CBD = C₂₁H₃₀O₂
21 Carbon atoms, 30 Hydrogen and 2 Oxygen
This is identical to THC but CBD does not have an intoxicating effect like THC! That's curious...
The Other Cannabinoids
CBG = CANNABIGEROL aka C₂₁H₃₂O₂
CBD = CANNABIDIOL aka C₂₁H₃₀O₂
CBN = CANNABINOL aka C₂₁H₂₆O₂
Understanding molecular notation (the weird looking formula writing) is very easy!
The letter is follow by a number. The number says how much of that letter there is.
For example H20 tells us there 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen (it's 1 if there's no number)
C is carbon, and you are made of 18% carbon, on average.
H is hydrogen, and you are about 10% hydrogen, on average.
O is oxygen, and you are about 65% oxygen, on average.
CBD
CBD, aka CannaBigerol, has an identical molecular formula as THC. That means they are made of the same atoms, in the same numbers.
But if they are identical atomically then why does CBD have different effects in the body, like which sites it binds to and its effects when compared to THC?
CBD is more like a twin molecule of THC with a twist, literally. See it here.
CBN
CBN, aka CannaBinol starts life as THC and is typically formed by the breakdown and degradation of THC due to excess temperature, oxygen and light.
But THC doesn't lose all its magic when it converts, check it out...
CBG
CBG, aka CannaBigerol, is the first cannabinoid which develops in the plant and comes before all others.
In fact, cannabis plants convert CBG into THC and other cannabinoids. This is why CBG is called the precursor cannabinoid.