Glossary · Chemistry
Cannabinoid
One of the chemical compounds produced in cannabis that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. THC and CBD are the best known, but the plant makes over a hundred, including CBN, CBG, and CBC. Together with terpenes, cannabinoids drive the effects you feel from any given product.
Read more about cannabinoid
Related terms, defined
- THC
- Tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary intoxicating compound in cannabis and the source of the classic "high." THC binds CB1 receptors in the brain, producing euphoria, altered perception, and appetite. Potency is listed as a THC percentage on most labels, though terpenes and dose shape the actual experience as much as that number.
- CBD
- Cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid widely used for calm, recovery, and general wellness without producing a high. CBD can soften some of THC's edge and is sold on its own as oils, gummies, and topicals. It is the most studied cannabinoid after THC and the basis of many medical products.
- CBN
- Cannabinol, a mildly intoxicating cannabinoid formed as THC ages and degrades. CBN is widely marketed as a sleep aid, often paired with THC in "nighttime" gummies, though the evidence for its sedating power on its own is thin. Older, improperly stored flower naturally contains more CBN.
- CBG
- Cannabigerol, often called the "mother cannabinoid" because the plant uses its acidic form as a precursor to build THC and CBD. Most mature flower contains little leftover CBG. It is non-intoxicating and increasingly sold as an isolate marketed for focus and gut comfort, though research is still early.