The Discovery of CBDH

INTRODUCING CANNABIDIHEXOL (CBDH), A NEW CANNABINOID FOR PAIN

The increased interest in cannabinoid-based products has led to the discovery of more phytocannabinoids that can have better activities than the highly psychoactive THC and its non-psychoactive CBD counterparts. While these research results keep getting better, applying these new cannabinoids is limited due to their limited concentration in the cannabis plant.

Recently scientists have discovered the existence of other cannabinoids that fills the gap between the pentyl and homologs of CBD and D9-THC bringing the total number of phytocannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant to 150. These new compounds include but are not limited to Cannabidihexinol (CBDH), D9-tetrahydrocannabidihexinol (D9-THCH), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabidiol monomethyl ether (CBDM), and D9-tetrahydrocannabinol monomethyl ether (D9-THCM), tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP), and cannabidiphorol (CBDP).

The scientific discovery of THC analogs (THCP) proved to be thirty times more effective at promoting pain relief than D9-THC. The report stated that THCP and CBDP exist as larger forms of THC and CBD and have a higher potential of interacting with the cannabinoid receptors to produce faster effects for pain and anxiety even though the therapeutic potentials and the mode of activity are still unknown in humans.

What are CBDH and THCH?

CBDH and THCH are large cannabinoids with six carbon atoms as opposed to CBD and THC with only five carbon atoms. They serve as the perfect link between CBD, THC and THCP, and CBDP. The additional carbon atoms in the CBDH and THCH make it better at interacting with cannabinoid receptors to produce a wider scope of activity.

After successfully extracting CBDH, the researchers tested its effects on mice, and the results were excellent. They discovered the CBDH provided a better level of analgesic activity than CBD and suggested it may be a better cannabinoid for pain relief. Although the research was conducted on mice, there are speculations on how the results can apply to humans. The quantity of THCH extracted was too small for the researchers to test its intoxicating properties.

During the research, it was discovered that CBDH produced a strong analgesic (painkilling) property at a dose of 2 mg per kg via intraperitoneal administration. Interestingly, the effect was lower at higher doses and completely absent when 5 mg of CBDH was administered. At higher doses, CBDH has atypical effects, which suggests a biphasic effect.

How are CBDH and THCH Formed?

The origin of CBDH and THCH is quite unknown since researchers could not identify the presence of CBGH in the cannabis plant. CBG (cannabigerol) is the mother of all cannabinoids, and if it is absent in the cannabis plant, then there is a clear indication CBDH and THCH did not come from it. For now, the origin of CBDH and THCH is still a mystery.

Conclusion

With more research, scientists can uncover more secrets behind the highly effective analgesic properties of CBDH and THCH and their mode of activity in the human body. For now, we will have to keep our fingers crossed and see what unfolds.