Know Your Cannabinoids!

All cannabis brands are now required to provide lab results, or “certificates of analysis” with their products – but how adept are you at reading them and knowing what effects the components of the plant have on your body? We’re here to lay it out for you plain and simple so you interpret labs like a champion.

This guide covers the cannabinoids you may find in a full spectrum hemp oil including Δ9 THC, Δ8 THC, THCa, THCv, CBD, CBDa, CBDv, CBG, CBGa, CBN and CBC.

Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, Select Spectrum & Isolate

Did you know that CBD (or cannabidiol) is only ONE of 22+ “statistically significant” cannabinoids found in cannabis? Full spectrum means that an oil or product contains all or many of the important cannabinoids that are naturally found in the plant, opposed to just CBD.

On the other hand, CBD isolate has been processed to remove nearly all traces of other molecules besides CBD – great for people who are in the military and can have absolutely no THC, or who only desire the effects of CBD and no other part of the plant. CBD isolate is often found in powder form and full spectrum CBD distillate is in oil form.

There are also new terms to account for everything in between – such as broad spectrum (distillate with other cannabinoids except THC removed) or select spectrum (some cannabinoids removed, specific ones kept or added in). The “major” (most abundant) cannabinoids are THC and CBD, and their precursors THCa and CBDa. Cannabinoids that are present in low levels (less than 1%) in most cannabis strains are considered “minor” cannabinoids, such as CBG, CBN and CBC (these are referred to as “the minors” in the industry).

What makes a cannabis strain unique is the percentage levels of all of the cannabinoids and also which terpenes are present in the strain – terpenes can have different effects on your body (energizing, sedating, anti-inflammatory, etc – read our guide to the most common plant terpenes as well!).

All of these combined provide the “entourage effect.”

The Entourage Effect

It is believed that full spectrum has more medicinal or therapeutic effects than isolate. When we consume full spectrum cannabis, our bodies take in hundreds of botanical compounds including the cannabinoid and terpenes we mentioned above. Each one provides unique effects and benefits, and their behavior may even change in the presence of other compounds. This is the entourage effect.

One example is how CBD can help counteract some negative effects of THC such as paranoia, dry mouth or dizziness. Another example is how you can have a sativa CBD strain such as our CBD Mango Haze cartridge, where the energizing limonene terpene can offset the relaxing or sometimes sleepy effect of CBD.

Cannabinoids 101: A Quick Guide

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol aka Δ9 or Delta 9 THC)

THC is the best known cannabinoid and is responsible for a euphoric high. Everyone’s endocannabinoid system is different, so for some people THC leads to sedation, while others get a burst of energy. Other potential side effects include positives such as pain relief and laughter, and negatives such as memory impairment, dry eyes and mouth, paranoia or dizziness. Some people who experience the negative effects prefer THC strains with a high CBD ratio to counteract them (as we learned about re: the entourage effect).

Let’s take a quick look at the other lesser known compounds with similar molecular structures but different effects from THC, that you may come across on a lab report.

Delta 8 THC has a very similar structure to Delta 9 THC: Delta-8 has a double bond on the 8th carbon chain, and Delta-9 has a double bond on the 9th carbon chain. This may seem like a small difference, but that’s why chemistry is fascinating – it’s significant enough to produce different cognitive and physical effects. Delta-8-THC communicates with CB1 and CB2 receptors to help balance several functions including pain, appetite, mood, hormones, inflammation, and blood pressure. UNLIKE Delta-9, which can produce a hazy or sedative effect, Delta-8 can make you clear headed and energized. This his huge news for consumers who want to feel buzzed and desire the healing effects of cannabis, but don’t want to feel out of it / need to function or maintain energy and clarity – especially during the day. Read More: Delta 8 Vapes 101

THCa, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is a precursor to THC, i.e. it converts to THC as the plant dries or is heated (known as decarboxylation). THCa is beginning to demonstrate therapeutic potential for inflammation, nausea and other conditions. It is non-intoxicating (doesn’t get you high).

