Researchers identified 94 phytocannabinoids across 36 medical cannabis strains and showed that extracts with equal CBD content produced different anticonvulsant effects, demonstrating the importance of the full chemical profile.
Read this if you use medical cannabis and wonder why different products with similar THC/CBD labels produce different effects.
94 individual phytocannabinoids identified; equal-CBD extracts had different anticonvulsant effects
What the researchers found
Researchers developed a new analytical method to profile 94 individual phytocannabinoids across 10 different subclasses in 36 of the most commonly prescribed medical cannabis strains in Israel. This went far beyond the standard practice of measuring only THC and CBD.
The most clinically significant finding was their demonstration that equally high-CBD cannabis extracts (all 50% CBD by weight) produced different anticonvulsant effects. Despite having the same CBD concentration, some extracts were more effective than others, proving that the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and compounds in the extract mattered.
This challenges the current practice of characterizing medical cannabis primarily by THC and CBD content, showing that this two-compound description is insufficient to predict therapeutic outcomes. The 94 identified compounds create distinct "fingerprints" for each strain that better predict its effects.
Why it matters
Most patients, doctors, and regulators focus on THC and CBD percentages when selecting or evaluating medical cannabis. This study provides direct evidence that this approach is inadequate. Two products with identical CBD content can have very different therapeutic effects because of their other compounds. This has major implications for quality control, product labeling, and clinical expectations.
The numbers in context
94 phytocannabinoids identified from 10 subclasses. 36 medical cannabis strains profiled. All tested extracts contained 50% CBD by weight. Different extracts produced different anticonvulsant effects despite equal CBD content.
How the study worked
Researchers developed a new ESI-LC/MS/MS analytical method capable of identifying phytocannabinoids from 10 different subclasses. They profiled 36 commonly prescribed medical cannabis strains in Israel, identifying 94 individual phytocannabinoids. To demonstrate the practical importance of comprehensive profiling, they compared the anticonvulsant effects of several high-CBD extracts with equal CBD content (50% w/w) in preclinical models.
What this study cannot tell us
The anticonvulsant comparison was a demonstration rather than a full clinical study. The analytical method identifies compounds present but does not establish which specific non-CBD compounds drove the differences in anticonvulsant effects. The 36 strains profiled represent Israeli medical cannabis and may not cover all strains available globally.
How to read the evidence
This is a moderate-evidence study combining comprehensive analytical chemistry with a practical demonstration of how profiles affect outcomes.
When this study was published
Published in 2018. Comprehensive phytocannabinoid profiling has become increasingly important in cannabis research and regulation.
The bigger picture
This study provides the scientific framework for moving from "what percentage of THC and CBD" to "what is the full chemical fingerprint." As cannabis medicine matures, comprehensive profiling could enable precision medicine approaches where patients are matched to specific strains based on their full phytocannabinoid profile rather than just THC:CBD ratio.
Questions still open
- Which of the 94 identified phytocannabinoids are responsible for the varying anticonvulsant effects? Should medical cannabis product labels include full phytocannabinoid profiles? Can comprehensive profiling be used to breed strains optimized for specific conditions?
Common questions
Why do different cannabis products with the same CBD feel different?
How many compounds are in cannabis?
Read the original research
A new ESI-LC/MS approach for comprehensive metabolic profiling of phytocannabinoids in Cannabis.
Scientific reports, 8(1), 14280
Citation
Berman, Paula; Futoran, Kate; Lewitus, Gil M; Mukha, Dzmitry; Benami, Maya; Shlomi, Tomer; Meiri, David. (2018). A new ESI-LC/MS approach for comprehensive metabolic profiling of phytocannabinoids in Cannabis.. Scientific reports, 8(1), 14280. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-32651-4
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