What Are The Differences Between CBD And CBG?

What are The differences between CBD and CBG?

There are many cannabinoids found in the cannabis group of plants that are effectively chemical compounds. The cannabis plant contains more than 100 different cannabinoids, but the most well-known and researched cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), and more recently CBG(Cannabigerol) and CBN (Cannabinol). Let’s talk about these:

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): THC is the main psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant. It is responsible for the "high" that people experience when they consume cannabis. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and produces a variety of effects, including relaxation, euphoria, altered perception and laughter.

Cannabidiol (CBD): CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. It does not produce the "high" that THC does, but it may have a range of therapeutic benefits. CBD is often used to treat anxiety, depression, pain, and inflammation. It is these benefits that have provided the underlying foundations on which Associated CBD has been built!

Cannabigerol (CBG): CBG is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is often referred to as the "mother cannabinoid" because it is the precursor to other cannabinoids. CBG is found in very small amounts in the cannabis plant, but it has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, including as an anti-inflammatory and as a analgesic. Some of our brands are now creating products using CBG as the primary cannabinoid. An exciting area indeed.

Cannabinol (CBN): CBN is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that is formed when THC breaks down. It is often found in aged cannabis, and it is thought to have sedative properties. It is occasionally used alongside some CBD products with a focus on helping and improving sleep.

Cannabichromene (CBC): CBC is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is found in small amounts in the cannabis plant. It has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory effects but it less widely used some of the other cannabounds listed above.

These are just a few of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Each cannabinoid has its own unique properties and potential therapeutic benefits, and researchers are continuing to explore the potential uses of these compounds.

How is CBD produced?

CBG, the first cannabinoid produced by hemp, is created when certain enzymes react with plant acids during the plant's molting stage to form CBGA. Heat is then applied to transform CBGA into CBG, which initiates the formation of dozens of other cannabinoids. Without CBGA and CBG, other cannabinoids such as CBD would not exist.

This chemical chain reaction leads to the discovery of over 100 cannabinoids. CBG is the second most affordable cannabinoid after CBD, although it still costs four times more than CBD. Minor cannabinoid isolates such as CBN and CBC are even more expensive due to their low concentrations in plants. Genetics with 10% CBG exist, while CBN/CBC rarely exceed 0.5% and are never the prominent cannabinoid.

CBG is also available in the market as an oil and can be taken similarly to CBD.

Can I combine CBD and CBG?

Yes, absolutely, and some of our CBD oils are already on sale that do this.

The interaction between CBD and CBG can produce results that neither cannabinoid can achieve independently. The effectiveness of this combination increases with a higher CBD/CBG dosage percentage.

Researchers propose that consuming a combination of cannabinoids may provide multiple health benefits compared to using a single substance. This phenomenon is known as the "entourage effect."

What studies have been done on CBG?

CBG, or cannabigerol, is a relatively new area of research in the cannabis industry, and studies on this cannabinoid are still limited. However, here are some of the studies that have been conducted on CBG so far:

Anti-inflammatory effects: A 2007 study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics found that CBG had potent anti-inflammatory effects in mice.(1)

Antibacterial effects: A 2008 study published in the Journal of Natural Products found that CBG had antibacterial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.(2)

Neuroprotective effects: A 2015 study published in Neurotherapeutics found that CBG had neuroprotective effects in mice with Huntington's disease. (3)

Anticancer effects: A 2014 study published in the journal Carcinogenesis found that CBG had potential anticancer effects in colon cancer cells in vitro. (4)

While these studies suggest that CBG may have therapeutic potential, further research is needed to fully understand its effects and potential uses, but clear to see some positive research is surfacing. Our references on the benefits of CBG and these clinical studies can be found below.

What are the best CBG products?

We have a few on sale, so if you are keen to see if you feel any noticeable effects from CBG it’s well worth giving one of these a try.

CBG oil

Feel Supreme 1000mg CBG Nano Mist Spray - 10ml 

CBG Balm

Bnatural 1000mg CBD + CBG All Purpose Balm - 50ml

CBG Vape

Dr Watson Big Hit 500mg Full Spectrum CBD & CBG Vapourizer Pen

CBG Drink

12 x Little Rick Drink 32mg CBD (+CBG) Sparkling 330ml Mint & Lime

CBD and CBG Conclusion

So there you have it, a quick look and CBG, CBG and some of the other cannabinoids. Please let us know what are your thoughts on CBG or any of the other less well known cannabinoids!

