A COMPREHENSIVE GLOSSARY OF CBD & HEMP TERMS TO KNOW
*Disclaimer: This article is not meant to serve as a substitute for veterinary advice. Dr.Hempdog believes firmly in the contents of this article because of the thorough research that backs it up and our own experiences with the thousands of dogs that we have helped through the years (including our own). You should always defer to your veterinarian when adding anything to your dog's unique wellness routine.
As you integrate CBD/cannabinoid and hemp products into your animal’s life, you’ll inevitably encounter a variety of obscure industry terms and scientific phrases that may seem confusing at first glance. To help you navigate the information out there, we’ve compiled this two-part resource detailing the CBD and hemp terminology you should know in order to succeed. We’ll start with a brief glossary of common terms, and then explain how to understand some of the more nuanced definitions you might come across.
Section 1: Basic Terms to Know from A to Z
Bioavailability |
A measurement of how easily and swiftly a substance is absorbed by the body, which varies by substance and administration method. When a compound is more bioavailable, less of it is wasted. |
Broad-Spectrum CBD |
A CBD product in which the THC has been removed. Some broad-spectrum CBD products contain other cannabinoids and hemp compounds, but this isn’t guaranteed. |
Cannabinoids |
A class of natural compounds that are found throughout nature, including in the bodies of all animals and in many plants (Cannabis, in particular, is the most cannabinoid-rich plant by far). Cannabinoids are commonly studied for their potential to manage inflammation, pain, seizures, anxiety, cancer, and many other conditions. Depending on where they come from, cannabinoids are classified as phytocannabinoids (from plants), endocannabinoids (from the body), or synthetic cannabinoids (artificially produced). |
Cannabinoid Receptors |
Chemical receptors (“locks”) throughout the body, which cannabinoids (matching “keys”) can activate to help maintain homeostasis. Cannabinoid receptors are crucial parts of the endocannabinoid system found in all animals. There are many different types of cannabinoid receptors, but the two that are best-studied and most medically significant are known as CB1 and CB2. |
Cannabis |
A unique medicinal plant that’s categorized as either marijuana or hemp by law, depending on how much THC it contains. Different strains of Cannabis contain diverse amounts of certain beneficial compounds, such as cannabinoid acids, terpenes, flavonoids, and essential fatty acids. Cannabis can come from either the Sativa or Indica genomes, but most hemp stems from Cannabis Sativa rather than Cannabis Indica (which usually qualifies as marijuana instead). |
Cannabis Extract |
A refined mixture produced by extracting and concentrating desired compounds from a Cannabis plant. CBD tinctures, oils, and similar processed products contain Cannabis extracts. Extracts can be diluted, but are often far more potent than their raw plant counterparts (akin to how vanilla extract has a much stronger taste and smell than vanilla beans). |
Cannabis Strain |
A selectively bred variety of Cannabis that contains unique proportions of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other Cannabis compounds. Different strains often have distinct therapeutic profiles, so it’s important to identify the compounds present in a Cannabis extract by using the product’s lab work. |
CBD (Cannabidiol) |
A well-studied, non-intoxicating cannabinoid that shows particular promise in treating seizures, inflammation, pain, anxiety, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease. Our blog post about the benefits of CBD for dogs cites and explains these findings in more detail. |
Certificate of Analysis (COA) |
Documentation of lab work, which contains a breakdown of various substances present in a hemp product. COAs will list cannabinoids at a minimum, but should also show what terpenes are in the product (if any) and demonstrate a clear safety profile in which no solvents, heavy metals, or other toxic contaminants are present. Dr.Hempdog’s latest COA meets all of these requirements and is always easily available at the bottom of our website. For more information, please consult our article about interpreting COAs. |
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) |
Fatty acids that animals need in order to function properly, yet cannot produce naturally, meaning that they must be acquired via food. While the average western diet for humans includes more than enough EFAs, the same isn’t true for many dogs. There are two primary types of essential fatty acids: omega-3, and omega-6. Both EFAs are known to alleviate inflammation and promote cardiovascular health. Hemp contains approximately a three-to-one ratio of omega-6 EFAs to omega-3 EFAs. |
Endocannabinoids |
