Meet the Cannabinoid Family: CBD, CBG, CBN, THC and More

CBD. THC. CBG. CBN.

If you've spent any time shopping for hemp products, you've probably seen these abbreviations.

But what exactly are they?

They're all cannabinoids, naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant, including hemp.

CBD and THC are by far the best known. But scientists have identified more than 100 different cannabinoids, many of which occur naturally in only very small amounts.

And understanding this family of compounds can make it much easier to understand the CBD products you buy.

What Is a Cannabinoid?

Cannabinoids are a group of compounds associated with the cannabis plant.

The plant produces many different cannabinoids, and the amount of each can vary depending on the variety of hemp, how it's grown, when it's harvested, and how the extract is processed.

Some cannabinoids occur in relatively large amounts.

Others are considered minor cannabinoids because they're naturally present in much smaller quantities.

You've probably heard of the two most famous members of the family:

CBD and THC.

But they're far from the only ones.

CBD: The Cannabinoid That Changed an Industry

CBD stands for cannabidiol.

It's the cannabinoid at the center of the modern hemp wellness industry and the primary cannabinoid in most Joy Organics products.

One of CBD's defining characteristics is that it doesn't produce the intoxicating "high" associated with THC.

That distinction helped make CBD an appealing option for people interested in incorporating hemp into their wellness routines without the intoxicating effects associated with marijuana.

Today, CBD can be found in gummies, tinctures, softgels, capsules, topicals, pet products, and many other formats.

But CBD is only one part of the hemp plant's cannabinoid story.

THC: The Cannabinoid Most People Already Know

THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol.

It's best known as the cannabinoid responsible for the intoxicating effects associated with marijuana.

But THC can also occur naturally in hemp in relatively small amounts.

That's an important distinction.

Hemp and marijuana aren't completely different plants containing completely different compounds. Both are varieties of cannabis. One of the major legal distinctions has historically been the concentration of delta-9 THC.

This is also why some hemp-derived CBD products can contain THC while others are specifically formulated to be THC-free.

We'll come back to that distinction shortly.

CBG: Another Naturally Occurring Cannabinoid

CBG stands for cannabigerol.

It's typically found in much smaller concentrations than CBD in mature hemp plants, which is why it's often referred to as a minor cannabinoid.

CBG is particularly interesting because its acidic precursor, CBGA, plays an important role in the plant's production of several other cannabinoids.

As the hemp plant develops, naturally occurring chemical processes help convert cannabinoid acids into the precursors of cannabinoids such as CBD and THC.

That's one reason CBG has received increasing attention from cannabinoid researchers.

It's another reminder that hemp isn't simply a source of CBD.

It's a remarkably complex plant.

CBN: Where Does It Come From?

CBN stands for cannabinol.

Its story is a little different.

CBN can form as THC ages and undergoes oxidation and other chemical changes over time.

It's generally found in much smaller quantities than CBD and THC.

In recent years, CBN has become increasingly familiar to consumers as companies have developed products containing deliberately formulated amounts of this cannabinoid.

Research into CBN and other minor cannabinoids continues to evolve.

And There Are Many More

CBD, THC, CBG, and CBN are only the beginning.

Researchers have identified numerous other cannabinoids, including compounds such as CBC, CBDV, THCV, and others.

Some are found only in trace amounts.

Many remain far less studied than CBD and THC.

That's important to remember whenever you encounter bold claims about a newly popular cannabinoid.

Interest in a cannabinoid can sometimes move faster than the science.

At Joy Organics, we believe it's important to distinguish between what researchers are actively investigating and what has been firmly established.

So What Does "Spectrum" Mean?

Once you understand that hemp contains many cannabinoids, terms like full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate become much easier to understand.

They're essentially describing how much of the hemp plant's cannabinoid profile remains in the finished extract.

Full Spectrum

Full spectrum hemp extract contains CBD along with other naturally occurring cannabinoids, including THC within applicable legal limits.

Think of it as retaining a broader representation of the plant's naturally occurring cannabinoid profile.

