The Complete Guide to Phytocannabinoids

The hemp plant is perhaps one of the most interesting and complex plants ever known to humankind. Both its fiber and its flowers have a wide array of uses. As time goes on, we are continually discovering new ways that the hemp plant can potentially benefit us, and the recently legalized industrial hemp industry has been dramatically expanding as a result.

What makes the plant so unique is that—contrary to so many other things that are regularly consumed by humans—the sources of benefits that can be found within it are naturally occurring. Hemp does not necessarily require manipulation in order to be beneficial. It can simply be beneficial on its own.

Phytocannabinoids are just one example of the productive resources occurring naturally within the plant itself. According to the British Journal of Pharmacology, phytocannabinoids can be defined as “any plant-derived natural product capable of either directly interacting with cannabinoid receptors or sharing chemical similarity with cannabinoids or both.”

These “cannabinoid receptors” that the journal is referring to are something that—rather amazingly—occurs naturally within the human body. Even if you have never consumed hemp in your entire life, there is something within you that is capable of directly interacting with the components of the plant.

As time has gone on, many people have been trying to learn to use the unique properties of their cannabinoid receptors to their advantage. Even if the full terminology and understanding had not yet been fully developed, these receptors are what seem to have been motivating people to experiment with the plant species since ancient times.

What are some different types of phytocannabinoids?

Unsurprisingly, there exists a very wide array of phytocannabinoids in nature. Each of these possesses at least one property that allows itself to be distinguished from the others, and consequently, it seems that each phytocannabinoid we ever discover may be able to benefit us in some unique way.

CBD (Cannabidiol): CBD is one of the most common phytocannabinoids. It is characterized by the way it is able to directly interact with the endocannabinoid system, and many people believe it is especially effective for therapeutic purposes. Unlike its more common counterpart THC, CBD’s recent rise in popularity has been because of its distinctive non-psychoactive properties—something alternative healers everywhere have been diligently searching for.
CBN: in many ways, CBN is comparable to CBD. It is generally considered to be non-psychoactive, though some people have reported feeling sedated after consuming it. Though it is still classified as a phytocannabinoid, it is molecularly distinctive from CBD. CBN generally composes less than 1% of the content of a dried flower.
CBG (cannabigerol): CBG is another relatively rare phytocannabinoid, but its unique properties have inspired a tremendous increase in research efforts over the past few years. Though there is still a lot of research that needs to be done, some people believe that CBG can offer important wellness benefits. One of these potential benefits includes aiding the body’s ability to reach and maintain homeostasis—something that may otherwise require the use of more potent pharmaceuticals.

These three phytocannabinoids are just a few examples of how we have been discovering some of the potential benefits that the hemp plant can offer. Because the unrestricted research of these benefits is something that only recently came into fruition, there still remains a lot more investigation that needs to be done. But it seems the future of the phytocannabinoid industry is brighter than it has ever been before.

What are some potential benefits of Phytocannabinoid Rich Oil?

If you are considering using CBD, CBN, CBG, or any other phytocannabinoid as an alternative form of healing, you are certainly going to want to research before you fully commit to utilizing them. But for some people—especially those are trying to avoid traditional pharmaceuticals unless absolutely necessary—these unique products of the plant have been claimed to be quite beneficial.

The increased interest in phytocannabinoids has been a consequence of the discovery of the endocannabinoid system. All throughout your body, every human being has a given set of receptors that are able to interact with these molecules in some sort of directly detectable way. For many individuals, these interactions have been claimed to be a great source of relief.

Some of the most frequently reported benefits of phytocannabinoid use include:

Easing feelings of discomfort
Support for overall sleep
Relief from feelings of tension
Support for overall emotional wellness
Support for a healthy appetite
Other perceived benefits that vary by individual

Using phytocannabinoids is something that can be done in conjunction with or as an alternative to other sorts of treatment methods. There is obviously no single solution that can be deemed to be the best for everybody, but in a world where people are constantly looking for new choices and new opportunities, phytocannabinoids may be a viable alternative.

What are terpenes?

One word that is commonly associated with phytocannabinoids is terpenes. According to Project CBD, “Terpenes are volatile aromatic molecules that evaporate easily and readily announce themselves to the nose.” Essentially, it seems the scents that are produced by some phytocannabinoids aren’t just a nice addition, but actually produce some sort of tangible benefit in and of themselves.

Over 200 different varieties of terpenes have already been found to exist within the hemp plant, and these have changed the ways in which the plant is both used and perceived. Plants that contain a strong amount of terpenes have a natural evolutionary advantage, and consequently, it seems the stronger the presence of terpenes, the more effective the plant can potentially be.

There seems to be a synergy produced by combining multiple components of the hemp plant.

The plant has been consistently deemed to be a “poly-pharmaceutical”. What this means is that it doesn’t just offer a single type of potential benefit, rather, the way it can potentially benefit human beings is diverse and complex.

Overall, it seems that by utilizing multiple components of hemp—CBD, CBN, CBG, and its associated terpenes—individuals can receive a greater benefit than the sum of each of these individual components on their own.

As time goes on, we will surely keep uncovering new ways that the industrial hemp can potentially serve to benefit us. The study of phytocannabinoids has been rapidly increasing, and other studies of this multi-functional plant have been increasing as well. Only time can tell what, exactly, is still waiting to be discovered. But until we are very excited about what the future has in store.

Blue Forest Farms is a Hemp Farm offering premium grade, High CBD Strains, Flower and Extracts. For more information on phytocannabinoids, or to inquire about a seed or oil purchase, please contact us directly at 303-931-9221.