CBG and CBD: What Are They and How are They Different?
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CBG (or cannabigerol) is just one of the hundreds of different cannabinoids in hemp plants. It is similar to cannabidiol (CBD). It is also a “precursor” to other popular cannabinoids, including the “high”-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is a precursor chemical because the acidic CBG-A goes through chemical changes to become CBG, CBD, THC, and CBC. Despite being the chemical origin of many cannabis compounds, CBG is little understood and, some say, underappreciated. Studies have shown that it also has potential therapeutic effects for a wide variety of conditions. However, because THC and CBD have come to dominate the conversation about hemp and cannabis, CBG is only now getting the attention it deserves.
Table of Contents
- The Difference Between CBG and CBD
- How Does CBG Work and How Is It Made?
- Choosing the Best CBG
- FAQ About CBG
- Closing Thoughts
Table of Contents
How are CBG and CBD Different?
CBG and CBD are not the same things, but they are not that different either. CBG-A is a precursor to many other cannabis compounds, so the two compounds are related in that way. Cannabigerol is also not as abundant in the cannabis hemp plant as cannabidiol. One thing that they do have in common is that they are both non-intoxicating, like tetrahydrocannabinol.
Using CBD produces no intoxicating reactions, and its chemical cousin acts in the same way. Many scientists believe that CBG – like CBD – may also have therapeutic effects. Several studies have shown that it can have a relieving effect on such conditions as disparate as:
- Inflammation
- Glaucoma
- Bacterial infections
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Appetite loss
CBG and CBD are not the same things, but they are not that different either. CBG-A is a precursor to many other cannabis compounds, so the two compounds are related in that way. Cannabigerol is also not as abundant in the cannabis hemp plant as cannabidiol. One thing that they do have in common is that they are both non-intoxicating, like tetrahydrocannabinol.
Using CBD produces no intoxicating reactions, and its chemical cousin acts in the same way. Many scientists believe that CBG – like CBD – may also have therapeutic effects. Several studies have shown that it can have a relieving effect on such conditions as disparate as:
- Inflammation
- Glaucoma
- Bacterial infections
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Appetite loss
What Makes It So Different?
CBG has drawn the scientific community’s attention for its potential to relieve or possibly treat a wide range of ailments from colitis to appetite loss even cancer. However, these are all unproven claims. Neither cannabinoid has been approved or is currently being regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Cannabigerol interacts with the human endocannabinoid system, like all cannabinoids. Its relative scarcity makes it difficult to study how exactly it produces the supposed benefits that it does. Still, when it does interact with CBD1 and CBD2 receptors, initial studies have found that it can:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Increase appetite
- Fight neurodegenerative diseases
- Counter the effects of THC intoxication
The problem with CBG is that it is not so easily found in the raw hemp plant. Once it interacts with heat or light, it begins breaking down into other compounds like THCA or CBDA, which themselves are precursors to THC and CBD. Some growers are trying to breed CBG-dominant plants that make it easier for researchers to obtain the study compound.
CBG has drawn the scientific community’s attention for its potential to relieve or possibly treat a wide range of ailments from colitis to appetite loss even cancer. However, these are all unproven claims. Neither cannabinoid has been approved or is currently being regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Cannabigerol interacts with the human endocannabinoid system, like all cannabinoids. Its relative scarcity makes it difficult to study how exactly it produces the supposed benefits that it does. Still, when it does interact with CBD1 and CBD2 receptors, initial studies have found that it can:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Increase appetite
- Fight neurodegenerative diseases
- Counter the effects of THC intoxication
The problem with CBG is that it is not so easily found in the raw hemp plant. Once it interacts with heat or light, it begins breaking down into other compounds like THCA or CBDA, which themselves are precursors to THC and CBD. Some growers are trying to breed CBG-dominant plants that make it easier for researchers to obtain the study compound.
What Is The Best Product?
CBG is not so easily found at the chemical level, so there are relatively few CBG-dominant products on the market compared to the abundance of CBD or THC-dominant products. Still, some makers are beginning to offer their regular hemp extract products with many other types of cannabis compounds.
When shopping for a cannabigerol product, try to find a full-spectrum CBD product. It offers a wide range of cannabis compounds, except for tetrahydrocannabinol. Make sure to check the lab results to ensure that there are at least detectable amounts of other cannabis compounds like CBN or CBG.
