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CBD: What are the other cannabinoids in full-spectrum hemp products?

full spectrum hemp products

If you have been thinking about giving CBD a try – or even just beginning some research into this popular supplement – you may have noticed a number of products labeled as “Full-Spectrum” or “Broad-Spectrum” Hemp Extracts. And if you’re like us, you’ve probably been wondering about the “spectrum” indicated by these labels. Plus, just what exactly these classifications mean in terms of the product’s therapeutic value?

When referring to hemp products, the term “Full-Spectrum” means that the hemp extract used to create the product contains other cannabinoids. Well technically, “phytocannabinoids” in addition to CBD. Let’s begin by reviewing what is meant by the term “cannabinoid”. Phytocannabinoids are naturally-occurring chemical compounds found within the cannabis plant, which bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Phytocannabinoids are produced by plants, versus endocannabinoids, which are produced within our bodies. We refer to this group of chemical compounds collectively as “cannabinoids”.

Understanding Full-Spectrum Hemp Products

Cannabinoid compounds are responsible for the wide array of therapeutic benefits that have been attributed to cannabis. Some of these include alleviation of both acute and chronic pain, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia, among many other benefits. The most well-known phytocannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). If you are concerned about the psychoactive effects often attributed to THC, it is important to note that products labeled as hemp extracts in the United States must contain no more than 0.03% THC in total. This means all forms of THC, including THCV and other derivatives as confirmed by independent labs. Therefore, the likelihood of experiencing any of these unwanted effects is nearly non-existent. 

The Entourage Effect

When research into the therapeutic value of cannabis began, CBD was identified as the chemical responsible for mitigating some of the more intense or undesirable psychoactive effects related to THC. Due to this, many hypothesized that CBD in its purest, most isolated form would be the safest and most effective form of cannabis therapy for those seeking medical treatment. However, as research into the therapeutic uses for hemp progressed, this theory was proven false. Scientists discovered that the other phytocannabinoids contained within the cannabis plant had the greatest desired effect when used in conjunction with one another. This is referred to as the “entourage effect”. The term is used to refer to the synergistic effect of all of the phytocannabinoids and terpenes contained within hemp or cannabis plants. It is the explanation for why many CBD enthusiasts greatly prefer to use “Broad-Spectrum” or “Full-Spectrum” CBD products, which contain a variety of cannabinoids in addition to cannabidiol. 

The opposite of a “Full-Spectrum” Hemp product is a CBD “Isolate”, or a product which is 100% isolated cannabidiol. It does not contain any other cannabinoids, even in trace amounts. While we don’t recommend isolates for everyone, they are still the right choice for many people wanting to try CBD. This is especially true for those concerned about the presence of other cannabinoids. We currently offer two strengths of CBD isolate. If you want to learn more about the different types of CBD products available, check out our post explaining the differences between CBD Isolate and Full-Spectrum Hemp. And if you would like help choosing which strength of the product to try, we think our guide to CBD Dosing is a good place to start. 

The Cannabinoids

There are over 100 cannabinoid compounds found within the cannabis plant. Due to this, we are going to focus on the ones which are the subject of most recent research, and the most likely to be familiar to consumers. One note is that the cannabis plant itself does not actually include the cannabinoid compounds that are most often discussed, such as THC and CBD. Instead, raw cannabis flower contains cannabinoid acid forms of these compounds. These must be decarboxylated in order for the cannabinoid acids to be converted into the neutral cannabinoid compound forms utilized most efficiently by the body. These cannabinoid acids (and their “decarbed” counterparts) include:

  • THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) – converts to THC
  • THCVA (tetrahydrocannabivarin acid) – converts to THCV
  • CBCA (cannabichromenic acid) – converts to CBC
  • CBCVA (cannabichromevarinic acid) – converts to CBCV
  • CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) – converts to CBD
  • CBDVA (cannabidivarinic acid) – converts to CBDV
  • CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) – converts to CBG
  • CBGVA (cannabigerovarinic acid) – converts to CBGV
  • CBN (cannabinol) 

