phenolic compounds structurally related to THC, but endocannabinoids are fatty acid derivatives. Nonclassical synthetic cannabinoids (cannabimimetics) include aminoalkylindoles, 1,5-diarylpyrazoles, quinolines, and arylsulfonamides as well as eicosanoids related to endocannabinoids.
English
Etymology
From cannab(is) + -in + -oid.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈkænəbəˌnɔɪd/
Noun
cannabinoid (plural cannabinoids)
- (organic chemistry) Substance that is structurally related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive compound present in cannabis, or that bind to cannabinoid receptors.
Hyponyms
- cannabinol / CBN
- cannabidiol / CBD
- cannabigerol / CBG
- endocannabinoid
- tetrahydrocannabinol
