A beginner's guide to CBD, CBN and THC
A growing number of consumers are turning to products derived from cannabis plants to treat an array of conditions. Formulations include gummies and other edibles, tinctures, vapes, and even beverages. When shopping for such products, particularly as a novice, consumers may encounter so many abbreviations referring to the active substances in these products that it can be confusing to get things straight. Here's a look at cannabis and what distinguishes various products from one another.
Understanding cannabis
Hemp and marijuana are close cousins and come from the same species of a flowering plant in the Cannabacae family. The major difference between them lies in how much of a certain cannabinoid each contains, advises Healthline. Hemp contains 0.3 percent or less of psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than marijuana, which has higher levels of THC (more than 0.3 percent). Because the THC in hemp is so low, it's unlikely to get a person high.
Differentiating cannabinoids
Cannabis contains a variety of cannabinoids. THC is one such cannabinoid, and for a while that was the one most known for its ability to produce euphoria and other desired feelings. The other top four include: cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabichromene (CBC). Each has unique properties and potential health uses. This article explores CBD, THC and CBN, which are increasingly found in over-the-counter supplements.
CBD: CBD seems to be everywhere today, from pills to lotions. Harvard Health says animal studies and self-reports or research in humans suggest CBD may help with anxiety, treating childhood epilepsy, insomnia, chronic pain, addiction, and inflammation.
THC: THC delivers psychoactive experiences that may cause users to experience time distortion, sensory changes and changes to perception. Synthetic THC preparations have been used for addressing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. According to The National Center for Biotechnology Information, additional uses for THC include pain relief, particularly for fibromyalgia. There has been some research into THC's uses for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. A recent laboratory investigation indicated THC also might inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells, but more studies are needed.
CBN: CBN often is understood as a weaker version of THC that results when THC components break down with age, says WebMD. It is about 25 percent less effective than THC. CBN has not been studied as widely as THC or CBD, but some of its potential uses include pain relief, sleep aid and even as a neuroprotective substance. A 2016 study published in Neural Regeneration Research found cannabinoid compounds like CBN can delay the progression of amotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to prolong survival.
Lasting effects?
Although cannabinoids are turning up regularly now, especially as many areas have legalized marijuana usage, experts still do not fully know the short- and long-term effects of use. Furthermore, dosage may be confusing and there may be inconsistencies in purity depending on the manufacturer. It is up to the consumer to weigh the pros and cons of trying treatment with products derived from cannabis.
