Cannabinoids: How and Why We Get High

Written By Michael Hadley

When people talk about consuming cannabis, the conversation usually focuses on strain names, THC percentage, and flavor. But the main reason cannabis produces any effects comes down to cannabinoids.

These chemicals directly impact your mood, appetite, sleep patterns, pain perception, and much more.

Scientists have identified more than 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, and researchers are still discovering how they work individually – and together – to create desired effects.

So if you’re going to be smoking, eating, or otherwise “doing weed,” you should really know: What cannabinoids are, how they work in the body, and where to find what you need.

My name is Michael, aka Baba, and I have a decade of personal cannabis education and a hell of a lot of research all ready to help explain: How and why we get high!

1. What Is a Cannabinoid?

Cannabinoids are natural chemical compounds produced by the cannabis plant that interact with receptors in the human body’s endocannabinoid system. For easy IDing in cannabis culture, they are typically denoted by a 3-4 letter caps lock abbreviation.

The two most well-known cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).

THC is directly responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, often described as the “high,” as it interacts with what are called “CB1” receptors in the brain.

CBD, on the other hand, interacts with “CB2” receptors and does not ‘get you high’, but has been studied for potential roles in reducing inflammation, anxiety, and seizures.

NOTE! cannabis plants do not produce THC or CBD directly!

Instead, they produce THCa and CBDa, which are acidic precursor compounds. When cannabis is heated through smoking, vaping, or cooking, these molecules convert into THC and CBD through a process called decarboxylation, the details of which we will definitely get into more later.

This chemical change, from THCa to THC, is what makes cannabis psychoactive when inhaled or consumed.

2. Our Endo-cannabinoid System

Cannabis works in the human body because we already have a system inside us designed to interact with external cannabinoids, especially those from cannabis, called the endocannabinoid system or ECS'.

This system helps regulate many functions in the body, including mood, appetite, sleep, memory, immune response, pain perception, and SO much more. It does this through two primary receptor groups known as CB1 and CB2 receptors.

CB1 receptors are mostly located in the brain and nervous system, interacting primarily with THC, while CB2 receptors exist more throughout your immune system and peripheral tissues, where CBD makes connections.

Well, the CBD-family and one specific terpene… We’ll talk about that later.

CB1 typically alters mood, perception, and cognition, while CB2 influences inflammation and physical discomfort.

It’s important to note that the body also produces its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids. The two most studied are anandamide and 2-AG, which naturally bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors.

These compounds together help regulate the body's overall balance, a process scientists call homeostasis.

“Um, actually…”: THC and CBD are actually phytocannabinoids, meaning they come from plants and not humans. However, as cannabinoid compounds, when consumed, they interact with the same CB1 and CB2 receptors used by your body’s natural endocannabinoids.

They’re all CANNABINOIDS and interact positively when combined, which is why cannabis has so many known and potential health benefits!

3. The Main Cannabinoids and the Role Players

While THC and CBD receive most of the attention, as we mentioned, cannabis actually contains a large family of cannabinoids. Each has its own unique chemical structure and potential effects.

Some cannabinoids you may see listed on cannabis product labels include (research) (research):

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

  • Psychoactive, targeting CB1 receptors in the brain & nervous system

  • Medicinal Uses: Pain relief, nausea reduction, appetite stimulation

  • Memory Trick: THC = The High Cannabinoid

CBD (Cannabidiol)

  • Non-Psychoactive, targeting CB2 receptors, immune system modulation

  • Medicinal Uses: Anxiety support, inflammation reduction, seizure control

  • Memory Trick: CBD = Calm Body Down

CBG (Cannabigerol)

  • Non-Psychoactive, targeting both CB1 and CB2 receptors (weak interaction)

  • Medicinal Uses: Potential anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective support

  • Memory Trick: CBG = “Genesis” cannabinoid (many cannabinoids start as CBG)

    • CBG is often called the “mother cannabinoid” because many others, like THC, CBD, and CBC, all begin as CBGa in the plant. Later, they are converted into their final forms through natural enzymatic processes during cannabis growth.

