How Much Do You Know About Minor Cannabinoids?

It's not every day we come across a new kind of cannabis compound. But that's the case with minor cannabinoids — the less abundant but still essential molecules that, together, make up the vast cannabis phytocannabinoid family.

These less abundant but essential molecules include CBG, CBC, CBN, THVC, THC-A, and others.

Unlike the major cannabis phytocannabinoids (THC and CBD), which have been the subject of decades of scientific research and have become household names, minor cannabinoids are relatively new to the cannabis research community but quickly gaining attention for their medicinal value.

We realize that learning about minor cannabinoids can be daunting, so we've put together this short primer to help demystify these lesser-known compounds.

What are minor cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds that are found in marijuana. While numerous studies have been done on the subject, there is still much left to learn about these chemical compounds, including what they are, how they affect our bodies, and how they interact with other chemicals.

Since marijuana has been illegal for many years, very little research has been done on the chemical compounds found in marijuana. However, there have been several studies conducted on cannabinoids, particularly on the minor cannabinoids.

Minor cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are found in marijuana but have less psychoactive effects than THC. That said, minor cannabinoids still affect our central nervous systems, and scientists have studied them extensively for their medicinal benefits.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, minor cannabinoids are "chemical ingredients that can be extracted from the marijuana plant and used in medicine or as chemical building blocks for the development of drugs."

While scientists have studied minor cannabinoids for several decades, there is still much to learn about them. The DEA defines minor cannabinoids as "a class of compounds present in marijuana, usually in small quantities. Minor cannabinoids include cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), and delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Though minor cannabinoids are less potent than THC, they still affect our bodies. Minor cannabinoids interact with your endocannabinoid system, which is a group of receptors throughout your body.

Endocannabinoids help control many bodily functions, including memory, mood, appetite, and pain. These compounds function differently in your body, but they share chemical structures with the more psychoactive cannabinoids.

How do terpenes fit into the minor cannabinoid picture?

Terpenes are the aromatic molecules that give cannabis its distinctive aroma and flavor. The terpenes in a cannabis product are largely determined by where the cannabis was grown, so products grown indoors have a distinctly different terpene profile than those grown outdoors.

Why does it matter? Terpenes can provide benefits beyond aroma and flavor. For example, some terpenes act as antioxidants, potentially helping to protect cells from damage. While research on this is still in its infancy, some cannabis strains have been found to have higher concentrations of terpenes with antioxidant properties than others.

Minor cannabinoids contain these terpenes. For example, myrcene, one of the terpenes found in cannabigerol and cannabichromene interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This network of receptors throughout the body plays a role in a wide range of biological functions, including stress, sleep, appetite, and pain.

The ECS is thought to regulate pain, mood, appetite, memory, and other functions. Because it has such a central role in human physiology, researchers are interested in harnessing the ECS to treat disease.

Cannabinoids are synthetic molecules designed to mimic the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. Cannabinoid-based medications are made to treat many conditions, including chronic pain, nausea, vomiting, and muscle spasms.

Why are minor cannabinoids important?

The term "cannabinoid" includes compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body. Because the body naturally produces cannabinoids, they are known as endogenous cannabinoids.

Endogenous cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems and the immune system. Their effects include enhancing mood, painkilling, and regulating appetite.

Cannabinoids can also have significant effects on cell growth, cell division, and apoptosis. Apoptosis is the natural process of cell suicide, which plays a role in aging, cancer, and other diseases.

In addition to their essential effects as neurotransmitters and drugs, cannabinoids can also be produced synthetically for medical and research purposes.

CBC

CBC, or cannabichromene, is a mysterious cannabinoid that is only produced in trace amounts by many strains. This chemical compound is a byproduct of terpene degradation that occurs when THC is broken down. While CBC does not display psychoactive effects, it does produce an elusive effect that is somewhat reminiscent of the high experienced when consuming marijuana.

Although CBC does not produce a high, it does create a sensation that is oddly similar to THC. The feeling of CBC is often referred to as "the munchies" and is experienced most often in novice consumers.

CBC hasn't been studied extensively, but preliminary studies indicate that CBC has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which helps explain why this cannabinoid is often linked to treating chronic pain.

CBC has also been shown to help reduce anxiety, improve focus, and relieve depression. Evidence suggests that CBC can also increase appetite, which can help those suffering from AIDS-related wasting disease.

CBN

CBN binds to a specific receptor in the brain that impacts sleep, appetite, and mood. This receptor is called CB1, and this cannabinoid has been studied for its analgesic properties, which means that it may help to reduce pain.

CBN has also shown promise for pain relief without altering consciousness. Some studies show that CBN is a more potent anti-inflammatory than THC, which means this cannabinoid may combat pain without psychoactive effects.

CBG

CBG has similar effects to THC in that it stimulates the CB1 receptors in the brain. CBG can also bind to the CB2 receptors. However, it has a weaker binding affinity than THC.

CBG has a wide variety of medical applications. Its analgesic properties, for example, make it a popular choice for pain relief treatments. CBG is also a powerful anti-psychotic.

Some researchers believe that CBG may be more effective than THC in treating certain medical conditions. However, CBG's effectiveness is still being evaluated in clinical trials.

THCV

THCV cannabidiol is mainly found in the resin glands of cannabis plants. The resin glands are sticky structures that can be tapped off of the cannabis plant.

THCV cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. Some studies have shown that THCV cannabidiol produces anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. It also can decrease food intake and induce sleep.

The therapeutic effects of THCV cannabidiol have been investigated in several studies, and studies have been conducted on rats, mice, dogs, and humans.

Final Thoughts

When all of the natural components of cannabis are kept together, they trigger the entourage effect, which is an expression of their synergistic relationship. These are just a few minor cannabinoids that have a significant impact on the international cannabis economy. From there, a cannabidiod renaissance will begin as other varieties such as CBDa and THCa gain popularity.