Full Spectrum Intro

Tetrahydrocannabinol. Now the difference between these two is a simple chemical change! THCA must be heated up to activate that delicious THC. Now there are all sorts of time to temperature ratio variations out there for different cannabis products but let’s get back to our first cannabinoid CBDCannabis has been a part of human history dating as early as 4000 BC in China for constipation, rheumatism, and menstrual cramps. It wasn’t until 1955 that the first chemical compound CBDA was discovered. As the years came more chemical compounds called phytocannabinoids were discovered.  

Today there are said to be hundreds of different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant but we are going to focus on the main 8. CBGA, THCA, CBDA, CBCA, CBGVA, THCVA, CBDVA, CBCVA. Cannabis is well known for its psychoactive cannabinoid THC. This is what gets you high whenever consumed, smoked, or vaped. Not only is THC used recreationally but many people also take it medicinally, for pain management and anxiety relief. Before THC, is THC is THCA! 

So this might be a bit confusing why is there an A at the end now? Well THCA stands for Tetrahydrocannabinolic ACID and THC stands forA. Cannabidiolic acid CBDA converts to CBD ONCE heated up. Now CBD is the powerhouse of our cannabinoids but in a different way than you might think. Like THCA these cannabinoids are non-psychoactive but are medicinal as heck. CBD is used for inflammation, anxiety, and pain. Wow, l so cool that our favorite plant is better in more ways than just one. CBGA has been known to fight cancer while remaining an antibacterial agent. CBGA converts into CBG when heated up. 

CBCA cannabichromene acid continues our cannabinoid journey by remaining non-psychoactive and cancer-fighting machine. It is said to help you create naturally occurring endocannabinoids like anandamide. With all these medically induced cannabinoids it had been discovered that If used altogether with an entourage effect soon follows. The combination of cannabinoids brings the body to a simpler state of mind. 

Now there’s one more set of cannabinoids that I’d like to mention and these have an extra V in the equation and this just means the molecular build of this cannabinoid is a bit different and it’s going to help these cannabinoids bind with preexisting cannabinoids without their V predecessor. So instead of THC It’s THCV and it’s known to help the THC in the system longer as well as bind harder. Now Cannabidivarin CBGV is known for having anticonvulsant effects while but it is also believed that this plant uses this as a natural occurring insecticidal. Now CBGVA AND THCVA are also acids before heated up so their abbreviations are a little different. CBDVA is then converted as well into CBDV, which is also being tested for epilepsy use! CBCVA converts to CBCV and it holds the same strong medicinal as CBC.

THCV, CBGV, CBCV, and CBDV are known for dampening the effects of THC. Making it not as psychoactive. This helps with a well-balanced high that is packed with medicinal value.  Now we have gone in-depth over a couple of our really important cannabinoids and I want to hear how this blog might’ve helped you!

Sources:

Izzo AA, Borrelli F, Capasso R, Di Marzo V, Mechoulam R. Non-psychotropic plant cannabinoids: new therapeutic opportunities from an ancient herb. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2009;30(10):515-27.
http://biochanvre.ch/info/en/IMG/pdf/Non-Psychoactive-Cannabinoids.pdf

Mechoulam R. Plant cannabinoids: a neglected pharmacological treasure trove. Br J Pharmacol. 2005;146(7):913-5
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165946/pdf/bph0163-1344.pdf