Cannabis and its lesser-known active ingredients

Modified on: 19/04/2024

MARIJUANA CONTAINS NOT ONLY THC AND CBD BUT ALSO MANY OTHER ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: HERE ARE THE MAIN ONES AND THEIR (KNOWN) EFFECTS

Although marijuana is most renowned for its THC (the active psychotropic) and CBD (present in high amounts in legal weed), it also has many other active ingredients with exciting properties.

We are talking about the many phytocannabinoïdes, the plant chemicals produced by hemp. When taken by humans, they can interact with receptors in the human endocannabinoid system.

Ready to learn more about cannabis and its lesser-known active ingredients?

Here’s what they are and what their effects are.

The importance of studies on cannabis and its active ingredients

For a long time, people have heard all kinds of things about the marijuana plant and its effects. It is no coincidence that the consumption and cultivation of cannabis are still illegal in many countries worldwide.

But is hemp a drug to be demonized, or should we get to know it a little better?

Studies on cannabis and the active ingredients it contains are constantly developing. However, it is no secret that this plant, with its many properties, is now used in the pharmacological sector for the treatment of various diseases, to alleviate anxiety and for many other reasons.

As time goes by, in addition to THC, CBD, and their effects, the other substances produced by cannabis become better known, and what is coming out of it are not at all negative; on the contrary…

Of course, identifying all the properties of the many active ingredients present in marijuana will take time (not least because some have only recently been rediscovered). However, some results of recent studies have contributed to a change, of course, regarding the legalization of cannabis in several countries.

CBD bud genetics free of THC and rich in CBD have also played a crucial role in this respect.

By now, you will be curious to know more about the other active ingredients of hemp.

Below, you will learn about some lesser-known cannabinoids and the little we know about them.

Read also: Legal marijuana Sativa: differences with cannabis indica and best strains

CBN: cannabinol

In 1963, cannabinol, or CBN, was the first active ingredient in cannabis to be isolated from the plant.

Although this cannabinoid is derived from the oxidation of THC, it has no psychotropic effects.

When taken by humans, cannabinol is calming. It is also used in the medical sector as a sedative and immunosuppressant.

CBG: cannabigerol

Among the lesser-known active ingredients of hemp is cannabigerol, often confused with CBD.

CBG is also a non-psychotropic cannabinoid and plays a significant role. It is the first cannabinoid produced by cannabis and CBD weed plants during growth and from which all the other active ingredients (THC, CBD, etc.) are subsequently developed.

This fundamental task has, over time, led to the substance being referred to as the “cannabis stem cell” or the “mother of all cannabinoids”.

Until a few years ago, very little was known about CBG. However, recent studies have made it possible to start using it in the medical and pharmaceutical sector to treat various diseases (in particular glaucoma and certain intestinal disorders) and as an analgesic and neuroprotector.

CBC: cannabichromene

Although virtually unknown, cannabichromene is also one of the active ingredients produced by hemp plants.

Like its predecessors, this substance has no psychotropic effects and even appears to be the main culprit in the anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects of cannabis.

Not only that.

Working with the other cannabinoids, CBC appears to be an excellent amplifier of the analgesic effect of cannabis.

CBL: cannabicyclicol

Cannabicyclol is another of the secondary cannabinoids. It is a substance that develops as a result of the degradation of cannabinol.

To date, we know very little about this substance, except that it has no psychotropic effects. But, of course, studies continue, and we will soon know more.