CBG vs CBN can be a great comparison because they both are relatively new cannabinoids as compared to the other ones. Both have several medicinal properties and their usage is increasing by the day. If you are charting your wellness journey and think you should incorporate CBG and CBN in your life, you must know a thing or two about these cannabinoids first. Both these cannabinoids are indeed new kids on the block. However, they have immense potential to rise to the levels of CBD and THC. As space for cannabinoids like CBD and THC gets filled, producers are experimenting with newer cannabinoids. In this article, we shall explore two of the newer cannabinoids, CBG and CBN.
Let’s get started!
What is CBG?
When people hear the word ‘CBG’, that’s what they ask first — “What exactly is CBG, we know a little bit about CBD but no clue about what CBG is”. So first let’s try to understand what CBG is? Though CBD (cannabidiol) is the most famous and widely used cannabinoid right now, CBG (cannabigerol) could be the next big thing after its sister compound i.e. cannabidiol or CBD. Moreover, their combination makes them even more potent.
Unlike CBD and THC, CBG is less concentrated. But it combines with our body’s endocannabinoid system, which comprises two receptors — CB1 and CB2. These two receptors control all kinds of physical sensations, your mental state, and pain response. CBG gels well with these receptors and brings in psychological changes in our body. These receptors are found in our brain, nervous system, and immune system. If you are thinking about incorporating CBG in your life, you must know about its disadvantages too.
What is CBN?
CBN or cannabinol is another cannabinoid found in a cannabis plant. It is one of the hundreds of other cannabinoids present in a cannabis plant. There are many similarities between CBG and CBN but their origin is different. While CBG is produced after its acidic form CBGA breaks down, CBN is the result of oxidation. As THC is exposed to heat and light, the resultant chemical compound is CBN. It’s also found in old cannabis plants as THC goes natural oxidisation, leaving behind CBN. Since CBN is not found naturally in cannabis plants, it’s also scarce like CBG. CBN is now being used to treat a host of health complications.
Health benefits of CBG
Potential health benefits of CBG are aplenty. CBG can cure pain-related health issues. It works well as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent, suggest experts. It interacts with the body’s so-called “bliss molecule”, also called anandamide, and uplifts your mood. Like CBD, CBG is also a non-intoxicating substance, meaning it does not make you feel high. Researchers have also found it to be useful as a GABA reuptake inhibitor. Due to its characteristics as a neuroprotectant, CBG is also being evaluated against Huntington’s disease. If that’s not enough, CBG has also shown promise as a perfect treatment against MRSA. It also holds several cancer-fighting properties, though this area needs more in-depth research.
Health benefits of CBN
Like THC and CBG, CBN also interacts with our bodies CB1 receptors. The interaction, however, is not that strong. For people, consuming CBN is similar to THC but with milder ‘high’. However, it may not be necessarily true for everyone. It also enhances appetite. As per a study titled ‘Advances in Pharmacology’, CBN has shown anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. All these studies are conducted on a smaller scale as the US government is yet to fully accept cannabinoids for medical usage. Like CBG, CBN may also be useful against anxiety issues and pain management, suggest research.
CBG vs CBN: Which one is better?
Both CBN and CBG are in the early stages of their development. Researchers are still working towards developing better versions of these cannabinoids. However, if for argument sake, we have to choose one, it would be CBG. Cannabigerol is famously known as the ‘mother of all cannabinoids’, as its acidic form, CBGA, is the precursor for all other famous cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Plus, CBG is believed to be an even more powerful cannabinoid than all famous CBD. It also does not cause intoxication and can provide relief from major physical as well as psychological health complications.
CBG vs CBN: The cost factor
Between the two, CBG is expensive to produce, which is why it’s scarce. The best way to bring down the cost of cannabigerol is by developing hemp strains that contain high CBG genetic yield. If CBG concentration is higher in a hemp strain, manufacturers will be able to apply cost-effective measures for its extraction and further purification. The shining example of this kind of research is a cannabis producer called Hemptown USA. This company claims to have developed a hemp strain that contains as high as 10 percent CBG compound. However, the development of genetics is also a time-consuming task; it takes about three years to develop more advanced CBG genetics. Another company called EcoGen Laboratories also claims to have developed a hemp strain that contains CBG content of up to 22 percent by volume. CBN, however, can be produced if you have old cannabis plants.
CBG vs CBN : The bottom line
Both CBG and CBN will take their own time before they become successful cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Right now, the focus should be given to three critical things — cutting costs, enhancing productivity, and raising awareness about it among people. Both of these cannabinoids are still an alien acronym for many people. There’s a need to bring cannabinoids like CBG and CBN more into the mainstream discussion to make them a part of our life. Besides, the companies selling products based on these cannabinoids must come up with innovative ideas to make their presence felt among the masses. It’s also great news for cannabinoids stakeholders that with CBG and CBN, they can focus on cannabinoids other than CBD and THC.
