CBG vs CBD Flower – 2 Main Differences
When CBD was introduced a few years back into the market as a close relative of THC, minus the psychoactive effect, it became an instant favorite child of the natural health community. With a long list of health benefits and almost zero-to-none side-effects, bottles with CBD derivates began flying off the shelves. However, other compounds began emerging leaving a lot of unanswered questions about the comparability to the well-known cannabinoids. is the latest hype in the string of latest by-products of THC.
What is CBD?
CBD, or Cannabidiol, is a substance naturally found in marijuana or hemp. It’s not going to get you high, but rather invoke feelings of relaxation and calmness. Also, CBD is not regulated by the FDA so it is possible to come across some products that contain trace amounts of THC that could alter your behavior. Here is the breakdown: Cannabis sativa is a plant that has two major species – hemp and marijuana. Hemp has a low percentage of THC. Marijuana has high levels of the same chemical. Marijuana has high levels of the same chemical; some strains have even up to 20% of THC. Usually these are ocean grown strains, which you can learn more about in this Zamnesia article.
Both have CBD, with hemp containing much higher levels. Many people swear that CBD has helped their health conditions, like arthritis, epilepsy seizures, chronic pain, anxiety, pain, and nausea caused by chemotherapy, PTSD, migraines, and many more. The challenge presented here is that CBD works the best when in combination with a little bit of THC. The jury is still out on this one with all the studies conducting at the moment, but it’s safe to say that the compound works just as well without any psychotic elements.
What is CBG?
CBG, Cannabigerol, or the “Mother of all Cannabinoids” is one of the 400 compounds that is a non-addictive, non-psychoactive substance derived from the hemp plant. Therapeutic benefits are probably endless since it is not studied well yet, as much as other substances. So far, it showed many health benefits including anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Furthermore, it was very successful in reducing chronic pain, managing skin problems, and even help with some types of cancer like glaucoma. As far as mental health issues, it has shown great results in reducing anxiety and depression.
In the early stages, the cannabis plant produces cannabigerol acid, CBGA. From this, the chemical breaks down into three different acidic substances: tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and cannabichromene acid (CBCA). The cycle goes on and these acids convert into THC, CBD, and CBC, respectively. Because of the way CBG converts in plants from CBGA, an acid composite, it’s extremely hard to extract it. To put it in perspective, the hemp plant has around 15% of CBD, but less than 1% of CBG.
So, why call it the “Mother of all Cannabinoids”? It was proven that CBGA is “the mother”, or the precursor, of all the other acidic compounds. So, we’ll try to simplify this. At first, we have CBGA which then morphs into Cannabigerol, or THCA, CBDA, CBCA, and every other acid substance. To find out more about CBG flower go to cbdflowerusa.com.
Benefits of CBG
Studies are still in an early phase, but many doctors guided by hand-on experience say that it has powerful health benefits. In 2013, a study was conducted to investigate the effects of CBG on colitis. This study showed that it could serve as a good way to reduce the effects of the disease. Although none of the studies tested for Cannabigerol as an isolated compound, many medical conditions can be treated by using cannabis. It is also proven to fight bacteria, even the ones that are resistant to antibiotics, like MERS. Cannabigerol has been thought of as a very promising way to treat such bacteria.
Also, this compound of CBGA is a great anti-inflammatory remedy.
Furthermore, CBG’s ability to treat eczema and psoriasis has been proven many times over by significantly reducing inflammation. Cannabigerol is also promising in a fight with cancer, particularly glaucoma, by suppressing the growth of cancer cells and slow down the progression of the disease. The chemical can reduce intraocular pressure and helps with the draining of fluids.
Comparison: CBD and CBG
Some of these benefits overlap with those of CBD, which has also been used to reduce pressure from glaucoma and reduce tumor growth, it has anti-inflammatory benefits, and it has even been used for the treatment of acne.
CBD is also proven to be an effective anxiety reliever with the potential for treating OCD, generalized anxiety, and PTSD. However, it became popular when it started to reduce epileptic seizures. It can also ease the pain associated with fibromyalgia, arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
The effects of CBD and CBG when combined haven’t been studied, we do know from experience that combining different cannabinoids will enhance each other’s effects. This effect has been well-studied relating to the relationship between CBD and THC, where the results have shown that they are more effective at reducing pain when taken together. Definitely, more studies are needed to be able to tell with certainty.
CBG shows a lot of promising uses. Although CBD has been a miracle medicine for some time now, it seems like the stage is set for a new star in treating many diseases in years to come. Although researchers and experts do not have as much practical knowledge about CBG as they do for CBD and THC, it is said that CBG has great potential benefits for our body and overall health. The major downside of Cannabigerol is that is so hard to come by in hemp plants, and with such an insignificant percentage it’s almost impossible to extract it.
Even more, this compound is very expensive compared to its chemical counterparts. Some cannabis research companies invest in producing genetically engineered strains in hopes to increase CBGA’s presence in plants. Many ongoing trials are trying to reach the same goal, and supposedly we should have CBG only plant sometime soon. Until then, you can find hemp oil with high levels of the latest medical compound as your pain remedy.
