CBG vs CBD are two cannabinoids that are present in the hemp plant. While CBD is the more popular one, CBG is slowly gaining popularity because of how effective it is with a lot less potency. CBD is an excellent option for treating anxiety, while CBG may help individuals with multiple sclerosis.
Both are highly effective in treating inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions. They are non-psychoactive and shall not cause drowsiness in individuals who take them.
Even when both compounds come from the same plant and treat the same problems, they are not the same. As responsible individuals, it is necessary that you are aware of these differences to take more informed and calculated steps.
In this article, we shall discuss the key differences between CBG vs CBD, their legality, and how each of them works in their own ways in the human body.
So, if you wish to know more about the differences between CBG vs CBD, stay with us till the end.
CBG Vs CBD: Definition
Both CBD and CBG come from the hemp plant. The Indian hemp, or Cannabis sativa, is a plant that is mainly found in western and central Asia. This plant is usually referred to as cannabis.
The cannabis sativa contains more than 400 chemical compounds, and approximately 80 of them can be called biologically active. The most important compounds in the cannabis plant are cannabinoids.
The most significant psychoactive cannabinoid that is present in the cannabis plant is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. This is the compound that causes a high in human beings and is highly psychoactive. Some of the other identified cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant are CBN, CBG, CBD, etc.
What Is CBD?
CBD is one of the most popular cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. Despite being a psychoactive compound, it will not work like THC to make you high every time you consume it.
CBD links with different parts of your body that are known as cannabinoid receptors, but not how CBG does. It helps deal with inflammation and allows for a better handling of stress. People who mainly look for CBD do so to reduce pain or treat their sleep issues without messing up their heads.
Imaging studies have proven that CBD might cause major alterations when it comes to brain activity or connectivity patterns.
CBD is particularly popular for its medicinal benefits. Some of its most prominent benefits include:
- Auto inflammatory diseases
- Anxiety
- Neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease
What Is CBG?
CBG is yet another cannabinoid that is present in the cannabis plant. This compound works pretty similarly to CBD and binds to the very same receptors in the brain.
Although a lot more research is still required to rightly understand the effects of CBD on people, research on the effects of CBG is still growing.
CBG is also known as the “mother of all cannabinoids” and does not cause any drowsy effects when taken. It works a lot like coffee, meaning, it keeps you energized and helps you stay more focused. Hence, it is safe to say that CBG is certainly not the cannabinoid you should go for when it comes to sleep issues.
Some studies also suggest that CBG might have certain therapeutic effects to treat:
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Huntington’s Disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]
CBG Vs CBD: Interaction With The Body
Both CBG vs CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system present in the body. This significant system plays a major role in regulating multiple bodily functions, including mood, inflammation, pain, sleep, appetite, and memory.
Both the cannabinoids interact with our endocannabinoid system. However, they both do so in very different ways.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system by adjusting the activity of its transport enzymes and proteins. This, in turn, modifies the amount of anandamide – the default endocannabinoid present in the body.
CBD molecules usually have a higher harmony with the CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system that are connected to the peripheral nervous system. However, CBD does not directly affect the receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Instead, it impacts the ECS in some other ways. For instance, it might prevent the naturally occurring endocannabinoids from breaking down in the first place.
CBG, on the other hand, might attach itself to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Its interaction with the endocannabinoid system happens via its agonist effect on both of the receptors.
According to studies, CBG attached itself to both the receptors present in the endocannabinoid system to help regular a number of psychological processes that go on in the body like appetite, memory, mood, pain sensation, and even digestion.
CBG inhibits the activity of the FAAH enzymes. This results in a higher quantity of naturally occurring cannabinoids in the body, like anandamide.
CBG Vs CBD: The Benefits
Both CBG and CBG are cannabinoids that are present in the cannabis plant. While CBD is a major cannabinoid, CBG is the minor one. This means, the cannabis plant contains a higher concentration of CBD in comparison to CBG.
While both of them have appreciative medicinal benefits, they work pretty differently after interacting with the human body.
Let us now see how the medicinal benefits vary from CBD to CBG
Benefits Of CBD
Some of the most prominent benefits of CBD may include the following:
Anti Inflammatory Properties
Research suggest that CBD contains anti inflammatory properties that helps treat a number of health conditions.
A study done in mice back in 2018 claimed that CBD substantially reduced inflammation by stopping the release of certain compounds that are responsible for triggering inflammation.
Another review from 2021 of multiple studies also claimed that CBD shows massive anti-inflammatory effects.
Helps People Quit Smoking And With Withdrawals
Studies claim that CBD helps people give up smoking. This might happen because of the anxiolytic properties present in it. Substances that have anxiolytic properties in them may be able to prevent and treat symptoms of anxiety.
A study from 2018 also found evidence that CBD helped in reversing attentional bias to cigarette cues to quitting smokers in comparison with a placebo. This means, it might help people overcome the addiction to nicotine or smoking.
