Your Ultimate Guide to the Difference Between CBD, CBG, CBN and CBC.
There are many different cannabinoids that you might have noticed on the market. With so many variations, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them all. The Farm Bill of 2018 helped legalize hemp and hemp-derived substances such as CBN, CBG, and CBC. These cannabinoids show promising health benefits without the intoxicating effects.
Here’s a look at CBD, CBN, CBG, and CBC, their attributes and the research findings of each one.
Overview
A Cannabinoid is a diverse classification of the many active chemical compounds found in the Hemp and Cannabis Plants. These compounds can be nonphysocactive (CBD) and Psychoactive (THC). The Hemp and Cannabis Plants can contain over 100 different cannabinoid compounds. These “cannabinoids” are more popularly known as CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, and THC, just to name a few.
Cannabinoids are broken down in the following subcategories:
- Major cannabinoids: Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- Minor cannabinoids: Cannabichromene (CBC), Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabinodiol (CBDL)
- Other cannabinoids: Cannabielsoin (CBE), Cannabitriol (CBT), Cannabicyclol (CBL)
CBD
The use of cannabidiol (CBD) has become popular over the last few years. CBD is a non-intoxicating, non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis and hemp plant. It is the most prevalent compound found in the hemp plant and second in the cannabis plant.
What is the difference between the Hemp Plant vs the Cannabis Plant you may ask? For starters, the hemp plant is richer in CBD percentages and can test upwards of 15% CBD, while maintaining a THC level of less than .3%. Hemp is considered hemp when it tests and contains less than .3% THC. It is also legal on the federal level. Most importantly, the whole hemp plant is used throughout the entire extraction process.
CBD was discovered in 1940 by Dr. Roger Adams and his team at the University of Illinois. Since those days we have learned many things about the cannabinoid, including how it interacts with our endocannabinoid systems (ECS).
Opposite THC’s agonistic behavior towards our ECS receptors, CBD is an antagonist of receptors. It is thought that this is the reason why a high is not produced. It has been shown that CBD inhibits the adverse psychoactive effects of THC through the CB1 receptors, counteracting undesirable effects of cannabis-based therapies. Here are some common ailments that CBD may help with:
- Daily aches and pains (sports injuries, bumps, and bruises).
- Chronic pain: Cannabidiol may regulate pain by interacting with the brain cells.
- Anti-inflammatory: CBD has shown its use in the treatment of inflammatory conditions including arthritis.
- Anxiety and panic disorders: CBD has been shown valuable for the possible treatment of anxiety disorders.
- Skin conditions: CBD may be affected in the treatment of skin conditions like acne, rashes, and eczema.
- Seizures and convulsive disorders
CBN
Robert Sidney Conn, a British chemist, is credited to have been the first to discover CBN. Even though Cannabinol (CBN) was the first cannabinoid to be uncovered, it is not produced naturally like CBD. It forms as THC degrades in a plant as a result of age or exposure to heat or oxygen.
This older sibling cannabinoid in the cannabis family is available only in trace amounts. Younger cannabis or freshly-dried cannabis will be low in CBN, but as it ages, the CBN content will grow. Known as a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid, CBN does have some intoxicating effects. Research suggests it is only one-fourth as potent as THC. This may be because CBN binds to cannabinoid receptors less effectively than many other cannabinoids.
Since it is typically only available in trace amounts, CBN will more than likely not cause a high. CBN is not currently widely available yet but here are some benefits that may be produced by CBN:
- Immunosuppressant and fights inflammation: This chemical analysis of CBN states that the compound may act as an immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory.
- Pain-relieving: When combined with CBD, CBN may significantly decrease levels of pain through analgesic properties. This is done through the inhibition of muscle relaxation. It is said this finding may be useful for the treatment of chronic muscle pain disorders like fibromyalgia.
- Stimulation of bone tissue growth: This study found that CBN may reverse bone loss caused by osteoporosis. It may help with the production of new bone cells through the activation of stem cells.
CBG
CBG was first discovered by Yehiel Gaoni and Raphael Mechoulam in 1964. The scientists discovered the cannabinoid while working with hashish, which led researchers to believe it was a constituent of hash until 1975 when researchers found that the acidic form of CBG, CBGA, occurs naturally as the first cannabinoid to form in a new cannabis plant.
Cannabigerol (CBG) comes from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) which is known as the “mother of all cannabinoids.” THC, CBG, and CBD begin as CBGA, and are later broken down into their final forms after the plant has been exposed to light and heat. CBG appears in very small amounts of cannabis: typically less than 1%. Since it is rare, it must be properly extracted from the plant, which can be very expensive.
