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CBD and THC are definitely two of the most well-known cannabinoids. CBD is known for its calming, therapeutic effects, while THC is known for its psychoactive effects that cause feelings of euphoria and sometimes confusion. While CBD and THC have had plenty of time in the spotlight, lesser-known cannabinoids such as CBG are attracting the interest of consumers and scientists alike.
Initial studies suggest that CBG may have similar characteristics to CBD. Both cannabinoids have no psychoactive properties. Instead, they offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and analgesic properties.
Here’s what you need to know about the similarities and differences between CBG and CBD. We’ll also look at some of the best CBD products on the market.
What is CBG?
CBG, which stands for cannabigerol, is one of more than 100 cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis plants. Young hemp plants produce cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). As the plant matures, CBGA breaks down into cannabidiol acid (CBDA) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). These two compounds are then converted into CBD and THC. Each CBGA residue is converted to CBG.
Although CBG was first isolated in 1964, the cannabinoid has not received much attention, so there are very few studies on the compound. Current research is in the preclinical stages, but from what we know so far, CBG may have various therapeutic side effects.
It is possible that CBG has strong pain-relieving properties that may be more effective than THC. CBG can interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system, which affect inflammation, pain, and even sensitivity to heat. The cannabinoid may also have anti-depressant, anti-cancer and anti-bacterial properties.
What is CBD?
CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, occurs naturally in high concentrations in hemp and cannabis plants. CBD was first isolated in the 1930s, but was hardly used until the 1970s, when scientists discovered it could be an effective anticonvulsant.
Over the years, research has confirmed many of the therapeutic benefits that CBD offers, including anti-anxiety, pain-relieving, anti-nausea, and sedative qualities. CBD has also been shown to be an effective treatment for severe forms of childhood epilepsy and is used in the FDA-approved drug Epidiolex.
Over the past few years, CBD has become the cannabinoid of choice not only because of the many therapeutic benefits it offers, but also because it has no psychoactive properties. Unlike THC, CBD offers pain relief and other benefits without the risk of paranoia, anxiety, or impaired cognitive function.
Like CBG, CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Differences between CBG and CBD
Although they offer very similar therapeutic properties, CBG and CBD have some differences. For example, the two cannabinoids have different molecular structures. This means that the arrangement of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen is different. Molecular structure affects how the cannabinoid binds to receptors and also affects bioavailability.
CBG and CBD are also unique in the way they activate receptors. One study looked at how CBG and CBD interact with 5-HT1A serotonin receptor. CBG acts as an antagonist to this receptor, where CBD has strong anti-nausea effects, meaning it acts as an agonist.
So even though the two cannabinoids are similar when they bind at the same site, they have opposite effects on that specific receptor.
CBG and CBD differ in the way they stimulate appetite. A study conducted on rats found that CBG encouraged the animals to eat twice their normal food intake. But a study conducted on CBD found that the cannabinoid significantly reduces total food intake.
Therapeutic benefits of CBG vs. CBD
There is not much research that has delved into the therapeutic effects of CBG. However, preclinical studies offer little insight into how the cannabinoid might interact with the body. Like CBD, CBG does not have any psychoactive properties. Instead, it offers other therapeutic benefits, including:
● Appetite stimulation
● Anti-cancer properties
● Antibiotic properties
● Potential treatment of MRSA bacterial infections
As interest in CBG continues to grow, we can expect to learn more about the cannabinoid in the next few years. The hope is that more clinical trials and research will be conducted so that we can better understand the benefits that CBG offers.
CBD is in a similar situation, but there are many more studies that have been conducted. Research shows that CBD offers numerous therapeutic benefits, including:
● Pain relief
● Improved sleep
● Reduced stress and anxiety
● Neuroprotective properties
But as with any cannabinoid, there is always more to learn. Most studies have been conducted on animals, so human trials are critical to fully understand how CBG and CBD interact in the body.
Interested in trying CBD, CBG, or perhaps a product that contains both? Here are some of the best hemp derived products available on the market today.
Top 4 CBD Products
Penguin is another top brand that we highly recommend. They offer some of the purest and most potent CBD products on the market. With a well-rounded selection of products, you’re sure to find the CBD that best suits your lifestyle needs. Choose from gums, oils, topicals and capsules.
Penguin uses only the best ingredients, including broad-spectrum CBD oil, which is extracted from Oregon-grown hemp. Since these products do not contain THC, you can enjoy peak mental performance while enjoying the many therapeutic benefits that CBD has to offer.
