Hemp 101: Intro to Cannabinoids
Cannabinoid Alphabet Soup
Cannabinoids refer to the active compounds that can be extracted from the hemp plant. To date, there are at least 113 known cannabinoids, of which Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most famous.
Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol (CBD) was first studied as a possible cure for epilepsy in 2013. During this time, researchers discovered that CBD could stabilize the cellular calcium channels responsible for inducing seizures in some pediatric patients. Fast forward to 2018; Epidiolex, an oral CBD solution, is now the first cannabis-based medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for select childhood seizure disorders1.
This effectively launched CBD into the center stage of cannabis research. CBD has since been lauded for its analgesic2, anxiolytic3, and neuroprotective4 properties. Condensed, super-cooled carbon dioxide extracts CBD from raw flowers to create a usable oil. When this oil is taken intranasally, orally, or through the skin, CBD is absorbed through the blood-brain barrier to help with sleep, depression, anxiety, pain, and stress without the high normally associated with THC5.
Cannabinol
Cannabinol (CBN Hemp 101) is the degradation compound produced when THC is exposed to heat and light. First extracted as far back as 1896, CBN has since been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and neuroprotective effects6. It is a potent appetite stimulant7 and may reduce ocular pressure in some cases of glaucoma8.
Taken with CBD, CBN promotes deep, restful sleep equivalent to taking stronger sedatives like diazepam9.
Cannabigerol
Cannabigerol (CBG) is the least-researched among all of the famous cannabinoids but holds the potential to become the most important. CBG does almost everything that CBD and CBN can do, but it has also been shown to block receptors that cause cancer cell growth10 and mediate receptors for hypertension, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and cigarette and opioid addiction11. The demand for CBG research is now so strong that cannabis breeders are using genetic modification and cross-breeding to grow plants that make up to 20% more CBG than natural cannabis.
Taken with CBD (Hemp 101), CBG increases energy and focus.
Terpenes
The terpenes are not exactly cannabinoids, but they are secreted by the same part of the cannabis plant that produces THC and CBD. Terpenes give each plant their classic smell and, oftentimes, also influence the hit users experience with a specific strain. Over 100 terpenes have been identified, and the most common ones evoke thoughts of lime, berry, pepper, and pine. Matching the proper terpene to the right cannabinoid elevates the overall experience. Our Terpenes, Love, Cannabinoids (TLC) Standardization Profiles do exactly that.
