“Phytocannabinoid” is the name given to cannabinoids of plant origin. These are substances that are exclusive to cannabis and are present in all its varieties. Although THC is the best-known phytocannabinoid, responsible for most of the psychotropic effects of cannabis, there are other phytocannabinoids, with their own effects.
Phytocannabinoids are distinct from endocannabinoids, but interact with this system as well as similarly with related non-cannabinoid systems.
CBD was one of the first phytocannabinoids to be discovered. There are currently around 111 known phytocannabinoids, however, the pharmacological effects of only 10% of them are known.
The following table lists some of the best-known phytocannabinoids and their pharmacological actions identified to date.
| Phytocannabinoid | Pharmacological Effect |
| CBD (Canabidiol) | Anticancer, antiproliferative, antiemetic (prevents nausea and vomiting), anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antipsoric, antibacterial, analgesic, bone stimulant, immunosuppressive, antispasmodic, vasodilator, anti-schemic, neuroprotective, antiepileptic, antipsychotic, anxiolytic, transforms white fat into brown fat, increases anandamide activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors. |
| THC – (Tetraidocannabinol) | Anticancer, antiproliferative, anti and pro-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic and anxiogenic, antioxidant, antiemetic (prevents nausea and vomiting), neuroprotective, hedonic and sleep-promoting. |
| THCV- (Tetrahydrocannabirin) | Loss of appetite, bone stimulant, antiepileptic, antidiabetic, antilipemic. |
| CBC (Cannabichromene) | Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, bone stimulant, antiproliferative, antifungal antimicrobial. |
| CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) | Anticancer, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic (prevents nausea and vomiting). |
| THCA-Tetrahydrocanbinolic Acid) | Antispasmodic, antiproliferative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic (prevents nausea and vomiting), anti-inflammatory, promotes pleasure, mild euphoria and well-being, neuroprotective. |
| CBDV (Cannabidivarin) | Bone stimulant |
| CBN (cannabinol) | Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer |
