THC/CBD/CBN/CBC/CBG definitions & effects
Part II will cover CBC – CBG – & CBD-V
There are over 80 chemicals in the class of compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. THC, CBD, CBN, CBC, and CBG are all cannabinoids.
· THC or Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Some of the therapeutic qualities of THC are; pain relief, relaxation, appetite stimulation and insomnia. It also has strong anti-depressant effects.
· Cannabidiol, or CBD, is present in many strains of cannabis at low levels. Some of the popular uses of CBD include relief from chronic, muscle pain, convulsions, and inflammation. It has also been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth in combination with THC.
· Cannabinol, or CBN, is an oxidative degradation product of THC, usually formed when THC is exposed to UV light and oxygen over time. CBN has some psychoactive properties, but not nearly the level of THC.
· Cannabichromere, or CBC, is a rare non-psychoactive cannabinoid shown to have anti-depressant effects. It is also helpful for relaxation and pain relief.
· Cannabigerol, or CBG, is another non-psychoactive cannabinoid commonly found in cannabis. It has both pain relieving and inflammation reducing effects. It has also been shown to have antibiotic properties.
What Are CBN’s Effects and Benefits?
Its name may bear striking resemblance to CBD, but cannabinol, or CBN, offers a unique profile of effects and benefits that have researchers clamoring for more scientific investigation. So far, CBN’s studied benefits include:
· Pain relief
· Anti-insomnia
· Promotes growth of bone cells
· Antibacterial
· Anti-inflammatory
· Anti-convulsive
· Appetite stimulant
CBN’s most pronounced, characterizing attribute is its sedative effect, and according to our friends at Steep Hill Labs, 5mg of CBN is as effective as 10mg dose of diazepam, a mild pharmaceutical sedative. For those of you who rely on cannabis to resolve a night of tossing and turning, a little CBN might do you some good.
Unlike THC, CBN induces little to no intoxicating effects. This is great news for patients needing to medicate with a clear head, but you should note that most flowers contain only trace amounts of CBN. Where THC contents can hit a high watermark of over 30%, CBN rarely exceeds 1% in dried flower. It’s a good thing a little bit goes a long way. Alternatively, seek out a product that has concentrated CBN for you.
Where Can I Find CBN?
As THC oxidizes (i.e. exposure to oxygen over time), it converts to CBN. This is why aged, poorly stored cannabis is likely to have higher levels of CBN than fresh flower in an air-tight container.
CBN has a lot to offer patients and sufferers of sleeplessness, but before dooming yourself to a life of shwag and parched buds of yesteryear, know that CBN-rich products are already on the way. Oils, edibles, tinctures, capsules, and patches with pronounced CBN profiles are rare, but their proliferation will undoubtedly grow with the changing attitudes toward cannabis. We are already there…