CBN (Cannabinol)

  • Mildly psychoactive, targeting CB2 receptors, nervous system relaxation

  • Medicinal Uses: Sleep support, relaxation, potential pain relief

  • Memory Trick: CBN = Nighttime cannabinoid

CBC (Cannabichromene)

  • Non-psychoactive, targeting pain and inflammation pathways, TRPV receptors specifically

    • TRPV receptors are sensory receptors that regulate pain and inflammation. CBC interacts with them instead of CB1 or CB2 receptors.

  • Medicinal Uses: Anti-inflammatory potential, mood support

  • Memory Trick: CBC = Calm & Comfort

THC-V (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)

  • Tetra/hydro/cannabi/varin. Can be psychoactive at higher doses, targeting CB1 receptors.

  • Medicinal Uses: Energy, focus, potential appetite regulation

  • Memory Trick: THCV = Vroom (energy boosting)

The deeper you look, the more cannabinoids you’ll find.

4. Why the Entourage Effect Matters

Unless you’re a purely recreational, “cheapest is fine” smoker, THC alone isn’t going to get the job done.

Instead, for intentional use, we look to combine cannabindoids (and other chemicals) to create the “entourage effect.” This interaction with other compounds in the plant, especially terpenes, influences the overall experience in different ways based on the specific blend.

The entourage effect is why using THC% alone to determine potency is crazy talk.

For example, CBD may influence how THC interacts with the body, potentially moderating some of its effects.

And when they’re all present? We call that Full Spectrum.

Again, more on that later.

5. How to find Cannabinoids

In legal markets like Michigan, cannabis products list cannabinoid content on the packaging or on a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from a testing lab. This is where you’ll see the chemical profile that tells you what’s actually inside the product:

  • For flower, cannabinoids are usually listed as percentages, most commonly THC%. Some nicer products will also show CBD or minor cannabinoids like CBG or CBN.

  • For edibles, tinctures, and concentrates, cannabinoids are usually listed in milligrams (mg), which tells you how much of each compound is in a serving or the full package.

  • You may also see both THCa and Total THC listed. As we discussed earlier, THCa converts into THC when heated through decarboxylation, so labs estimate a “total THC” value based on that conversion.

  • Some products also list minor cannabinoids and terpene percentages, which can give you a better picture of the product’s full chemical profile and how it may feel.

Learning to read cannabis labels helps you look past confusing strain names, marketing/packaging, and clueless budtenders tounderstand the actual chemistry driving your personal experience.

And how do you figure all of this out for yourself? Well…

!Homework!

Keep a Weed Journal

If you want to really understand how cannabis affects you, start a weed journal.

Write down:

  • Product or strain name

  • THC / CBD levels and anything else about the cannabinoids

  • Terpenes, if listed (try Leafly if they’re not on the packaging)

  • Dose, consumption method, and notes about enjoyment

  • Note how it made you feel immediately, as it kicked in, and as it faded

Over time, you’ll start to see patterns and learn exactly which cannabinoid and terpene combinations work best for your body!

Wrapping Things Up

Pop culture loves to focus on THC%, but the real story is cannabinoids.

These compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system and determine how cannabis actually feels. Once you understand cannabinoids, labels make more sense, and choosing the right product becomes a lot less guesswork.

And the science is still evolving, with new cannabinoids and interactions being discovered all the time.

Want to Learn More?

This is just the start of a larger cannabis education series covering terpenes, dosing, labels, and how to shop smarter. Follow me on Instagram for regular content!

