There are many cannabinoids. CBD, THC, and CBG are some of the best-known ones. Each plant compound has its own unique set of benefits. Hemp has over 500 natural chemicals, including over 140 phytocannabinoids. This post will discuss some of the most well-known cannabinoids and their effects.
CBGa
CBGa, or cannabigerol acid, is the parent molecule of all other cannabinoids. All cannabinoids begin as CBGa. Cannabinoids are molecules that have different effects on the body. Less than 1% of hemp is CBGa. Researchers are studying its results for:
- Metabolic disorders -this potential benefit means that CBGa could help with obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.
- Tumor growth – May stop or slow the growth of tumors.
- Cardiovascular disease– Has the potential to help with cardiovascular disease.
Though these studies have provided some information, there is still much we do not know about cannabinoids. CBGa is the starting point for all other cannabinoids, so research in this area is vital to understand better how cannabinoids work.
CBG
CBG, or cannabigerol, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that makes up less than 1% of hemp. Some farmers are growing hemp strains that have more CBG. This is helping produce more research and helpful customer testimonials.
More studies are available for CBG than CBGa. Research suggests that CBG may have several important properties, including:
- Neuroprotective– This means that CBG may help protect the brain from damage.
- Antibacterial– CBG may be helpful in treating bacterial infections.
- Anti-inflammatory– This means that CBG may help reduce inflammation.
- Appetite stimulant- This potential benefit suggests that the CBG may help increase appetite.
Additional reports with CBG show promise for:
- Glaucoma– This condition damages the optic nerve. This can lead to blindness. CBG may help protect the optic nerve from damage.
- Huntington’s disease– This is a progressive brain disorder. CBG may help slow the progression of this disease.
The potential benefits of CBG are exciting, but more research is still necessary.
THCa
THCa, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the raw form of THC. When it’s unheated, it doesn’t cause any psychoactive effects. When you use heat to activate THCa (by smoking, vaping, or cooking), it changes into THC and becomes psychoactive. People experience this as a “high” when using products with THC.
Most of the research on THCa is preclinical, meaning they have only studied it on animals. Studies suggest that it may have several important properties, including:
- Anti-inflammatory– This means that it may help reduce inflammation.
- Neuroprotective– This suggests that THCa may help protect the brain from damage.
- Analgesic (pain-relieving)– This potential benefit suggests that the compound may help relieve pain.
These potential benefits are exciting, but human studies must confirm them.
THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the best-known cannabinoid. THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It’s what gets you “high.” THC binds to the CB1 receptors in your brain and affects your:
- Mood– The mind-altering compound can make you feel happy or euphoric.
- Memory– The compound affects memory. This is short-term and returns to normal after the effects of THC wear off.
- Coordination– The compound can make you feel clumsy.
- Appetite – THC can increase your appetite. This isn’t ideal for patients with problems eating too much, but it can be helpful for people who need to gain weight.
THC also has some potential medical benefits, including:
- Pain relief – This is one of the compound’s most well-known potential benefits.
- Nausea relief – This potential benefit suggests that THC may help relieve nausea and stomach discomfort.
- Stimulates appetite – As mentioned, THC can increase appetite. This potential benefit is helpful for people who need to gain weight or maintain a healthy weight, such as cancer patients or people with eating disorders.
- Reduces inflammation – This potential benefit suggests that THC may help reduce inflammation.
Cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy often use THC to help ease some of the side effects. Hemp contains trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%), so you won’t experience any psychoactive effects when using CBD-dominant products. A similar product, delta 9 THC, comes from hemp and stays within the legal limit for THC. It may offer consumers a new, legal option for relief.
THC Variants
There are different THC compounds, including delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC. Delta-9 THC is the most common, but other types of THC may offer different effects. Delta-8 is a psychoactive cannabinoid with similar effects to delta-9 THC. However, it’s only about half as potent. Delta-8 is found in tiny amounts of hemp (less than 0.1%).
Delta-10 is a lighter, less psychoactive form of THC. Since it’s so similar to delta-9, it may offer some of the same potential medical benefits. Because it comes from hemp, delta 8 and delta 10 are legal to use under the 2018 Farm Bill.
