Top 4 Minor Cannabinoids: Uses And Benefits

Cannabinoids are everywhere, from ordinary shops to specialized dispensaries. You might have taken CBD oil to relieve pain or insomnia symptoms. With the legalization of cannabis, people are using cannabis-infused products for both medical and recreational purposes. But people are aware of the primary cannabinoids, such as CBD & THC. Aside from these cannabinoids, top 4 minor cannabinoids offer numerous wellness advantages and therapeutic values.

Have you heard about minor cannabinoids like CBG and THCV? These cannabinoids are minor due to their lower plant concentration, but their curative effects are not minor.

Here is what you need to know about minor cannabinoids!

What Are Cannabinoids?

If you are new to this immense cannabis world, you might be thinking about cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. Each chemical compound has unique characteristic effects and therapeutic values. However, all these cannabinoids interact with the complex signaling network – the endocannabinoid system.

The phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant mimic the natural endocannabinoids that regulate many vital systems of the body. Some primary functions of ECS and their endocannabinoids are pain modulation, regulation of mood, and maintenance of sleep cycle.

The cannabis plant contains more than a hundred known cannabinoids. Among all, CBD & THC are well-researched and popular chemical compounds. Besides these, the cannabis plant has numerous minor cannabinoids, such as:

CBG – Cannabigerol
CBC – Cannabichromene
THCV – Tetrahydrocannabiviran
CBN – Cannabinol

While these chemical compounds are minor, but research studies have indicated their numerous health benefits. The recent highlighting by the researchers and cannabis enthusiasts has made them well-known compounds. Also, the cultivators of the cannabis plant are growing cannabis strains with higher concentrations of these minor compounds.

Top 4 Minor Cannabinoids

CBG – Cannabigerol:

Cannabigerol is a minor cannabinoid with a bundle of impressive potentials and therapeutic values, such as:

Anti-inflammatory
Anti-bacterial
Improve brain health

CBG predominately exerts its curative effects on the body by interacting with endocannabinoid receptors – CB1 & CB2. It is similar to other cannabinoid interactions with ECS.

Anti-Inflammatory:

A 2013 study has highlighted the anti-inflammatory values of CBG. The study published in biochemical pharmacology found that cannabigerol exhibits similar anti-inflammatory effects as cannabidiol. Researchers have studied the effects of cannabigerol on inflammatory bowel disease.

Anti-Bacterial:

Another most incredible benefit of CBG is its antibacterial properties. A 2008 study has indicated that CBG has highly potent anti-bacterial properties. The researchers found that CBG is highly effective against multiple MRSA strains. MRSA is a bacteria that is notoriously hard to kill and resistant to antibiotics.

Neuroprotective:

One of the most exciting possible benefits of CBG is its potential to fight against neurodegenerative diseases. A 2015 study of the neuroprotective properties of CBG has indicated that it is effective to treat Huntington’s disease.

CBC – Cannabichromene:

Cannabichromene is another minor cannabinoid that shows strong potential as a treatment especially in pain management, cognitive function, and brain health. CBC exerts similar effects on the endocannabinoid receptors as CBD. Instead of working on other pathways and receptors, it works on CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Pain Relief:

Early stages of research on the effects of cannabichromene show that it provides significant pain-relieving results. A 2011 study has investigated the effects of CBC in pain modulation. It shows that CBC can effectively block painful stimuli, highlighting the pain-relieving properties.

Anti-depressant:

CBC can also manage the depression that has become a leading mental problem. A 2020 animal study exhibits the significant anti-depressant effects of cannabichromene. There is a lot more to explore the effectiveness of CBC as an anti-depressant.

Brain Function:

A 2013 study highlighted the brain-boosting abilities of CBC. It shows that CBC has increased the viability of adult neural stem progenitor cells.

THCV – Tetrahydrocannabiviran:

Tetrahydrocannabivarin promises health conditions, including diabetes, pain, inflammatory diseases. However, the pathway of interaction with the endocannabinoid system is similar to other minor and major cannabinoids.

Diabetes Management:

One of the well-accepted effects of THCV is the management of diabetes. A 2013 study reveals the potential effects of THCV found that it can significantly reduce glucose intolerance and restore insulin signaling.

CBN – Cannabinol:

Cannabinol shows numerous potential benefits in pain management and inflammation reduction. Though research into the potential health benefits of CBN is in its early stages, its therapeutic values are promising.

Anti-Inflammatory:

CBN demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in a 2016 review. The review found that CBN’s anti-inflammatory properties were so significant that they reduced collagen-induced arthritis symptoms, which is an inflammatory disease.

Pain Relief:

CBN may also be able to help in the management of pain. A 2019 animal model study found that CBN resulted in significant pain-relieving effects. CBN was found to reduce pain in the rats in this study by reducing mechanical sensitization, indicating that CBN may be especially effective at reducing muscle pain.

The Bottom Line:

Though minor cannabinoids are not well-known, they still pack a therapeutic punch. More research is necessary to prove the effectiveness of these cannabinoids in the human wellness department. However, the early stages of research found that these top 4 minor cannabinoids are beneficial in managing inflammation, pain, diabetes, and other health conditions.

Top 4 Minor Cannabinoids: Uses And Benefits

ByFiza Arooj

What Are Cannabinoids?