CBD, CBG, CBN — How Do the Cannabinoids Differ?

Smoky here. 🌿 You probably already know CBD. But hemp hides a whole crew of other cannabinoids — among them CBG and CBN. The names sound similar, yet each plays its own role. Let’s see who’s who.

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are natural compounds the hemp plant produces itself. Hundreds have been identified in the plant so far. The best known is CBD, but CBG and CBN stand alongside it. All three are a natural part of the plant and — importantly — none of them is psychoactive.

What is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is the best known and most common cannabinoid in our buds. It’s not psychoactive, so it doesn’t cause intoxication. If you’d like to know how it differs from THC, we covered that in a separate article.

What is CBG?

CBG (cannabigerol) is considered the “mother of all cannabinoids”. The reason: as the plant grows, other cannabinoids — including CBD — form from CBG. That’s why a mature plant usually contains less of it. CBG isn’t psychoactive either.

What is CBN?

CBN (cannabinol) forms gradually as the plant (or an already harvested flower) matures and ages. It’s a kind of “cannabinoid of time”. Like the other two, it’s not psychoactive.

So how do they differ?

In short:

• CBD — the best known, dominant in the buds.
• CBG — the “mother of cannabinoids”, the others form from it.
• CBN — forms as the plant ages.

Common ground: all are natural and non-psychoactive.

What does “full spectrum” mean?

When a product contains the whole natural range of cannabinoids and terpenes (not just a single isolated one), we call it full spectrum. All the compounds together contribute to the so-called “entourage effect”.

What will you find at SmokyHub?

We offer products with different cannabinoid profiles — all from our own cultivation and from industrial hemp with THC under 0.3%. Check out the whole crew in the shop.

To wrap up

CBD, CBG and CBN aren’t the same thing — they’re members of the same family, each with its own character. Now you can tell them apart.

Be happy, be smoky. ✌️

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Note: this content is for informational purposes. SmokyHub products are not medicines and are not intended to treat, prevent or diagnose disease.

Frequently asked questions about cannabinoids

What are cannabinoids?

A group of natural compounds found in hemp. The best known are CBD, CBG and CBN, though more than a hundred have been identified.

How do CBD, CBG and CBN differ?

In chemical structure and in when they form in the plant. CBG is the precursor from which CBD and other cannabinoids develop as the plant grows. CBN forms later, as THC degrades under heat and over time.

Why is CBG more expensive than CBD?

Because the plant converts most of it into other cannabinoids as it matures. Producing a comparable amount of CBG requires far more plant material, which is why it is called the “mother of cannabinoids”.

Are these cannabinoids psychoactive?

CBD, CBG and CBN are not psychoactive and do not cause intoxication. Psychoactivity is tied to THC. Industrial hemp that may be grown in the EU does not exceed 0.3% THC under Regulation (EU) 2021/2115; limits for finished products are set nationally.

Where can I read more about a specific cannabinoid?

We covered CBD and how it differs from THC in detail, and the starting point for everything else is our guide to hemp flowers.