A look at hemp’s minor cannabinoids and their potential health benefits.
There’s much more to cannabis and cannabinoids than the famous three-letter compounds of THC and CBD. Beyond these two, regarded for their respective psychoactive and therapeutic applications, there’s a wider world of cannabinoids.
From CBN to CBG and THCA, there are more than 100 cannabinoids in the plant with different psychoactive and non-psychoactive components. Indeed, each cannabinoid counts different attributes, with research only beginning to scratch the surface of how we can leverage specific cannabinoids for specific conditions.
Let’s look into the big picture about minor cannabinoids – what we know, what they do, and what’s next.
Why Cannabis Is More Than THC and CBD
While THC and CBD dominate discussions due to their abundance and attributes, the cannabis plant offers a far richer tapestry of compounds.1 Over 120 minor cannabinoids exist alongside these well-known compounds, each with unique pharmacological profiles. These lesser-known plant properties interact with various bodily systems, including cannabinoid receptors, transient receptor potential channels, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors.
The potential of these minor cannabinoids extends beyond recreational use with emerging research suggesting therapeutic applications for conditions such as neuropathic pain, neurodegenerative diseases, skin disorders, and even cancer. As our understanding grows, so does the promise of harnessing these compounds for targeted medical and lifestyle treatments.
What Research Tells Us So Far
Despite CBD and THC taking most of the investigative attention, early research into minor cannabinoids offers some exciting results. For example, let’s start with CBN. Studies suggest2 that CBN can improve sleep quality with evidence pointing to its ability to increase the duration of non-REM sleep and reduce nighttime wakefulness. Additionally, CBN shows promise3 in pain management, particularly when used in conjunction with CBD,4 offering a potential avenue for relief without the side effects associated with pain medications. Further, researchers observe5 anti-inflammatory properties in CBN, as it interacts with specific receptors and pathways to reduce inflammation.
And this is just one cannabinoid. Other highlight findings include CBG suppressing cancer cell growth,6 THCA exhibiting neuroprotective properties,7 and various minor cannabinoids – including THCV, CBC, CBG and CBDV – showing promise6 against skin disorders. These early findings are just the beginning. With increased research, funding, and resources, the potential applications for minor cannabinoids could be far-reaching.
Finally, it’s also worth mentioning the emerging evidence to support the “entourage effect,”8 the theory in which the entirety of the cannabis plant and its cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work in concert to amplify positive effects. Researchers report9 each of the compounds “play a substantial role in interacting and collaborating” to exert various effects on the body, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective actions.
Why This Matters and the Big Promises of Minor Cannabinoids
The cannabis plant is indeed much more than the sum of its parts, offering a complex array of compounds with likely medical and nutritional applications. Let’s hope regulators see the potential here and cut red tape for minor cannabinoids. Unfortunately, what we’ve seen so far isn’t promising. Cannabis’ most well-known secondary cannabinoid – Delta-8 THC10 – is in regulators’ crosshairs with bans in almost 20 states.
It’s worth noting that regulators are (rightly) concerned about how some producers in this space synthesize the compound with harsh chemical processes or fail to test their products. For consumers, as with the wider landscape in CBD, a lack of government oversight demands caution, with best practices to check for third-party lab certifications, marketplace reviews, and detailed labeling. At the same time, however, blanket bans aren’t the solution.
Of course, psychoactive compounds usually attract more attention than their non-psychoactive cousins, and there are still great medical and scientific gains to be made by researching and applying the latter. Nonetheless, this is still a regulatory landscape that’s positioned against more liberal cannabis policy and it remains to be seen what happens next. Let’s look forward to the upcoming federal election and improving public perception to move the needle toward more cannabis and cannabinoid rights.
Regardless, early research is giving us an exciting peek into minor cannabinoids and medical possibilities. By advocating for sensible policies, supporting rigorous research, and maintaining an open dialogue between scientists, regulators, and the public, we can unlock the full potential of these remarkable compounds. This includes things like developing new nutritional supplements, enhancing personalized well-being plans, and complementing existing therapies with minor cannabinoids. The journey may be complex, but the potential rewards in human health make it a path worth pursuing.
Scott Mazza is the cofounder and COO of Vitality CBD (Buffalo, NY). Hailing from a background in finance, Scott is well versed in the benefits of hemp and is passionate about providing people with a natural alternative to the pharmaceuticals.
References
Kelker Pharma to launch nutritional support system for GLP-1 medication users that features TriBsyn
December 11th 2024B&D Nutritional Ingredients Inc., an exclusive distribution partner of CarnoSyn Brands and Natural Alternatives International Inc., announced that its customer, Kelker Pharma, will be launching the “first science-backed nutritional support system” for GLP-1 medication users, called Nutrilinq Genesis.
Standardized valerian extract shows acute sleep benefits after one day, says recent study
December 10th 2024Results showed that after a single dose, people taking the Valerian extract experiences an acute benefit on sleep, namely a significant increase in actual sleep time compared to baseline.