The Huge Potential of Minor Cannabinoids

Hemp and marijuana are increasingly recognized for their exciting investment potential.

Due to their growing list of health benefits, the dominant conversation tends to center around the most abundant cannabinoids—cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As a result, the cannabinoid market is estimated to reach almost $45 billion by 2024.

But CBD and THC are just two cannabinoids out of over a hundred that have been discovered to date. Today’s graphic from Trait Biosciences explores the hidden potential of the lesser-known minor cannabinoids, and illustrates how they fare in comparison to their major counterparts.

Cannabinoids 101

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in both hemp and marijuana that mimic compounds found in the human endocannabinoid system. This system is made up of a network of receptors that are involved in physiological processes like mood and memory.

When cannabis is consumed, cannabinoids interact with these receptors and produce different effects depending on the receptors they bind to. Although over a hundred cannabinoids have been found, they are not all created equally. They are typically divided into two categories:

Major cannabinoids: More plentiful

More plentiful Minor cannabinoids: Less plentiful

Regardless of whether a cannabinoid is categorized as major or minor, every cannabinoid starts out as a form of CBG.

CBG-A: The Mother of All Cannabinoids

Cannabigerolic acid, or as it is more commonly known, CBG-A, is the acid precursor to other cannabinoid acids such as THC-A, and CBD-A. When the acids are exposed to heat, or prolonged UV light, they convert to neutral cannabinoids such as CBD and THC.

While CBG is regarded as a minor cannabinoid, it boasts a wide range of benefits that are urging researchers and scientists to take notice:

Fights inflammation

Soothes pain

Reduces nausea

Slows the spread of cancer cells

Helps treat glaucoma

CBG could be hugely beneficial in treating a wide variety of diseases, but it’s just one of many minor cannabinoids that could potentially blow CBD and THC out of the water.

The Potential of Minor Cannabinoids

To date, there has been limited research into the power of minor cannabinoids. However, the results from preliminary research look incredibly promising.

Cannabinoid Type Examples of potential medical application THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol

Major, psychoactive

Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases CBD

Cannabidiol

Major, non-psychoactive

Epilepsy, schizophrenia CBG-A

Cannabigerolic acid

Minor, non-psychoactive

Metabolic disorders, colon cancer

THC-A

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid

Minor, non-psychoactive

Arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases, nausea, appetite loss

CBD-A

Cannabidiolic acid

Minor, non-psychoactive

Chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting (CINV), depression CBC-A

Cannabichromene acid

Minor, non-psychoactive

Fungal diseases

CBG

Cannabigerol

Minor, non-psychoactive

Crohn’s disease, bowel disease, certain cancers

CBD-V

Cannabidivarin

Minor, non-psychoactive

Seizure prevention, Rett syndrome, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) CBC-V

Cannabichromevarin

Minor, non-psychoactive

Osteoporosis, ALS, Muscular dystrophy CBC

Cannabichromene

Minor, non-psychoactive

Could inhibit growth of cancer cells, osteoarthritis, neurological diseases

THC-V

Tetrahydrocannabivarin

Minor, psychoactive

Diabetes, anxiety, PTSD

Alzheimer’s disease

CBN

Cannabinol

Minor, psychoactive

Bacterial infections, ALS ,appetite stimulant



Note: Any potential medical treatment listed here stems from preclinical/animal testing only, and is simply intended to illustrate the potential application of each cannabinoid rather than a proven benefit.

Scientists also recently discovered two new cannabinoids—THC-P and CBD-P—with research showing that THC-P could potentially be 30 times more potent than THC.

The Future of Minor Cannabinoids

FDA-approved CBD drug Epidiolex has sparked a rising interest in minor cannabinoid trials.

In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has committed to providing funding to strengthen the evidence for minor cannabinoids and their pain relieving properties.

Cannabinoids could also add great value to cancer treatment-related side effects, however, more research is needed to turn potential into proof. With the availability of more robust evidence, the potential medical applications for minor cannabinoids could be much greater than we can imagine.