CBDa
Cannabidiolic acid, or CBD, is the raw, unheated form of the non-intoxicating compound. When you heat CBDa (through smoking, vaping, or cooking), it converts to CBD and becomes non-psychoactive.
The acidic compound has many of the same potential medical benefits as CBD, including:
- Pain relief– This potential benefit suggests that CBDa may help reduce pain.
- Anti-inflammatory– This means that CBDa may help reduce inflammation.
- Anxiety– This potential benefit suggests that CBDa may help reduce anxiety
- Nausea relief– This potential benefit suggests that CBDa may help relieve nausea and stomach discomfort.
- Neuroprotective properties– This suggests that CBDa may help protect the brain from damage.
The hemp molecule is also showing promise as an anti-cancer compound. Studies suggest CBDa may help:
- Inhibit cancer cell growth– This suggests that CBDa may help prevent cancer cells from growing.
- Induce cancer cell death– This suggests that CBDa may help kill cancer cells.
Researchers are still studying CBDa, but the potential medical benefits are exciting.
CBD
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the second-most prevalent cannabinoid in hemp. CBD is non-psychoactive, so it won’t get you “high.” Instead, it’s thought to offer a range of potential medical benefits, including:
- Pain relief– This is one of CBD’s most well-known potential benefits.
- Reduce anxiety– This potential benefit suggests that CBD may help reduce anxiety.
- Anti-inflammatory properties– This suggests that CBD may help reduce inflammation.
- Anti-cancer properties– This suggests that CBD may help kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing.
The potent compound is the most widely studied cannabinoid, so there’s a lot of evidence to support these potential benefits.
Several options are available if you want to try CBD, including:
- oils
- tinctures
- capsules
- gummies
- topicals
- Flowers
Look at our full line of CBD products here. Akira Botanicals offers a variety of hemp extracts and flowers to meet your needs. Our products are low-THC and third-party lab-tested for purity and potency.
CBC
Cannabichromene, or CBC, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid with possible medical benefits that include:
- Pain relief– This potential benefit suggests that CBC may help reduce pain.
- Anti-inflammatory properties– This suggests that CBC may help reduce inflammation.
- Anti-cancer properties– The compound may help kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing.
Although CBC studies are sparse, this compound’s potential medical advantages are pretty alluring. You can experience the effects of CBC by using CBD oil or smoking hemp flowers. These products usually have trace amounts of CBC (less than 1%). However, they work as part of the entourage effect to enhance the effects of other cannabinoids, improving the product’s overall efficacy.
CBN
Cannabinol, or CBN, is another non-psychoactive cannabinoid. The hemp compound may offer a range of potential medical benefits, including:
- Pain relief– The compound may help reduce pain.
- Anti-inflammatory properties– CBN may help reduce inflammation.
- Appetite stimulant– This potential benefit suggests the cannabinoid may help increase appetite.
This phytocannabinoid is a byproduct of THC breakdown, so it’s not found in large quantities in hemp plants. However, you can find it in higher concentrations in aged cannabis flowers. You can experience the effects of CBN by using CBD oil or smoking hemp flowers.
THCV
Tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCV, is a psychoactive cannabinoid. The naturally occurring plant chemical may offer a range of potential medical benefits, including:
- Pain relief– This suggests it may help reduce pain.
- Nausea relief– THCV may help reduce nausea.
- Appetite-suppressant– The cannabinoid may help decrease appetite.
- Anti-inflammatory properties– THCV may help reduce inflammation.
THCV is found in smaller quantities in hemp plants (less than 0.3%). However, you can find it in higher concentrations in cannabis strains with a high THC content. You can experience the effects of THCV by smoking hemp flowers.
Are you ready to explore different cannabinoids? Akira Botanicals offers a wide range of extracts. Choose from CBD, CBG, and Delta 8 THC products. Our products will give you the satisfaction you need with high-quality, farm-fresh ingredients. Visit our website today and explore all we offer! Shop our CBD oil collection now!