Even better, the brand offers some delicious flavors. Penguin’s CBD Gummy Worms are covered in tangy sugar that will send your taste buds into a frenzy. There’s also delicious flavored CBD oil, including options like cookies and cream, citrus, strawberry, and mint.
Verma Farms is one of the highest quality CBD brands we’ve found. All of their products are made with premium ingredients that are organic and all-natural. They offer an extensive collection of products to choose from, including gums, oils, capsules, topicals and even tropical dried fruits!
Verma Farms uses a broad-spectrum extract that contains all the health-enhancing plant compounds except THC. This means you can enjoy the benefits of small cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and fatty acids!
This is a brand that uses a Hawaiian approach to CBD production. All of their products are island-influenced, so you can drift off to your own tropical paradise.
Organically grown and highly potent, BATCH CBD products are deeply therapeutic and create lasting benefits for both body and mind. Whether you’re looking for a better night’s sleep, a way to relieve everyday stress, or a natural approach to pain and inflammation relief, BATCH has you covered.
BATCH CBD prioritizes product quality and customer service to deliver truly life-changing results. From seed to shelf, the BATCH team carefully manages every aspect of their product development, ensuring that every single product is sustainably crafted with the highest quality ingredients.
BATCH has an amazing line of CBD products including theirs CBG oilwhich includes a 1:1 CBD to CBG ratio. Made with a vegan formula and flavored with citrus extracts, BATCH’s CBG Oil tastes great and offers the essential benefits of both CBD and CBG!
Colorado Botanicals takes our top spot again. Despite years of product innovation from their competitors – they stay ahead of the curve with superior quality and some of the most potent CBD oils, capsules, topicals and gummies on the market.
Originally offering broad spectrum CBD extracts, Colorado Botanicals recently added full spectrumCBD oils and severalCBG products enhanced with clinically researched ingredient curcumin and Boswellia. With so much variety and customization, there’s something for every health-conscious shopper.
Colorado Botanicals are unique in that they can naturally retain terpenes and flavonoids thanks to their proprietary extraction and purification process. The final product is an extremely pure and concentrated product without any impurities. In addition, their products are constantly tested for contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, solvents and microbes.
CBDfx is one of the leading CBD companies in the world, among the first to offer CBD products to consumers nationwide. They have capitalized on their early successes and built their practice to offer a wide range of CBD products ranging from simple oils to complex gums designed to replace multivitamins and dietary aids. Our team has extensive experience with this brand, often citing it as the standard when evaluating newcomers to the CBD market.
During our many meetings, we found that this company has put the time and energy into producing a high-quality product that is guaranteed to help you tackle your life’s challenges, whether you’re quitting smoking, losing weight, or just relaxing after a long a day at the office.
Extract Labs is known for providing the purest, highest quality CBD products at the lowest price, a promise made possible by keeping every step of production in-house. Few companies offer CBG products because it is difficult to extract and is not as abundant as CBD. Extract Labs offers an extensive collection of CBG products, including full-spectrum CBG oil, THC-free CBG tincture, CBG isolate, CBG softgels, and CBG gummies. CBG Gummies are one of their most popular products, with 33mg of CBG and 33mg of CBD each – they’re made with natural ingredients and quality broad spectrum hemp oil. They also have a wide range of high quality CBD products for you to try.
Joy Organics is one of the first CBD oil tinctures on the market made entirely from USDA certified organic ingredients. It’s a brand that doesn’t compromise on quality, using only the highest quality ingredients like broad and full-spectrum CBD, along with organic MCT oil, stevia, and oil-based flavors.
Joy Organics continues to expand USDA certified organic CBD tinctures with its new CBG and CBD tincture. Their CBG + CBD tincture contains two hemp-derived compounds to support homeostasis in the body. CBG is known as the “mother of all cannabinoids” and works synergistically with CBD to support mental and physical health.
In addition to this tincture, Joy Organics offers a wide range of full and broad spectrum products that focus on pure and organic ingredients along with extensive laboratory testing for purity. These products include
Tires (full and wide spectrum)
Delta 9 products
Ointments
CBD creams
Massage oils
Bath bombs
And more
Use discovery code to save 20% on Joy Organics products.
Final thoughts
CBD and CBG are two similar but unique cannabinoids. While hemp plants contain a much higher dose of CBD, CBG can also be extracted and used in all kinds of products. These two cannabinoids offer a variety of therapeutic benefits and when combined can provide highly effective feel-good relief.