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25269802/ (1)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18681481/ (2)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4322067/ (3)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7409346/ (4)

FAQS

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in the cannabis plant. It is one of many cannabinoids found in the plant, and it does not produce the psychoactive effects associated with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex network of receptors and neurotransmitters that is present in all mammals. It plays a role in regulating a variety of physiological and cognitive processes, including pain, memory, mood, appetite and more. Check out our blog on The ECS here for more information.

But what is the Endocannabinoid System?

The ECS is made up of two main receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are primarily found in the central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are found in the immune system and other tissues. The body's own endocannabinoids, such as anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), bind to these receptors and activate them.

CBD can interact with the ECS by inhibiting the breakdown of endocannabinoids, such as anandamide, which can lead to an increase in their levels. CBD can also bind to and activate CB2 receptors, although it does so less effectively than THC. CBD can interact with the ECS and is thought to be responsible for some of its therapeutic effects, such as its ability to reduce inflammation and reduce anxiety.

What are the differences between full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD and CBD isolate?

Full spectrum CBD oil

Full Spectrum CBD oil contains all cannabinoids present in the hemp plant. Many researchers argue that by having the full range of compounds can amplify the therapeutic potential of CBD through the “entourage effect”

Broad spectrum CBD oil

Manufacturers producing Broad Spectrum CBD take extra measures to completely eliminate THC from the oil. Broad Spectrum CBD oil will still contain many other cannabinoids in the hemp plant to give a fuller CBD profile.

CBD isolate oil

With CBD Isolate, the goal is to create a ‘pure’ CBD oil that doesn’t contain any other compounds or cannabinoids. Typically the CBD must be carefully distilled and then additional tests are carried out to ensure its composition.

What CBD oils are best for anxiety?

This is a question which will depend very much on the user. We find just as many of our customers opting for a cbd isolate based oil as we do for those looking at full spectrum or even broad spectrum oils. It is very much a question that is best tested by each person to find which CBD oils work best for them. The common advantage to CBD full spectrum oils are in regards to the well known combination of CBD with other cannabinoids called the entourage effect. The combination of other cannabinoids with CBD are said to interact with one another to have a more profound impact. However on the flip side, we find many customers who want the purest form of CBD with no further cannabinoids and for these users a CBD isolate remains their best bet.

How much CBD oil should I take?

So this brings us full circle to the heading of the blog post. Well to be honest, ultimately it depends. If you are a new user, we would typically suggest trying a CBD isolate oil and going for a small dosage in the region of 10mgs. You can then build this up over the following days and weeks to test your tolerance and see how your body reacts up to a limit of 70mg. We always remind people that you can dose far higher than this, and there are studies that have supported its safety profile as high as 1500mg per day, but we would certainly not suggest anyone to do that!

I’ve taken CBD in small doses before but now I want to try CBD for anxiety, so what do you suggest?

For a more seasoned CBD user, we might suggest trying a broad spectrum of full spectrum CBD oil but would still look to start small with a dosage in the 10-25mg category. This allows any user to build up overtime and to really test how the CBD interacts with your body and if it really aids your sleep.

Can I take CBD everyday?

Yes, you can take CBD everyday and in fact building up CBD in your system overtime can give some of the greatest benefits as opposed to one-off dosages.

Which CBD Oil is best?

We like to think variety is an important factor, and that is one reason at Associated CBD we try to hold a wide variety of CBD strengths, types and products! There is no best CBD out there, it is about what works best for you and your body.

Are there studies that can support CBD helping with anxiety?

Yes, there are plenty of studies that support CBD having effects on anxiety and many of our customers have left positive reviews for how it has supported them in this way. Some of our  blogs look in more detail at these studies.

These statements have not been evaluated or approved by any other regulatory body. The products shown on this website are lifestyle products and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information contained on this website is not intended to replace information from medical professionals. Please consult your doctor if you are concerned about using any product.