When you start experimenting with CBD, one of the first things you’ll discover is that it’s a big world out there. From the hemp flower to edibles, hash to wax, dabbing to vaping, oil to concentrate…there’s a lot to learn, a lot to try, and a lot to figure out before you find the perfect routine for you.
We all have our preferences – not just when it comes to taste and convenience, but to the different ways CBD can make us feel. Strength plays a big role in this experience – a CBD oil with a higher concentration is going to have much more of an impact on us, after all – but it’s also about the way we get CBD into our bodies. Smoking and vaping have a faster effect than edibles, but edibles tend to have a longer-lasting, more encompassing effect.
So, while it all comes from the same wonderful plant, not all of its products are created equal. The same goes for CBD and CBG – same plant, similar effects, but still very different. Here’s what you need to know.
What is the difference between CBD and CBG?
CBD stands for cannabidiol – one of many unique, biologically active compounds found in the cannabis plant, and in particularly high quantities in the hemp flower (a particular type of cannabis, distinct from marijuana). You’ll probably find the name a lot more familiar than CBG, thanks to its growing popularity in the health and wellness scene over the past few years.
CBG stands for cannabigerol – another of the compounds found in the cannabis plant. It’s known as a minor compound, which means that you’ll find less CBG in the plant than CBD, which is a major compound. It’s harvested from relatively young hemp plants, since CBG represents the ‘precursor’ to other compounds like CBD and THC.
Think of how rich in nutrients newly sprouted seeds are. They contain all the building blocks needed for that plant to grow to size – just in very small packages.
This is why CBG is widely referred to as the ‘mother’ of the cannabinoids – because it’s there at the very beginning of the plant’s life. While it’s less common than CBD, we’ve got a lot of reason to believe that, in the next few years, CBG isolate will come to dominate the wellness industry.
CBD and CBG have one key similarity: they are non-euphoric. This means that neither compound is capable of producing a high in users. While cannabis – or, more specifically, marijuana – is widely associated with an intense and intoxicating feeling of relaxation, happiness, contentment and amusement, this all comes down to another major compound found in the plant: THC.
While CBD and CBG are both readily available in hemp plants, THC is not. In fact, this is what distinguishes hemp from marijuana, as hemp plants contain less than 0.3% of THC. THC is found in much higher quantities in marijuana, which remains a controlled substance within the UK.
CBD and CBG in the body
Researchers are still looking to pin down exactly how cannabinoids react within the body. The leading theory is that cannabinoids like CBD and CBG bind with the receptors of the body’s endocannabinoid system.
This system regulates many different processes in the body, from mood, sleep, and digestion to inflammation, immunity, and pain. This is why CBD is known for having such a long list of potential health benefits, such as reducing anxiety, easing chronic pain, and improving sleep quality.
Since CBD and CBG are both biologically active cannabinoids, there’s a wealth of evidence to suggest that they both act in the same way – by targeting the endocannabinoid receptors and helping to regulate all those processes and maintain homeostasis in the body.
Due to its prevalence, there’s a lot more research into CBD and its potential health benefits than CBG. There’s a long list of potential conditions and symptoms that CBD may be effective at treating, including epilepsy, PTSD, insomnia, arthritis, the side effects of chemotherapy treatment, and depression, although more research is needed before anyone can make any definitive claims.
Due to their similarities, there’s a strong chance CBD and CBG will overlap in terms of their benefits for the mind and body, although some researchers are exploring the unique benefits each offers.
This 2020 review of the existing literature on CBG’s pharmacological uses found that CBG shows particular promise as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as MS, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. If CBD’s success is anything to go by, then we can expect that list to keep growing over the next few years.
Can you take CBD and CBG together?
Yes, it’s safe to take CBD and CBG alongside one another. In fact, in many broad- and full-spectrum CBD products, CBG is one of the compounds that end up being preserved during the extraction process.
We wrote about the power of the ‘entourage effect’ in our recent guide to CBD wax. The entourage effect refers to a phenomenon currently being explored by researchers, whereby the body actually responds better to CBD when it’s accompanied by other cannabinoids found naturally in the cannabis plant. These cannabinoids are thought to complement one another and boost the benefits felt by the user.
Is CBD or CBG better?
That really comes down to the individual user. The prevalence of CBD means that there are more options, from oils and concentrates to edibles and vape carts. If you’re new to CBD, then this is a big plus, as it means you can find the best way to work it into your lifestyle, whether you treat it as a supplement or enjoy working up a routine around smoking or dabbing.
But that’s not to say you should write off CBG any time soon. We’re really excited to see how the mother of the cannabinoids takes off in the next few years, and we’re confident it’ll become a firm favourite among CBD users for its specialised benefits, and the way it works in complement with CBD.
