Minor Phytocannabinoids Show Promise for Neurological Diseases

A new review of studies now shows that minor phytocannabinoids, such as CBG (cannabigerol), THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin), CBDV (cannabidivarin), and CBN (cannabinol), hold significant promise for treating a wide range of neurological disorders.

From Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases to epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, these minor phytocannabinoids are revealing their therapeutic potential through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuromodulatory effects.

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New Interest in Minor Phytocannabinoids

Historically, the conversation around cannabis has been dominated by THC and CBD due to their abundance in the plant and widely studied effects. However, a growing body of research is now exploring the therapeutic benefits of minor phytocannabinoids, compounds found in smaller concentrations in cannabis but with significant medical potential.

According to a recent scientific study conducted by researchers at the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, minor phytocannabinoids like CBG, CBDV, and THCV could play a key role in neuroprotection.

The study, published on Preprints.org, examined how these minor phytocannabinoids could help manage diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, and epilepsy. Researchers found that these compounds exhibit neuroprotective functions due to their ability to reduce oxidative stress, decrease inflammation, and modulate the immune system.

“Their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuromodulatory effects make them promising agents in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders,” the report states, emphasizing the untapped potential of these non-psychoactive minor phytocannabinoids. The study highlights that despite extensive research on the neuroprotective effects of THC, minor cannabinoids remain largely unexplored.

Promising Therapeutic Applications for Neurodegenerative Diseases

The therapeutic potential of these minor phytocannabinoids goes beyond symptom management; they also show promise in preventing or slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Parkinson’s disease, for example, is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain, leading to motor dysfunction. Research indicates that CBG has neuroprotective effects that could potentially slow the deterioration of these neurons, offering hope for more effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease.

Similarly, other minor phytocannabinoids like THCV and CBDV have shown promise in managing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, a condition affecting millions of people worldwide. These minor phytocannabinoids appear to reduce brain inflammation and combat the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques, a key factor in Alzheimer’s pathology. They could serve as potential complements or alternatives to traditional Alzheimer’s treatments, which are often limited in effectiveness and accompanied by significant side effects.

The Center for Dementia Research at the Nathan Kline Institute is optimistic about the therapeutic potential of these lesser-studied minor phytocannabinoids. In their report, the authors stress that research on cannabis should expand beyond CBD.

“The therapeutic potential of cannabis extends well beyond the widely studied CBD, encompassing a diverse range of lesser-known phytocannabinoids that show promise in treating various neurological disorders,” the report states.

Minor Phytocannabinoids for Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders

Epilepsy is another area where minor phytocannabinoids show therapeutic promise. CBD has already made headlines for its effectiveness in treating rare forms of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, but recent studies suggest that CBDV could also offer benefits.

CBDV shares many of CBD’s antiepileptic properties, but it may interact with different pathways in the brain, providing a new avenue for treatment.

In fact, a separate study showed that patients using full-spectrum CBD extracts that still contain all minor phytocannabinoids, as opposed to purified CBD products, experienced fewer undesirable side effects and better overall health outcomes. This finding already emphasized the importance of considering the entourage effect—the synergistic relationship between cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds in the cannabis plant.

The Entourage Effect and Minor Phytocannabinoids – Unlocking Cannabis’ Full Therapeutic Potential

One of the key findings of the recent wave of research into minor phytocannabinoids and other cannabis components is the concept of the entourage effect. This phenomenon occurs when multiple cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work together to create therapeutic effects greater than what a single compound can achieve alone. As published earlier this year in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, “The cannabis plant exhibits an effect called the ‘entourage effect,’ where the combined actions of terpenes and phytocannabinoids produce effects that surpass the sum of their individual contributions.”

While terpenes have long been considered responsible for the distinct aroma of cannabis strains, their potential medical effects are becoming clearer. Recent studies suggest that terpenes may have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic properties, enhancing the efficacy of cannabinoids in managing conditions like chronic pain and anxiety.

For instance, a federally funded study published in May revealed that terpenes may be effective in treating chronic neuropathic pain. When used, terpenes produced pain reduction markers similar to those of morphine, but without the addictive or dysphoric side effects typically associated with opioids. Terpenes thus represent potential alternatives to opioid-based treatments, which have been plagued by widespread dependency and abuse.

Minor Phytocannabinoids and Cancer: A Growing Area of Interest

In addition to their neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, minor phytocannabinoids are also being studied for their potential anticancer effects. A study published in BioFactors examined the impact of CBG, CBN, CBC, and CBDV on multiple myeloma (MM), a type of blood cancer.

Researchers found that these minor phytocannabinoids had cytotoxic effects on MM cell lines, with CBN proving particularly promising in preclinical mouse models. “Together, our results suggest that CBG, CBC, CBN, and CBDV may be promising anticancer agents for MM,” the study concludes, noting their ability to inhibit cancer cell invasion into bone tissue.

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(Featured image by BUDDHI Kumar SHRESTHA via Unsplash)

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