The cannabis craze is in full swing, and if you are getting curious about the benefits of using weed, you aren’t alone. More likely than not, you have some familiarity with cannabis terms — you know that you can buy cannabis bud from your local dispensary, or you can invest in extracts and concentrations that take the form of oils and tinctures. You might also know the benefits of CBD vs. THC, but unless you have delved deep into cannabis research, you might not know about the other compounds unique to cannabis.

Cannabinoids, or compounds only found within cannabis plants, are gaining popularity as cannabis becomes more accessible and its health benefits better known. Brands like SuperNatural offer a range of products to help you make the most of these beneficial compounds in your wellness routine. THC and CBD are the most abundant and most studied cannabinoids — but they are far from the only ones. Understanding the full spectrum of cannabinoids can help you make more informed choices and enhance your overall experience. If you’re looking for quality cannabis products that offer a variety of cannabinoids, stores such as 25 Hour Farms Weed Dispensary are a great place to explore different strains and products tailored to your needs.
Read on to learn more about a few more cannabinoids that are promising in their health effects, and how you can maximize your use of them in your cannabis practice.

Cannabinol — CBN

Cannabinol (CBN) is the only other major cannabinoid besides THC that produces psychoactive effects — and even then, its psychoactive power is much, much lower than that of THC. In fact, CBN is a product of THC decay; over time, and if THC is subjected to improper storage conditions like warmth, light and oxygen, THC compounds transform into CBN. This is why older bud tends to have lower potency than the fresh stuff. Though research on CBN is in its early stages, there are some promising applications for CBN in medical treatment. CBN seems to be:

• A potent antibacterial agent, effective at fighting even those bacterial infections that are
  resistant to traditional antibiotics.
• A neuroprotectant capable of delaying the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like
  Alzheimer’s and ALS.
• An appetite stimulant, which can be helpful in improving outcomes for those with diseases
  that affect appetite and digestion, like anorexia, cancer and AIDS.

Cannabigerol — CBG

Cannabigerol (CBG) isn’t a particularly common cannabinoid; in fact, it tends to be present only in very small levels in only some strains of cannabis. This is because cannabis plants typically convert CBG into other compounds — like THCA and CBDA, the precursors to THC and CBD. Some breeders have worked to increase CBG content within their strains, but even so, CBG levels tend to hover around 1 percent or less.

Like CBD, CBG is non-psychoactive, and like CBD, CBG could be a promising tool in medicine. In particular, CBG might be developed into a treatment for:

• Glaucoma, considering that CBG seems to bind to endocannabinoid receptors within the eye.
• Bladder dysfunction, as it seems to inhibit bladder muscle contractions that cause pain.
• Irritable bowel syndrome for its anti-inflammatory effects within the digestive system.

Cannabichromene — CBC

Cannabichromene (CBC) is one of the oldest known cannabinoids, discovered roughly around the same time as CBD and THC. Even so, relatively little is known about this cannabis compound. Once inside the body, CBC doesn’t bind with endocannabinoid receptors the same way other cannabinoids seem to; instead, it gravitates toward other types of neuroreceptors. As a result, CBC could likely become a useful cannabinoid for:

• Blocking pain and inflammation, potentially much more effectively than NSAIDs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Fighting cancer, considering that it seems to improve the body’s innate immune response to tumors and cancerous cells
• Managing acne, again thanks to the compound’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Tetrahydrocannabivarin — THCV

Though tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) might look like THC in its molecular structure, its effects on the human body are vastly different. Like CBG, THCV is present only in trace amounts in a few cannabis strains, particularly landrace sativa strains from Africa, like Durban Poison or Cherry Pie. Because THCV isn’t a common cannabinoid, you might need to look out for breeders that extensively test their products, so you can use test results to identify genetics and THCV content.

THCV has some minor psychoactive effects, but it is of interest to researchers thanks to its potential applications as:

• A diabetes treatment. Studies have found THCV to help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce insulin resistance.
• A panic disorder treatment. Those suffering from PTSD and other panic disorders saw a
  reduction in anxiety attacks as a result of THCV.
• An osteoporosis treatment. THCV seems to promote the growth of new bone cells, which
  could make it vital in combating bone density loss.

Currently, the best way to get more of these cannabinoids in your weed is to ask budtenders at your dispensary about strains that might have higher concentrations of these compounds. You should also be sure to purchase full-spectrum cannabis products, which include the full suite of cannabinoids and terpenes without the fibrous plant material.

This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2021.