Cannabinoid Education
A plain-language reference to help you understand what cannabinoids are, how the body interacts with them, and how to evaluate quality.
What are cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are a family of naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant, including hemp. More than 100 cannabinoids have been identified. The most studied are CBD, THC, CBN, and CBG. Each has a distinct chemical structure and a distinct way of interacting with the body.
CBD (cannabidiol)
CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid and the most extensively studied compound in hemp. The World Health Organization has concluded that pure CBD does not produce abuse or dependence. CBD has a complex pharmacology and interacts with multiple receptor systems in the body, not only the cannabinoid receptors.
CBN (cannabinol)
CBN is formed primarily through the natural oxidation of THC as cannabis ages. It is one of the more actively researched minor cannabinoids, and it has long been associated with evening use. Human research on the isolated effects of CBN is still developing, and randomized controlled trials are underway. We report what the research shows and we do not make claims about outcomes. The Science Library lists the current literature, including the critical reviews.
CBG (cannabigerol)
CBG is sometimes called the “mother cannabinoid” because the plant uses CBG as a precursor to produce other cannabinoids. CBG is non-intoxicating and is the subject of growing pharmacological research, though human clinical data is still limited compared to CBD.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
THC is the intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis. Under federal law (the 2018 Farm Bill), hemp is defined as cannabis containing no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC by dry weight. All Encore Life products comply with this definition and are verified by third-party lab testing.
The endocannabinoid system
The body has a network of receptors, signaling molecules, and enzymes called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS was first described in the early 1990s and is now recognized as a fundamental regulatory system involved in functions like sleep, mood, appetite, immune response, and pain signaling.
The body produces its own cannabinoid-like molecules called endocannabinoids. Plant cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and CBG interact with parts of this same system, though each does so in different ways and at different sites.
How to read a certificate of analysis (COA)
A certificate of analysis is a third-party laboratory report that documents what is actually in a product. A reputable COA should be:
- Issued by an independent ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory — this is the international standard for testing competence.
- Batch-specific — the COA should reference the specific lot or batch number printed on the product, not a generic sample.
- Comprehensive — reporting cannabinoid potency (CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids), and ideally also residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants.
- Recent — reflective of current production, not a years-old reference batch.
If a product does not provide a COA, or the COA does not match the product batch, that is a meaningful quality signal. Published research has documented significant labeling inaccuracies in unregulated CBD products. See the Science Library for the peer-reviewed studies on this.
Quality and safety considerations
The CBD industry is unevenly regulated. Quality varies significantly across brands. When evaluating a CBD product, the most useful indicators are:
- Documented third-party lab testing on every batch
- Clear cannabinoid content disclosure that matches the COA
- Verifiable compliance with the federal less-than-0.3-percent THC limit
- Transparent sourcing of the hemp itself, including growing region and extraction method
- A clearly identified manufacturer and contact information
A note on drug testing
Hemp-derived products may contain trace cannabinoids. No hemp-derived product can guarantee a negative result on a drug test, and terms like “THC-free” should be treated with caution across the industry. If you are subject to drug testing, review the certificate of analysis for the specific product and batch, and consult your employer's policy before use.
A note on drug interactions
CBD is metabolized in the liver by enzymes in the cytochrome P450 family, the same enzymes responsible for processing many prescription medications. This creates the potential for drug-drug interactions, particularly with medications that have a narrow therapeutic window or that are themselves processed by CYP3A4, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, or CYP2D6.
If you take prescription medications, consult your physician or pharmacist before starting any CBD or cannabinoid product. This is not a precaution unique to Encore Life products; it applies to all CBD products.
Want to go deeper?
Our Cannabinoid Science Library lists the peer-reviewed publications and authoritative regulatory sources behind the information on this page. Each citation links to the original source.
Browse the Science LibraryLast updated: July 2026. Encore Life updates this page as the science develops. Questions or corrections: info@myencore.life.