Common Cannabinoids in Hemp
Jake Jones
The hemp plant produces over 100 known cannabinoids — a family of compounds unique to the Cannabis genus. While most people have heard of CBD and THC, the hemp plant contains a much richer chemical profile. Understanding what each cannabinoid is, where it comes from, and how it interacts with the body can help you make more informed decisions about full-spectrum hemp products.
This guide focuses on the science behind the most common cannabinoids found in hemp — their origins, biosynthesis, and the receptors they interact with. For a deeper look at the specific wellness benefits of each cannabinoid, see our companion article: Benefits of Cannabinoids.
How Cannabinoids Are Made: Biosynthesis in the Hemp Plant
All cannabinoids begin as a single precursor molecule: cannabigerolic acid (CBGa). Through enzymatic reactions within the plant, CBGa is converted into the acidic forms of other cannabinoids — THCa, CBDa, and CBCa. When these acidic cannabinoids are exposed to heat (a process called decarboxylation), they become the active forms we recognize: THC, CBD, and CBC (Taura et al., 2007).
This biosynthetic pathway is why CBG is often called the "mother of all cannabinoids" — without CBGa, the other cannabinoids would not exist.
The Major Cannabinoids in Hemp
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Chemical origin: CBD is derived from cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) through decarboxylation. CBDa is produced when the enzyme CBDa synthase acts on the precursor CBGa within the hemp plant (Taura et al., 2007).
How it works: Unlike THC, CBD does not bind directly to CB1 or CB2 receptors. Instead, it modulates the endocannabinoid system indirectly — influencing serotonin receptors (5-HT1A), vanilloid receptors (TRPV1), and inhibiting the enzyme FAAH, which breaks down the body's own endocannabinoid anandamide (Ibeas Bih et al., 2015).
In hemp products: CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid in hemp and forms the foundation of all Gold Naturals formulations. Hemp-derived CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight under federal law.
Cannabigerol (CBG)
Chemical origin: CBG is the decarboxylated form of CBGa — the foundational precursor from which all other cannabinoids are biosynthesized. Because the plant converts most CBGa into other cannabinoids during maturation, CBG typically appears in low concentrations (below 1%) in mature hemp (Nachnani et al., 2021).
How it works: CBG interacts with both CB1 and CB2 receptors, though with lower affinity than THC. Research has also identified CBG activity at alpha-2 adrenergic receptors and 5-HT1A serotonin receptors, suggesting a broad pharmacological profile (Navarro et al., 2018).
In hemp products: CBG is featured in Gold Naturals' Muscle + Joint formulations, where it works alongside CBD and other cannabinoids for targeted support.
Cannabinol (CBN)
Chemical origin: CBN is unique among cannabinoids — it is not produced directly by the plant's enzymes. Instead, CBN forms when THC oxidizes and degrades over time through exposure to air, light, and heat. Aged cannabis naturally contains higher CBN levels (Corroon, 2021).
How it works: CBN has a weak affinity for CB1 receptors (roughly one-tenth the potency of THC) and somewhat stronger CB2 receptor activity. It is considered mildly psychoactive at high doses, but the concentrations found in hemp products are well below any threshold for intoxication (Corroon, 2021).
In hemp products: CBN is featured in Gold Naturals' Sleep formulations, paired with CBD for targeted nighttime support.
Cannabichromene (CBC)
Chemical origin: CBC is derived from cannabichromenic acid (CBCa), which is produced when CBCa synthase converts CBGa. CBC was first identified in 1966 and is typically the third most abundant cannabinoid in hemp after CBD and THC (Maione et al., 2011).
How it works: CBC does not bind strongly to CB1 or CB2 receptors. Instead, it is thought to act primarily through TRPV1 and TRPA1 ion channels — the same receptors involved in pain and temperature perception. CBC also interacts with the endocannabinoid system by inhibiting the uptake of anandamide, allowing it to remain active longer (Maione et al., 2011).
In hemp products: CBC is naturally present in full-spectrum hemp extracts like those used in Gold Naturals products, contributing to the entourage effect.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Chemical origin: THC is derived from tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa), produced when THCa synthase acts on CBGa. Professor Raphael Mechoulam and Yechiel Gaoni first isolated and characterized THC in 1964, a breakthrough that launched modern cannabinoid science (Maccarrone et al., 2015).
How it works: THC binds directly to CB1 receptors in the brain and nervous system, producing the intoxicating effects cannabis is known for. It also activates CB2 receptors in the immune system. THC is the only commonly occurring cannabinoid that produces significant psychoactive effects (Pacher et al., 2006).
In hemp products: Hemp-derived products must contain less than 0.3% THC. At these trace levels, THC contributes to the entourage effect without producing intoxication. Gold Naturals' Entourage line includes products with compliant THC levels for maximum full-spectrum benefit.
Why Full-Spectrum Matters
Research suggests that cannabinoids work more effectively together than in isolation — a concept known as the entourage effect. When CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, THC, and the plant's natural terpenes are preserved together in a full-spectrum extract, they may produce enhanced effects compared to any single cannabinoid alone (Russo, 2019).
This is why Gold Naturals uses full-spectrum hemp extract in every product — to preserve the natural synergy of the plant's complete cannabinoid profile.
Want to learn more? Explore the specific benefits of each cannabinoid, or read about how CBD works with the endocannabinoid system.
References
- Taura F, Sirikantaramas S, Shoyama Y, et al. Cannabidiolic-acid synthase, the chemotype-determining enzyme in the fiber-type Cannabis sativa. FEBS Lett. 2007;581(16):2929-2934. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2007.05.043. PMID: 17340178
- Ibeas Bih C, Chen T, Nunn AV, et al. Molecular Targets of Cannabidiol in Neurological Disorders. Neurotherapeutics. 2015;12(4):699-730. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0377-3. PMID: 26845349
- Nachnani R, Raup-Konsavage WM, Vrana KE. The Pharmacological Case for Cannabigerol. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2021;376(2):204-212. doi:10.1124/jpet.120.000340. PMID: 33168643
- Navarro G, Varani K, Reyes-Resina I, et al. Cannabigerol Action at Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 Receptors and at CB1-CB2 Heteroreceptor Complexes. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:632. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00632. PMID: 29977202
- Corroon J. Cannabinol and Sleep: Separating Fact from Fiction. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2021;6(5):366-371. doi:10.1089/can.2021.0006. PMID: 34006607
- Maione S, Piscitelli F, Gatta L, et al. Non-psychoactive cannabinoids modulate the descending pathway of antinociception. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2011;36(5):1160-1173. doi:10.1038/npp.2010.229. PMID: 21428901
- Maccarrone M, Bab I, Bíró T, et al. Endocannabinoid signaling at the periphery: 50 years after THC. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2015;36(5):277-296. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2015.02.008. PMID: 25796370
- Pacher P, Bátkai S, Kunos G. The endocannabinoid system as an emerging target of pharmacotherapy. Pharmacol Rev. 2006;58(3):389-462. doi:10.1124/pr.58.3.2. PMID: 16968947
- Russo EB. The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis. Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969. PMID: 29940172
Explore Gold Naturals Full-Spectrum Products
Our products combine CBD, CBG, CBN, and other natural cannabinoids for a complete hemp experience.
