CBD, THC, CBG, CBN, CBC and HHC: The Cannabinoid Dictionary

You read a label and see this: CBD, THC, CBG, CBN, CBC, HHC. Six three-letter acronyms that seem like variations on the same theme.

They're not. Each does something different, and knowing which is which is the difference between choosing a product and grabbing the first one you see.

Here's the dictionary, no frills.

First: what is a cannabinoid?

The cannabis plant produces over a hundred compounds called cannabinoids. Your body, in turn, has an endocannabinoid system: a network of receptors spread throughout the nervous and immune systems that participates in regulating processes such as sleep, appetite, pain perception, and mood.

When you consume a cannabinoid, it interacts with these receptors. The two main ones are called CB1 (concentrated in the brain and central nervous system) and CB2 (more present in the immune system and peripheral tissues).

The difference between one cannabinoid and another lies in how it binds to those receptors. This results in completely different profiles.

THC — the psychoactive one

Tetrahydrocannabinol. This is what produces the effect people call "the high."

It binds directly to the CB1 receptor, and this binding is responsible for altered perception: time feels different, music sounds different, appetite changes. It's the best-known cannabinoid and also the most misunderstood, because its effect depends heavily on the dose.

Two milligrams and five milligrams of THC are not "a little more": they are different experiences. That's why the dose matters so much.

You can find it in Stellar Chews and Classic Gummies, both combined with CBD.

CBD — the one that doesn't get you high

Cannabidiol. The second most abundant cannabinoid and the most popular outside recreational circles, for a simple reason: it is not psychoactive. It does not cause altered perception.

Unlike THC, CBD does not strongly bind to the CB1 receptor. It modulates the system in a different, more indirect way. And there's something interesting: when they are together, CBD participates in how THC is perceived, softening its profile.

That's why many products combine the two instead of using THC alone. It's not filler: it's design.

The Full Spectrum CBD Gummy contains 100 mg of CBD accompanied by other cannabinoids — and that's where the rest of the list comes in.

CBG — the precursor

Cannabigerol. It's called the "stem cell" of cannabinoids because the plant produces it first, and the others derive from it as it matures. Very little remains in a mature plant: typically less than 1%.

It is not psychoactive. Its profile is described as more uplifting and less sedating than CBD, although research is still young and it's best to take it with a grain of salt.

CBN — the mature plant's cannabinoid

Cannabinol. This is not produced directly by the plant: it appears when THC degrades over time, with light and oxygen. It is, literally, aged THC.

It is only mildly psychoactive — much less so than the THC it comes from. It is associated with more nocturnal profiles, and therefore often appears in products designed for the end of the day.

Practical tip: if you store your edibles incorrectly, some of their THC converts to CBN over time. This is one of the reasons why storage matters.

CBC — the discreet one

Cannabichromene. One of the four most abundant cannabinoids in the plant and, even so, the least known on this list.

It is not psychoactive. It binds weakly to CB1 and CB2 receptors but interacts with other receptors in the body. Its most interesting role is not individual: it's what it contributes when accompanied, something we explore in depth in the article on the entourage effect.

HHC — the new one in the conversation

Hexahydrocannabinol. This is the one that raises the most questions, so it's worth being clear.

HHC exists naturally in the plant, but in such minute quantities that it's not viable to extract it this way. The HHC used commercially is obtained by hydrogenation of THC — the same type of chemical process that converts vegetable oils into margarine. Hydrogen atoms are added to the molecule.

Result: it is psychoactive, with a profile that many describe as milder and clearer than that of THC. And being a more stable molecule, it better resists heat and light.

You can find it in High Tide Social Tonic, where 7 mg of HHC accompany 5 mg of THC per can. This combination is deliberate: it seeks a social profile, with a gradual onset, instead of the strong hit of a traditional edible.

The quick table

And what about terpenes?

They are not cannabinoids, but they deserve a mention because they appear on the same labels.

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds of the plant — the same ones that give a lemon or a pine tree its smell. Along with flavonoids, they not only define the aroma and flavor: they also participate in how the overall experience is perceived.

That's why a label that says "CBD + CBG + CBN + CBC + terpenes and flavonoids" is describing something different from one that only says "CBD."

What you take away

• Only THC and HHC are markedly psychoactive. CBD, CBG, and CBC are not; CBN barely is.
• CBD modulates THC when they are together — it's not filler.
• CBN is aged THC. It appears naturally, over time.
• HHC is produced by hydrogenating THC. It is psychoactive and more stable.
• Terpenes and flavonoids are not cannabinoids, but they change the experience.

Important notice. Hemp-derived product with THC content in accordance with current Mexican regulations. Exclusive sale to individuals over 18 years of age. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not drive or operate machinery under its influence. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before consuming if you take anticoagulants, antiepileptics, anxiolytics, or immunosuppressants. This content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice.