What are cannabinoids? If you know about CBD, you most likely know that CBD is one of many compounds found in the cannabis plant. But what about the other, lesser-known cannabinoids? There are over 100 different cannabinoids in the cannabis hemp plant, so it’s helpful to understand what each one brings to the table when you’re shopping for CBD products to add to your wellness regimen.
CBD has some pretty impressive friends, like CBN, CBC, and CBG, but they don’t get as much attention as CBD or THC. Since cannabinoid research is relatively young, in many respects, we’re still learning about all the benefits these compounds have to offer.
Still, what we’ve discovered so far is very exciting.
So, What Are Cannabinoids?
Most of us start with limited knowledge when it comes to cannabinoids — canna what?!
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds (a class of lipophilic molecules) found in the cannabis sativa plant. Since there are many cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant (over a hundred!), the main distinction between them is the level of psychoactivity and the benefit they provide to consumers.
Interestingly enough, the human body produces its own cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system can best be described as a complex, cell-signaling system that heavily influences some of the body’s most essential functions, like sleep, mood, appetite, and pain management. This happens when the endocannabinoids attach to receptors (most notably, CB1 and CB2 receptors) and send signals to help various organs and systems to maintain homeostasis (balance).
Cannabinoids from the cannabis plant mimic endocannabinoid function in the body, attaching to those same receptors. In doing so, CBD and other cannabinoids help boost the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis. This produces a wealth of wellness benefits.** But different cannabinoids can go about this in different ways.
THC: Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol
While THC is a major cannabinoid, like CBD, it occurs much less in hemp than in cannabis’s other form, marijuana. Some people associate THC primarily with its psychoactive properties. In legal hemp products, containing less that 0.3% THC , by law, THC isn’t likely to get you high, but it can help contribute a sense of calm and well-being.** THC also has its own wellness benefits, which is why many people choose full spectrum CBD products (containing all THC content from the hemp plant, unfiltered).
We carry a wide range of delta-9 THC products, including gummies, capsules, and more.
CBD: Cannabidiol
CBD is the other “major cannabinoid,” though it differs quite a bit from THC. While THC can get you “high,” CBD is not intoxicating. Instead, CBD provides your body with a range of beneficial effects for sleep, pain management, and overall wellness.**
The Entourage Effect
This brings us to our topic of discussion: minor cannabinoids. Here’s a good way to think about minor cannabinoids: the more you have, the better your CBD or THC product works.
Why?
This occurs because all of those compounds — major cannabinoids, minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids — have unique effects on the body. But when they’re taken together, these compounds don’t merely work in parallel with one another. Instead, they actually bolster one another’s performance. So, when you use a CBD product that contains other cannabinoids, such as CBC or CBG, the CBD itself actually works harder for you than it would in a CBD-only product. This is known as the Entourage Effect.
So, let’s learn a little more about some of the main players in the Entourage Effect.
CBG: Cannabigerol
CBG is known as the “mother of all cannabinoids.” Interesting name, right? Well, CBG is actually the first of the cannabinoids to take form before converting into other compounds. It starts out as CBGA or “cannabigerol acid,” and as the plant matures, it transforms into either THCA, CBDA, or CBCA. Once these compounds are exposed to the decarboxylation process, they drop their carboxyl acid and become THC, CBD, and CBC.
For this reason, those working with CBG have to extract it from the plant in the early stages of growth — and that extraction window is tiny. If it’s not harvested at the perfect moment, it will convert into a different compound.
There’s another issue, as well. The hemp plant’s genetics only show it containing around 1% of CBG, compared to the 20% of CBD that’s present. So, cultivators, who have the primary focus of extracting CBG, have to work harder to get a fraction of the amount of CBD they’re generally able to extract. But this precious cannabinoid is worth the effort.
In addition to many benefits to overall wellness, CBG is also great for energy and focus. This is why CBG is featured in so many of our products, including CBD + CBG Morning Capsules and CBG Focus Blend Mushroom Tincture.
