What Are The Main Hemp Cannabinoids? Your Renact Complete Guide

 

For thousands of years, we’ve been using cannabis to alleviate symptoms of hundreds of different medical conditions. To understand why it can be helpful on so many levels, we have to go back to its foundations: the molecules we know as “cannabinoids”. 

 

Most of us have heard about THC and CBD. But they are just two out of hundreds of cannabinoids found in the hemp or marijuana plant. To date, these are the molecules that we know the most about, thanks to several decades of research. Other cannabinoids are now becoming the spotlight of cannabis science—and showing some unexpected benefits.

 

What are cannabinoids? 

 

A cannabinoid is a molecule that can come from either hemp or the human body itself. Phytocannabinoids are a class of molecules found in cannabis while endocannabinoids are similar molecules that are produced by our own bodies. 

 

Both phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids have the unique ability to impact our endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a very vast biological system that courses through the whole human body. It is responsible for maintaining balance and regulating our sleep patterns, mood, inflammatory and pain response, appetite, and much more. 

 

Having the right balance of cannabinoids in our bodies is key to feeling well. When the ECS is working at its peak, the body is in a state of homeostasis that promotes overall health. Because different cannabinoids can boost the endocannabinoid system in different ways, using them well can help us a lot. Besides, cannabinoids also impact other biological systems and have very wide-ranging benefits. Let’s take a closer look at what the main hemp cannabinoids have to offer:

 

The Renact Guide To Hemp Cannabinoids

 

CBC Cannabinoid 

Full Name: Cannabichromene

Psychoactive Effects: No

Minimum Activating Temperature: 220°C

 

Shows Benefits For: 

• Acne 
• Depression
• Healthy brain function
• Inflammation
• Osteoarthritis pain
• Tumors

 

Although it was discovered over 50 years ago, CBC isn’t in the spotlight as much as CBD or THC. This is a shame, considering it has many interesting health properties. Unlike many other cannabinoids, it even has the ability to bind with vanilloid receptors. CBD is one of the most common cannabinoids in hemp. 

CBDA (Cannabinoid Acid)

Full Name: Cannabidiolic Acid

Psychoactive Effects: No

Minimum Activating Temperature: 120°C

 

Shows Benefits For: 

• Cancer
• Convulsions
• Depression
• Inflammation
• Nausea

CBDA is a precursor to CBD. Heated at over 180°C, cannabidiolic acid converts into cannabinol. But even in its low-temperature state, CBDA provides a lot of health benefits. It has many of the same properties as CBD, and products that contain the two may be even more beneficial. 

 

CBD Cannabinoid 

Full Name: Cannabidiol

Psychoactive Effects: No

Minimum Activating Temperature: 180°C

 

Shows Benefits For: 

• Anxiety
• Chron’s disease and IBS
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• Inflammation
• Pain
• Psychosis
• PTSD
• Sleep

CBD is by far the most popular compound in the sphere of medical cannabis. It’s a relatively common cannabinoid, and the dominant cannabinoid in non-psychoactive hemp plants. It has a tremendous list of benefits for both physical and mental health. It’s also a very well-tolerated non-psychoactive cannabinoid generally associated with a sense of calm and relaxation. 

CBGA (Cannabinoid Acid)

Full Name: Cannabigerolic Acid

Psychoactive Effects: No

Minimum Activating Temperature: N/A (Naturally present in raw cannabis)

 

Shows Benefits For: 

• Bacterial infections
• Bone growth
• Fungal infections
• Heart Disease
• Inflammation

 

CBGA is an acid-form cannabinoid that’s found in very large quantities in raw cannabis. It’s sometimes known as “the mother of all cannabinoids’ as it converts into some of the major cannabinoids (CBD, THC, and CBC) when heated up. 

 

Contrary to popular belief, CBGA isn’t only valuable as a precursor to other cannabinoids. It has health benefits of its own and can be incredibly beneficial even in its raw form. 

 

CBG Cannabinoid

Full Name: Cannabigerol

Psychoactive Effects: No

Minimum Activating Temperature: 110°C

 

Shows Benefits For: 

• Bacterial infections
• Cancer
• Depression
• Glaucoma
• IBS
• Inflammation
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle spasms
• Nerve cells degeneration
• Pain

 

 

CBG is a relatively rare cannabinoid. As of today, most strains of cannabis only contain trace amounts of CBG. However, this molecule is also rapidly growing in popularity, owing to its exceptional pain-relieving properties. As research into the effects of CBD develops, we can expect to gain access to a lot more CBG-dominant hemp products in the future.

 

THCA (Cannabinoid Acid)

Full Name: Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid

Psychoactive Effects: No

Minimum Activating Temperature: 105°C

 

Shows Benefits For: 

• Cancer
• Nausea
• Neuroprotection
• Inflammation
• Seizures

THCA is a precursor molecule of THC. When heated up over 155-160°C, it converts to THC. What makes it interesting is that it has many of the same health benefits as THC, but without causing any psychoactive effects. 

 

THC Cannabinoid

Full Name: Tetrahydrocannabinol

Psychoactive Effects: Yes

Minimum Activating Temperature: 160°C

 

Shows Benefits For: 

• Appetite loss
• Arthritis
• Glaucoma
• Insomnia
• Inflammation
• Migraines
• Nausea
• Pain
• PTSD

 

THC isn’t just the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, it’s also a treasure trove of health benefits. Though it may be illegal in many countries, more and more places have legalized it for its medicinal properties. Current research suggests that taking cannabis products that contain small doses of THC alongside other cannabinoids could be effective in relieving pain, inflammation, depression, and anxiety. 

 

THCV Cannabinoid

Full Name: Tetrahydrocannabivarin 

Psychoactive Effects: Yes

Minimum Activating Temperature: 220°C

 

Shows Benefits For: 

• Blood sugar levels
• Bone growth
• Neuroprotection

THCV is a cannabinoid molecule that’s structurally similar to THC. It also has psychoactive effects but isn’t associated with some of the same side-effects, like increased anxiety and appetite. Moreover, its health properties are different from those of THC. Scientists currently consider it promising for its ability to regulate blood sugar levels and protect the brain from Alzheimer’s.

 

Final Words

 

Forget about CBD and THC as the only relevant molecules in cannabis. CBG, CBC or CBN can play just as important a role, and all bring something different to the table. The beauty of the hemp plant is just how many molecules it contains, and how they all interact together to offer us unique benefits. 

 

Renact’s proprietary pure-cannabinoids vaping formulas contain a wide-array of hemp molecules—all of which work together to bring you the relief you need. Try our anxiety or rest-specific formulas today, order your first starter kit!