MAKING SENSE OF ALL THE DIFFERENT CANNABINOIDS.

At this point in my life, I am a bonafide CBD (Cannabidiol) fan. CBD is part of my daily routine. Every evening I take my favorite CBD to help me wind down, relax and feel more in my body. But have you noticed the other cannabinoid abbreviations that are popping up on product labels? CBD, CBN, CBG...it can get a little confusing. So to help us all keep everything straight, let’s break down some of these new and old cannabinoids.

WHAT'S A CANNABINOID? 

Let’s start with a little refresher, shall we?  Cannabinoids are the many compounds that make up the cannabis plant.  So far researchers have identified around 100 individual cannabinoids.  And all these cannabinoids provide a plethora of medicinal properties.

What makes the cannabis plant so special is the ability of its cannabinoids to interact with your own Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is found throughout your body and regulates bodily functions like your mood, sleep, appetite, and memory.  When your body is out of whack, your ECS jumps in to help bring your body back into balance. 

The ECS uses an intricate cell signaling system between your endocannabinoids and  cannabinoid receptors located throughout your body. These receptors are divided into CB1 and CB2 receptors. The majority of CB1 receptors are located in the central nervous system.  CB2 receptors are more centralized in immune cells. 

And yes, you read that correctly - your body makes its very own cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids (“endo” meaning internal). The two key endocannabinoids are 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG) and 1-anandamide (AEA) - also known as the bliss molecule because it helps increase feelings of happiness.  But sometimes your body can use a little help.  

That’s where the cannabis plant comes in to help save the day.  Cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBN, and CBG are able to interact with your ECS - helping to calm the mind, restore balance and soothe anxiety.  

One reason why THC has such a famous effect is that THC is able to lock into your CB1 receptor, just like your natural endocannabinoids. CBD and CBN don’t lock into receptors. Instead, they act like antagonists with the endocannabinoid system by interrupting or slowing down endocannabinoid processes. For example, CBD can help elevate your mood because it slows enzymes from breaking down Anandamide - remember, your bliss molecule? 

OUR LOVE OF CBD

Since becoming federally legalized in 2018, CBD has taken our store shelves by storm.  You can find CBD oils, mints, vape pens, gummies, lotions, bath bombs...you get the idea. What makes CBD so special?  For starters, it’s one of the most abundant cannabinoids in the hemp and cannabis plant.  CBD also doesn’t get you high.  In fact, CBD can actually help counteract the psychoactive effect of THC by acting as an antagonist with your CB1 receptors. 

Cannabinoids are either agonists or antagonists to your cannabinoid receptors. One reason why THC has such a famous “high” effect is that THC is able to lock directly into your CB1 receptor - just like your endocannabinoids. But CBD and CBN don’t lock into your cannabinoid receptors. Instead, they act like antagonists to the endocannabinoid system by interrupting or slowing down certain processes. For example, CBD can help elevate your mood because it slows certain enzymes from breaking down Anandamide - remember, your bliss molecule? 

CBD gained the national spotlight when a Colorado couple discovered CBD oil was able to stop their daughter’s seizures.  The young girl, Charlotte Figi, captured the hearts of people across the country and inspired more research and political policies around CBD hemp plants. CBD can help you relax, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.   

YOUR NEW FRIEND CBN

You may have noticed an influx of products with Cannabinol (CBN) - especially in products made to help you relax or sleep. Similar to THC, CBN does lock into your CB1 receptors but CBN is non-intoxicating and won’t give you a “high” feeling.  Much like CBD, CBN has anti-inflammatory properties, calms anxiety, and can help you find deeper rest.  CBN also helps reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and has antibacterial properties.  There’s even some evidence that CBN could be a powerful neuroprotectant and eventually may help with neurodegenerative conditions like ALS. 

CBN has been slow to the market in part because historically, it’s mostly been noticed in dried cannabis flowers that have aged.  The amount of CBN in cannabis increases as THC oxidizes. In other words, when THC is exposed to air and light, it turns into CBN.  Since people tend to consider cannabis that’s been left on the shelf too long unappealing, the benefit of CBN didn’t get a lot of attention.  But now that we know better, we’re doing better!  Cultivators are now focusing more on plant strains that are rich in CBN.  You can more easily find CBN in non-flower products - like ECO Therapy’s REST vape pens. The combined properties of CBD and CBN work together to help your mind and body relax.  

WHAT ABOUT CBG?

Ah yes, the mother of all cannabinoids. You’re probably not that familiar with cannabigerol (CBG), mostly because it’s less common. This is because CBG is harder to cultivate.  Mature cannabis plants only contain around 1% of CBG.  So why is CBG so important?  It turns out, all other cannabinoids are derived from CBGA (cannabigerolic acid):  the acidic form of CBG.  Young cannabis plants are almost entirely CBGA.  As the plant grows, all that CBGA converts into the more well-known cannabinoids - THC, CBD, and CBN.  CBG is gaining popularity for its antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. 

CBG does lock into your Endocannabinoid CB1 receptors, just like THC, but it doesn’t have as strong of an effect.  Just like our old buddies CBD and CBN, CBG does not have psychoactive effects - so you won’t feel “high.”  

While research continues on the full benefits of CBG, we do know that CBG has promising properties when it comes to reducing inflammation and oxidative stress - which plays a big role in neurodegeneration. There is even some research that suggests CBG could potentially help cancer prevention. 

CBD...CBN...CBG...WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

The short answer is: all of them.  Most research points to the fact that cannabinoids work best when they are together. This is called the Entourage Effect. The best option is to find CBD products that use the whole plant -  so you get the full benefits from all the cannabinoids and natural terpenes. From there, you can use the information in this blog to curate your favorite CBD products to best fit your needs  - so you can harness the power of nature.