Everything you need to know about cannabinoids
Following the recent frenzy for hemp-derived CBD products, could a new wave of next-gen cannabinoid products really provide the miracle cure for everything from anxiety, stress and insomnia to pain relief, skin complaints and digestive disorders? FIORELLA VALDESOLO reports
In 2018, the United States passed the Farm Bill, which legalized the cultivation and sale of hemp-derived CBD (cannabidiol, chemicals naturally found in marijuana plants). What followed was a dramatic surge in CBD products – from Harvard-backed medicinal-style supplements to infused sheet masks by a celebrity tattoo artist, and high-design bath soaks dreamt up by beauty-world veterans to pain balms hawked from open-air stalls on Venice Beach. The growing number of products met an increasing interest in CBD that shows no signs of letting up: according to Euromonitor, by 2025 the global market for CBD-based products will balloon to $166 billion USD. So while it seems that you can now find a CBD solution that claims to help with everything that ails you, along with the surge of these products has come a great deal of skepticism: can it really do it all? Plus, more recently, a wave of next-gen cannabinoids has appeared that may be even more promising.
A CBD recap
For all the talk there is about CBD, there’s just as much confusion. Is it the same as cannabis? Is it legal? Is it safe? CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a compound derived from cannabis that, because of its negligible amounts of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a controlled substance), does not have psychoactive properties – in other words, it won’t get you high. In the US, hemp is defined at a federal level as cannabis containing no more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight, and it’s this that is legal to cultivate and use in products (though the legal situation still varies locally). Laws and regulations around CBD continue to evolve, and research, while promising (studies have found it to be helpful for treating seizures and a host of inflammatory issues), remains in the nascent stages.
The next-gen cannabinoids
Much of the reason that CBD, just one of over 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, has dominated the conversation (and the majority of formulations) so far is that it’s the cheapest and easiest to extract. “CBD was not chosen as the face of the cannabis campaign because it’s the superior cannabinoid,” explains Natalie Salzman, one of the sisters behind SOLVIVA, a line of rare cannabinoid tinctures launching this year. “It was chosen because it’s the most accessible cannabinoid, and thus has overshadowed all the others.” The truth is, the new wave of lesser-known cannabinoids may be even more compelling in their purported ability to effectively address hyper-specific beauty and health concerns. “Minor cannabinoids are going to be the next frontier of the cannabis revolution, and now they’re becoming available in pure form, we’ll be able to have more control over the concentration and formulas,” adds SOLVIVA’s co-founder Nedira Salzman. Here are the ones you may come across, together with the benefits they claim to have*…
CBN For anxiety, insomnia and stress
A mildly psychoactive compound with sedative properties, CBN has been claimed to help relieve anxiety, insomnia and stress, and has been shown to impact rapid-eye-movement sleep. CBN will be featured prominently in SOLVIVA’s Calm tincture, while it also appears in Gossamer’s popular pre-bedtime tincture Dusk.
CBG For extremely dry skin, psoriasis and eczema
“There are claims CBG has powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties,” says Salzman. Cannabinoids may have the potential to aid with pain relief, the hydration and healing of dry skin, psoriasis and eczema.
CBC For acne, mood issues and digestive disorders
This is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid with a number of possible therapeutic applications. “CBC may relieve pain, fight acne, act as an anti-depressant and assist with digestive and gastrointestinal disorders,” says Salzman.
CBDV For pain and nausea relief
CBDV is a non-psychoactive compound with a similar structure to CBD. “CBDV purportedly reduces nausea and inflammation, and may be beneficial in the treatment of pain, mood disorders and acne,” Salzman says.
THCV For mental acuity
“Despite the first three letters, it’s not THC,” says Verena von Pfetten, co-founder of Gossamer, a New York-based cannabis brand and publication, of this compound. Besides being used as an appetite suppressant, THCV is also being deployed to promote mental focus. “Early research indicates that it may be a plant-based alternative to attention medicines such as Ritalin and Adderal,” adds von Pfetten. The cannabinoid is the star of Gossamer’s latest product, Dawn (the counterpart to Dusk), a tincture that is, as the tagline reads, “for when the sun rises”.
Why you’ll still be seeing a lot of CBD
Lest you think CBD is replaceable, its role in cannabinoid-based products remains critical for many formulations. “CBD stimulates the receptors in your body’s endocannabinoid system, and it affects how other cannabinoids bind to them,” explains von Pfetten. Therefore, many believe that the presence of small amounts of CBD (or THC) is key to the efficacy of these rarer and lesser-known cannabinoids. That’s why products are often touted as full- or broad-spectrum – the former refers to the whole plant and all its components, including CBD and THC; the latter means without THC. But SOLVIVA claims to have found a way to formulate efficaciously without these banner cannabinoids. When the brand launches this summer, its products aim to feature high concentrations of rare cannabinoids without traces of THC or CBD.
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*Always consult your doctor before starting any type of new treatment, particularly if you have any existing medical conditions. There is still limited research demonstrating the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids and the effects may vary from person to person.
The model featured in this story is not associated with NET-A-PORTER and does not endorse it or the products mentioned.