If you’ve read this blog, you may recall reading about how minor cannabinoids have a major impact on our bodies. Minor cannabinoids, found alongside the major cannabinoids CBD and THC, offer therapeutic benefits on their own. However, when they all work together, the benefits increase. I thought it would be interesting to look a bit more deeply into why it makes sense to use a full-spectrum hemp oil (FSHO) in CBD topical products.
CBD: economic darling
In the wellness market, CBD has become an economic boost for alternative medicine therapies. A full-spectrum CBD product contains multiple cannabis plant extracts, including essential oils, terpenes and other cannabinoids, such as cannabinol. When the oil is extracted with all the components intact, it enhances the benefits of the oil. There’s a good reason for that. It’s called the entourage effect – all of the major and minor cannabinoids work in concert to exponentially boost the benefits.
According to a recent article in the Hemp Industry Daily, “Like CBD, many of these minor cannabinoids are nonintoxicating and can be used in topicals, edibles, beverages and even smokable flower purported to:
- Relieve ailments from immune disorders (CBG) to seizures (CBD-V).
- Promote better sleep (CBN).
- Relieve pain and inflammation (CBC).”
What are minor cannabinoids?
As I’ve already noted, an FSHO retains all the components of the hemp plant. But who are some of the minor players and what do they do? CBD, the most prevalent compound extracted from hemp, is joined by these no-less-important players: CBG, CBN, CBC and THCV. It’s not a comprehensive list, but this is what we know about these compounds.
CBG, or cannabigerol, is more than a bit player. The breakdown of CBG is what forms all other cannabinoids, including THC and CBD. CBG has been shown to help reduce inflammation, among other health concerns. A 2018 study by The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests that CBG, similar to other minor cannabinoids, may also have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
CBC, or cannabichromene, has been shown to exhibit antidepressant effects, in concert with CBD. It can help alleviate inflammation and pain – especially in patients suffering from arthritis.
CBN, or cannabinol, was actually the first cannabinoid to be isolated in 1940. It has sedative properties when interacting with THC. It also offers benefits such as pain relief, antibacterial effect and anticonvulsant treatment.
THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, a slightly less potent form of THC, has recently been categorized as a CB1 and CB2 receptor agonist – meaning that it helps to initiate physiological response from the receptors.
FSHO in CBD topicals
The reason I’ve outlined some minor cannabinoids found in FSHO is to show you why Lost Remedy uses that for our topical products. Each cannabinoid has its own unique beneficial qualities. But, let them work together and you get a sum that is greater than all its parts, also known as the entourage effect.
But we don’t use just any old CBD oil. We use NuLeaf, an organic, domestically grown product that is tested by a third-party lab for purity and quality. NuLeaf uses CO2 extraction as the primary tool for mining phytonutrients from each plant. This method doesn’t require heat or solvents. Therefore, all of cannabinoids stay in the oil. The finished product is all natural, with no additives or preservatives. These products contain all the synergistic cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils and other compounds of the original plant, to deliver the highest-grade products in their most pure and simple form. Rigorous outside lab testing is performed to ensure strength, potency and purity.
A nonprofit called Project CBD has examined a wealth of peer-reviewed scientific research and concluded that cannabis oil may be therapeutic for individuals with conditions such as pain, inflammation, anxiety, sleep disorders and many others.
CBD topicals with minor cannabinoids
CBD topicals made with FSHO may help treat diseases such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. A 2016 study done on rats proved that topicals with CBD could reduce swelling, pain and inflammation in case of arthritis.
Topicals come in the form of lotions, creams, balms and salves. They apply easily to the skin, avoiding going through the bloodstream. So, you feel the effects within minutes, not hours. A known anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic and antioxidant, it can also be effective quickly treating:
- Acne
- Arthritis
- Bacterial infections
- Burns, including radiation burns
- Chapped, dry skin
- Fibromyalgia pain
- Itchy bug bites or poison ivy
- Inflammatory skin conditions
- Joint and muscle aches and pains
- Neuropathy
- Rash, eczema, psoriasis
- Wounds
- Aging skin
You can apply CBD topicals that are a combination of CBD, carrier and essential oils as often as necessary. There have been no reported side effects associated with the products. Plus, it can act as a preventive when used more often.
But I would caution you to know what to look for when buying CBD topicals. There are a lot of products available, but not all are what they claim. So do your research and be sure you are buying clean, organic products that don’t contain chemicals or toxins.