Cannabinoid & Terpene Encyclopedia

Major Cannabinoids in European Hemp

Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that interact with cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) and other targets throughout the body. While THC and CBD are the most abundant and studied, minor cannabinoids contribute significantly to the therapeutic profile of full-spectrum extracts.

CBD (Cannabidiol) — The Dominant Cannabinoid

CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid in industrial hemp cultivars, comprising typically 60–80% of total cannabinoids in full-spectrum extracts. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce intoxication — it acts as a negative allosteric modulator of CB1 receptors, changing the receptor's shape to reduce THC's binding affinity without activating the receptor itself.

CBD's polypharmacology — its ability to modulate multiple molecular targets simultaneously — is the basis for its broad therapeutic profile. It activates serotonin 5-HT1A receptors (contributing to anxiolytic and antidepressant effects), stimulates TRPV1 vanilloid receptors (pain modulation), inhibits FAAH (the enzyme that breaks down the body's own endocannabinoid anandamide), and activates PPAR-gamma nuclear receptors involved in metabolism and inflammation. A 2017 World Health Organisation Critical Review concluded that CBD exhibits no effects indicative of abuse or dependence potential and is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.

CBD was first isolated in 1940 by Roger Adams at the University of Illinois, though its structure was not fully elucidated until 1963 by Raphael Mechoulam's group at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It remained understudied for decades while THC dominated cannabis research — a situation that has reversed dramatically in the twenty-first century as CBD has become one of the most widely consumed wellness supplements globally.

CBG (Cannabigerol) — The Mother Cannabinoid

CBG is the biosynthetic precursor from which all other major cannabinoids are produced. Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is synthesised in cannabis trichomes and then converted by specific synthase enzymes into THCA, CBDA, or CBCA depending on the plant's genetics. Because most cultivars convert nearly all CBGA into other cannabinoids by harvest maturity, CBG concentrations in dried flower typically range from just 0.1% to 1%. Producing CBG-dominant extracts requires early harvesting or specialised genetics.

CBG has attracted significant research interest for its neuroprotective properties. A 2024 systematic review of 103 preclinical studies found that CBG reduces neuroinflammation by suppressing microglial activation, scavenges reactive oxygen species, and enhances mitochondrial function — all mechanisms relevant to neurodegenerative conditions including Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. A striking 2020 study at McMaster University demonstrated that CBG exhibits potent antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), including MRSA biofilms notoriously resistant to conventional antibiotics.

CBG is a more potent CB2 receptor agonist than CBD, giving it pronounced anti-inflammatory effects. It also activates TRPV1 channels (contributing to analgesia), inhibits anandamide reuptake, and stimulates α2-adrenoceptors. At Heffernan's Hemp, our full-spectrum extracts retain naturally occurring CBG alongside CBD and other cannabinoids — the entourage effect in practice.

Major Terpenes in European Hemp

Terpenes are aromatic compounds produced by the same glandular trichomes that synthesise cannabinoids. They serve an evolutionary protective function for the plant — deterring herbivores, attracting beneficial insects, and protecting against UV radiation. In full-spectrum CBD products, terpenes contribute to both aroma and the entourage effect. Each terpene has distinct pharmacological properties that complement and modulate cannabinoid activity.

The Entourage Effect: Why Whole-Plant Chemistry Matters

The entourage effect — first proposed in 1998 by Professors Raphael Mechoulam and Shimon Ben-Shabat — describes how cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work synergistically, with each compound enhancing the therapeutic potential of the others. It is not a marketing term; it is a pharmacological principle supported by decades of research.

The most compelling experimental evidence comes from a 2015 study at the Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research in Jerusalem. Researchers compared pure CBD isolate against a full-spectrum CBD-rich extract in mouse models of pain and inflammation. The full-plant extract not only provided superior relief but demonstrated a bell-shaped dose-response curve — effectiveness increased with dose up to an optimal point — while the isolate showed a narrow therapeutic window that diminished at higher doses. This study, cited in over 800 subsequent papers, provides the strongest preclinical evidence that whole-plant extracts outperform isolated molecules.

A 2011 review in the British Journal of Pharmacology systematically documented cannabinoid-terpenoid interactions including: myrcene enhancing cell membrane permeability to cannabinoids, β-caryophyllene providing direct CB2 agonism complementary to CBD's indirect modulation, limonene contributing anxiolytic effects through serotonin receptor interactions, and linalool adding anticonvulsant properties through GABAergic mechanisms. The review concluded that polypharmacological synergy is a feature of cannabis pharmacology, not a bug, and that isolating single molecules discards therapeutic potential.

What is the difference between a cannabinoid and a terpene?

Cannabinoids are compounds that directly interact with the body's cannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2) and related targets. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give plants their scent and have their own pharmacological properties. Both contribute to the entourage effect in full-spectrum products.

Does full-spectrum CBD contain all these compounds?

Yes. A properly produced full-spectrum CBD extract retains CBD, minor cannabinoids (CBG, CBC, CBN), terpenes, flavonoids, and trace THC (≤0.2%) — the complete phytochemical profile of the hemp plant. This is fundamentally different from isolate products containing only purified CBD.

Why is CBG called the mother cannabinoid?

CBG is the biosynthetic precursor — CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) is converted by plant enzymes into THCA, CBDA, and CBCA, which then become THC, CBD, and CBC when heated. All major cannabinoids begin as CBG.