Broad Spectrum

Broad spectrum extract also contains CBD along with other cannabinoids, but the THC has been removed to non-detectable levels.

This is an important distinction.

Broad spectrum doesn't mean CBD alone.

A high-quality broad spectrum extract can retain multiple cannabinoids from hemp while removing detectable THC.

That's why broad spectrum and CBD isolate aren't the same thing.

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate takes a different approach.

It's highly purified CBD that has been separated from the other cannabinoids and compounds found in the original hemp extract.

In simple terms:

Full spectrum: CBD + other cannabinoids + THC

Broad spectrum: CBD + other cannabinoids, with THC removed to non-detectable levels

CBD isolate: CBD by itself

Understanding those three categories can make reading a CBD label considerably easier.

Why Do Other Cannabinoids Matter?

Scientists continue to study how individual cannabinoids work and how different compounds in hemp may interact.

You may have heard the phrase "entourage effect."

This is the theory that cannabinoids and other compounds from the cannabis plant may interact in ways that influence their overall effects.

It's an interesting area of research, but it's important not to present the entourage effect as settled science.

There is still much researchers are learning about individual cannabinoids, combinations of cannabinoids, appropriate amounts, and their effects in humans.

That's one of the things that makes cannabinoid science so fascinating.

We're still learning.

Why the Cannabinoid Profile Matters When Choosing CBD

When you're shopping for a CBD product, don't look only at the large CBD number on the front of the package.

Ask another question:

What else is in the cannabinoid profile?

Does the product contain THC?

Does it contain other cannabinoids?

Is it Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, or isolate?

Has the finished product been independently tested so you can verify its cannabinoid content?

Those questions tell you much more about the product you're buying.

Hemp Is More Than CBD

CBD may have introduced millions of people to hemp wellness.

But CBD is only one compound in a remarkably complex plant.

THC, CBG, CBN, and dozens of other cannabinoids are all part of the same cannabinoid family.

Scientists are continuing to investigate these compounds, how they interact with our bodies, and how they may interact with one another.

For consumers, you don't need to memorize all of them.

You just need to understand the basic idea:

Hemp contains many naturally occurring cannabinoids. CBD is one of them. THC is another. And the cannabinoid profile of a product helps determine what kind of hemp product you're actually buying.

Once you understand that, terms like Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and CBD isolate suddenly become much easier to understand.

And you become a better-informed CBD consumer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cannabinoid?

Cannabinoids are compounds associated with the cannabis plant. CBD, THC, CBG, and CBN are all examples of cannabinoids.

Is CBD a cannabinoid?

Yes. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the best-known naturally occurring cannabinoids found in hemp.

Is THC naturally found in hemp?

Yes. THC can occur naturally in hemp, although historically federal law has distinguished hemp from marijuana largely based on its delta-9 THC concentration.

What's the difference between CBD and THC?

Both are cannabinoids, but they have important differences. Most notably, THC can produce intoxicating effects, while CBD does not produce the intoxicating "high" associated with THC.

What are CBG and CBN?

CBG and CBN are additional cannabinoids associated with cannabis. They generally occur in much smaller amounts than CBD in hemp products unless a product is specifically formulated to contain higher amounts.

What's the difference between broad spectrum and CBD isolate?

Broad spectrum hemp extract can contain CBD along with other cannabinoids while having THC removed to non-detectable levels. CBD isolate is highly purified CBD separated from the other cannabinoids found in the original hemp extract.

What does full spectrum mean?

Full spectrum hemp extract contains CBD along with other naturally occurring hemp compounds, including THC within applicable legal limits.

Are scientists still discovering things about cannabinoids?

Absolutely. CBD and THC have received the greatest attention, while research into many minor cannabinoids and combinations of cannabinoids is still developing.

Learn More

Understanding Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and CBD Isolate
Take a deeper look at the three primary types of CBD extract and how they differ.

Why Does 25mg Work for One Person, While Another Prefers 50mg?
Learn why there's no single CBD serving that's right for everyone.

How to Read a Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Learn how to see which cannabinoids are actually present in your CBD product.