Cannabinoid Glossary & CBD Terms: What is a Cannabinoid?

What is a cannabinoid? When you first start exploring the world of CBD terms and cannabinoids, it can be overwhelming! There are a lot of abbreviations and scientific terms to learn. We’ve put together a cannabinoid guide to help you understand the world of related CBD terms.

Broad Spectrum: When CBD is extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant, it contains many of the other cannabinoids from the plant, including THC. Broad spectrum CBD removes the THC, which is important for those who don’t want even small amounts of THC in their system.

Cannabinoid: Cannabinoids are a group of naturally occurring substances found in plants and the human body that can also be synthetically created. They interact with our endocannabinoid system to produce a myriad of responses within our body that we are just starting to understand. Some common reactions are to do with pain, appetite, inflammation, anxiety and more. More than 100 cannabinoids have been identified, with unknown numbers yet to be discovered. 

Cannabis: Cannabis (aka marijuana), like hemp, is derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant. The only difference is that legal hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC, whereas marijuana contains more. 

CBD: These letters are an abbreviation for cannabidiol, one of the many cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. The second most common cannabinoid in cannabis, CBD can be extracted from both marijuana and hemp. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it will not get you “high.”

Delta: This word is used as a prefix to differentiate between the many different types of the cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). There is Delta 9, the “traditional” THC, Delta 8,a milder version, and Delta 10, which falls somewhere in between. If you find it hard to keep up with all the details, be sure to read each product’s details or ask a helpful Go Green staff member.

Edibles: A fun and easy way to consume CBD is via edibles. These tasty snacks are infused with carefully measured doses of CBD (or other cannabinoid) for discreet usage. While definitely not for kids, you’re sure to love the gummy bears and rings. Note that edibles will take longer to feel the effects, as your body needs to digest the cannabinoids before they make it into the bloodstream. 

Endocannabinoid: Endocannabinoids are the cannabinoids produced by our own bodies. These occur naturally and regulate many bodily processes such as sleep, mood, memory, appetite and more.

Full Spectrum CBD: When CBD is extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant, it contains many other cannabinoids from the plant including THC. Full-spectrum CBD doesn’t remove these cannabinoids, and as long as the THC amount is less than 0.3%, it is legal in the United States. Many people believe that because full spectrum CBD contains other cannabinoids, it works better than broad spectrum CBD. 

Hemp: Hemp, like cannabis, is derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant. The only difference is that hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC. Also like cannabis, hemp contains cannabinoids; here are some of the newly discovered ones.

Phytocannabinoids: These cannabinoids are the ones found in certain plants, including hemp, cannabis, rhododendrons, black truffles and black pepper. More than 150 phytocannabinoids have been identified in cannabis alone, each with its own unique profile. THC and CBD are the most well-known phytocannabinoids, which are produced when the plant acids THCA and CBDA are activated by heat (decarboxylation). 

Terpenes: Terpenes are naturally occurring substances that give plants their unique smell; thus cannabinoid terpenes are what give cannabis its’ distinct smell. Cultivators are using cannabinoid terpenes to create unique product scent and flavor profiles, such as Citron or Pineapple Express.  

THC: When we talk about THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, most people think of the psychoactive THC in cannabis that gets you high. That is partly correct. The one most people think of (which most laws focus on) is Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol, which interacts with the endocannabinoid system to release the euphoric chemical dopamine. There are actually many different kinds of THC, including THCV and the synthetic THCO, each with their own individual effects. 

THCO: This synthetic cannabinoid is a version of THC that is created in a laboratory. It is designed to be a copy of the traditional Delta 9 THC and has been nicknamed the “psychedelic of cannabis.” That’s because it’s about three times as potent as the THC that inspired it. 

Go Green Botanicals is dedicated to educating consumers about CBD wellness through top-notch customer service and education content like this CBD terms cannabinoid guide. Shop Go Green Botanicals with confidence.