CBD vs CBG: At this point, you’re probably pretty familiar with CBD, but what about CBG? What is CBG and what are its potential benefits? What are the best CBG products out there and how can you go about finding the right CBG oil for you? You’ve probably come across a range of CBD products in your time researching potential solutions. Maybe you’ve seen these products on the shelves of your local Whole Foods, on your Facebook feed as an advertisement, or even at the local convenience store or gas station. It’s true, CBD products are everywhere. With this surge in popularity, other cannabinoids are following suit as we learn more about their potential benefits and applications.
In this post – we’re discussing CBG. That’s right – CBG (cannabigerol) is a completely different cannabinoid than CBD (cannabidiol). Both of these cannabinoids are found naturally in cannabis plants, it just so happens that CBD is much more abundant and thus has been researched and utilized much more compared to CBG and other cannabinoids.
Before we dive into the specifics of CBG, however, it’s important that you know and understand the most popular cannabinoids on the market and how they compare to and differ from CBG.
CBG Oil now available.
Learning About The Different Cannabinoids
To better understand CBG, it will help to understand some of the more popular cannabinoids.
What is a cannabinoid?
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found naturally in cannabis plants. Current scientific research tells us that there are 100+ cannabinoids, with more being discovered as we continue to study the plant. Did you know that the human body produces chemicals that are extremely similar to cannabinoids? We call these chemical compounds endo-cannabinoids. Endo-cannabinoids are chemical compounds that we produce naturally within our body, and they interact directly with our endo-cannabinoid system, which helps us regulate things like:
- Energy levels
- Appetite
- Blood pressure
- Pain management
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cognition, learning, and memory
- Immune system responsivity
Let’s talk briefly about THC and CBD
When thinking about the different cannabinoids found in hemp or cannabis plants, it can seem like a big ol’ alphabet soup. THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, and the list goes on!
What is CBG?
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, so it will not get you high. CBG is like CBD and THC in that it is a decarboxylated cannabinoid. CBG is formed when CBGa is decarboxylated. This means that CBGa is considered to be “raw CBG”.
The process of decarboxylation occurs when the cannabinoid is exposed to heat and UV light. The most common and quickest method of decarboxylating or “de-carbing” any cannabinoid is by smoking it. However, you can also decarboxylate CBGa through slower methods such as heating it in a crock pot or oven, or allowing it to be exposed to UV rays (sunlight). All cannabinoids that can be found naturally in cannabis plants are derived from cannabigerolic acid (CBGa). For this reason, CBGa has been referred to as:
- The mother of all cannabinoids
- The stem cell cannabinoid
- The building block cannabinoid
- The lego cannabinoid
- The Rolls Royce of cannabinoids 😂
That’s right – CBD, THC, CBN, as well as CBDA, THCA, CBCA, and more all begin their journey as CBGa, the acidic (raw) form of CBG. Cannabis plants harvested earlier typically express much more CBG. Once the plant is harvested, this CBGa converts to CBG.
CBG accounts for under 1% of cannabinoids found naturally in the average cannabis plant. CBG concentrations drop as the plant matures. CBG oil is derived from young hemp plants to maximize CBG availability.
This cannabinoid appears more abundantly earlier on in the hemp plant’s life cycle. This is why CBG crops are often harvested earlier than their CBD cousins. As the plant matures, CBGa is converted into other cannabinoids like CBG, THC, and CBD. CBG is metabolized differently than CBD and THC, however, as it interacts with our bodies’ endocannabinoid receptors in a way that is distinct from other cannabinoids.
The history of CBG
CBG was first identified in the 1960s, but did not get a lot of attention because of its relative scarcity. In mature hemp, it can account for under 1% of cannabinoids. As the plant matures, CBG acts as the “mother” cannabinoid, facilitating the growth of other cannabinoids like as THC, CBC, and CBD. Growers and natural scientists have discovered new strategies for preserving the amount of CBG. Breeders and farmers are now able to generate buds with higher concentrations of CBG by harvesting early and utilizing developed seeds.
What is CBG oil?
If you are interested in trying CBG for yourself, consider CBG oil. Just like CBD oil, CBG oil is non-psychoactive and can be taken sublingually (dropped under the tongue). Most CBG oils that you’ll find for sale online will be full spectrum products, which means they contain trace amounts of other cannabinoids and plant compounds, but they feature Cannabigerol (CBG) as the main cannabinoid compound rather than Cannabidiol (CBD).
If you are finding that your CBD product of choice is no longer offering relief, a switch to CBG oil could be exactly what is needed. For example, if you’re used to taking CBD oil everyday you may build up a tolerance. Rather than taking a complete tolerance break, you may find that switching to CBG oil for a while offers more relief while giving your body a rest from CBD.
Understanding CB1 and CB2 receptors
The biggest difference between CBG and CBD is how CBG interacts with cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoid receptors (CB1 & CB2 receptors) are found throughout the body’s endocannabinoid system – in your gut, arms & legs, brain, etc. CBD not only stimulates different cannabinoid receptors than CBG, it does so in a way that is different from CBG. Because of this, some people find that CBG has a more intense beneficial effect.
CBG directly excites the CB1 and CB2 receptors. These are the same receptors that THC interacts with. CBG, however, allows you to get the benefit without THC’s psychoactive effects.
Because CBG is harvested from hemp, it is not subject to the same medical or recreational laws that govern THC products. Licensed hemp sellers can sell CBG in nearly every state. We are dedicated to creating a range of quality hemp products, including those infused with CBG.
The Differences Between CBG & CBD
CBG and CBD are very similar compounds chemically speaking, but as mentioned, CBG acts almost like a stem cell, creating the framework on which all other cannabinoids are formed. This process makes it a precursor to CBD. Because of CBG’s rapid transition into other cannabinoids, CBG is typically found in much smaller concentration in hemp plants. This is the main reason for it’s high price as compared to CBD products. It takes a lot more effort and energy to produce a reasonable amount of CBG, and CBG-dominant strains are few and far between.
How does CBG feel compared to CBD?
In general, CBG tends to act differently in the body than CBD, due to its overall chemical structure. But the real difference lies in your own consumption and tolerance. Since CBG is typically found in such low concentrations in full spectrum CBD tinctures, taking a tincture or another product with a high concentration can have a great impact compared to CBD, simply because it’s new to your body. Just like frequent cannabis smokers build up a tolerance and are able to smoke more without getting as stoned, frequent users of CBD also build up a tolerance. So it can be useful to have a separate compound to use when CBD isn’t cutting it.
Which is better?
While CBD products are ubiquitous, CBG is rarer. This is why you need a good and reliable source to ensure you are getting the right product.
Generally speaking, if you’re not getting strong enough results from CBD, you could try CBG. When it comes down to it, CBG is just different. Every person’s experience with cannabis is subjective, so the only real way to know which cannabinoid will be more effective for you is to give it a try. Our only recommendation is to stick with it for more than a month or two before trying something new. When it comes to cannabinoids like CBG having an impact on your body, it takes time to build up in your system, and thus it can be a while before you truly notice any difference.
Think of CBG like you would a daily vitamin – you know it’s good for you and your body will appreciate the nutrients, even if you don’t necessarily feel the direct impacts right after taking it. In addition, while research is still actively being conducted and cannabis is a pretty new category for medical professionals, your doctor may be able to offer solid advice on which compounds you should concentrate on for your specific needs.
At Hunger Mountain Hemp, we offer both full-spectrum CBG oil as well as a 1:1 CBG:CBD oil mix for improving results. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Why is CBG so hard to find?
CBG is almost like a cannabis stem cell. It develops in the plant, and then is converted to other cannabinoids as the plant matures. Because of this, mature hemp plants contain very little CBG. This rendered CBG products almost unheard of until recently. To get the highest concentrations of CBG, hemp plants need to be harvested early. This allows growers and processors like us at Hunger Mountain Hemp to pick the plant right at the time when CBG concentration is highest.
New strains have also been developed that have higher natural concentrations of CBG, such as our White CBG flower. These high CBG strains produce more of this cannabinoid, so there is more of it available at harvest.
Understanding The Potential Benefits of CBG. What is it good for?
