The Next Big Cannabinoids That You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Everyone’s heard of CBD and THC, but there are over 100 Cannabinoids in the Hemp plant.  Each has the potential for amazing health benefits. From reducing inflammation to managing Diabetes, here are the next big cannabinoids, and how they might transform healing.

Will it get me high? That seems to be one of the most popular questions I found about ALL the Cannabinoids.  The answer is no…with a little bit of maybe.  Right now, THC is the only compound that we are certain has that intoxicating “high” on its own. So, what DO they do?  The short answer is, lots.  Cannabinoids have been shown to help a variety of conditions.  Some of the widely know uses are:

• Pain Management
• Sleeping Aid
•  Anxiety

Let’s dig a little deeper, though, and see what the future of cannabis based treatments might look like.

The Future of Cannabis and Cannabinoids

• CBG

 Cannabigerol is one of the minor cannabinoids found in hemp.  As the plant grows, most of the CBG is transformed into THC and CBD, leaving only about 1% CBG in a mature plant.

             Inflammation is your body’s way of defending itself from injury, infection, and illness.  It is necessary for our body’s health, but chronic inflammation can lead to many ailments, from cancer to arthritis.  CBG seems to have great promise in inflammation treatment. There have been studies showing that CBG has a positive impact on those suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBS). 

             CBG protects nerve cells from damage, degeneration, and impairment of function.  Meaning, it has Neuroprotective properties.  The anti-inflammation and neuroprotective qualities of CBG are showing great promise in treating Parkinson’s Disease.  CBG is also being studied for efficacy in treating Huntington’s Disease, another neurodegenerative disease.

• THCV

             This Cannabinoid is possibly the most exciting, and most rare of the lesser known cannabinoids.  It has been found in high concentrations in some of the Asian and African indicas.  Percentages as high as, 53% THCV , have been reported.  Modern cannabis breeding has mostly been focused on plants high in THC.  There are, however, isolated and untouched landraces that could be a source for this compound.

             THCV appears to actually be Psychoactive, like its relative, THC.  However, there’s a catch, it’s dosage dependent.  So, basically, at low doses THCV does not get you “high”.  In fact, it actually interferes with our CB1 receptors, and ,therefore, that high feeling. This can change at higher doses, but the effects are not as strong as those from THC.  The thought is that THC and THCV are synergistic, and work together for that crisp, clear, stimulating high that many are after.

              Interestingly, THCV could someday be part of Type 2 Diabetes treatments.  This 2016 study says, “THCV could represent a new therapeutic agent in glycemic control in subjects with type 2 diabetes”.  This could affect the over 30 million Americans suffering with Diabetes.

             While THC has been know to cause a late night donut run or two, THCV, apparently, has the opposite effect.  THCV seems more geared towards fasting, rather than with the munchies.  Maybe someday THCV can be used to treat obesity.

• CBN

             Cannabinol, or CBN, is produced when THC breaks down.  Light, heat, time, and exposure to oxygen will eventually break THC down into CBN.  Old, poorly stored Cannabis is usually high in CBN.  Although CBN won’t get you high, it seems to increase the sedation effect of THC.  Think “Couch Lock”.  

             Dravet syndrome is a form of epilepsy that begins in the first year of life, and claims 15-20% of patients’ lives. While Dravet syndrome is one of the more rare, and devastating forms of epilepsy, more than 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy. It is one of the most common neurological diseases on the planet.  It is more common in young children, and, as a parent, I can think of nothing worse than my baby suffering.  CBN, like some other cannabinoids, has shown promise in treating forms of epilepsy due to it’s anticonvulsant properties.  The relief of the child and their parents can be absolutely amazing.  This, now famous, news story has catapulted the Charlotte’s Web company to one of the leaders in the industry; video here.

             Just like many other compounds found in the cannabis plant, CBN has powerful Antibiotic capabilities. Methicillin-resistant Saphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is a very difficult to treat infection.  While often carried with no symptoms, some develop red pustules on their skin.  Immediate treatment is required, as MRSA can be fatal.  CBN was shown to be effective in treating MRSA in this study.

• CBDV

              CBDV, or Cannavidivarin, is mainly found in Cannabis Strains that are low in THC, the euphoria causing compound in marijuana.  The indica varieties tend to have more CBDV than the sativas.  Specifically, indicas from Asia, are higher in CBVA.  While much of the research is focused on epilepsy and seizures, there are some other intriguing possibilities for this lesser known cannabinoid.

             Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is reported to affect 1 out of 59 children born.  This percentage has been rising in recent years.  In fact, the number of reported cases of ASD, are up 15% in the last two years! There is a high correlation between children with ASD, and those suffering from epileptic seizures.  Therefore, research into cannabinoids and ASD, was a natural next step.  This study, funded by the U.S. Army, says CBD and CBDV show promise in treating ASD, and further research is needed. 

             Nausea. Its that “don’t talk,walk, or move, otherwise I might hurl” feeling.  Whether from illness, motion sickness, or the dreaded hang-over, we’ve all been there.  Scientists believe CBDV may be a future treatment for nausea.  This could be key in developing the next generation of anti-nausea medicines. Many of our prescription medicines actually cause nausea. Perhaps CBDV could be added to those, taken in conjunction, or, maybe, even replace them someday.

Conclusion