Studies also concluded that CBD might help in reducing the withdrawal symptoms in people who have shown an addiction to specific substances.
Seizures
CBD is one of the best supplements that can help control the intensity and frequency of seizures. Not just in human beings but in animals, too.
However, CBD works only as a supplement, not as a medicine. This means that it will not work to eliminate the root cause of seizures. Instead, it will bring the symptoms a lot more under control by reducing the frequency and intensity of it.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s comes with a number of psychological and behavioral symptoms. And research claims that CBD might help treat these symptoms to offer some relief to the patients.
There are parts of CBD that can suppress some of the symptoms that Alzheimer’s exhibits, like memory loss or behavioral disorder.
Additionally, one pre-clinical trial also shows that the psychological and behavioral symptoms might be reduced with the use of CBD.
Anxiety Disorders
CBD is an excellent and one of the most natural and safest ways to reduce anxiety effectively. CBD has a number of calming agents that calm and soothe your body, making you feel less anxious and less stressed after its consumption.
Benefits Of CBG
Just like CBD, CBG also offers a wide range of benefits that are slowly becoming popular amongst the cannabis community. Some of its most common benefits might include:
Antibacterial Benefits
CBG has certain antimicrobial and antifungal properties that may help in fighting bad bacteria in the body.
Anti Inflammatory Properties
Just like CBD, CBG is also pretty popular when it comes to treating inflammatory issues such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Stress And Anxiousness
CBG is also a popular cannabinoid that helps reduce anxiety by constraining the uptake of GABA and serotonin, which regulate our mood. This clearly shows that CBG has certain anti-stress properties, too.
Bladder Dysfunction
CBG is known to be more effective than other cannabinoids in constraining muscle contraction in the human bladder. This might also help in treating certain symptoms of bladder disorders.
Gut Health
There is a reason why gut health is also known as the second brain. Your digestive health and digestion impact every other operational aspect of your body. CBG helps fight bad bacteria in the gut and ease inflammation, giving you long-lasting relief from stomach disturbances.
CBG is being researched for all of its potential to enhance visual health, manage inflammation, fight bacterial infections, address certain skin issues, offer nerve protection, and promote the formation of bones.
On the other hand, CBD has been researched for its ability to reduce anxiety, addiction, neurodegeneration, relieve pain, and enhance skin health.
CBG Vs CBD: Side Effects
According to research, CBD does not come with any adverse side effects. In fact, it is one of the safest CBD supplements when you take it in appropriate doses. For up to 13 weeks, it is safe to consume 200 milligrams of CBD, depending on your body weight.
In some rare cases though, CBD might have some minor side effects like dry mouth, light-headedness, low blood pressure, and drowsiness. To have a better understanding of the side effects, it is better that you have a discussion with your doctor to see if it is at all favorable for you to take CBD.
Also, if you are taking CBD for the first time in your life, it is better not to have any other engagements after it. As a first-timer, it is necessary that you put yourself at risk in case the side effects are too strong to deal with.
However, when it comes to CBG, there is not much information to rely on to understand the side effects, if there are any. So, if you are planning to take it, make sure to keep an eye on the dose and start gradually. You may slowly increase the dose depending on your tolerance and needs.
CBG Vs CBD: Can They Get You High?
Both CBG and CBD are non-euphoric. This means, they do not have intoxicating properties and may not get you high under any circumstances.
THC is the major psychoactive component present in the cannabis plant. It is the reason why one gets high after taking in marijuana.
Some of the major symptoms of high in a person may include:
- Giggles or laughter
- Relaxation
- Increased hunger
- Sensitivity to touch, color, smell, taste, light, and sound
- Euphoria
- A feeling of enjoyment and amusement
- A creative feeling
If someone gets too high, their experience might be a little different than the usual ones. Some of the most common symptoms of an extreme high might include:
- Psychosis
- Confusion and panic
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Delusions and paranoia
- Red eyes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Reduced limb and muscle coordination
- Delayed reaction times
- Distorted senses
- Increased heart rate
CBG Vs CBG: Are They Legal?
The Farm Bill of 2018 eliminated hemp from the legal explanation of cannabis in the Controlled Substances Act.
This means hemp-extracted CBG or CBD products are legal as per the Fed. However, for that, they are only allowed to contain less than 0.3 percent THC.
CBG and CBD may be legal federally, but that does not make them legal in every state. Hence, you need to check the laws of your state thoroughly before you order a pack of CBD or CBG for yourself. Also, you need to be even more careful at the time of traveling.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, knowing the benefits and differences between CBG vs CBD is of utmost importance to making the most informed choices. While CBG is particularly popular for its focusing and concentrating potential, CBD is more popular for its inflammatory functions, reducing stress, and improving mood.
These non-euphoric cannabinoids have therapeutic benefits that do not alter your perception or mood. However, more research is required to come to a conclusion about the actual benefits of CBD and CBG on the body. But whatever little knowledge we have, it is safe to say that they have very promising results when it comes to the overall wellness of the human body.
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