Gone are the days when cannabidiol or CBD was the only kid on the block. Today, many other cannabinoids have joined the stage, showcasing their unique power and purpose to the avid hemp consumer base. But even with their distinct benefits and effects, there’s no denying that many of us still don’t have a clue what they’re all about.
Ready to step out of the shadows? We’re serving you a run-down of the most popular cannabinoids to date so you can find out what they’re for and which ones are most essential for your needs and preferences.
Tetrahydrocannabinol
There’s no way you can talk about cannabinoids without running through tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. The culprit for hemp’s decades-long illegality, THC is the main psychoactive compound found in the plant. That means that it may alter your consciousness and give that feeling of a ‘high’.
These days, legal hemp should contain no more than 0.3% THC to be considered fit for processing and sale. That said, the products you’ll find on the market won’t induce that high that marijuana is known for. And for those who want to make doubly sure, there are broad-spectrum canna-based formulations that include the whole cannabinoid profile minus THC. Following FDA’s guidelines, all the CBD products you find on industrialhempfarms, contain 0.3% or less THC.
Cannabidiol
Making up roughly 40% of hemp’s cannabinol content, cannabidiol or CBD has pretty much dominated the market because of its sheer saturation. Countless studies have been conducted on the chemical compound, making it one of the cannabinoids most heavily supported by science.
While the substance is yet to get approval from the FDA, many people use CBD concentrates for a range of common issues. These include everything from acne to mood problems and even cancer. Many of those who use CBD claim that the substance is a miracle compound, able to address almost every known health issue, but the FDA has yet to approve these claims. For now,
Cannabigerol
The dark horse to CBD, cannabigerol or CBG can be found in trace amounts in hemp, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Studies have found that CBGA – the acidic form of the CBG compound – is actually the precursor for CBD, THC, CBC, and many other cannabinoids. That is, without cannabigerol, it would be impossible for us to have any of the other cannabinoids we know and love.
Aside from its role in the synthesis of cannabinoid production, cannabigerol also provides its own unique list of benefits. These include almost all of the know advantages of CBD, with other distinct inclusions like intraocular pressure normalization. Of course, CBG has yet to receive FDA approval. Nonetheless, anecdotal sources vouch for its efficacy as a stand-alone supplement.
Cannabichromenic
Here’s one you probably never heard of. Cannabichromenic is one of the newest cannabinoids on the scene, and the interest in the compound is rocketing through an upward curve. Presently, there’s not a lot known about CBC but preliminary research has shed substantial light on what it can do.
Studies have found that while CBC doesn’t bind too well to CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. However, the same scientific research also suggests that it has a strong relationship with pain receptors throughout the nervous system. For that reason, CBC is slowly but surely gaining popularity as an adjunct treatment for conditions that are known to cause severe pain. Some studies have also found that CBC may play a role in the treatment of acne and depression. Further research should help the compound receive FDA approval for therapeutic use.
Cannabidivarin
Yet another up-and-comer, cannabidivarin or CBDV is an altered version of CBD. Unlike CBD however that offers a broad range of effects, CBDV has been found to target seizure disorders. The anticonvulsant properties of the chemical compound make it a viable choice for individuals who are seeking relief against seizure disorders and even anxiety, but the substance has yet to gain FDA approval.
That said, very few manufacturers are able to offer CBDV because of its trace concentrations in hemp. If in case it does become as prominent as CBD, you should expect soaring prices due to its scarce supply and high demand.
More Than Just CBD
Yes, we’ve all heard of CBD and its alleged miracle benefits. But there’s a whole lot more to hemp than just cannabidiol. There are an estimated 200 different cannabinoids in the plant, so don’t think you need to limit yourself to just one. Our take? The best way to leverage the benefits of cannabis’s complex chemical content would be to use the full-spectrum! With each of these cannabinoids working together to maximize each other’s advantages, you stand the chance to reap their full effects.
