Cannabis sativa is a fascinating plant that offers an array of uses, from industrial applications to alternative medicine. Some of the most interesting developments in recent years have related to the discovery and understanding of new phytocannabinoids, which are found in potent concentrations in our CBD oils. Let’s learn more about these fascinating natural compounds!

What are Phytocannabinoids?

Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that are found naturally in plants, including industrial hemp.

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that influence cannabinoid receptors in the human body. Our bodies have something called the endocannabinoid system, made up of CB1 and CB2 receptors, that are involved in a number of important functions in the body.

Our body actually produces endocannabinoids naturally, which interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors to regulate functions including pain, memory, sleep, mood, appetite and more.

Phytocannabinoids are similar to endocannabinoids, except for their origin comes from a plant (in this case, industrial hemp) instead of a natural process in the body.

What are the Different Phytocannabinoids?

There are a huge number of phytocannabinoids. More than 85 are well documented in clinical science, while some estimates put the number as high as 100+. There are simply too many to discuss here, so we’ll focus on the most important ones.

THC – Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main psychoactive cannabinoid. It’s responsible for the “high” of marijuana. Our products come from industrial hemp, which is extremely low in THC, and are further processed to remove trace amounts of THC. Our finished CBD oils contain no THC and will not produce any sort of high.

CBD – Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the primary medicinal cannabinoids. It is thought to be responsible for the bulk of potential medicinal and therapeutic benefits offered by the hemp plant. CBD is not psychoactive, so it will not induce any sort of “high”. Our products contain roughly 90% CBD. See our “What is CBD” page for more information.

CBDA – Cannabidiolic Acid, or CBDA, is the acidic parent of normal CBD that is found in the raw, unprocessed hemp plant. CBDA will eventually convert to CBD over time, although small amounts of CBDA are still present in our finished products. CBDA is non-psychoactive and is thought to be useful in relieving nausea and inflammation.

CBN – Cannabinol, or CBN, is produced from THC as the compound breaks down. It’s non-psychoactive, and is thought to be beneficial for improving sleep quality and reducing the effect of muscle pain and spasms.

CBG – Cannabigerol is a precursor molecule that eventually develops into CBDA and THCA when the plant is fully grown, although our products do contain small amounts of CBG. It’s thought to be beneficial for relieving depression, high blood pressure, and more.

CBC – Cannabichromene, or CBC, is a minor cannabinoid found in small amounts in the industrial hemp plant and in our finished products. It’s thought to be beneficial for reducing pain and inflammation, and may also have anti-cancer properties.

Terpenes – Terpenes are actually not considered cannabinoids, but are in a category of their own. Terpenes are a group of fragrant essential oils that contribute to the aroma of various plants, including hemp. There are up to 200 different terpenes in the hemp plant alone. Terpenes can have a host of potential therapeutic benefits, and are found in concentrations of 1-4% in our CBD oils.

Terpene Profiles:

Cannabinoid Composition in NuLife CBD Oils

The graphic above demonstrates a typical cannabinoid composition from our CBD oils. Roughly 90% of the cannabinoid breakdown is CBD, with 6-9% split between the remaining cannabinoids, and 1-4% terpenes.

We are able to achieve this ideal composition containing a broad spectrum of beneficial cannabinoids with zero THC thanks to our innovative full spectrum extraction technology.

 

Bottom Line

The medical community is still researching the effects of various cannabinoids. Progress has been hampered by the federal prohibition of cannabis here in the United States, although significant progress has been made nonetheless.

The documented benefits of phytocannabinoids are impressive to say the least – and researchers believe that the endocannabinoid system and its interaction with phytocannabinoids may hold the key to groundbreaking alternative treatments for a huge array of medical concerns.

Here at NuLife CBD, we are proud to be at the cutting edge of this exciting new industry. We strive to provide our customers with high quality products and choices beyond the use of harsh pharmaceuticals. If you have any questions about phytocannabinoids or their potential effects on the body, don’t hesitate to ask!