CBG comes with its own benefits separate from CBD and THC, and it has to do with how the cannabinoid metabolizes and how it interacts with the endo-cannabinoid receptors in our bodies. While CBD originally became popular due to it’s potential benefits on children with epilepsy, recent studies have shown that CBGA may have similar impacts. Most recently, this article published by Forbes has been making waves in the name of CBGA. In that article, they specifically discuss a peer reviews scientific article that references CBGA’s potential ability to “block cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants” (COVID) It is also believed that CBG may have more of an impact on things like appetite, sleep, motivation, etc. Using CBG is a good idea when you’re standard intake of CBD is no longer offering relief. That’s why we don’t recommend choosing one or the other, but rather using CBG as a supplement. While more research is needed before real scientific conclusions can be made, the future of cannabinoid research is certainly exciting. Read on for a deeper look at how CBD and CBG work differently in the human body.
Consuming CBG: How to take CBG oil
CBG oil can be consumed in a number of forms. The most common is CBG oil drops held underneath the tongue. This is known as sublingual absorption. You don’t want to swallow right away, as your body will absorb CBG directly into your bloodstream through the gums. CBG oil is typically suspended in a carrier oil such as MCT oil or coconut oil. Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) help dissolve cannabinoids to make them more available to your body. Other methods of consumption include dropping oil into smoothies, grain bowls, or other foods and beverages. As you experiment, you’ll learn how to use CBG in the way that works best for you. We don’t recommend using CBG oil on your skin. For topical application, refer to CBG salves and balms.
Properly dosing CBG oil
When trying something new, always start small. You can always increase a dose, but there’s no way to decrease what you’ve already taken.
Start with a 1/2 mL drop of the tincture under the tongue and hold for 90 seconds. Adjust your dose as necessary over a period of days until you get the results you want. By seeing how different amounts affect you over a period of days, you can find the perfect dose of this full spectrum oil for you.
What about smoking raw CBG flower?
The ever-expanding range of hemp flower strains has resulted in a slew of fascinating new products. One of these is high-CBG (cannabigerol) hemp flower, which contains more CBG than is normally present in the plant.
CBG flower are hemp buds that have been deliberately developed by geneticists to develop high amounts of CBG. This is known as a “high CBG strain.” Smoking CBG flower offers the same sort of relaxing experience that smoking high CBD hemp does. Many people find that CBG has a more intense calming effect than CBD. In addition to smoking, CBG flower also offers the opportunity to experiment with tinctures, concentrates, and butters of your own. Make your own CBG-infused butter to add to baked goods, or create a CBG oil with flower blends you source yourself.
Most hemp aficionados include multiple strains and hemp types in their collection. A combination of CBD flower, CBG flower, as well as strains with a range of terpene concentrates, allows you to get a wider range of experiences. High CBG flower can be a good addition to your collection that provides pleasurable smoking, and a new dimension to your routine.
Other effects to consider
CBG is non-psychoactive, which means you won’t get the sorts of effects you associate with THC products. However, everyone’s system is different. Start with a small amount to see how you feel after taking CBG.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best way to consume CBG?
CBG oil and CBG capsules are the most common method for consuming CBG. However, if you are interested in the topical benefits of CBG, consider looking into a CBG salve or balm.
When is the best time to take CBG?
This depends on how CBG affects you and the benefits you are looking for. Someone who is taking CBG to assist with a restful night’s sleep would take it at night, about 30 mins before bed. For focus or help with pain, it’s better taken during the day. Experiment to see what works best for you. Everyone’s body is different. Try evening first, then change to morning based on how you feel. Experimentation can help you figure out the best time of day to add CBG to your routine.
How many drops of CBG oil should I take on my first time?
Start with one sublingual drop held under the tongue for 90 seconds. You can adjust to a larger dose if you find that the base dose is not giving you the effects you were looking for.
Will CBG make me sleepy?
It’s possible that CBG could make you a bit sleepy. Most people do not notice any overt effects, but everyone is different. Try small quantities first to see how it makes you feel.
Where to buy
More and more vendors are offering CBG for sale. However, it’s vital to buy from a trustworthy source to ensure you are getting the product you want. A reputable source will publish their lab results online so that you can confirm for yourself that they are offering a quality CBG oil product. When you look at lab results like the ones available on our site, Google any parts that are unclear to you or that you don’t understand. This way, you can make an informed decision about what kinds of products you are using.
At Hunger Mountain Hemp, we have spent years developing high quality therapeutic hemp products. We offer a wide range of products to help you get the relief that you need. All of our products are tested by third-party labs, so you can trust their potency and quality. When deciding where to buy CBG, come to the reliable sources that stand behind the quality of their hemp products.
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