Any cannabinoid that the body naturally produces. Endocannabinoids play key roles in maintaining homeostasis and the general health of all animals, and are part of the endocannabinoid system. If you’d like to learn more, this article covers the most common endocannabinoids in more detail: anandamide and 2-AG. |
Endocannabinoid System |
A complex system found in all animals which is responsible for maintaining the general health and homeostasis of the body. Cannabinoids are known to activate this system to combat many conditions. Dogs and horses have extremely sensitive endocannabinoid systems, meaning that they can use cannabinoids especially well. The endocannabinoid system is made up of three parts: endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and endocannabinoid enzymes. |
Entourage Effect |
The scientific theory that, when taken together, different compounds in Cannabis can synergize with one another to create a medical effect greater than the sum of its parts. While many compounds may play a role in the entourage effect, current findings suggest that cannabinoids and terpenes are the most significant. For example, studies show that small amounts of THC can enhance CBD, and that certain terpenes can inhibit enzymes in the body that would break cannabinoids down, thereby making all cannabinoids more bioavailable. In general, the more cannabinoids and terpenes are present in a CBD product, the stronger the entourage effect will be. |
Extraction |
The process of removing, processing, and purifying desired compounds from a Cannabis plant to create a usable product (i.e. a Cannabis extract). With high-quality extraction, it’s possible to preserve fragile, heat-sensitive hemp compounds (terpenes, flavonoids, etc.), which typically leads to a stronger effect. |
2018 Farm Bill (AKA the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018) |
A bill that legally distinguished hemp and marijuana from one another, defining hemp as any strain of Cannabis with less than 0.3% THC. The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp legal to buy and sell in all fifty states, but hemp is still regulated by the FDA. Marijuana, on the other hand, (defined as Cannabis with over 0.3% THC) remains a schedule 1 drug under this policy, although some states have legalized it separately. |
Flavonoids |
A class of compounds found within most plants that are similar to terpenes, and similarly contribute to color and flavor. Flavonoids are distinguished from terpenes at a chemical level, but provide similar benefits for inflammation and pain according to current findings. Flavonoid testing is underdeveloped at this time, so most lab work for CBD products won’t list flavonoids. To learn more, see our article covering the terpenes and flavonoids in Dr.Hempdog. |
Full-Spectrum CBD |
A CBD product that, at minimum, contains both CBD and THC. Superior full-spectrum products will also contain a variety of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds from the hemp plant, which can synergize with one another to create a powerful entourage effect. |
Hemp |
Any strain of Cannabis that has less than 0.3% THC present within the end product, as legally defined by the 2018 Farm Bill. Hemp containing less than 0.3% THC is typically safe and effective for animals, according to several studies. |
Homeostasis |
The ability of the body to maintain a balanced, stable state of health, such as by regulating temperature or staving off disease. |
Intoxicating |
A substance’s ability to impair and inhibit physical and/or mental functions. All intoxicating substances are psychoactive, but not all psychoactive substances are intoxicating. |
Isolated CBD / CBD Isolate |
Pure CBD (at least 99% CBD) which entirely lacks other beneficial compounds from the hemp plant. |
Marijuana |
Any strain of Cannabis that has more than 0.3% THC present within the end product, as legally defined by the 2018 Farm Bill. Marijuana can be toxic to animals because of its excessively high THC content. |
Potency |
A measure of the strength of a compound, based on how much of it is required to produce a particular effect. High potency means that even a low dosage can have a profound effect, whereas low potency means that it takes a much higher dosage to produce that same effect. |
Psychoactive / Psychotropic |
A description of a substance’s ability to alter mood, perception, cognition, consciousness, and behavior. Psychoactivity can range from mild or desirable (such as when relieving pain or anxiety) to dangerous or intoxicating (such as when impairing decision making), so merely saying that something “is psychoactive” is not enough of a description to understand its effects or safety. For example, coffee is psychoactive, but so is LSD. |
Supplements / Nutraceuticals |
Food products that provide additional health benefits beyond their surface-level nutritional value. |
Terpenes |
