Cannabinoids
The Cannabinoid Family Tree
Here is a simple Family Tree of the major cannabinoids found naturally in the plant - scientists call it the biosynthetic pathway that occurs before and after harvest. Most of these cannabinoids are created naturally by the actual cannabis and hemp flowers and time, however some can be manufactured from CBD (or other cannabinoids) by adding catalyst chemicals.
There are also many similar molecules (to THC mostly) that can be created through various synthetic chemical reactions. They include HHC, THCO, THCP, and many others. New molecules seem to be discovered every week. Here's a nice table of many of the derived cannabinoids from recent research (Caprari et al., 2024).
Additionally, some cannabinoids can also be produced using yeast (much like alcohol).
Cannabinoids are Bisphasic
Many of the cannabinoids are considered BIPHASIC, meaning a small dose may have one effect, but a large dose may have the opposite effect. There are numerous reports of low THC doses being very effective, but larger doses actually make the symptoms worse (anxiety and pain, for example). That's why the phrase, "start LOW (dose) and go SLOW (increasing that dose)" is so important.
There probably is a "sweet spot" cannabinoid amount for your goals that is likely NOT the same sweet spot as your best friend. We all have a unique body chemistry and have different expectations, tolerances, and goals.
WARNING
Everyone really does have unique biochemistry, preexisting conditions, and mental states.
Almost all medicinal and psychotropic products can cause adverse side effects in some people. The same is true with cannabinoid products, especially when they contain psychotropic cannabinoids like THC. Be very careful. Reported or statistically implied adverse effects include, but are not limited to: cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), adverse cardiovascular events (stroke, heart attack), arrhythmia, psychosis, and addiction (cannabis use disorder, or CUD).
The Boiling Points of Cannabinoids
The boiling point temperatures of the cannabinoids are very high. Here's a quote from the best reference we've found:
"There is no practical direct way of measuring the temperature at which the vapor pressures of THC and CBD reach normal room pressure (about 760 torr) [boiling point], since at such elevated temperatures, these cannabinoids are instable and decompose." - Vapor Pressure, Vaping, and Corrections to Misconceptions Related to Medical Cannabis' Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients' Physical Properties and Compositions, Aharon M. Eyal, Dana Berneman Zeitouni, Dor Tal, Daniel Schlesinger, Elyad M. Davidson, and Noa Raz
Published Online:18 Apr 2022, https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0173ad
We have a summary of the above paper here.
But the evidence is fairly clear that the accepted "common knowledge" boiling points of most cannabinoids are not accurate. The true boiling point temperatures of cannabinoids at atmospheric pressure are over 400C, or 752F.
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BUT....you don't need to boil a substance to get vapor
Matter doesn't need to reach its boiling point to start evaporating or vaporizing. When a substance vaporizes at temperatures below its boiling point, it is just called evaporation and it is very common. A pot of water will eventually completely evaporate, even at room temperature - and it will evaporate very quickly at warmer temperatures well below the actual boiling point.
We know from previous research on vaporizers that cured cannabis flower heated to 210C (410F) for 3 minutes will usually convert between 55% and 83% of THC into vapor, and between 46% and 70% of CBD into vapor. This study is referenced on our bioavailability page.
Terpenes Vaporize First
Terpenes have much lower boiling points than cannabinoids, and will evaporate much faster than cannabinoids. That's probably why the first part of a bowl, joint, or vape usually tastes better than the last: you're getting most of the terpenes at the beginning. The authors of the study quoted above found that "the vast majority of the terpenes are inhaled before a significant fraction of the cannabinoids".
Just remember: Lower boiling point substances like terpenes will evaporate faster than cannabinoids at ANY given temperature.
The cannabinoid colors on this page represent their place in The Family Tree:
Stage 1: Precursor Acids (Purple)
Stage 2: Acids (Blue)
Stage 3: Neutral (Green)
Stage 4: Oxidized (Orange)
STAGE 1: Precursor Acidic Cannabinoids
These two acidic cannabinoids are the ancestors to all the other cannabinoids in this family tree. They specifically create a few other acidic cannabinoids that are present in high concentrations in raw and cured flower. Acidic cannabinoids get "decarbed" (usually by applying heat) and turn into the neutral cannabinoids like THC and CBD. The acidic cannabinoids are partially water soluble in isolation, but neutral and oxidized cannabinoids are only soluble in oils and fats (lipophilic).
