Last updated: October 2026
This CBD glossary explains 57 terms you’ll see on CBD labels, lab reports and UK regulations, in plain English. The terms that matter most when buying are broad spectrum, full spectrum, isolate, certificate of analysis, the FSA public list and THC. Each entry links to a fuller guide where we have one.
Jump to a section below, or use your browser’s find function to search for a term.
Types of CBD
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Broad spectrum | Hemp extract containing CBD and some other plant compounds, with THC removed to non-detectable levels. See full vs broad spectrum |
| Full spectrum | Extract keeping all the plant’s cannabinoids, including THC. Often not compliant with UK THC limits. See what is full spectrum CBD? |
| Isolate | Pure CBD, usually 99% or more, as white crystals. See what is CBD isolate? |
| Distillate | A refined extract, usually 80 to 95% CBD. See what is CBD distillate? |
| CBD oil | CBD extract diluted in a carrier oil, taken in drops |
| Hemp seed oil | Oil pressed from hemp seeds; contains little or no CBD. See hemp oil vs CBD oil |
| Water-soluble CBD | CBD processed into tiny droplets so it mixes with water. See water-soluble CBD |
| Tincture | Traditionally an alcohol-based extract; often used loosely to mean CBD oil |
Cannabinoids
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cannabinoids | Compounds that act on the body’s cannabinoid system; over 100 are found in cannabis |
| Phytocannabinoids | Cannabinoids made by plants, as opposed to the body’s own |
| CBD (cannabidiol) | The main non-intoxicating cannabinoid in hemp |
| CBDA | The raw acid form of CBD in the plant, converted to CBD by heat |
| THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) | The intoxicating cannabinoid; controlled in the UK. See CBD vs THC |
| CBG (cannabigerol) | A minor cannabinoid. See CBG vs CBD |
| CBC (cannabichromene) | A minor cannabinoid. See what is CBC? |
| CBN (cannabinol) | Forms as THC ages; a controlled drug in the UK. See CBD vs CBN |
| CBDV (cannabidivarin) | A minor cannabinoid similar to CBD. See what is CBDV? |
| THCV | A minor cannabinoid related to THC. See what is THCV? |
| Delta-8 THC | A THC variant; controlled in the UK. See what is delta-8? |
The plant
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cannabis sativa | The plant species that includes both hemp and drug-type cannabis |
| Indica and sativa | Traditional names for plant types; chemical content matters more than the label |
| Hemp (industrial hemp) | Cannabis grown with very low THC, under Home Office licence in the UK. See hemp vs marijuana |
| Terpenes | Aromatic compounds that give plants their smell and taste |
| Flavonoids | Plant pigments found in many fruits, vegetables and hemp |
| Trichomes | Tiny resin glands on the flowers where most cannabinoids are made |
How CBD is made
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Extraction | Pulling cannabinoids out of the plant with a solvent or other method. See how CBD is extracted |
| Decarboxylation | Gentle heating that converts CBDA into CBD |
| Winterisation | Chilling extract with alcohol to remove fats and waxes |
| Concentrate | Any highly concentrated extract, such as distillate or crystals |
| Carrier oil | The oil CBD is diluted in, such as MCT. See best carrier oil for CBD |
| MCT oil | Medium-chain triglycerides, a light, tasteless oil usually from coconut |
Taking CBD
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sublingual | Held under the tongue before swallowing. See how to take CBD oil |
| Capsules | A fixed dose with no taste. See CBD oil vs capsules |
| Edibles | Food containing CBD, such as gummies or baking. See cooking with CBD |
| Topical | Applied to the skin, like a balm |
| Transdermal | A product designed to pass through the skin into the blood, such as a patch |
| Strength (mg and %) | Total CBD in the bottle, and its percentage. See CBD oil strengths explained |
| Dose | The amount of CBD you take at once. See how much CBD to take |
CBD and the body
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Endocannabinoid system (ECS) | The body’s own signalling system of cannabinoids, receptors and enzymes. See the endocannabinoid system |
| Anandamide | One of the body’s own cannabinoids |
| CB1 and CB2 receptors | The main cannabinoid receptors; THC acts strongly on CB1, CBD only weakly |
| Bioavailability | How much of a dose reaches the bloodstream. See CBD bioavailability |
| Half-life | How long it takes for half the CBD to leave your blood. See how long CBD stays in your system |
| Psychoactive / intoxicating | Changes your state of mind; THC is intoxicating, CBD isn’t |
| Entourage effect | The idea that plant compounds work better together; not proven in people. See the entourage effect |
Quality and testing
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Certificate of analysis (COA) | A lab report showing CBD and THC levels for a batch. See how to read a lab report |
| Batch number | The code linking your bottle to its lab report |
| ISO 17025 | The international accreditation standard for testing laboratories |
| Non-detectable (ND) | Below the level the lab can measure |
| Organic | Certified by an approved body; an ingredient being organic doesn’t make the whole product certified |
UK law and regulation
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FSA | The Food Standards Agency, which regulates CBD food products in England, Wales and Northern Ireland |
| Novel food | A food without a significant history of consumption before 1997; CBD extracts are novel foods |
| FSA public list | The list of CBD products linked to novel food applications that can stay on sale while assessed. See the FSA’s first CBD approvals |
| 10mg a day | The FSA’s precautionary advice for healthy adults. See CBD daily limit UK |
| Controlled drug | A substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, such as THC and CBN; CBD isn’t controlled |
| Epidyolex | A prescription CBD medicine for certain types of epilepsy. See prescription CBD |
| Medical cannabis | Cannabis-based medicines prescribed by specialists. See medical cannabis UK |
See also is CBD legal in the UK? The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.
FAQs
What is the difference between broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD?
Broad spectrum has THC removed to non-detectable levels; full spectrum keeps THC along with other cannabinoids.
What does CBD stand for?
Cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating compound from the hemp plant.
What is a COA?
A certificate of analysis: a lab report showing how much CBD and THC a batch contains.
What does sublingual mean?
Under the tongue. CBD oil is held there for 60 to 90 seconds before swallowing.
What is the FSA public list?
The FSA’s list of CBD food products linked to novel food applications that can stay on sale while they’re assessed.
Sources
- FSA. Cannabidiol (CBD) guidance.
- FSA. CBD products list.
- legislation.gov.uk. Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2.
- Millar SA et al. A systematic review on the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in humans. Front Pharmacol, 2018.
