Minor Cannabinoids: CBG, CBN, CBC and Others at a Glance

How to use this overview

Beyond THC and CBD, a 2021 review says cannabis makes over 120 other cannabinoids, all derived from the parent compound CBGA. [1] NIDA says research on the health effects of several intoxicating or related compounds, including delta-10-THC, THC-O-acetate, THCV, THCP, HHC and CBN, is limited. [2] Each paragraph below gives the short version and links to the full guide. For lesser-known names such as CBT, CBL and CBE, see CBT, CBL, CBE and other reported cannabinoids. Evidence labels used: promising but limited, insufficient evidence, preclinical (cells/animals only), no good evidence of benefit, evidence of harm and marketing claim. "Proper evidence not found" means we looked and found nothing usable.

Plant cannabinoids

CBG (cannabigerol) is the precursor molecule for the most abundant plant cannabinoids. [3] One small 2024 trial in 34 healthy adults found lower anxiety and stress ratings after CBG than placebo, with no sign of impairment. [4] Label: promising but limited. Read the CBG guide.

CBN (cannabinol) is often marketed for sleep. A review found no published trials using validated sleep measures and concluded there is insufficient evidence to support sleep claims. [5] Label: insufficient evidence. Read the CBN guide.

CBC (cannabichromene) is sold in some hemp products. A 2024 review says CBC products are widely used with little or no evidence of their safety or efficacy. [6] Read the CBC guide.

THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) was studied in a small 2016 pilot trial in type 2 diabetes, where it lowered fasting glucose compared with placebo and was well tolerated. [7] Label: promising but limited. Read the THCV guide.

CBDV (cannabidivarin) failed to beat placebo in a phase 2 trial in adults with focal seizures, where seizure reductions were similar in both groups. [8] Label: no good evidence of benefit in that trial. Read the CBDV guide.

CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) is one of the acidic precursors from which neutral cannabinoids form. [9] A 2026 review says a lack of controlled human trials holds back clinical translation. [9] Read the CBGA guide.

Converted and semisynthetic cannabinoids

These are different from plant cannabinoids and deserve more caution. Marketing percentages are not independent lab results, and none should be called safe or legal without a source.

Delta-8 THC is not found in significant amounts in the plant, and concentrated products are typically manufactured from hemp-derived CBD. [10] The FDA says these products have not been evaluated or approved for safe use and it has received adverse event reports. [10] Label: evidence of harm signals. Read the delta-8 THC guide.

Delta-10 THC has very little published research. In a mouse study, one form partly substituted for delta-9 THC. [11] Human data: proper evidence not found. Read the delta-10 THC guide.

HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is a semisynthetic derivative of THC, typically sold as a mixture of two isomers whose ratio varies widely between products. [12] It was added to Schedule II of the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances in 2025. [13] Read the HHC guide.

THCP (tetrahydrocannabiphorol) was reported in 2019 as a natural cannabinoid with a longer side chain than THC, and it bound the CB1 receptor strongly in laboratory work. [14] Human safety data are missing. Label: preclinical (cells/animals only). Read the THCP guide.

THC-O and other acetates are semisynthetic compounds identified in some oil and herbal products. [15] Poison centers recorded 5,022 cases for delta-8, delta-10 and THC-O acetate over 2021 to 2022, almost all involving delta-8. [16] Read the THC-O and acetates guide.

Urgent: children and pets

Products that look like candy can attract children. The FDA says delta-8 products should be kept out of reach of children and pets, and to call 911 for an immediate danger to health. [10] In the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222; see Poison Help by country.

How to judge any minor-cannabinoid claim

Ask which compound, which study, which people, and what was measured. Laboratory and animal findings are not human results. A certificate of analysis shows content, not benefit; see how to read a cannabis COA. Laws differ widely and change; see cannabis laws by country. Related comparison: CBD vs CBG and CBD vs CBN.