Cannabinoid Profiles: CBD, CBDv, and CBC

The cannabis plant is perhaps the most versatile member of the plant kingdom, with uses ranging from fiber and fuel, to food and medicine. There are 483 known compounds in the plant, and as cannabis science and research develop, even more may be discovered. 

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are an important class of compounds in cannabis, found most abundantly in the flowering buds of female plants. Cannabinoids are responsible for both the intoxicating and medicinal properties of cannabis. They work together in synergy with other minor compounds like terpenes and flavonoids to produce the Entourage Effect – they work better together in synergy than they do by themselves.

Cannabinoids produced by plants are called phytocannabinoids. They imitate endocannabinoids, which are naturally produced by the body. They both work on the receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce the broad array of therapeutic and recreational effects. They do act on other receptors in the body, but they have the most affinity and fit like a lock and key with the receptors of endocannabinoid system. The two most abundant phytocannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (commonly known as THC for short), and cannabidiol (CBD). Minor cannabinoids, of which there are over 100 different types, are present in smaller amounts.

Cannabinoid Profiles

So, how do you know what’s in your cannabis or hemp product? The only way to know is through a laboratory testing report that shows the cannabinoid profile. The cannabinoid profile shows how much of each cannabinoid compound a substance contains, usually reported as a percentage of total weight. Below you can see an example of a cannabinoid profile lab report from a batch of CBD oil we currently have in stock. It shows mostly active, decarboxylated CBD, with a couple of other minor compounds:

CBD (cannabidiol)

CBD has a wide range of reported effects, but it won’t make you feel high. It can be neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressive, anxiolytic (reducing anxiety), analgesic (reducing pain), antispasmodic (reducing muscle spasms) and even antiepileptic (reducing seizure activity). CBD is a homeostatic agent, helping to balance out whatever is out of whack with many different body systems and processes. The cannabinoid profile of this batch shows that it contains 95.9% CBD. So, 1 gram of this oil would contain 959 mg of CBD.

CBDv (cannabidivarin)

Like its cousin CBD, CBDv is also non-intoxicating and will not make you feel high like THC will. CBDv has antiepileptic and anticonvulsive properties. It is currently being studied as a promising treatment for epilepsy and other seizure disorders. One study also demonstrates that CBDv may act as an appetite suppressant and could be useful in combating the munchies or treating obesity. This batch contains 0.3% CBDv, meaning 1 gram of this oil contains 3mg of CBDv.

CBC (cannabichromene)

Although it doesn’t garner as much attention as CBD and THC, CBC is considered one of the ‘major’ cannabinoids. While more research is needed, the medicinal effects of CBC are promising. When CBC binds to certain receptors in the body, it stimulates the release of the body’s natural endocannabinoids and inhibits their reuptake, allowing higher levels to remain in the bloodstream for longer. Studies also show anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, and researchers are looking at CBC as a potential agent in treating cancer, acne, depression, and more. At 0.2% CBC, this batch of oil contains 2mg per gram.