A 2025 study compared the effects of four major cannabinoids found in hemp extract—CBD (cannabidiol), CBG (cannabigerol), CBC (cannabichromene), and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)—to better understand how each compound affects gene activity within cells. Using transcriptomic analysis, researchers examined changes in gene expression after cannabinoid exposure and found that each cannabinoid produced distinct biological responses. The findings suggest that cannabinoids may influence different cellular pathways involved in inflammation, metabolism, oxidative stress, immune signaling, and neurological function.

The study showed that while some biological effects overlapped, each cannabinoid affected unique groups of genes and molecular pathways. Researchers observed differences in how the cannabinoids influenced inflammatory responses, cellular stress mechanisms, and signaling networks involved in maintaining normal cell function. These results help explain why cannabinoids can produce different physiological effects despite coming from the same plant and interacting with similar biological systems.

The authors concluded that transcriptomic profiling provides valuable insight into the mechanisms of action of individual cannabinoids and highlights the complexity of cannabinoid biology. The findings support the idea that cannabinoids should not be viewed as interchangeable compounds, as each may have unique therapeutic properties and applications. Researchers noted that further studies are needed to better understand how these genetic and molecular changes translate into clinical outcomes in humans.

Source: Transcriptomic Comparison on the Mechanism of Action of Four Major Constituent Cannabinoids in Hemp Extract. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42057192/