How do you analyze cannabinoids – 2024 Guide

Cannabinoids analysis is a complex thing to understand for beginners. It is because it involves various methods. Some people get confused in the process of learning. However, you can resolve your confusion by reading this article. We have prepared all the techniques used for analyzing cannabinoids in simple words. You don’t have to struggle a lot while gaining knowledge about the same.

The demand for cannabis products is growing day by day. The main reason behind it is that cannabis is used for various purposes. As the industry is increasing, the laboratories for testing are also on the rise. You will find many options to test your cannabis plants. But there are only a few on which you can rely. You need to research well before choosing a lab for the same. Click here for more information about cannabinoid testing. They never disappoint their customers with their services. You can visit the site to know about them in detail.

As we mentioned before, there are different methods to analyze cannabinoids. If you want to know which is the best one, keep reading this article till the end.

How many types of cannabinoids are there?

There are more than a hundred types of cannabinoids. They are divided into three categories-

• Endogenous: This type is responsible for releasing neurotransmitters all over the body. It is also beneficial in enhancing overall metabolism.
• Synthetic: As the name suggests, they are not formed naturally. Researchers produce it for different medical experiments.
• Phytocannabinoids: You will find phytocannabinoids in cannabis plants. The most common cannabinoids are THC, CBD, and CBN.

What are the various methods to analyze cannabinoids?

The following are the sample separation techniques-

• Thin-layer chromatography (TLC): TLC is one of the simplest ways to examine the cannabinoids present in cannabis plants. In this method, the machines separate the compounds. However, it is not considered an effective method to get reliable results. TLC does not have an impressive detection limit, which makes this technique less reliable than others.

• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): HPLC is another method to analyze various compounds such as CBD, THC, TCHa, CBDa. Many people prefer this one because the results are always accurate. But sometimes, a little bit of contamination in the plants might not give you actual results. The detector won’t be able to work correctly. The best part is that it allows people to learn as much information as possible. Also, it is not a time-consuming process. It will save a lot of your time

• Gas chromatography (GC): Gas chromatography is one of the most popular techniques to analyze cannabinoids. You may ask, why? Unlike other methods, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on the process. It is mainly used for separating the terpenes. But it is more time-consuming since it helps in analyzing cannabinoids in both acid and liquid forms. One can also find THC levels from the same method. Another disadvantage is that you won’t get perfect results from the reports. So, it depends on you whether you consider this approach or not.

Now we will talk about some famous quantitative methods-

• Mass spectrometer (MS): This device is used for detecting all the compounds in cannabis. It might be expensive, but the results you will get won’t disappoint you. So, it is considered the most effective of all devices.

Sometimes, problems do arise while testing due to various reasons. But one can easily avoid them with technical knowledge.

• Flame ionization detector (FID): The Flame ionization detector is also well-known for cannabinoid analysis. This method is similar to gas chromatography because it is dependable on the ions formed during flaming. If we talk about its accuracy, it is a suitable detector. Still, it needs some improvement as sometimes the results are not accurate.

• Ultraviolet detector (UV): Although it is a time-consuming technique, the results are always accurate. The ultraviolet detector is the most effective device for cannabinoid analysis. The primary reason behind it is that you can quickly identify the concentration range of cannabinoids.

Which is the best technique for analyzing cannabinoids?

Among all the essential techniques, Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is considered the best one for cannabinoids. In other methods like Gas Chromatography cannot detect the acidic form. It means that the results won’t be accurate, even if you try your hardest. GC is a preferable method for terpenes as these are volatile.

What are the uses of cannabinoids?

They are used for many purposes. Some most common uses are as follows-

• Relieve Chronic Pain: Are you suffering from chronic pain? If yes, you should consider taking them to relieve the pain. It is always better to talk to your doctor before deciding on it.
• Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression: Today, many people suffer from mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. When dealing with these problems, it isn’t easy to get a good night’s sleep. Cannabinoids can help you sleep better.
• Helps reduce cancer-related symptoms: According to data, using cannabinoids helps reduce cancer-related symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and chronic pain. Many health experts consider it to be the best medicine for cancer patients. However, more evidence is needed to prove that it is safe for cancer patients to consume.
• Keep Your Heart Healthy: You may already know that high blood pressure is the cause of heart attacks. To keep your heart healthy, you must control your blood pressure. If it is high, there is always a risk of a heart attack. Many studies have shown that people diagnosed with high blood pressure can use cannabinoids to maintain blood pressure. However, it has not been shown to treat high blood pressure. If you also suffer from this disease, you should consult your doctor before consuming any product.
• Anti-inflammatory properties: Cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, one can use their products to keep the body safe and healthy.

Final Thoughts

In the end, we would like to say that various methods are used for analyzing cannabinoids in the labs. However, only a few of them are successful in giving accurate results. We hope you found this guide helpful and informative.