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Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that activate cannabinoid receptors in the brains of animals. The presence of a cannabinoid receptor in rats has been discovered in 1988. Since then, scientists have proved the existence of such receptors in the cells of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. Three types of cannabinoids are distinguished by scientists: endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids. I will discuss these three groups of cannabinoids briefly, and will then focus this article on phytocannabinoids and their effect on humans.

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that activate cannabinoid receptors in the brains of animals. The presence of a cannabinoid receptor in rats has been discovered in 1988. Since then, scientists have proved the existence of such receptors in the cells of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. Three types of cannabinoids are distinguished by scientists: endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids. I will discuss these three groups of cannabinoids briefly, and will then focus this article on phytocannabinoids and their effect on humans.

The cannabinoids that are produced by the bodies of animals are called endocannabinoids. These cannabinoids serve as so called “lipid messengers”, which are signaling molecules that are released by cells to activate cannabinoid receptors which exist on nearby cells. Because these lipid messengers cannot be stored in vesicles, they are often biosynthesized in the plants when and where they are needed.