NONE of the acidic cannabinoids are psychotropic or euphoric (get you high). Only a few of the neutral cannabinoids, namely Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC & some of the "manufactured" cannabinoids are psychotropic or euphoric (that we have discovered so far).
CBG-A, Cannabigerolic Acid
Reported to help with: pain, blood sugar, antimicrobial, tumors, antiviral, seizures and spasms, inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders/nausea, hypertension
CBGV-A, Cannabigerovarinic Acid
Reported to help with: seizures and spasms, inflammation; limited research
STAGE 2: Acidic Cannabinoids
The stage 2 acidic cannabinoids below are the direct parents of the most well-known cannabinoids, THC and CBD. These "acids" are what is in most flower products. Then AFTER blooming and harvest, these acidic compounds naturally transform into the neutral cannabinoids when heated (smoking, vaporizing, or baking) or exposed to light, time, and oxygen.
So remember, The Amazing Flower does not technically produce ANY psychotropic or euphoric compounds. It needs help from man or the environment for that.
CBC-A, Cannabichromenic Acid
Reported to help with: pain, inflammation, antimicrobial, neurological disorders
CBD-A, Cannabidiolic Acid
Reported to help with: nausea, pain, anxiety, inflammation, antiviral, seizures and spasms, tumors, gastrointestinal disorders
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CBL-A, Cannabicyclolic Acid
Reported to help with: inflammation, tumors; limited research
CBN-A, Cannabinolic Acid
Very little research available
THC-A, Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid
Reported to help with: nausea, inflammation, seizures and spasms, tumors, antiviral, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders, sedative (sleep aid)
THCV-A, Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabivarin Carboxylic Acid
Reported to help with: pain, inflammation, appetite suppressant, sedative (sleep aid)
STAGE 3: Neutral Cannabinoids (Decarboxylated, or "decarbed")
These neutralized (they are no longer acidic) cannabinoids have been studied the most. They are fat soluble so they don't mix well with most of the liquids humans naturally drink (water based). If you swallow (ingest) neutral cannabinoids, studies show that more of them get into your bloodstream if you take them with fatty foods or drinks (think coffee with cream, hot chocolate, nuts, french fries, etc.).
CBC, Cannabichromene
Reported to help with: skin health, pain, anxiety, depression, inflammation, antimicrobial, tumors, bone stimulant, neurological disorder relief, gastrointestinal disorder relief. Overview of some research is here at ScienceDirect.com.
CBD, Cannabidiol
Reported to help with: pain, anxiety, depression, blood sugar, nausea, inflammation, antimicrobial/antibacterial, seizures and spasms, tumors, appetite stimulant, bone stimulant, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders, calming/relaxing, and possibly a sleep aid. It also seems to help anxious pets.
CBDV, Cannabidivarin
Reported to help with: nausea, inflammation, seizures and spasms, tumors, bone stimulant, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders
CBG, Cannabigerol
Reported to help with: pain, anxiety, depression, blood sugar, inflammation, antimicrobial, seizures and spasms, tumors, appetite stimulant, bone stimulant, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders, sedative (sleep aid)
CBL, Cannabicyclol
Very little research available
THC or Delta-9 THC, Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol
Reported to help with: pain, anxiety, depression, nausea, inflammation, antioxidant, seizures and spasms, tumors, appetite stimulant, bronchodilator, gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension, neurological disorders, sleep apnea, skin aid, sedative/sleep aid.
THCV, Tetrahydrocannabivarin
Reported to help with: mental focus, appetite suppression, pain, inflammation, blood sugar, seizures and spasms, tumors, bone stimulant, neurological disorders. A summary paper of THCV research published in 2020 is here.
STAGE 4: Oxidized Cannabinoids
The oxidized cannabinoids below are a product of time and exposure to light and oxygen. It is a natural process that creates new cannabinoids that have their own unique effects.
CBN, Cannabinol
Reported to help with: pain, anxiety, depression, inflammation, antimicrobial, antioxidant, seizures and spasms, tumors, appetite stimulant, bone stimulant, neurological disorders, sedative (sleep aid)
CBDL or CBND, Cannabinodiol or Cannabidinodiol
Very limited research
Delta-8 THC, Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol
Reported to help with: pain, anxiety, depression, nausea, inflammation, appetite stimulant, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders