If you’re curious about the difference between CBD and CBG, you’re not alone!
Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) are two compounds produced by cannabis and hemp plants. And while they share some of the same potential benefits and properties, like being non-intoxicating and fighting inflammation, for example, they also offer benefits and potential uses all their own.
As interest in cannabinoids beyond THC and CBD continues to grow, understanding the difference between CBD and CBG may open you up to a whole new world of potential benefits and uses for these plants.
Keep reading for a complete breakdown of the key differences between these two cannabinoids, including their potential health benefits, uses, and different products that contain them.
In this blog post, we’ll cover:
- What cannabinoids are
- A comparison of CBD and CBG, highlighting their similarities and differences
- Is one better than the other?
- Can you take CBD and CBG together?
What Are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds produced by cannabis and hemp plants. Over 100 cannabinoids have been identified to date! These compounds interact, either directly or indirectly, with cannabinoid receptors in the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network within the body responsible for regulating various physiological processes.
The ECS regulates bodily systems that control processes like pain, mood, appetite, inflammation, sleep, and others. CBD and CBG are just two of the many cannabinoids that exert their effects through specialized receptors, called the CB1 and CB2 receptors, of the endocannabinoid system.
What Is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the most well-known cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is non-intoxicating, meaning it doesn’t produce the euphoric “high” associated with cannabis. CBD has gained popularity for its potential therapeutic uses, such as:
- Pain relief
- Anxiety reduction
- Seizure-reducing properties
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Potential anti-cancer properties
Among many other applications that are currently being researched! CBD continues to be a major area of interest and study in cannabis science, with a growing body of clinical evidence to help us understand how it works in the body and how it might support health and wellness.
How Does CBD Make You Feel?
As mentioned, since CBD is non-intoxicating, it doesn’t produce a noticeable “high” sensation. Instead, people often report feeling more relaxed, calmer, and less anxious when taking CBD-dominant products.
Since each person has an ECS that is unique to them, individual experiences with CBD do vary, and its effects can depend on how much CBD you take, your metabolism, or the specific product used, for example.
What Is CBG?
CBG, or cannabigerol, is another cannabinoid found in cannabis plants, albeit in trace amounts. Often referred to as the “mother cannabinoid,” CBG is the chemical precursor to other more prevalent cannabinoids like CBD and THC.
While CBG is less abundant in harvested cannabis plants compared to CBD, it may offer its own therapeutic benefits. The limited research that has been done on this cannabinoid suggests that CBG may offer benefits such as:
- Pain relief
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Potential neuroprotective effects
- Possible cancer-killing properties
- Antibacterial and antifungal qualities
Despite being less studied than CBD, CBG shows great promise in various areas of health and wellness, and continued research will likely reveal more potential benefits.
How Does CBG Make You Feel?
Similar to CBD, on its own CBG typically doesn’t produce the same kind of intoxicating effects we associate with THC. In one survey of 127 people who had been using CBG-dominant products, the most common benefits they experienced were relief from symptoms of endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and anxiety.
CBD vs CBG: What’s the Difference?
While CBD and CBG share similarities in their non-intoxicating nature and potential health benefits, they also have distinct differences.
- With the exception of strains that have been bred to be high in CBG, most cannabis and hemp plants typically have higher amounts of CBD vs CBG.
- CBD and CBG have different molecular structures, which means they bind to endocannabinoid receptors differently to produce their own effects and benefits.
- So far, CBD is more extensively researched and has a wider range of documented therapeutic effects compared to CBG.
Which Is Better? CBD vs CBG
If you’re considering CBD or CBG’s potential benefits for you, the question of which is better truly depends on your individual preferences and goals. Some people may find CBD helps them relax or get better sleep, while others may prefer the potential benefits of CBG for tackling specific types of inflammation, for example. With CBG-rich products becoming more widely available, you can experiment with both to find out which works best for you.
Can You Take CBG and CBD Together?
Yes, CBG and CBD can be taken together safely. In fact, a combination of both cannabinoids may offer more benefit than either on their own. Using CBG and CBD together as a team may offer synergistic effects, known as the “entourage effect.”
What Kind of Products Contain CBD and CBG?
With CBG’s popularity growing, you can find both CBD and CBG in a variety of products. Whether you’re looking for isolated CBD vs CBG products, or something that features CBG and CBD together, you’ve got options.
Tinctures
Tinctures offer a convenient and effective way to experience the potential benefits of CBD and CBG. By placing a few drops under the tongue, the cannabinoids are quickly absorbed into your bloodstream, allowing for fast-acting effects and precise dosing.
A few of our customers’ favorites include:
- Earth Bound Remedies CBG Tincture
- Mary’s Medicinals ‘The Remedy’ CBD Tincture
- Neno’s Naturals Blueberry CBD Tincture
Edibles
Edibles offer another convenient way to experience the potential benefits of these cannabinoids. Whether they contain CBD or CBG, edibles provide a longer-lasting effect compared to other consumption methods. This can be especially helpful for relieving discomfort and stress or for getting a better night’s sleep, for example. Many edibles contain THC along with CBD or CBG, which may provide more potent effects.
Edibles are also easy to dose, and they’re a great alternative to smoking and vaping. Plus, they come in a wide variety of flavors and formulations, such as gummies, chocolates, baked goods, drinks, and more. Here are some popular choices you’ll find at our dispensaries:
- Neno’s Naturals CBG Gummies
- Neno’s Naturals CBD Sleep Gummies
- Wyld Pear 1:1 THC/CBG Gummies
- Wyld Pomegranate 1:1 THC/CBD Gummies
Transdermals
You’ve probably heard of cannabis topicals as popular choices for pain and muscle relief. But there is a special class of topicals you may not have tried: transdermals. In short, topicals work locally on the skin’s surface, while transdermals can actually penetrate the skin barrier to deliver cannabinoids into your bloodstream.
Transdermals are a convenient and effective way to get targeted relief for sore muscles, joint pain, and potentially even skin conditions such as inflammation and irritation. Plus, their transdermal technology allows their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties to penetrate your skin and enter your bloodstream, potentially providing effects throughout the body.
Transdermal application also bypasses the digestive system, which means faster absorption and potentially quicker relief. Some transdermal products, like patches, also offer time-released benefits that can last for many hours. Some of the CBD vs CBG transdermal products we carry include:
- Mary’s Medicinals Transdermal Patch CBG
- Mary’s Medicinals Transdermal Patch CBD
- Neno’s Naturals CBD Revive Transdermal Patch
Michigan’s Go-To Source for All Things Cannabis
To wrap things up, while CBD and CBG share similarities, each offers its own set of benefits and uses. While CBD is (so far) more widely researched and used, CBG shows great promise as an emerging cannabinoid with many potential benefits, thanks to its unique interaction with our endocannabinoid system.
Whether you choose to pick up CBD products, CBG products, or you opt to to try out CBG and CBD together, all of the Exclusive dispensaries in Michigan carry products to support your journey.
Learn more about CBD and CBG from our blog, or shop now for pickup or delivery from Exclusive and experience the effects of CBD and CBG for yourself.
