When people think about cannabis, their mind instantly wanders off to THC and CBD. THC is psychoactive and associated with the euphoric effects linked to smoking weed. On the other hand, CBD is non-psychoactive and known to possess a whole host of therapeutic properties. However, the story of cannabis doesn’t end with THC and CBD. Many other cannabinoids have yet to rise to mainstream popularity. One of these is CBG or cannabigerol.
So, what is CBG? How does it differ from CBD? Does it have any benefits? How is it produced? In brief, CBG is non-psychoactive like CBD. Meaning, it doesn’t cause a high. Moreover, even though it’s not as widely accessible as CBD, CBG has a potent medicinal potential.
Thankfully, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to fully understand the difference between CBG and CBD to further educate you on two of the most important cannabinoids found in cannabis.
CBG vs. CBD: Similarities and Differences
CBG and CBD are completely different from each other, both structurally and physiologically. However, because they belong to the same class of compounds, they share a lot in common, too. Besides being present in both hemp and cannabis, they have similar production methods and delivery systems for consumption.
All cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, are originally found in the form of CBG. When the hemp plant is in the early stages of growth, cannabinoids exist in the form of CBG and is later transformed into various other compounds. However, before this transformation phase begins, you can extract cannabigerol and use it as a separate product. Just like CBD, you can use it as topical products, oils, tinctures, and many other ways.
How Is CBG Extracted?
The method used to extract cannabigerol is called supercritical CO2 extractions. It’s the same method used in the extraction of cannabidiol. First, CBG is removed from hemp and cannabis and then treated with steam to eliminate impurities. The end product is a honey-like distillate, which is further processed to yield a wide array of CBG products.
The Benefits Of CBG
Like cannabidiol, CBD possesses powerful medicinal properties. In some cases, researchers claim that CBG is even a more potent medication than CBD.
Studies suggest that CBG may stomp the production of cancerous growths and help in managing chronic pain. CBG may also improve eye health. Research indicates that cannabigerol may reduce intraocular eye pressure, one of the main grievances glaucoma patients face. CBG is also thought to be a neuroprotectant and may help combat neurological disorders by shielding the myelin sheath around nerve cells and protecting the brain.
One study found that CBG is more effective at curbing muscle contractions than other cannabinoids. This is a promising development for patients who have bladder issues. All of these findings reveal that cannabigerol may have a variety of therapeutic uses like cannabidiol.
CBG and CBD Delivery Systems
You can use the two compounds in similar ways. Thankfully, both of these are very convenient to administer for people looking to treat various conditions. If you want to consume CBG or CBD sublingually, you can get a bottle that comes with a dropper. With the dropper, you simply place the oil under your tongue and wait for sixty seconds so that it gets absorbed into your mucus membrane.
In most instances, both cannabinoids produce fast effects. If you’re combatting stress, a single serving of CBD or CBG oil will help calm your nerves and realign your senses. Other times, the compounds will take time to kick in your body. You just have to stick to consistent doses to make sure you’re not giving up too soon.
Some Other forms In which CBG and CBD Oil Are Available:
- Creams and lotions
- vapes
- Edibles
- Beverages
Can You Take CBG and CBD Together?
It’s recommended to take the two cannabinoids together. Why? Because of the entourage effect. The entourage effect is a synergistic relationship between two compounds to complement and refine each other’s physiological effects. According to preliminary studies, products containing a healthy mix of cannabinoids are more balanced and effective at treating conditions and symptoms.
Does CBG Oil Have Any Side Effects?
No one has reported CBG to have adverse side effects as of yet. Some mild side effects that have surfaced in some studies are dry mouth and drowsiness. But these have only arisen at very high doses. If your dosage is right, you don’t have much to worry about.
How Long Does CBG Stay In Your Body?
Depending upon your metabolic weight, tolerance to cannabis age, height, CBG effects will vary. For example, someone whose metabolism is fast will immediately feel the effects of CBG kicking in. You also have to factor in the delivery system. Vaping produces immediate and short-lived effects. Topical cannabigerol, on the other hand, takes time to get noticed and imparts long-term effects.
What Kind Of CBD Oil Has CBG?
If you want to get the best of cannabinoids, opt for full-spectrum CBD products. Full-spectrum cannabidiol products contain a balanced concoction of various cannabinoids that are more beneficial than CBD isolate or pure CBD. These products also contain CBG, terpenes, and many other therapeutic compounds.
One problem you might come across with full-spectrum CBD is dosing. It’s pretty hard to accurately gauge the dosing and percentage of each compound in the product. This makes it very difficult to manage your preferred response, leaving you confused with different brands and types of CBD oils present in the market. Also, it’s important to mention here that full-spectrum CBD products contain THC. Although this THC is below the legal amount of .3%, it can show up in a drug test.
If you want to steer clear of THC and only want 99.5% pure CBD, you can go for CBD isolate. CBD isolate is a fine crystalline powder and has only one ingredient — CBD. There’s also another product on the market that contains every cannabinoid, except one: THC. It’s called broad-spectrum CBD and is one of the hottest options available today.
Which is Better: CBG or CBD?
So, what’s the verdict? Is CBG better than CBD? Well, let’s call it a draw. Why? Because both have many purported health benefits. And CBD science is in its infancy. So, we can’t say for sure whether these compounds can be used as viable medications for different conditions. Although animal-based studies have shown promising results, we still have to determine whether these results are translatable in humans. Until then, the murkiness surrounding CBG and CBG will persist.