The Science of Naming Cannabinoids

You may have noticed that most of these cannabinoids have names that look very similar to one another. Certain compounds are what is known as “homologs”, or a series of organic compounds that belong to the same group (or column) of the periodic table. However, they differ from one another only slightly in their molecular structures. Specifically, homologs are a variety of analog, in that they differ from their related compounds by a “repeating unit”. Our cannabinoids typically differ from one another with regard to the number of carbon atoms found in the molecule’s side chain. While this is only a very minimal difference on the surface, the effects within the human body can vary considerably between homologs. When discussing cannabinoids, you can expect to see certain compounds described as “propyl homologs” or “pentyl homologs”. Propyl homologs have three carbon atoms in their side chains while pentyl homologs have five carbon atoms. For example, CBGV is classified as the “propyl homolog” of CBG and CBCV is the propyl homolog of CBC. 

Next, we are delving into a deeper explanation of each of these cannabinoids. In addition to the ways in which they may be responsible for some of the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. 

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

THC is probably the most well known of all the cannabinoids. As THC is considered primarily responsible for the psychoactive (and sometimes unpleasant) effects of the cannabis plant, it is also one of the few cannabinoids that are specifically regulated by Federal Law in the United States. Hemp extracts for sale in the US must contain no more than 0.03% THC to avoid being in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. 

Even though THC has a reputation for being the cannabinoid most responsible for the “high” associated with traditional cannabis use, it also has medicinal value as an antiemetic (anti-nausea medication), analgesic (pain reliever), and as an antioxidant found to potentially have neuroprotective effects. This means it could help guard against certain oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases. These include cerebral ischemia, Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

THCV, as you’ve likely guessed, is closely related to THC in molecular structure, however, its effects are much different

Whereas THC is often considered an appetite stimulant, THCV may act as an appetite suppressant. This may be beneficial for some patients, but could also potentially be detrimental for others. THCV has also shown potential benefits to diabetic patients. This is due to its ability to regulate blood sugar and reduce resistance to insulin. 

It has also been suggested that THCV could potentially be used to:

  • treat anxiety and panic attacks, including the symptoms related to PTSD,
  • as well as helping to improve tremors, motor control, and brain lesions in those experiencing Alzheimer’s Disease.

However, at this time we do not yet have research confirming these theories. We do, however, have one study which suggests that THCV suppresses seizure activity in adult rats. Additionally, scientists are researching the effects of THCV on bone growth. The hypothesis here is that it could potentially be used to help treat conditions such as osteoporosis.

Cannabichromene (CBC)

Cannabichromene, or CBC (along with THC, CBD and CBN) is one of the most abundant phytocannabinoids found in most cannabis strains. Likely due to its abundance, it has also been the focus of considerable research in recent years, and has shown great promise in a number of applications.

To begin, CBC has been shown to have strong antibacterial and moderate antifungal properties. Additionally, it could be involved in the cannabis plant’s own system of defense against viruses and infections. However, one of the most promising aspects of CBC in terms of therapeutic use is surprisingly not its ability to help stave off infection, but rather its potential as a powerful anti-inflammatory. 

In studies, CBC hasreduced inflammation and swelling in the intestinal tract in mice. This could be extremely beneficial for those battling inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s Disease, along with other autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. And although it has not shown the same strong analgesic properties like THC, CBC still has a noticeable impact on pain reduction.

Similarly to CBD, CBC has also been shown to be a contributor to the “mood-elevating” effects of cannabis. This can be helpful for those treating depression. Interestingly, CBC also appears to encourage neurogenesis or the growth of new brain cells. 

Additionally (though not quite as effective as cannabidiol) CBC also has “anti-proliferative” properties. This means it may help to inhibit the growth of certain cancerous tumors, such as those found in breast cancer. It is believed that this anti-proliferative effect of cannabis therapy is the result of the interaction between CBC and anandamide, an endocannabinoid produced naturally within our bodies. It is theorized that CBC inhibits the uptake of anandamide. Therefore, leaving more anandamide available in the body, for a longer period of time.

