While most minor cannabinoids are non-psychoactive, especially in the small concentrations in which they are naturally found. They still have large therapeutic potential for more serious conditions and general health benefits for regular users.
At the moment we’re just starting to accumulate medical knowledge on the powerful potential of minor cannabinoids.
CBG in particular shows a wide array of therapeutic applications. Similar to most of the substances in cannabis, it has antimicrobial, and anti-fungal qualities. It even seems to be effective against the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection [1].
In fact a study found that CBG, CBC, CBD and Delta-9-THC are all particularly effective against this infamous infection.
CBG also demonstrates neuroprotective qualities, in other words it protects brain and nerve tissue from degrading. This prompts scientists to test its effectiveness for treating Huntigton’s disease [2] and some other neurodegenerative conditions.
Through chemical pathways, similar to CBD, CBG can calm pain and heat sensations, with its anti-inflammatory and pain-relief properties [3] for those that suffer from chronic pain and inflammatory conditions such as Arthritis.
Similar to other cannabinoids, early information shows that CBG could have anti-cancer potential [4] as it destroys several types of cancer cells, including colon cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.
The acid forms of THC and CBD have some therapeutic benefits which seperate them from their decarboxylated forms. THC-A, and CBD-A demonstrate anti-nausea properties in rats [5] and in particular the nausea associated with chemotherapy.
Studies show that THC-A is even more effective for lowering nausea than even Delta-9-THC [6] and without the psychoactive effect.
Looking at THC-A there’s also evidence for its antispasmic effect, good for overcoming seizures and muscle spasms.
Similar to CBG, THC-A can increase the Entourage effect and to allow a more beneficial therapeutic application of the whole plant.
CBD-A also demonstrates effects similar to the anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs [7], like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin, but it also doesn’t negatively affect the stomach lining, making CBD-A a potentially safer medicine, than those commonly used medicines.
Research around CBD-A shows that it can help slow the spread of cancer cells in the body [8].
If the cannabinoid CBN can cause a strong sedative effect alone or with the help of THC, then it could have great therapeutic potential for the treatment of sleep issues.
CBN can also be beneficial for treatment of dermatitis [9] and other skin conditions, which makes it a good choice for cannabis products aimed at skin care.
The effectiveness in treatment of skin conditions is further supported by CBN’s ability to fend off bacterial infections, including MRSA[10].
As with other minor cannabinoids, there are suggestions that CBN is good at protecting brain tissue from stress and degradation. Making it a potential medicine for degenerative diseases and general brain health.
This cannabinoid can also be tied to the effectiveness of cannabis against glaucoma, as a study in 1984 found [11], that CBN lowers ocular pressure in animal trials.
The most often discussed therapeutic benefit of THCV comes from its ability to lower appetite, unlike its cousin Delta-9-THC.
Scientific research shows that THCV is able to lower feeding needs in rats [12]. This causes scientists to view it as a potential future replacement of concurrent appetite-suppressing medicine, but without the side-effects associated with such medicine.
THCV also demonstrates the ability to lower glucose levels in the blood, at the same time improving the activity of natural blood-sugar regulation mechanisms [13]. This makes it a potential medicine for Type 2 diabetes.
Like the most famous therapeutic application of CBD, research shows that THCV can also produce anticonvulsant and antiepileptic effects [14], making it a potential tool for fighting off chronic seizures and similar conditions.
Another study suggests that THCV is good for combatting addiction, by lowering nicotine-seeking mechanisms in the brain of rats [15]. Showing its potential as a solution for the opioid crisis in America.
In the same study, in which CBC is viewed as a potential tool against acne, THCV is found to be even more effective than CBD and CBC in treatment of acne, which combined with its anti-inflammatory effects, this substance, along with other cannabinoids could someday be at the forefront of anti-acne medication research.
1 Appendino, G. et al, “Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure-activity study”, J Nat Prod. 2008 Aug;71(8):1427-30. Epub 2008 Aug 6.
2 Valdeolivas, S. et al, “Neuroprotective Properties of Cannabigerol in Huntington’s Disease: Studies in R6/2 Mice and 3-Nitropropionate-lesioned Mice”. Neurotherapeutics. 2015 Jan; 12(1): 185–199. Published online 2014 Sep 25.
3 De Petrocellis, L. et al, “Effects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-enriched Cannabis extracts on TRP channels and endocannabinoid metabolic enzyme”. Br J Pharmacol. 2011 Aug. 163 (7):1479-1494. Epub 2011 Aug 11
4 Russo EB & Marcu J., “Cannabis Pharmacology: The Usual Suspects and a Few Promising Leads”. Adv Pharmacol. 2017;80:67-134. doi: 10.1016/bs.apha.2017.03.004. Epub 2017 Jun 5.
5 Borelli F. et al, “Colon carcinogenesis is inhibited by the TRPM8 antagonist cannabigerol, a Cannabis-derived non-psychotropic cannabinoid”. Carcinogenesis. 2014 Dec;35(12):2787-97. Epub 2014 Sep 30.
6 Rock EM. et al, “A comparison of cannabidiolic acid with other treatments for anticipatory nausea using a rat model of contextually elicited conditioned gaping”. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2014 Aug;231(16):3207-15. Epub 2014 Mar 5.
7 Rock EM. et al, “Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid reduces nausea-induced conditioned gaping in rats and vomiting in Suncus murinus”. Br J Pharmacol. 2013 Oct;170(3):641-8.
8 Pellati F. et al, “Cannabis sativa L. and Nonpsychoactive Cannabinoids: Their Chemistry and Role against Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cancer”. Biomed Res Int. 2018 Dec 4;2018:1691428. Epub 2018.
9 Takeda S. et al, “Down-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by cannabidiolic acid in human breast cancer cells”. J Toxicol Sci. 2014;39(5):711-6.
10 National Cancer Institute, “NCI Drug Dictionary: Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol”. National Institutes of Health online resources.
11 Thapa D. et al, “The Cannabinoids Δ8THC, CBD, and HU-308 Act via Distinct Receptors to Reduce Corneal Pain and Inflammation”. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2018 Feb 1;3(1):11-20. Epub 2018.
12 Colasanti BK. et al, “Intraocular pressure, ocular toxicity and neurotoxicity after administration of cannabinol or cannabigerol”. Exp Eye Res. 1984 Sept;39(3):251-259. Epub 2004 Apr 11.
13 El-Alfy A. et al, “Antidepressant-like effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa L”. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2010 Jun; 95(4): 434–442. Epub 2010 Mar 21
14 De Petrocellis, L. et al, “The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation”. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998 Jul 7; 95(14): 8375–8380
15 Olah A. et al, “Differential effectiveness of selected non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids on human sebocyte functions implicates their introduction in dry/seborrhoeic skin and acne treatment”. Exp Dermatol. 2016 Sep;25(9):701-7. Epub 2016 Jun 15.
