Biohacking : Beyond CBD and THC
Marijuana is now legal in some way be it recreational or medical in over 33 states. There are 85 forms of cannabinoids of which CBD and THC, the most well known constituents make up only two. One issue the industry faces today is around proper labeling of contents. The lesser known cannabinoids offer health benefits, but they are not showing up on the labels. Each state has its own labeling laws and almost all require THC and CBD potency to be clearly labeled. The other 83 cannabinoids are typically not shown or mentioned on packaging. In this article we will take a look at some of the potential health benefits of less known plant components.
DISCLAIMER: We are biohackers and this data is being presented for informational purposes only. Do not try using the substances mentioned below without appropriate medical supervision.
The Other Cannabinoids of Interest
THCa – The acidic form of THC that has not been exposed to heat. THCa is not psychoactive, but it can unlock the CB1 and CB2 human endocannabinoid receptors. Isolated forms of THCa are available commercially, but it still falls under the same regulation as THC. Once heated to 230F the THCa starts to become delta-9-THC which is the well known psychoactive form THC.
CBN – A degraded form of THC. It is mildly psychoactive and creates a bit of chaos in the legal system as most states allow for non-THC cannabinoids. It has been shown to be effective in several areas such as pain relief, inflammation, seizures and muscle spasms. Higher temperature oxidation is required to product CBN from THC
CBG – Another pain relief and anti inflammatory cannabinoid. Usage tends to be for mental stressors (PTSD, depression, anxiety). It also has been shown to lower blood pressure and stimulate bone growth.
CBC – A bit more rare this cannabinoid is antifungal, anti inflammatory, antibacterial and another bone stimulant. This cannabinoid has been used in the treatment of arthritis, inflammation, insomnia and neurological disorders (Parkinson’s / Alzheimer’s).
The trick to using these non-psychoactive cannabinoids is to unlock our CB1 and CB2 receptors. The trouble with CBD and similar chemicals is that they can only indirectly talk to our endocannabinoid system. The key does not fit. It takes a small amount of THC, the non-psychoactive THCa or the marginally psychoactive CBN to make the connection. These three cannabinoids actually have the correct shape to lock into the our human receptors. The effects of these therapeutic CBD variants is greatly enhanced when the receptors are engaged.
The industry has recognized that a great deal of people are looking for relief from pain, neurological and behavior issues. The customer does not necessarily want to get high. New combinations cannabinoids are rapidly coming available and going through clinical trials. Thanks to lab testing like High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) any product can be identified and tested for potency for ~$5,000.