Full List of Resources

Peer-Reviewed Research
& Government Publications

Educational & Industry Resources

  • Alcohol and Drug Foundation. n.d. “Cannabinoids.” https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabinoids/
  • Ahh Moments. n.d. “Is THCV Psychoactive? The Truth About Cannabis Chocolate and Its High.” https://ahhmoments.com/is-thcv-psychoactive-the-truth-about-cannabis-chocolate-and-its-high/
  • Better Life Protocols. n.d. “How Cannabis Affects Body and Mind.” https://betterlifeprotocols.com/how-cannabis-affects-body-and-mind/
  • Brown University Health. n.d. “CBD: What It Is, What It Does, and What the Benefits Are.” https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/cbd-what-it-what-does-it-do-and-what-are-benefits
  • Cannigma. n.d. “A Guide to Cannabis Compounds: What Makes Whole-Plant Cannabis Extract So Powerful.” https://cannigma.com/plant/a-guide-to-cannabis-compounds-what-makes-whole-plant-cannabis-extract-so-powerful/
  • Custom 420. n.d. “Michigan Marijuana Packaging Compliance.” https://custom420.com/michigan-marijuana-packaging-compliance/
  • DocMJ. n.d. “How Many Different Cannabinoids Are There?” https://docmj.com/how-many-different-cannabinoids-are-there/
  • Dragon Hemp. n.d. “CBC Cannabinoid Effects.” https://dragonhemp.com/blogs/learn/cbc-cannabinoid-effects
  • FadeMD. n.d. “How THC and CBD Work: A Beginner’s Guide to Cannabinoids.” https://fademd.com/blog-post/how-thc-and-cbd-work---a-beginners-guide-to-cannabinoids
  • Forensic Resources. 2021. “THCA: One Abbreviation, Two Compounds.” https://forensicresources.org/2021/thca-one-abbreviation-two-compounds/
  • GoodRx. n.d. “Does CBD Get You High?” https://www.goodrx.com/classes/cannabinoids/does-cbd-get-you-high
  • GoodRx. n.d. “CBN for Sleep.” https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/sleep/cbn-for-sleep
  • Hemp Gazette. n.d. “Cannabinoids List.” https://hempgazette.com/medical-cannabis/cannabinoids-list/
  • High Science. n.d. “What Are Cannabinoids and How Do They Work?” https://highscience.com/what-are-cannabinoids-and-how-do-they-work/
  • High Times. n.d. “Cannabinoids: The Science Behind Cannabis Compounds.” https://hightimes.com/health/science/cannabinoids/
  • Leafly. n.d. “What Is Decarboxylation?” https://www.leafly.com/learn/consume/edibles/what-is-decarboxylation
  • Leafly. n.d. “Leafly Cannabis Information Resource.” https://www.leafly.com/
  • LeafyDoc. n.d. “Cannabinoids.” https://leafydoc.com/cannabis-101/cannabinoids
  • Live Science. 2022. “How the Cannabis High Works.” https://www.livescience.com/how-cannabis-high-works.html
  • Lunatech Equipment. n.d. “Decarboxylation: What It Is and Why It Is Important.” https://lunatechequipment.com/blogs/blog/decarboxylation-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important
  • Medical News Today. 2021. “The Entourage Effect.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/entourage-effect
  • Medicinal Genomics. n.d. “The Cannabis Plant Does Not Make THC.” https://medicinalgenomics.com/know-cannabis-plant-not-make-thc/
  • Natural State Medicinals. n.d. “Cannabis Tips Blog.” https://www.naturalstatemeds.com/post/template-how-to-write-a-tips-blog-post-2
  • Seattle Hashtag Cannabis. 2025. “How THC Gets You High: The Endocannabinoid System Explained.” https://seattlehashtag.com/blog/2025/01/how-thc-gets-you-high-the-endocannabinoid-system-explained
  • Solful. n.d. “Cannabinoids and Their Effects.” https://solful.com/learning_center/cannabinoids-and-their-effects/
  • Surterra Wellness. n.d. “The Entourage Effect.” https://www.surterra.com/blog/the-entourage-effect
  • Texas Original. n.d. “What Is CBG?” https://texasoriginal.com/blog/what-is-cbg-what-you-need-to-know
  • Verywell Mind. 2021. “Cannabigerol (CBG): Uses and Benefits.” https://www.verywellmind.com/cannabigerol-cbg-uses-and-benefits-5085266
  • YoDabbaDabba. n.d. “Cannabinoids Effects Guide.” https://yodabbadabba.com/dabbing-resources/cannabinoids-effects-guide/
  • Zebra CBD. n.d. “The Different Types of Cannabinoids Explained.” https://zebracbd.com/blogs/cbd-health-wellness/the-different-types-of-cannabinoids-explained
Michael Hadley