CBD or CBG: What’s The Difference?

Since you’re reading this article, it would be reasonable to assume that you have at least a passing understanding of what CBD is. Since the protections afforded by the 2018 Farm Bill went into effect, it has exploded in popularity, finding its way into homes across the country in the form  of CBD products (of tinctures, salves, edibles, lotions, potions, and much more). And thanks to CBD’s pioneering efforts, people are looking at different cannabinoid structures more closely than ever before, and one in particular seems to be catching a lot of recent attention. 

What Is CBG? 

CBG (cannabigerol) is a minor cannabinoid that is naturally found in the cannabis plant, and it has been extensively studied for its medical potential since it was first synthesized in 1964. 

Its proto form, CBGA is referred to as the “mother cannabinoid” and it is the first chemical compound to form in the cannabis plant. As the plant matures, this compound breaks down into THCA and CBDA and then further down into lots of other cannabinoids. Interestingly, once the acid-carboxyl ring degrades from CBGA, CBG remains in the cannabis plant at very low levels, which can be extracted and amplified in a laboratory, much in the same way that CBD or Delta 8 THC is.

What Makes CBG Special?

A lot of the research suggests that CBD and CBG have a number of overlapping effects, so why are we seeing this new cannabis superstar on the rise? First and foremost, CBD and CBG bind to different sets of receptors. CBG binds to the same receptor sets that THC does, allowing it to achieve some of the same effects, without the psychoactive high. This means that you may get different benefits with CBG than you would with CBD, giving you more options for addressing your wellness concerns. 

Which Is Better, CBD or CBG?

If you’re interested in the wellness benefits of cannabis and you’re trying to select between a CBD or CBG based product, there are certainly a number or factors that can play into your decision. For example, CBD fans seem to find that the cannabinoid promotes more of a calm and sleepy state of mind, whereas CBG is a bit more focused and uplifting, suggesting that they might be better for achieving different states of mind. We can’t make any medical recommendations, but based on the current scientific evidence and user feedback, we’ve put together a handy list to help you select the best cannabinoid for you!

As you can see, there are a number of good reported uses for CBD and CBG, and as the research continues, we’re sure that support will grow even more. There is, as this chart hopefully demonstrates, a considerable amount of overlap between the effects of the two, and some key differences, which should help make the decision between cbd and cbg a little bit easier to make. 

Can I Use CBD and CBG Together? 

Of course you can! CBD and CBG are, after all, both from the cannabis plant and are natural wellness partners. When cannabinoids are used in tandem it actually increases the effectiveness of each, making the blend greater than the sum of its parts. The scientific community refers to this as the entourage effect and this is one of the reasons that full-spectrum products are generally preferred over isolate-based ones. A full-spectrum product includes a long list of cannabinoids, even at tiny levels, to achieve this exact effect. With this in mind, we’d highly recommend seeking out products that contain both CBD and CBG for a well-rounded experience that is sure to give you the best of both worlds. 

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