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. 2019 Jan 28;8(1):e11637. doi: 10.2196/11637

Table 2.

The active metabolites of cannabis and their interactions with the endocannabinoid system.

Active compound Interacting receptor Mechanism of action
Delta 9-THCa CB1 Rb and CB2 Rc Delta 9-THC acts as a partial agonist on CB1 R and CB2 R, resulting in effects such as reduction in pain, increased appetite, and changes in emotional and cognitive processes [13].
CBDd CB1 R, 5-HT1Ae serotonergic and TYPV1-2f vanilloid receptors CBD acts as a negative allosteric modulator of CB1 R and numerous other receptors such as 5-HT1A serotonergic and TYPV1-2 vanilloid receptors. CBD has various pharmacological effects, such as being anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, and antipsychotic. It has also been shown to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects at lower doses [14].

aTHC: tetrahydrocannabinol.

bCB1 R: cannabinoid receptor type 1.

cCB2 R: cannabinoid receptor type 2.

dCBD: cannabidiol.

e5HT1A: 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A.

fTYPV1-2: transient receptor potential vanilloid 1-2.