Cannabichromevarin (CBCV)

Cannabichromevarin was first identified in 1975by researchers at the University of Nagasaki in Japan when they isolated the CBCV compound from a cannabis sample from Thailand. Unfortunately, it has not been the subject of a tremendous amount of research since then. Because of this, CBCV is certainly not as well-known to the general public or average CBD consumer as some of the other cannabinoids we have mentioned, but that does not mean we should underestimate its importance to the medical community. Due to its similarity to CBC, CBCV has been theorized to have potential as an effective:

  • anticonvulsant,
  • analgesic,
  • antibiotic,
  • antifungal,
  • anti-inflammatory,
  • antidepressant,
  • as well as a powerful anandamide reuptake inhibitor.

CBCV is contained in many products categorized as “medical marijuana”, and is generally considered safe for use by adults. Of course, always consult your personal healthcare provider before beginning any new supplemental therapy. We do not yet have research available to decisively say if CBCV would be an effective therapy when isolated from other cannabinoids, but because CBCV is not believed to have any impairing or psychoactive effects, it could be a potentially safe and effective option for patients who are otherwise not good candidates for medical cannabis or full-spectrum hemp products.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

CBD is likely the cannabinoid that brought you to this page, and the one with which the majority of consumers are most familiar, perhaps second only to THC. Cannabidiol is known to be a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid with potential benefits including “analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic and chemopreventive activities.” The FDA has even approved one cannabidiol-derived drug, “Epidiolex”, for the treatment of “seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients two years of age and older.”

Cannabidivarin (CBDV)

Similarly to its homolog CBD, CBDV is being explored for its potential as a pharmaceutical anticonvulsant. It is useful in the treatment of recurrent seizures, with fewer side-effects than most currently approved anti-epileptic medications. It is also being explored as a treatment option for patients with

In February 2018, CBDV was also designated as an “orphan” medication by the European Medicines Agency (meaning a medication approved to treat a rare disease) for the treatment of Fragile X Syndrome.

Cannabigerol (CBG)

CBG is considered a foundational component of the cannabis plant and is described by some as the “granddaddy” of several other cannabinoids. This is because, while CBGA may convert to CBG during decarboxylation, it more often converts to become THC, CBD, or CDC, which we have learned are powerfully beneficial compounds integral to the therapeutic effects of the plant. 

In the cannabis plant itself, CBGA is produced in the trichomes of the plant. It is believed to provide a protective function, targeting certain plant cells for necrosis in order to facilitate natural pruning and maximize resources directed towards the plant’s flower. In mammals, CBG has been found to have not only antifungal properties but to be “an effective cytotoxin on human epithelial carcinoma, an effective phytocannabinoid against breast cancer” and to demonstrate “antidepressant, antihypertensive and MRSA agonist activities”.

Cannabigerovarin (CBGV)

Similarly to several other cannabinoids, CBGV is thought to hold potential for treating cancer. St, George’s Medical School, at the University of London, found that CBGV “was shown to be cytostatic in leukemic cells and caused a simultaneous arrest at all phases of the cell cycle.” CBGV is also considered one of the non-psychoactive cannabinoids that could be useful in treating dermatological conditions such as

  • dry skin,
  • seborrheic dermatitis,
  • and acne.

Additionally, it has a potential value in the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions, all likely due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Cannabinol (CBN)

Unlike most of the other cannabinoids we’ve mentioned, very little cannabinolic acid (CBNA) is usually found in cannabis plants. This is because, unlike most other cannabinoid acids, it does not originate from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Rather, the majority of CBN found within cannabis plants is the “nonenzymatic oxidation byproduct of THC”. Typically, it is only found in high quantities in aged cannabis that has been exposed to the air or ultraviolet light. CBN is also found in higher quantities in traditionally produced hashish. It is hypothesized that CBN could have potential use as an immunosuppressive and/or anti-inflammatory medication.

Ultimately, the most important fact that we want you to take away from this article is that cannabis products produce the most desirable effects when all of the plant’s components are utilized concurrently. In some cases, such as when one’s employer requires drug testing, a CBD Isolate product may be preferred. However, in the majority of scenarios, it is more recommended to use a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum hemp product. This ensures you maximize the plant’s numerous benefits.

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