Bioactive compounds in Whole Hemp Flower

Cannabinoids (~119 known)

Compounds that bind to receptors in the human body’s endocannabinoid system, producing both psychoactive effects, in the case of THC, and non-psychoactive effects, in the case of CBDa and CBD.

Terpenes (~140 known)

A family of compounds that give cannabis its unique smell and play a key role in the “entourage effect” of CBD.

Flavonoids (~20 known)

Plant pigments, flavonoids found in cannabis are anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antioxidant and anti-cancer potential. They may also play a special role in protecting the brain.

Types of Cannabinoids

Phytocannabinoids

Produced naturally in plants, there are 119 known phytocannabinoids.

Endocannabinoids

Produced internally by the body to maintain general homeostasis through the balancing and sustaining of systems in charge of things like sleep cycles, appetite, memory, immune function and many critical systems more.

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Molecules made in a lab to mimic binding of cannabinoids to our body’s receptors.

CBDa

Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is the acidic precursor to cannabidiol (CBD). It is this non-intoxicating compound that is found in the resin of raw hemp flowers.

In Circle Labs CBDA preparations you will also find several other beneficial cannabinoids (CBCA, THCA, CBGA, CBDVA, CBD), terpenes (myrcene, caryophyllene, fenchol, pinene), and flavonoids. 

CBD

When hemp flower is exposed to heat, the cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) goes through a process called decarboxylation where it becomes cannabidiol (CBD), another non-intoxicating cannabinoid.

Extensive scientific research – much of it sponsored by the U.S. government – highlight CBD’s potential as a treatment for a wide range of conditions.

Terpenes

Terpenes are bioactive compounds that play a critical role in the ‘Entourage Effect,’ or the synergy of phytonutrient compounds resulting in significantly higher efficacy where the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts1. They also are what give cannabis its perceived odor. While there are 140 known terpenes in hemp flower, the most common include myrcene, pinene, caryophyllene, limonene and humulene. The extensive research that has been done on the terpenoid family of compounds indicates a plethora of medicinal properties. Among many other potential benefits, the 5 terpenes mentioned above have been shown to; reduce pain and inflammation2, reduce stress, act as an analgesic (pain relief)3 and catalyze antitumor immunity4.

Flavonoids

Naturally occurring plant pigments, flavonoids only found in hemp/cannabis are called cannaflavins. Similar to terpenes, flavonoids play a critical role in the Entourage Effect. Cannaflavin A for example is pharmaceutically active and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that could be stronger than NSAIDs5. Flavonoids found in cannabis have been found to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antioxidant and anti-cancer potential. They may also play a special role in protecting the brain.