Education

The Cannabinoid Guide

Everything you need to know about cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system, and the science behind sleep, recovery, and performance.

The Endocannabinoid System

The Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of cannabinoid receptors endogenous to the mammalian body, playing a pivotal role in regulating balance and overall well-being.

Receptor Type
CB1 Receptors

CB1 receptors are primarily found in the brain and central nervous system, and to a lesser extent in other tissues.

  • Motor Activity
  • Thinking
  • Motor Co-ordination
  • Appetite
  • Short Term Memory
  • Pain Perception
  • Immune Cells
The endocannabinoid system contains two receptors, CB1 and CB2, found on cell surfaces impacting various biological processes.

CB1 is located in the brain, central nervous system, and more.
CB2 are found throughout the body on immune-associated cells.
Endocannabinoid system receptor map on human body
CB1 Receptor
CB2 Receptor
Receptor Type
CB2 Receptors

CB2 receptors are mostly found in peripheral organs and cells associated with the immune system.

  • Gut
  • Kidneys
  • Pancreas
  • Adipose Tissue
  • Skeletal Muscle
  • Bone
  • Eye
  • Tumors
  • Reproductive System
  • Immune System
  • Respiratory Tract
  • Skin
  • Central Nervous System
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Liver

Homeostasis

The ECS Plays a Role in Maintaining Balance in Many Systems

Central Nervous System

Regulates motor activity, emotional behaviour, memory, and cognitive processing.

Immune System

Suppresses or stimulates immune activity and cytokine production.

Gastrointestinal System

Protects GI lining, reducing inflammation and abnormal secretions.

Hormones

Controls hormonal and metabolic functions including energy and insulin sensitivity.

Metabolism

Regulates hypothalamic function controlling metabolism, reproduction, and stress responses.

Muscles

Regulates runner's high signalling and reduces muscle fatigue.

Bones

Maintains bone mass, bone density, and structural toughness.

Overview

What Does This Mean?

The endocannabinoid system helps regulate many of the body's processes to maintain homeostasis (balance). By supporting endocannabinoid function, we can promote overall wellness, recovery, and optimal performance.

Application

How This Applies to You

Supporting your endocannabinoid system helps your body stay balanced, perform better, and recover more efficiently. It manages inflammation, supports muscle repair, promotes deeper sleep, and helps regulate brain signalling for focus and clarity. When functioning well, your body and mind work together for long-term wellness.

Module 01

Find Your Cannabinoid

What You'll Understand

  • The difference between functional (CB-type) and psychoactive (TH-type) cannabinoids
  • How CB1 and CB2 receptors respond to plant cannabinoids
  • Why hemp-derived cannabinoids are federally legal and non-intoxicating

By the Numbers

100+ Known Cannabinoids
2 Receptor Types
0.3% Legal THC Limit

Click each topic to go deeper.

Module 02

The Endocannabinoid System

Click each topic to go deeper.

Why the ECS Matters

  • Every vertebrate on Earth has an endocannabinoid system
  • The ECS regulates pain, sleep, immunity, and mood simultaneously
  • Phytocannabinoids support your body's own regulatory network

ECS at a Glance

1990s Discovered
CB1+CB2 Receptor Types
AEA Bliss Molecule
Module 06

Beyond THC & CBD

Most people know THC gets you high and CBD supports calm. But cannabis & hemp contain hundreds of cannabinoids — each with distinct effects on focus, recovery, sleep, mood, and energy.

Some are clear-headed and functional. Others are psychoactive and euphoric. Understanding the difference lets you choose based on what you actually want to feel.

Functional / Non-Intoxicating

Support body & mind without psychoactive effects

Clear-headed • Recovery • Focus • Wellness

Major Cannabinoids
CBD
Cannabidiol
The most researched cannabinoid in the world. CBD doesn't get you high — it works quietly in the background, easing tension, reducing inflammation, and supporting your sleep quality, mood, and post-workout recovery.
Commonly used for everyday calm, faster recovery from training, improving sleep quality, and reducing general inflammation.
Sleep Calm Recovery Inflammation
CBG
Cannabigerol
Known as the "mother cannabinoid" because every other cannabinoid starts from it. CBG is especially valued for its clarity — athletes and professionals reach for it when they need calm focus without any mental fog or sedation.
Popular with athletes and professionals for clear-headed focus, gut health, and reducing exercise-related inflammation — without sedation.
Focus Gut Health Mood
CBN
Cannabinol
CBN is what THC naturally becomes as it ages over time. It carries none of THC's psychoactive effects — but it has built a strong reputation as the most sleep-supportive cannabinoid available. Think of it as the rest specialist.
Popular for falling asleep faster, staying asleep longer, and waking up with less physical tension after intense training.
Sleep Calm Recovery
CBC
Cannabichromene
Often overlooked, CBC is one of the most mood-uplifting cannabinoids when combined with others. It works through entirely different receptor pathways than CBD — making it a powerful complement in full-spectrum formulas for mood and skin health.
Commonly used for mood elevation, managing physical discomfort, and supporting skin wellness in topical and ingestible formats.
Mood Inflammation Skin
CBDV
Cannabidivarin
A structural variant of CBD with a focus on neurological wellness research.
Known for calm and neurological comfort support.
Calm Focus
CBDA
Cannabidiolic Acid
Raw CBD found in fresh hemp — the acidic precursor before heat converts it to CBD.
Frequently included in raw/whole-plant formulas for nausea comfort and inflammation response.
Nausea Inflammation
CBGA
Cannabigerolic Acid
The "stem cell" of cannabinoids — the raw precursor every major cannabinoid comes from.
Popular in raw-spectrum products for gut comfort and whole-body inflammation response.
Gut Health Inflammation
CBGV
Cannabigerovarin
A propyl variant of CBG — rare, with emerging skin and mood research.
Emerging use in skin wellness formulas and mood-balancing blends.
Skin Mood
CBCV
Cannabichromevarin
A rare propyl variant of CBC — structurally similar with overlapping calming properties.
Included in broad-spectrum blends for general calm and neurological balance.
Calm Focus
CBT
A rare trace cannabinoid that behaves similarly to CBD through distinct pathways.
Known for calm and everyday balance support in full-spectrum extracts.
Calm Mood
CBL
Forms from CBC as it degrades. Very rare — found in aged or light-exposed cannabis.
Included in aged full-spectrum formulas for recovery and calm support.
Recovery Calm
CBE
A minor metabolite of CBD found in trace amounts in aged full-spectrum extracts.
Found in aged full-spectrum extracts; emerging calm and recovery applications.
Calm Recovery
CBDP
Cannabidiphorol
A longer side-chain analog of CBD that binds cannabinoid receptors more powerfully than standard CBD.
Known for deeper body relaxation and stronger physical comfort compared to traditional CBD — due to its enhanced receptor binding.
Recovery Calm
H4CBD
Hexahydrocannabidiol
Hydrogenated CBD — more bioavailable, with a gently uplifting character unlike standard CBD.
Popular among those wanting CBD-like calm with a slight mood lift and body comfort.
Calm Mood Recovery
CBGM
A methyl ether form of CBG — newly characterized, rare, and structurally unique.
Emerging interest for gut health and mood support similar to CBG.
Gut Health Mood

