What are Rare Cannabinoids?

Over the last few years, CBD has become a household name. From CBD tinctures to CBD gummies, and bath bombs to body balms, people are utilizing the natural compound. In fact, one in one-thirds of Americans use products containing CBD, according to a recent survey. In addition to CBD oil, hemp contains rare cannabinoids, including CBG, CBN, and THCV. But, what are rare cannabinoids and what are their effects?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis and hemp plants. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) on the other hand, is a psychoactive compound – in other words, the part of the plant that gets you high. THC and CBD both work via a system called the human endocannabinoid (EC) system. This system is a unique communications system that affects many important functions of both the brain and the body. However, cannabis and hemp contain many more compounds than just THC and CBD.

What are rare cannabinoids and terpenes?

In addition to CBD and THC, scientists believe that there are dozens other cannabinoids as well as aromatic oils called terpenes. These other compounds are rare – or minor – cannabinoids and researchers say each may offer a different health or wellness benefit.

Rare cannabinoids are rare because they occur in much smaller quantities than CBD and THC. A rare cannabinoid will make up just 0.01% to 10% of the total mass of the plant. Due to their scarcity, it was extremely difficult to isolate them until very recently.

Fortunately, over the last couple years, advances in genetics and extraction processes have made it possible to separate out a some of these rare cannabinoids, namely CBC, CBDA, CBDV, CBG, CBGA, CBN and THCV.

Due to the prohibition of cannabis for so many years, research into the potential benefits of these rare cannabinoids is only in its infancy, but initial findings are extremely promising.

How the endocannabinoid system works

The endocannabinoid system consists of at least two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 (located mostly in the brain and nervous system) and CB2 (found throughout the body), and two key endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), as well as enzymes. Different cannabinoids have different effects depending on which receptors they bind to. This system is responsible for keeping our mental and physical health in balance as it affects hormones, hunger, stress, sleep, mood and more. This understanding is what underpins all of cannabis medicine.

Synthetic cannabinoid medicines, including Marinol, Nabilone, and Rimonabant have also been manufactured to bind to specific receptors for specific effects. While they have proven effective, natural cannabinoids, especially when taken in combination with each other to provide the “entourage effect,” are being looked at more closely now that hemp regulations have eased. Natural cannabinoids may also have fewer negative side effects in some cases. For example, pharmaceutical drug Rimonabant was used as an anti-obesity drug but was pulled from the market for causing depressive side effects. Meanwhile, THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) has been found to suppress hunger in a similar way to Rimonabant with far less risk of causing low mood. See the study here.

In addition to cannabinoids, hemp, cannabis and other plants also contain terpenes. Terpenes are aromatic oils that also exert different effects on our mental and physical states. For example, linalool is in hemp, cannabis and lavender plants. It contributes to lavender’s scent and offers relaxing, sleep-promoting properties. It also does the same in cannabis and hemp. By isolating terpenes such as linalool, they can be combined to intensify certain desired outcomes.

What do rare cannabinoids and terpenes do?

Each rare cannabinoid and terpene offers unique benefits. Below is a very brief explanation of the primary benefits of each one. Please click on the cannabinoid name for more information. Each product page has a section listing scientific studies into each cannabinoid.

THCV: Increases energy and reduces hunger. Is also being studied for weight loss and addiction to nicotine and other drugs.

CBN: Promotes rest, relaxation, and sleep.

CBG: May reduce discomfort, soreness and support joint health.

CBGA: Supports a healthy immune system.

CBC: May improve and enhance mood by raising levels of the brain’s “bliss” molecule anandamide.

CBDA: Reduces temporary nausea and discomfort.

CBDV: Promotes sociability and memory while reducing irritability.

CBD: Promotes stress resilience, a sense of calm, and may reduce soreness from daily activities.

Delta-9-THC: Relieves discomfort and occasional nausea while promoting relaxation and euphoric feelings.

Which cannabinoids are right for me?

Not sure which rare cannabinoid or combination of hemp / cannabis compounds will help you most?

Take our one-minute Cannabinoid Finder Quiz and find out! You will also receive a coupon code for your choice of 10 free gummies (up to $25 value).

For more specific needs, we encourage our customers to talk to a licensed physician trained in cannabis and do extensive online research to find out how specific cannabinoids may help with their specific ailments or overall wellness. Please be aware that cannabinoids may interact with prescription medications and discuss this potential risk with your healthcare provider.

For people who would like personalized, in-depth information, we also have a map and list of independent cannabinoid health advisors. These are doctors, nurses, and clinicians trained in cannabis, hemp, cannabinoids, terpenes, and are familiar with our Rare Cannabinoid Company products. Many offer both in office and phone or video appointments. Find a cannabinoid advisor here.

How to take rare cannabinoids

Our goal is to provide you with the tools to control your cannabinoid intake. With our apothecary line of single extracts, enhanced full spectrum CBD blends, extra strength cannabinoid gummies and THC gummies, you can add exactly as much CBN, THCV, CBG, CBC, CBDA, CBDV, CBD, or THC as you like to your daily wellness regime. Our products put you in control and you can even change up your mix depending on your mood and daily physical requirements.

Here are the three ways to take cannabinoids and terpenes:

1. The Apothecary: Order one or more bottles of pure rare cannabinoid and terpene oils to enhance specific benefits of our full spectrum Rare Hawaiian CBD, your own favorite oil, or our THC gummies.
   
2. Ready Blends: Select from our pre-blended oils. They combine equal parts of our most popular rare cannabinoids with full spectrum Rare Hawaiian CBD.
   
3. Extra Strength Gummies: High potency gummies. Each tasty gummy has 30mg CBN, 30mg CBG, 30mg CBD or 12.5mg THCV. CBN, CBG, and THCV gummies also contain 10mg CBD each.
   
4. THC Gummies: Our THC gummies contain the same ingredients as our extra strength THCV, CBN, and CBG gummies, plus Delta-9-THC for amplified effects. We also offer Mood Gummies. Each Mood Gummy contains 5mg Delta-9-THC, 5mg CBC oil, and 10mg CBD oil.

All of our products are produced in a Certified Good Manufacturing Facility and you can see our third-party lab reports for every batch of every product here. Therefore, you know that what our products say on the bottle is what’s inside.