THCv, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, is similar to THC in molecular structure and psychoactive properties, but it also serves as an appetite suppressant, curbs anxiety, and may stimulate bone growth over time.

CBD (Cannabidiol)

CBD has become increasingly popular since industrial hemp (e.g., a cannabis plant with less than 0.3% THC) was reclassified as an agricultural commodity in the U.S. in December 2018, opening the doors for legal interstate commerce for hemp-extracted CBD.

More research is needed to better understand the range of CBD’s benefits, but the list is constantly expanding. CBD is popularly used for pain, inflammation, anxiety withdrawal. CBD can be ingested for full body effects, but also have benefits when applied topically due to its anti-inflammatory effects and its interaction with our skin’s pain receptors. Our CBD skincare and CBD pain cream are examples.

You may also come across CBDv or CBDa as well on a lab result, so let’s touch on those as well.

CBDv, or cannabidivarin, was discovered 50 years ago, but research is just commencing in a meaningful way for some serious or life threatening illnesses, as well as nausea. Similar to CBD, CBDv does not get you high. Strains that are high in CBD also typically tend to be higher in CBDv, so you will likely see this on lab results.

CBDa, or cannabidiolic acid, is a precursor to CBD in that it converts to CBD over time and when exposed to heat. This is similar to how THCa is a precursor to THC – easy to remember because they both have the “a” after it 🙂 CBDA may relieve inflammation and associated pain by blocking COX-2 enzymes, which are associated with inflammation from injury or infection.

You may also come across CBDv or CBDa as well on a lab result, so let’s touch on those as well.

CBD (Cannabigerol)

CBG, or cannabigerol, is thought to be particularly effective in treating eye issues because it reduces intraocular pressure. It is also being tested for gastrointestinal issues, bladder issues and as an antibacterial. There is a lot of promise for this little molecule!

To obtain higher yields of CBG, breeders are experimenting with genetic manipulation and cross-breeding of plants.

CBGA, or cannabigerolic acid, is a precursor to THCa, CBDa and CBCa. Specific enzymes in the plant break CBGa down and “direct” it toward one of the three lines, which then convert into THC, CBD or CBC when heated or exposed to ultraviolet light #SCIENCE

CBN (Cannabinol)

CBN, or cannabinol, is a non-intoxicating compound that may be found to be an antibacterial, appetite suppressant, neuroprotectant and anti-inflammatory. CBN is best known as the cannabinoid created when THC ages. For that reason, it’s usually present in high amounts in older cannabis. It’s extremely expensive to produce, but we can get it for free in flower that has been sitting around for a while!

Current research on CBN is limited with very few studies demonstrating its effects in the human body. However, our team at TribeTokes is most excited about CBN research being done as an antibiotic. We all know that antibiotics can wreak havoc on your body, and there are scary diseases out there that are antibiotic resistant that CBN may address. Fingers crossed!

Fun Entourage Effect Fact: CBN is known for making people sleepy. It turns out, CBN does not make you tired on its own, but when combined with THC it makes you feel even more sleepy than from THC on its own.

CBC (Cannabichromene)

CBC, or cannabichromene, binds with 2 major receptors in your body that are linked to pain perception (TRPV1 and TRPA1). Activating these receptors also leads the body to release higher levels of anandamide (“the bliss molecule”), and therefore CBC may support a positive, healthy mood.

Recent studies are showing CBC to be a powerful inhibitor of acne, as it prevents excess sebum production and sebaceous gland inflammation (in laymen’s terms – less oil and puffiness!). Stay tuned for more skincare products with CBC in our future.

HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol)

HHC, or hexahydrocannabinol, is a hydrogenated version of THC. When hydrogen atoms are added to the molecular structure, the result is a more stable compound, so it may not degrade into other cannabinoids on the shelf as quickly as D9 THC. Hemp naturally contains HHC, but only in very small amounts. A complicated process is used to add hydrogen atoms to THC to extract a usable concentration using high pressure and a catalyst.

HHC binds with similar receptors as THC, but not as strongly. Therefore, HHC can have THC-like effects on the body and mind, but is less potent.