In the last few decades, cannabis has gone from an illicit drug to a booming market worth billions of dollars. Scientists have been researching and testing the plant in search of novel compounds with medicinal properties. The cannabis plant is full of natural compounds called "cannabinoids." Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis plants. Every other earth plant—including banana, orange, and apple trees—has its own set of compounds called "terpenes."

Today we are learning about cannabinoids, but it's crucial to know terpenes are not exclusive to plants but are found in all of them. In fact, even coriander and ginger have their own group of terpene compounds. But only cannabis plants have cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); these are the most widely used and popular. More than 100 known cannabinoids have been identified in the cannabis plant, with new ones being discovered every year.

We have compiled a summary of a handful of some you may not have heard much about… Yet! 

CBG

CBG is the most abundant cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It is known as the "mother cannabinoid" and is responsible for producing our THC and CBD molecules. CBG has properties that can effectively be used for medical purposes. Growers and researchers are both working on finding ways to increase the amount found in individual plants. It represents up to 10% of the total cannabinoids in specific cannabis strains.

It is a precursor cannabinoid, which is produced by the plant during the formation of other cannabinoids. CBG is not psychotropic and is therefore not associated with the "high" that comes from consuming THC. As such, CBG is an excellent option for those exploring the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoid therapy but who don't want to get high. Moreover, CBG is being actively researched for its potential therapeutic applications.

 

Cannabigerol, or CBG, is known to treat digestive issues, glaucoma, cancer, and skin conditions. It acts as an antiseptic and neuroprotectant. CBG is a precursor to THC and converts into THC as the cannabis plant matures. As a result, there is often a lower amount in most strains. CBG can usually be found in amounts of up to 1% of the plant. Despite this, however, without CBG, the cannabis plant would not be what it is today. 

Learn more about terpenes and how they interact with bodily systems here.  

CBDa

 

CBDa or Cannabidiolic Acid main benefits can only be redeemed if you eat them raw. It converts to the more widely known cannabinoid CBD over time or if exposed to heat!

The benefits of CBDa are:

• Anti-inflammatory.
• Antioxidant.
• Painkiller.
• Anti-proliferative (Anti-proliferative means it helps slow the spread of malignant cells in the body).

Although more research is needed, combined with the other anti-cancer properties of the other cannabinoids, the cannabis plant in its raw form could be a powerful cancer-fighting substance. 

Try our Terpene Essential range, these specific terpenes interact with the same receptors cannabinoids work on, and they are legal! Fantastic.  

THCv

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9-THC-V) - If you can pronounce this correctly on your first try, you deserve an award! THCv is a chemical structure very similar to that of THC and helps amplify its effects.

Similar to the more well-known molecule THC, THCv has shown some fantastic benefits. When ingested, Δ9-THC-V metabolizes into THC, so it's best used when you're ready to feel the effects of THC. What's unique about Δ9-THC-V is that it's been known to decrease feelings of hunger, which could make it a helpful addition to any diet or weight-loss regime.

 

THCv is an anti-convulsant, neuroprotective, and, more uniquely, it can even promote weight loss! One study showed the potential for THCv in reducing body fat and increasing energy levels. More research by GW pharmaceuticals showed promising evidence and the need to further explore THCv in treating Type 2 diabetes. 

What makes this cannabinoid even more intriguing is the fact that it's only psychoactive, depending on how high the dosage is. At lower dosages, this cannabinoid is non-psychoactive as it activates the CB1 receptor in the brain and acts as a CB1 antagonist. In higher dosages, it acts as a CB1 agonist and will make you feel "high".  

CBDv

Cannabidivarin (CBDV) is a cannabinoid closely related to CBD. Like CBD, CBDV is an antagonist of the CB1 receptor, which indicates that it may be effective in treating anxiety and depression. Moreover, CBDV has shown promise in treating seizure disorders. CBDv, or Cannabidivarin, has powerful anti-convulsant properties and is shown to suppress the expression of genes associated with epilepsy. In research conducted with mice, CBDv proved to be an effective anti-convulsant while having little to no effect on motor function. More research is needed to justify human trials, but it is an extremely promising finding!  

 

 

Similar to CBD, CBDv has also shown the ability to reduce nausea associated with several conditions as well as reduce pain and inflammation. What is clear is that more time and money need to be spent on exploring this cannabinoid to increase the depth of knowledge and implications for human use.  

CBC

One of the more recent discoveries is a cannabinoid called Cannabichromene, or CBC for short, a lesser-known cannabinoid that has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties. Although most people have no idea that this cannabinoid exists, CBC is the third most prevalent cannabinoid found in cannabis. CBC has a variety of valuable properties that make it a cannabinoid worth knowing about. CBC is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound. This means that CBC can help ease the pain of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. It can even rival the amount of CBD content in certain plants. CBC does NOT get you "high" and is non-psychoactive. The receptors it binds to in the brain are linked to pain perception – the Vanilloid Receptor 1 (TRPV) and the Transient Receptor Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1).

CBC has shown its capacity for some unique medical benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory.
• Anti-fungal.
• Anti-bacterial.
• Antidepressant.
• Encourages new brain cell growth (neurogenesis).

While these benefits can be found within the cannabinoid CBC, they can work even better when paired with THC. This effect is known as the entourage effect. This means that this particular cannabinoid is nowhere near as beneficial when it is isolated as it is taken with its other cannabinoid friends. A bit like us humans!

CBN

CBN, or Cannabinol, is a metabolite of THC. Brought on by the oxidation of the plant's chemicals, this means that it's a by-product of THC through the aging process or when exposed to heat. CBN is formed as THC ages and decays over time. This means that CBN is more prominent in old or improperly stored marijuana. In many cannabis plants, THC can go up to 30% or more. In comparison, CBN is rarely found to be more than 1%.

 

 

It has shown similar benefits to that the other cannabinoids. Still, its most notable characteristic is that it promotes bone growth. Although the research is very preliminary at the moment, CBN has also been shown to act as a sedative and prolong sleep while also working as an analgesic (pain reliever). If you consume cannabis and then feel tired or sleepy, this has a lot to do with CBN.

It's normal to feel a bit daunted when you see the list of cannabinoids above. There's an abundance of information to sift through, and throwing up your hands in frustration can be tempting. However, the more you know, the better equipped you are to make an informed decision about using cannabinoids. Besides, the cannabinoids listed above aren't the only ones worth knowing about.

In summary, cannabis is a potent plant that has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. In order to get the most out of cannabis as a therapeutic agent, it's crucial to understand how it works and what cannabinoids are. Many different types of cannabinoids are found in the cannabis plant. These cannabinoids interact with our body by way of naturally occurring cannabinoid receptors located in our bodies. By leveraging the power of cannabinoids, we can improve our overall health and well-being.

Read the next article in this blog series - cannabinoids you didn't know about part 2! 

If you want to speak to someone about the pathways available to you to access legal CBD in Australia, feel free to reach out to us via our contact form or call 1300 402 420, and a team member can discuss your options!