Cannabinoids and Their Effects: 8 Key Examples Explained

Written by Sipho Sam
November 14th, 2025
Last Updated: March 17th, 2026

The cannabis plant is an incredible gift from Mother Nature to us humans. It's full of natural chemical compounds called cannabinoids, which are responsible for the unique effects that we feel when we enjoy weed.

There are over 100 known cannabinoids (so far) in the cannabis plant, including THC, CBD, and many more.

Below, we'll cover eight key cannabinoids, their effects, and how to enjoy them via premium cannabinoid products from the Mood Shop.

Visit the Mood Shop to browse our full selection of flower, edibles, concentrates, and much more. 

Table of Contents

• What Are Cannabinoids?
• An Intro To Nano-Cannabinoids
• 8 Cannabinoids To Know About
• What Are The Best Ways To Experience Cannabinoids?
• FAQs About Cannabinoids
• Premium Products From the Mood Shop

What Are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are compounds that are naturally produced by the cannabis plant.

These compounds form in the plant's trichomes — hairlike outgrowths distributed across the plant's surface. Without trichomes, weed wouldn't have any psychoactive effects.

The plant's trichomes also produce terpenes, another category of chemical compounds that give cannabis its unique flavors and aromas.

Cannabinoids and terpenes both interact with your body's cannabinoid receptors — i.e., CB1 and CB2 receptors — which connect to your endocannabinoid system and, thus, your central nervous system to create a great time.

The effects of cannabinoids can vary due to several factors, such as individual differences, tolerance, dosage, and more.

What About Nano-Cannabinoids?

When shopping for cannabis with Mood, you might see nano-cannabinoids listed with products — i.e., nano-THC and nano-CBD.

Using a process called nano-emulsification, modern cannabis scientists can manufacture smaller, stronger cannabinoids for gummies and other hemp-derived products.

Nano-emulsified cannabinoids have a faster onset than regular cannabinoids, allowing users to feel the effects in as little as five minutes. Easier to absorb into the bloodstream, nano-cannabinoids can fit up to 200mg of active ingredients per gram.

8 Cannabinoids To Know About

As we mentioned above, there are nearly a hundred cannabinoids that make up the chemical structure of cannabis plants. Cannabinoids produce a wide variety of effects.

While we'd love to cover all of the wide-ranging use of cannabinoids, we're showcasing the ones that are most relevant to your experience with weed and cannabinoid products.

Before diving into the details, here is a quick look at how the eight cannabinoids compare across the factors that matter most.

Cannabinoid	Full Name	Primary Effect	Psychoactive?
THC	Tetrahydrocannabinol	Euphoria, mood boost, appetite stimulation	Yes
CBD	Cannabidiol	Relaxation, calm	No
CBG	Cannabigerol	Calm & relaxation	No
CBN	Cannabinol	Sedation, deep relaxation, PM use	Mildly
CBC	Cannabichromene	Calming, mood uplift, evening use	No
HHC	Hexahydrocannabinol	Deep relaxation, altered perception	Yes
THCh	Tetrahydrocannabihexol	Highly potent psychoactive effects	Yes
THCV	Tetrahydrocannabivarin	Mild psychoactive, appetite suppression	Mildly

 

These are eight cannabinoids that you need to know about because of their unique effects and prominence in products like flower, concentrates, and edibles.

1. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

THC is the well-known primary psychoactive component in products — it's what's primarily responsible for getting you high.

These cannabinoids may come in different forms: i.e., Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC:

Delta-8 THC is less potent than delta-9 and produces milder psychoactive effects. Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is also less likely than Delta-9 to make you feel overwhelmed, which can be a side effect of cannabis use for some.

Delta-9 THC is the most abundant form of THC in the cannabis plant. Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol has powerful psychoactive effects that vary from strain to strain. It's associated with physical and mental relaxation.

Delta-10 THC is the least powerful of these three cannabinoids but can still enhance your high. Delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is abundant in Cannabis Sativa strains and is known for its mood-boosting and invigorating effects.