CBN: Cannabinol
CBN stands for cannabinol. It’s another non-psychoactive cannabinoid, but instead of being there at the beginning of the process, like CBG, CBN forms after THC ages for some time. CBN embodies therapeutic effects very similar to CBD, but with an emphasis on tranquility. Plus, CBN is known to bind to the CB1 receptor, strengthening the Entourage Effect.**
CBN is known as the “ultimate relaxation cannabinoid,” because it produces a calming effect that results in healthy sleeping habits and better wellness habits in general.** Some of our most popular calming and sleep products contain CBN, including our CBD + CBN Calming Tincture and our CBD Sleep Tincture.
Read more about the differences between CBD vs CBN.
CBC: Cannabichromene
Here we have another non-psychoactive minor cannabinoid, known for its beneficial therapeutic properties. CBC works its magic through the CB1 receptor and provides a bevy of wellness benefits, as well as some minor pain relief.** You can find CBC in any of our full spectrum products, including our popular CBD Soft Gel Capsules.
CBV: Cannabivarin
We’ve covered quite a few cannabinoids already, but we still need to touch on the therapeutic benefits of CBV, also known as cannabivarin. This minor cannabinoid is also a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, with the effects resembling the tranquil properties of CBN.** However, CBV is often praised for its ability to connect with the endocannabinoid system.** CBV can be found in any of our full spectrum CBD products, including our full spectrum Lemon Dream Delta-9 THC Gummies.
CBDV: Cannabidivarin
CBDV is structurally similar to, you guessed it, CBD. Like CBD, CBDV is non-intoxicating. Instead, it produces a variety of wellness benefits and can be useful for minor pain issues.** CBDV can be found in any of our full spectrum CBD products, including Ultimate Chill Delta-9 THC Tincture.
As you can see, each cannabinoid provides its own unique benefits that contribute mightily to the Entourage Effect. Now, let’s take a peek at a couple more of our favorite minor cannabinoid-infused products.
Products We Love With Minor Cannabinoids
We’ve already mentioned several popular products containing minor cannabinoids. Here are a couple more of our most popular items.
CBD + CBG Wellness Tincture
Wellness is a pretty broad term, but most of us know we want to enhance our day-to-day good health. If this sentiment resonates with you, our CBD + CBG Wellness Tincture may be just what you’re looking for. It contains the ideal 2:1 ratio of CBD to CBG, plus curcumin and coenzyme Q10, both of which possess natural wellness-boosting properties.**
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric. It’s a powerful compound that provides a wide range of benefits. Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, has a wide range of health benefits, as well. CoQ10 is a nutrient that is naturally produced within our bodies and plays a vital role in energy production and much more.
This Wellness Tincture contains a few other cannabinoids, as well. With CBG, CBC, and CBD-V, you’re able to boost the Entourage Effect and gain a deeper level of benefits.
CBD + CBN Night Capsules
We’ve already touched on the sedative effects of CBN, so it probably comes as no surprise we decided to create a capsule to enhance the quality of your sleep routine.** Our CBD + CBN Night Capsules contain CBD, CBN, magnesium, valerian root, and GABA to ensure you get the same quality of sleep every time your precious head lands on your pillow.
These caps contain everything your mind and body need to wind down for bedtime and sleep peacefully through the night without interruption.**
Microdose THC Capsules
All of our delta-9 THC products contain full spectrum CBD (meaning all cannabinoids are present), with additional legal amounts of delta-9 THC. Our Microdose THC Capsules are one such product, with 25mg of CBD and 2.5mg of THC per serving, allowing you to enjoy a low-grade, blissful calm as you go about your day.
So Yeah, Minor Cannabinoids Are a Big Deal
Minor cannabinoids are the best friends CBD can have. The more cannabinoids your product has, the better experience you’ll have, since those compounds can work synergistically to activate the Entourage Effect.
The hemp industry is growing by the minute (pun intended), which means we’re constantly learning more about these incredible compounds every day. So, who knows what great benefit we’ll uncover next!
Are you ready to add minor cannabinoids to your wellness routine? Check out our CBD Sleep Tincture!