Products only containing cannabigerol are around, but they are hard to find. They may also be mislabeled and contain misleading information about their cannabinoid content. So make sure to buy from reputable buyers and check the lab results.
CBG is not so easily found at the chemical level, so there are relatively few CBG-dominant products on the market compared to the abundance of CBD or THC-dominant products. Still, some makers are beginning to offer their regular hemp extract products with many other types of cannabis compounds.
When shopping for a cannabigerol product, try to find a full-spectrum CBD product. It offers a wide range of cannabis compounds, except for tetrahydrocannabinol. Make sure to check the lab results to ensure that there are at least detectable amounts of other cannabis compounds like CBN or CBG.
Products only containing cannabigerol are around, but they are hard to find. They may also be mislabeled and contain misleading information about their cannabinoid content. So make sure to buy from reputable buyers and check the lab results.
Everything to Know About CBG
Is It Stronger Than CBD?
No, cannabigerol is not stronger than CBD, but it depends on what is meant by “stronger than.” The compound reacts in the same way with the human body as cannabidiol, but as the two do not have intoxicating reactions, neither of them is “strong” in that sense. Whether the compound has a broader range of therapeutic applications than CBD is also something currently being studied.
Can It Get You High?
No, it does not produce intoxicating reactions. It could have other psychoactive effects like pain relief or reduce stress, but those effects have not yet been proven.
What Is It Good For?
There are many conditions that cannabigerol could treat, like inflammation, vision problems, even a tumor-growth inhibitor, but these are not yet proven. The FDA does not recognize the compound as a legitimate treatment for any of these conditions. However, the medical community does not recognize the cannabinoid as a treatment for any of these conditions.
Which Is Good for Sleep?
It is hard to say which among either CBD or CBG is good for sleep, as everyone reacts differently to them. Indica strains of CBD extract are typically the most widely-known as sleep aids, but that is not a guarantee. Neither CBD nor CBG has proven sleep aid effects.
Is It Legal?
Yes, cannabigerol is legal, as it has no intoxicating effects and is commonly found in the cannabis plant. CBD is legal in all 50 states as long as tetrahydrocannabinol levels are below 0.3%.
Is It Stronger Than CBD?
No, cannabigerol is not stronger than CBD, but it depends on what is meant by “stronger than.” The compound reacts in the same way with the human body as cannabidiol, but as the two do not have intoxicating reactions, neither of them is “strong” in that sense. Whether the compound has a broader range of therapeutic applications than CBD is also something currently being studied.
Can It Get You High?
No, it does not produce intoxicating reactions. It could have other psychoactive effects like pain relief or reduce stress, but those effects have not yet been proven.
What Is It Good For?
There are many conditions that cannabigerol could treat, like inflammation, vision problems, even a tumor-growth inhibitor, but these are not yet proven. The FDA does not recognize the compound as a legitimate treatment for any of these conditions. However, the medical community does not recognize the cannabinoid as a treatment for any of these conditions.
Which Is Good for Sleep?
It is hard to say which among either CBD or CBG is good for sleep, as everyone reacts differently to them. Indica strains of CBD extract are typically the most widely-known as sleep aids, but that is not a guarantee. Neither CBD nor CBG has proven sleep aid effects.
Is It Legal?
Yes, cannabigerol is legal, as it has no intoxicating effects and is commonly found in the cannabis plant. CBD is legal in all 50 states as long as tetrahydrocannabinol levels are below 0.3%.
Conclusion: Is CBG The New CBD?
Have you ever used any non-intoxicating cannabinoids before? What did you use them for? Are you interested in trying either cannabidiol or cannabigerol? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cannabigerol has come to prominence lately, like a lot of other cannabinoids, for its possible therapeutic benefits. The compound has yet to be conclusively proven as a remedy for several serious health issues, but there is a promise, which is why scientists continue to study it. Little was known about the potential for CBD, but now that there is some science behind its medicinal properties, it is very widely accepted. The same could happen for cannabigerol with time.
Have you ever used any non-intoxicating cannabinoids before? What did you use them for? Are you interested in trying either cannabidiol or cannabigerol? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cannabigerol has come to prominence lately, like a lot of other cannabinoids, for its possible therapeutic benefits. The compound has yet to be conclusively proven as a remedy for several serious health issues, but there is a promise, which is why scientists continue to study it. Little was known about the potential for CBD, but now that there is some science behind its medicinal properties, it is very widely accepted. The same could happen for cannabigerol with time.
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