Variant	Potency	Key Effect
Delta-8 THC	Mild	Gentle high, less likely to overwhelm
Delta-9 THC	Strong	Powerful euphoria, physical & mental relaxation
Delta-10 THC	Light	Mood-boosting, invigorating, energising

 

All forms of THC can produce effects like:

• The munchies, which is a very common experience for cannabis users. THC is a known appetite stimulant, so you might find yourself extra hungry while high.
• Heightened mood and an increased sense of well-being are common effects produced by THC.
• Changes in your perception, including enhanced focus and possible creative stimulation. The specific psychoactive effects of THC can vary based on the strain you use and the amount of THC you ingest.

2. CBD (Cannabidiol)

CBD is a minor cannabinoid, but it's majorly popular. Unlike THC, cannabidiol (CBD) is one of those compounds found in the cannabis plant that won't get you high on its own.

However, CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids may coexist within the chemical structure of cannabis flower and interact with each other, producing unique effects.

People tend to use CBD when looking to kick back and chill. For a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that pairs well with a movie on the couch or an early trip to bed, it's a favorite of many.

If you're new to products and aren't interested in getting high quite yet, CBD is a fantastic place to start. You can find CBD products with a wide range of potency levels in the Mood Shop — and we'll share some of our top recommendations below.

3. Cannabigerol (CBG)

CBG is sometimes affectionately called the "mother of all cannabinoids" because of its role as the chemical precursor to THC and CBD. However, unlike THC, CBG doesn't have any psychoactive effects on its own.

This cannabinoid interacts with your body's CB2 and CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the same way THC does, but its binding affinity is much weaker. That means the effects of CBG are less noticeable when you're using cannabis, but they still contribute to your overall experience.

CBG can make you feel calm and relaxed, which makes it comparable to CBD. However, it's not as commonly featured in products as CBD or THC.

4. Cannabinol (CBN)

CBN is a minor cannabinoid with only mild psychoactive properties. It's a byproduct of THC that forms as the trichomes on the cannabis plant degrade over time.

Once a cannabis plant is past its prime harvest point, its trichomes (the hairlike outgrowths we talked about earlier) take on an amber-gold color, which tells growers that the plant has started producing cannabinoids like CBN. At this point, the plant has lost much of its potency, but it's still useful; CBN is known for its calming, relaxing effects.

CBN is often featured as a component in products designed for PM use. It's also frequently combined with cannabinoids like CBD and HHC for even more powerful relaxation.

5. Cannabichromene (CBC)

This non-psychoactive cannabinoid plays a role in the overall calming effects of cannabis, along with other minor cannabinoids like CBN and CBD. CBC interacts with your body's endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid receptors to soothe your body and mind.

Strains and products high in CBC tend to be best for evening use. The cannabinoid can be intensely relaxing, but it's also a source of an uplifting mood boost at times.

6. Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)

Hexahydrocannabinol is one of many examples of partially synthetic cannabinoids created by hydrogenating THC. Hydrogenation is the process of adding hydrogen atoms to a molecule (in this case, THC), creating a new molecule with its own set of unique psychoactive effects.

HHC binds to your cannabinoid receptors, altering your perception and bringing on feelings of deep relaxation. These synthetic cannabinoids are a relatively new addition to the mainstream cannabis industry, but they're taking the world by storm thanks to the powerful high they can produce.

7. Tetrahydrocannabihexol (THCh)

THCh is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that packs a serious punch, though it exists in only tiny amounts in the cannabis plant.

It shares a close structural resemblance to THC, with one key difference: its alkyl side chain contains six carbon atoms instead of five.

That extra carbon atom gives THCh a stronger affinity for CB1 receptors in the body's endocannabinoid system. Most consider it significantly more potent than Delta 9 THC as a result.

Because THCh appears in such small concentrations naturally, it's typically produced in a lab setting for commercial use. Like other synthesized cannabinoids, it shows up in products like gummies and vapes. If you're curious about how it stacks up against other strongest cannabinoids, we have a dedicated guide covering just that.

8. Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

Sometimes called "diet weed," THCv is known for its mild psychoactive properties. It's not nearly as potent as THC, but it can have a noticeable effect on your overall high.

THCv is a cannabinoid with a lot of hype surrounding it, in large part due to its reputation for reducing a user's appetite.

As you navigate the world of cannabis, keep in mind that experiences with specific cannabinoids can be very subjective and often vary from person to person. That means you might not necessarily notice an impact on your appetite when using THCv products.

What Are The Best Ways To Experience Cannabinoids?

There's more than one way to enjoy cannabinoids and their unique effects.

Below are some of the most popular cannabis consumption methods and the basics of how they work:

Smoking Flower

Smoking is the classic method of enjoying cannabis and cannabinoids. When you smoke, cannabinoids reach your bloodstream via your lungs for fast-acting and powerful effects.

It's a one-of-a-kind experience that can vary based on the strain of cannabis that you choose and the amount of hits you take. It's also a lot more natural than consuming synthetic cannabinoids.

Smoking a joint, which you can roll yourself or order pre-rolled from the Mood Shop, is one of the most popular ways to smoke flower. If you're just getting started with cannabis, we recommend picking up a pre-roll featuring a strain that piques your interest.

Dabbing

Dabbing is one of the best ways to enjoy a high concentration of powerful cannabinoids and flavorful, aromatic terpenes.

To dab, you'll need a specialized pipe called a dab rig, which features a heat-resistant nail instead of the typical bowl. This nail vaporizes cannabis concentrates like hash, badders, and live resin as you introduce heat and inhale.

Bear in mind that a little bit of concentrate goes a long way. If you're just getting started with cannabis, consider loading up a smaller amount onto your nail and seeing how it makes you feel.

Pick up 3.5g of Delta-8 THC Moonrocks for just $40. Subscribe to save 15%.

Edibles

Edibles are delicious and highly psychoactive treats that often contain a mix of multiple cannabinoids.

For example, some of the edibles in the Mood Shop are made with a combination of Delta-8, Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9), and Delta-10 THC, along with cannabinoids like CBD and THCp for good measure.

Enjoying edibles is a fantastic way to get high while satisfying your sweet tooth. You can find options for every mood and craving in the Mood Shop, including gummies, popcorn, freezer pops, and much more.

What Are Cannabinoids? FAQs

Q: Are cannabinoids legal?

A: Yes. Mood offers millions of users hemp-derived THC, which is 100% legal and fully compliant cannabis.

You may have heard that the legality of hemp-derived THC is currently under attack, which could threaten the wellness of so many.

Read here to learn how to join the fight, and help us keep hemp cannabis accessible to all for a long time to come.

Q: How do cannabinoids affect the human body?

A: Cannabinoids have a diverse range of unique effects on the human body, interacting with the central nervous system and the endocannabinoid system to dramatically affect the way that you feel while high.

However, not all cannabinoids are psychoactive; some have effects that act as modulators for psychoactive compounds like THC. Non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD can balance out your high and make cannabis use more calming and soothing.

Q: How are cannabinoids different from terpenes?

A: Like cannabinoids, terpenes are chemical compounds produced by the trichomes of the cannabis sativa plant. Terpenes aren't psychoactive, but they impact your cannabis experience by creating the plant cannabis sativa's unique smells and flavors.

Q: What are the top 5 cannabinoids?

A: While there are over 100 known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, the five you'll encounter most often in products and conversation are THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC. These five are the most widely present in cannabis plants and are most commonly featured in flower, edibles, and concentrates. Each one brings something different to the table — from THC's signature euphoria to CBD's calming qualities and CBN's deeply relaxing effects.

Q: What are the big 6 cannabinoids?

A: The "Big Six" cannabinoids typically refers to THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, and THCV. These are considered the most prominent and well-understood cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.

Together, they cover a broad spectrum of effects — from psychoactive highs and mood elevation to relaxation and appetite changes — and are the cannabinoids you're most likely to see highlighted on product labels and in cannabis guides.