Cannabigerol is said to interact with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors in our endocannabinoid systems (ECS). This is thought to strengthen the function of anandamide, which is a neurotransmitter that can help regulate things like motivation, pleasure, appetite, sleep, and pain. Here are some benefits of CBG:
- Pain relief: CBG may be a powerful muscle relaxant. It may be even more powerful than CBD or THC.
- Anxiety and depression: CBG is believed to obstruct GABA uptake in the brain and block serotonin receptors.
- Glaucoma: CBG could be effective at reducing the intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma.
- Neuroprotective properties: CBG has been shown to affect neurological disorders like Huntington’s Disease, a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.
- Decreases inflammation and Increases appetite
CBC
CBC was discovered in 1966 by Gaoni and Mechoulam on one hand and almost simultaneously by Claussen on the other. Cannabichromene is formed through the breakdown of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) from heat or ultraviolet light. In most strains of cannabis, it is the third most abundant cannabinoid besides THC and CBD. It said that it can be found in large levels in landrace strains in India. In some strains, it may even be found more commonly than in CBD.
You cannot get a high from CBC, but it is one of the cannabinoids that works well when combined with others. This effect when combined magnifies the properties of each one. Cannabichromene interacts with not only the CB1 and CB2 receptors, but also the receptors TRPA1 and TRPV1. Cannabichromene also shares CBD and THC’s molecular formula which is known as C21H20O2. CBC binds most effectively within the endocannabinoid system with the vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1).
Both of these receptor types link to our pain perception. CBC may function as an alternative to traditional painkillers like NSAIDS but without their potentially harmful side effects. CBC continues to be studied for its use in a variety of other conditions. However, more research is needed in all of these interactions. Here are some ailments that CBC may help with:
- Pain-relieving: CBC may support blocking pain processing in the brain similarly to opioids and THC.
- Pathophysiological conditions: CBC is said that it could be helpful for intestinal secretion, mucosal inflammation, visceral pain, and Intestinal cancer.
- Anti-inflammatory: The mice in this study had anti-inflammatory effects produced by the combination of CBC and THC.
- Promotes healthy brain function: This study suggests that CBC raises the viability of neural stem progenitor cells (NSPCs).
- Treatment of acne: In this study involving mice, the combined effect of CBC, CBDV, and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) showed effectiveness for acne treatment.
- Antidepressant effect: Along with CBD and THC, CBC was found to be the most effective treatment for depression in this study.
CBD, CBG, CBN and CBC
You may think measuring the strength of CBD is as simple as glancing at the bottle. But not so fast…because CBD oils can be isolated, full-spectrum, or broad-spectrum, determining strength and quality can be a little more confusing. Let’s break them down:
- CBD isolate: Isolate CBD is the purest form of CBD available, testing around 99.99% CBD and can be found in both crystalline and powdered crystal form.
- Full-spectrum CBD: Full Spectrum Oil is an oil rich in CBD but also contains low levels of other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, CBC and THC. Full Spectrum Oil usually tests at around 75%-90% CBD and must test at less than .3% THC.
- Broad-spectrum CBD: These products contain a wide range of cannabinoids, but do not contain THC.
Looking for products to try? Look no further!
- Potent Oil Tincture – Our 1,000mg Isolate CBD Oil Tincture is a great option for individuals who are just starting out or who may be sensitive to CBD (and/or cannabis in general). Some people have a more active endocannabinoid system than do others, so they will naturally not require as strong of an oil.
- Higher Potency Oil – Our 2000mg Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture is for those who find they’re having to take large (and/or multiple) doses of a lower potency CBD oil. In general, a lot of our customers use our mid-range potency products to help regulate inflammation, recovery, sleep, appetite, anxiety and day-to-day pain.
- Highest Potency Oil – Our highest potency 4000mg Gold Buckle Full Spectrum Oil Tincture is the most potent on the market. Products in this strength range are commonly used for severe pain such as chronic arthritis, insomnia, deep muscle soreness, migraines, and day-to-day extreme stress and anxiety.
Final Thoughts
At lost range.®, you can rest assured that our Full Spectrum Oil is an oil rich in CBD but also contains low levels of other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, CBC and THC. Full Spectrum Oil usually tests at around 75%-90% CBD and must test at less than .3% THC. We make a commitment to our customers by delivering CBD that adheres to the highest possible standards of quality.
Our mission is to help others find natural remedies that will drive them through their endeavors. We are proud of our products and strive for total transparency every step of the way. If you would like to know more about our products and brand, our staff is always at your service for any questions. Contact us here today.