A class of compounds found within most plants that contribute to flavor and aroma. When ingested, studies show that terpenes can provide therapeutic benefits for animals suffering from anxiety, inflammation, pain, and even cancer, and can furthermore enhance many cannabinoids. Terpenes are typically known for being the main active ingredient of essential oils, but hemp also contains especially high concentrations of anti-inflammatory and painkilling terpenes, such as beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, beta-myrcene, and others. Hemp companies can and should include terpene profiles in their lab work, identifying all of the terpenes in their product. |
THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydro-cannabinol) |
A well-studied cannabinoid that has been shown to be extremely beneficial for animals when taken in the appropriate amounts (less than 0.3%) and can furthermore enhance CBD. Studies show that THC is only intoxicating to dogs at much higher concentrations than those found in hemp. It is critical to ensure that you do not overdose your animal with THC; you can identify the THC contents of a product using its lab work. THC is shown to have anti-inflammatory, painkilling, neuroprotective, and anticancer properties according to current findings, especially when properly combined with other cannabinoids. |
Section 2: Sophisticated Terms and More Details
Phytocannabinoid |
Any cannabinoid which comes from a plant, including (but not limited to) Cannabis. Common phytocannabinoids include CBD, THC, and most other commonly discussed cannabinoids, such as:
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Cannabinoid Acids |
The original form of all cannabinoids that are produced within the hemp plant, usually denoted with an “A” at the end of the abbreviation (such as CBDA). Cannabinoid acids are manually converted into traditional cannabinoids via decarboxylation. Cannabinoid acids do not interact with the endocannabinoid system as strongly as decarboxylated cannabinoids do. The two most common cannabinoid acids in hemp extracts are:
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Decarboxylation |
A heat-activated chemical reaction that converts cannabinoid acids into their cannabinoid counterparts (CBDA becomes CBD, CBDVA becomes CBDV, THCA becomes THCA, etc.). |
Common Cannabinoid Receptors |
While there are many different cannabinoid receptors in the body's endocannabinoid system, the most common types are known as CB1 and CB2:
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Common Endocannabinoids |
While the body produces a variety of endocannabinoids, the two most common (and medically significant) ones are 2-AG and anandamide:
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Endocannabinoid Enzymes |
Specialized enzymes in the body, which are responsible for both creating endocannabinoids and breaking down all types of cannabinoids:
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Endocannabinoid Reuptake Inhibitor |
A substance that inhibits the reabsorption/breakdown of endocannabinoids, making them more bioavailable (typically by inhibiting endocannabinoid enzymes). For example, studies show that CBD, CBC, CBG, and several other cannabinoids can inhibit FAAH, which can lead to increased anandamide levels, helping to relieve pain and inflammation. |
Synthetic Cannabinoid |
Any cannabinoid that is manufactured artificially, often to be used for specialized research purposes. |
Administration Method |
The route and method by which a drug enters the body. Different administration methods can make a substance more or less bioavailable, so there are pros and cons to each. Common administration methods for CBD/hemp include:
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Vague Industry Terms to Be Wary Of |
CBD-Rich / CBD-Dominant / Hemp Extract: Unspecific terms that say very little about the contents of a product. You should know whether a product is broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, or isolate; for more information, consult our article about identifying good CBD products. |
Static Ataxia |
A condition in dogs induced by intoxicating marijuana overdose. Symptoms of static ataxia may include loss of coordination, glassy/dilated eyes, drooling, dribbling urine, vomiting, diarrhea, swaying, and general unsteadiness. Static ataxia is typically known to not be dangerous or lethal, but you should see a vet if you notice any of the above symptoms in your dog. |
Have More Questions? We’re Here to Help
If you have any additional questions about CBD terminology and how Dr.Hempdog’s CBD products could help your animal(s) with some of the ailments they may suffer from, we invite you to reach out to us and schedule a free, 15-minute consultation by visiting our website. If you’d prefer, you can also contact us at (720) 773-9595, or you can send us an email at woof@drhempdog.com.