As cannabis becomes legal in more states, more people are turning to CBD and CBG to help them with their ailments. So much so that the number of cannabis consumers is expected to increase by 4% annually, totaling 71 million consumers by 2030.
But if you’re new to cannabis, you may not be aware of all that is available to you, and it can get somewhat overwhelming when starting. There are many factors to consider, such as the strain, whether you need CBG or CBD, and what ailments they potentially aid.
So if this all sounds interesting to you, keep reading. We’ll get you started by looking at the differences between CBG vs CBD, so you know which is best for you.
What Is CBD?
CBD is arguably one of the most well-known cannabis products available today. These non-intoxicating cannabinoids are known for their healing properties. However, since it’s low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it cannot get you high and instead is used purely for the potential health benefits it can provide.
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which can be found in cannabis plants, typically found specifically in Type II and Type III cannabis plants. CBD is considered federally legal so long as it contains no more than 0.3%; however, it’s strongly recommended to check individual state laws to ensure you’re clear.
Benefits of CBD
CBD works by interacting with receptors found throughout your body. It’s worthwhile noting that clinical trials have not yet tested all potential benefits. However, through preclinical human and animal studies, CBD has been found to help with the following ailments:
- Chronic pain and inflammation
- Anxiety disorders and depression
- Dementia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neuropathy
- Epilepsy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Sleep deprivation
- Bipolar disorder
- Metabolic disorders
What Is CBG?
Cannabigerol, or CBG, is not as well-known as its CBD and THC counterparts; however, it has been gaining traction in recent years as more studies are being performed.
It’s one of more than 100 compounds found in the cannabis plant being studied, and while it’s still early days, current findings suggest that CBG may be highly therapeutic.
CBG is a bit more complex than CBD as it undergoes a few transformations during its lifetime. It begins as cannabichromenic acid (CBGA), which can be converted into cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). Once CBGA is heated it, under the process of decarboxylation, transforms into CBG, which interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
CBG is typically found in low levels in cannabis plants, but growers can grow high-CBG cultivars through selective breeding.
Benefits of CBG
Not much information is yet available regarding the benefits of CBG, but preliminary findings show that there may be therapeutic benefits. CBG may aid:
- Appetite disorders
- Bladder dysfunctions
- Huntington’s disease
- MRSA bacterial infections
- Cancer
- Gut inflammation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Another benefit of CBG is that there is no THC present at all. This is due to its chemical composition and how it forms.
CBG vs CBD: The Differences
While CBD and CBG are both cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, there are a few key differences between them. The key differences between these cannabis cannabinoids are:
Appetite Stimulation
Rodent animal trials have found that CBG can help stimulate your appetite. This is in contrast to CBD, which researchers find significantly reduces hunger.
Molecular Structure
A big fundamental difference between CBG vs CBD is its molecular structure. This means they have different quantities and arrangements of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms. As such, they bind with your body’s cannabinoid receptors differently than one another.
Pharmacology
Thanks to molecular structure differences, CBD and CBG interact with your receptors differently. In a nutshell, the anti-nausea effects of CBD may be caused by its affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor, where it acts as an agonist (activator). On the other hand, CBG acts as an antagonist (blocker) at 5-HT1A receptors.
CBG vs CBD: Drug Testing
If you’re wondering whether you’ll show up as positive on a drug test while consuming these products, you should be clear if you buy verified CBD and CBG products with little to no THC present. Additionally, CBG isn’t yet currently screened for in over-the-counter drug tests.
If you’re consuming both CBD and CBG, it won’t show up on a drug test so long as you’re not exceeding 1900 mg daily. To be safe, when buying CBD or CBG oils, ensure the product contains no more than 0.3% of THC.
Typically this information should be on the product label but is also available through reading a Certificate of Analysis (COA). However, this service is only available through a third-party lab.
Consuming CBG
If you want to incorporate CBG into your routine, there are several ways you can do this. Namely:
- CBG Crystals: These come in the form of a powder which you can dissolve under your tongue or combine with a beverage for consumption
- CBG Oils and Tinctures: Consuming in liquid format requires you to administer it under your tongue or mix it into a beverage
- CBG Supplements: One can consume CBG in pill form, which one can purchase from a local weed dispensary or online
- CBG Topical Treatments: CBG is also available as topical creams, which you can apply to your skin as needed
All CBG products should come with a detailed label that will tell you everything you need to know about the product. You can read more here if you’d like to learn more about reading cannabis product labels.
Enjoy the Potential Benefits of CBG and CBD at Medcare Farms
As you can see, adding these cannabinoids to your regular health routine has several potential benefits. If you suffer from any of the listed ailments, it’s worth chatting to your local general practitioner about using CBG vs CBD or a combination of both.
If this article has you curious to try CBD and CBG, check out our online shop for top-quality cannabis products. You can also sign up to become a member and receive discounts on every order, exclusive access to products, and more.
