Beyond THC and CBD: The Therapeutic Potential of Minor Cannabinoids in Cannabis

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Our sister publication, Nutritional Outlook, originally published this article as CBN, CBG, and more: The big picture about minor cannabinoids.

There’s much more to cannabis and cannabinoids than the famous three-letter compounds of THC and CBD. Beyond these two, regarded for their respective psychoactive and therapeutic applications, there’s a wider world of cannabinoids.

From CBN to CBG and THCA, there are more than 100 cannabinoids in the plant with different psychoactive and non-psychoactive components. Indeed, each cannabinoid counts different attributes, with research only beginning to scratch the surface of how we can leverage specific cannabinoids for specific conditions.

Let’s look into the big picture about minor cannabinoids – what we know, what they do, and what’s next.

Why Cannabis Is More Than THC and CBD

While THC and CBD dominate discussions due to their abundance and attributes, the cannabis plant offers a far richer tapestry of compounds (1). Over 120 minor cannabinoids exist alongside these well-known compounds, each with unique pharmacological profiles. These lesser-known plant properties interact with various bodily systems, including cannabinoid receptors, transient receptor potential channels, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors.

The potential of these minor cannabinoids extends beyond recreational use with emerging research suggesting therapeutic applications for conditions such as neuropathic pain, neurodegenerative diseases, skin disorders, and even cancer. As our understanding grows, so does the promise of harnessing these compounds for targeted medical and lifestyle treatments.

What Research Tells Us So Far

Despite CBD and THC taking most of the investigative attention, early research into minor cannabinoids offers some exciting results. For example, let’s start with CBN. Studies suggest (2) that CBN can improve sleep quality with evidence pointing to its ability to increase the duration of non-REM sleep and reduce nighttime wakefulness. Additionally, CBN shows promise (3) in pain management, particularly when used in conjunction with CBD (4), offering a potential avenue for relief without the side effects associated with pain medications. Further, researchers observe (5) anti-inflammatory properties in CBN, as it interacts with specific receptors and pathways to reduce inflammation.

And this is just one cannabinoid. Other highlight findings include CBG suppressing cancer cell growth (6), THCA exhibiting neuroprotective properties (7), and various minor cannabinoids – including THCV, CBC, CBG and CBDV – showing promise (6) against skin disorders. These early findings are just the beginning. With increased research, funding, and resources, the potential applications for minor cannabinoids could be far-reaching.

Finally, it’s also worth mentioning the emerging evidence to support the “entourage effect," (8) the theory in which the entirety of the cannabis plant and its cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work in concert to amplify positive effects. Researchers report (9) each of the compounds “play a substantial role in interacting and collaborating” to exert various effects on the body, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective actions.

Why This Matters and the Big Promises of Minor Cannabinoids

The cannabis plant is indeed much more than the sum of its parts, offering a complex array of compounds with likely medical and nutritional applications. Let’s hope regulators see the potential here and cut red tape for minor cannabinoids. Unfortunately, what we’ve seen so far isn’t promising. Cannabis’ most well-known secondary cannabinoid – Delta-8 THC (10) – is in regulators’ crosshairs with bans in almost 20 states.

It’s worth noting that regulators are (rightly) concerned about how some producers in this space synthesize the compound with harsh chemical processes or fail to test their products. For consumers, as with the wider landscape in CBD, a lack of government oversight demands caution, with best practices to check for third-party lab certifications, marketplace reviews, and detailed labeling. At the same time, however, blanket bans aren’t the solution.

Of course, psychoactive compounds usually attract more attention than their non-psychoactive cousins, and there are still great medical and scientific gains to be made by researching and applying the latter. Nonetheless, this is still a regulatory landscape that’s positioned against more liberal cannabis policy and it remains to be seen what happens next. Let’s look forward to the upcoming federal election and improving public perception to move the needle toward more cannabis and cannabinoid rights.

Regardless, early research is giving us an exciting peek into minor cannabinoids and medical possibilities. By advocating for sensible policies, supporting rigorous research, and maintaining an open dialogue between scientists, regulators, and the public, we can unlock the full potential of these remarkable compounds. This includes things like developing new nutritional supplements, enhancing personalized well-being plans, and complementing existing therapies with minor cannabinoids. The journey may be complex, but the potential rewards in human health make it a path worth pursuing.

References

1. Cannabinoids in Cannabis: Here’s What You Need to Know. Vitality CBD. September 29, 2023. https://vitalitycbd.com/what-are-cannabinoids/ (accessed 2024-09-24).
2. Pacheco, D.; Singh, A. CBN for Sleep. Sleep Foundation. November 8, 2023. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-aids/cbn-for-sleep (accessed 2024-09-24).
3. Sreenivas, S. CBD vs CBN: What’s the Difference? WebMD. October 8, 2023. https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/cbd-cbn-what-is-difference (accessed 2024-09-24).
4. Wong, H.; Cairns, B.E. Cannabidiol, cannabinol and their combinations act as peripheral analgesics in a rat model of myofascial pain. Arch Oral Biol. 2019, 104, 33-39. DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2019.05.028
5. Khouchlaa, A.; Khouri, S.; Hijab, A.; Zeouk, I.; Amalich, S.; Msairi, S.; Menyiy, N.E.; Rais, C.; et al. Health benefits, pharmacological properties, and metabolism of cannabinol: A comprehensive review. Industrial Crops and Products. 2024, 213, 118359. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.118359
6. Walsh, K.B.; McKinney, A.E.; Holmes, A.E. Minor Cannabinoids: Biosynthesis, Molecular Pharmacology and Potential Therapeutic Uses. Front Pharmacol. 2021, 12, 777804. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.777804
7. Nadal, X.; del Rio, C.; Casano, S.; Palomares, B.; Ferreiro-Vera, C.; Navarrete, C.; Sanchez-Carnerero, C.; Cantarero, I.; et al. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is a potent PPARγ agonist with neuroprotective activity. Br J Pharmacol. 2017, 174 (23), 4263-4276. DOI: 10.1111/bph.14019
8. The Entourage Effect: The Holy Grail of Hemp Research. Vitality CBD. November 24, 2022. https://vitalitycbd.com/entourage-effect-hemp-research/ (accessed 2024-09-24).
9. Mazza, S. New research suggests cannabis entourage effect is real-here’s what’s next. NY Cannabis Insider. March 7, 2024. https://www.newyorkupstate.com/cannabis-insider/2024/03/new-research-suggests-cannabis-entourage-effect-is-real-heres-whats-next.html (accessed 2024-09-24).
10. Mazza, S. Delta-8: What to know about today’s most controversial hemp cannabinoid. Nutritional Outlook. August 1, 2023. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/delta-8-what-to-know-about-today-s-most-controversial-hemp-cannabinoid (accessed 2024-09-24).

About the Author

Scott Mazza is the cofounder and COO of Vitality CBD. Hailing from a background in finance, Scott is well versed in the benefits of hemp and is passionate about providing people with a natural alternative to the pharmaceuticals.