Psychoactive / THC-Type

Intoxicating cannabinoids — for adults in legal jurisdictions

Euphoria • Relaxation • Appetite • Psychoactive Effects

Major Cannabinoids
Delta-9 THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol
The compound most people think of when they think of cannabis. Delta-9 THC directly activates CB1 receptors in the brain, producing the classic cannabis experience — euphoria, heightened senses, appetite stimulation, and relaxation.
Commonly used for euphoria, appetite stimulation, pain comfort, sleep, and the full traditional cannabis experience.
Euphoria Appetite Sleep Pain
Delta-8 THC
Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol
Think of Delta-8 as Delta-9's calmer sibling. It delivers a real cannabis experience but with noticeably less intensity — many users report feeling more clear-headed and less anxious compared to traditional THC.
Popular among those wanting real euphoria and relaxation without the intensity — a gentler introduction to psychoactive cannabinoids.
Euphoria Relaxation Nausea
THCA
Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid
THCA is the raw, natural form of THC found in the cannabis plant before any heat is applied. In its raw state, THCA produces no high whatsoever. But the moment you apply heat — through smoking, vaping, or cooking — THCA instantly converts into Delta-9 THC, the psychoactive compound. This conversion is why THCA products can exist in certain markets while remaining technically non-intoxicating until the point of use.
THCA is commonly explored in raw cannabis and hemp wellness products before heat converts it into Delta-9 THC.
Inflammation Nausea Recovery
THCV
Tetrahydrocannabivarin
THCV is the rare stimulating cannabinoid — and the only one known to actually suppress appetite instead of triggering it. At typical doses it's clear-headed and energizing, making it a standout choice for fitness and performance contexts.
Popular among fitness users for suppressing appetite, sustaining pre-workout energy, and staying mentally sharp during training.
Appetite↓ Focus Energy
THC-O
THC-O Acetate
A synthetic acetate ester of THC — reported as significantly more potent than Delta-9.
Known for intense euphoria and deep body relaxation. For experienced users.
Euphoria Relaxation
THC-P
Tetrahydrocannabiphorol
An ultra-potent naturally occurring cannabinoid — up to 33× more active than Delta-9 at CB1.
Known for powerful euphoria, full-body comfort, and sleep at low doses.
Euphoria Sleep Pain
HHC
Hexahydrocannabinol
Hydrogenated THC — shelf-stable, with a mild-to-moderate psychoactive profile.
Commonly used for mood lift, relaxation, and mild euphoria with a smooth profile.
Relaxation Mood Euphoria
HHC-O
The acetate ester of HHC — reported to be stronger and faster-acting than HHC alone.
Known for elevated euphoria and smooth relaxation. For experienced users.
Euphoria Relaxation
Delta-10 THC
Delta-10 Tetrahydrocannabinol
An energizing isomer of THC — uplifting and mentally stimulating without heavy sedation.
Popular among active users for energy, creativity, and pre-activity focus.
Energy Focus Creativity
THCB
Tetrahydrocannabutol
A butyl-chain analog of THC — naturally occurring with potency between Delta-9 and THC-P.
Known for pain comfort, sleep, and euphoria with a profile between THC and THC-P.
Pain Sleep Euphoria
THCH
Tetrahydrocannabihexol
A hexyl-chain THC analog — reported up to 10× more potent than Delta-9.
Known for intense euphoria and powerful body relaxation. For experienced users only.
Euphoria Relaxation
HHCP
Hexahydrocannabiphorol
Combines the stability of HHC with the potency amplification of THCP's long side chain.
Known for powerful euphoria, sleep support, and full-body comfort at low doses.
Euphoria Sleep Pain
THCJD
An octyl-chain analog — one of the most potent naturally derived cannabinoids known.
Known for intense, long-lasting euphoria and deep relaxation. Extreme care at dose.
Euphoria Sleep Relaxation
THCA-A
An alternative acidic THC isomer — raw and non-intoxicating until heated, then highly potent.
Included in high-potency formulas; converts to full-effect THC at or near body temperature.
Euphoria Pain Sleep