The Difference Between CBD and CBG

Have you been trying to understand the difference between CBD and CBG? You are probably finding it a little confusing; that is because far more research has gone into CBD than CBG. The little we do know is actually very interesting. 

Without going into too much detail, CBG and CBD (and other cannabinoids) interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body.  These receptors are apart of your endocannabinoid system. Try saying that three times! If you would like to learn about how CBG and CBD interact with your body, read on!

It All Starts With CBG

Did you know that CBG is the precursor to all cannabinoids? This means it is the first of all the cannabinoids to appear in young cannabis plants. All the other incredible cannabinoids are derived from this unique cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), an acidic form of CBG. 

What does this mean? Well, CBG is a more challenging compound to collect as it is only usually available in young cannabis plants and in small quantities. In most strains of the plant, only 1% of CBG can be found compared to 20 to 25% of CBD or 25 to 30% of THC.

There need to be some good reasons to harvest CBG compounds, and these will be discussed a little later in this article.  

What Does CBG do Differently to CBD in The Body?

To answer this question, it is important to know a little about the CB1 and CB2 receptors:

• The majority of CB1 receptors are located in the nervous system and the brain.
  
  
• The CB2 receptors are found in the gastrointestinal system and the body’s immune system.
  
  
• CB2 receptors are also found in the brain. However, they are not displayed as predominantly as CB1 receptors.

CBD interacts differently with these receptors when compared to CBG. CBD communicates indirectly with the CB1 and CB2 receptors. This doesn’t mean CBD is less effective; it just means it interacts differently with the body. CBG, however, actually binds itself to both the CB1 And CB2 receptors, interacting in a far more direct manner. It is even thought that CBG is particularly interactive with brain receptors, and this is why it is considered worth the challenge of harvesting!

CBG: Valuable Health Benefits

It is always important to point out that CBG and CBD are non-intoxicating. Unlike the cannabinoid THC, CBG and CBD have no psychotropic effects when ingested, so you need not be concerned about getting ‘high.’ 

The little research we have on CBG points to a list of possible health benefits for consumers, including:

• Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)- CBG has been recommended for further study in relation to inflammation and pain relief for IBD sufferers after an animal study in 2003 showed promising results.

• Glaucoma -  In another animal study conducted in 2009, CBG was found to reduce eye pressure and improve the outflow of fluid produced by the eye. 

• Huntington’s Disease - This disease breaks down the nerve cells in the brain. In 2015 evidence in a mouse study suggested that CBG could have a neuroprotectant effect on the brain, with the potential to treat HD.

• Colon Cancer - CBG may also help colon cancer patients fight the growth of cancer cells forming in their colon. It is believed that CBG may be able to block the receptors that cause cancer cell growth!

Final Thoughts

There may be fewer studies of CBG, but what we have seen could be very promising. Like other compounds found in the cannabis plant, CBG and CBD have been linked to some great health benefits. We have not discussed addiction and CBG in this article, but we will follow up on the study of CBG and CBD on addiction in a later blog.

Suppose you are suffering from a condition related to inflammation, pain, or even cancer. In that case, it may be worth trialing a high-quality CBG oil like Enecta’s G 500 oil and observing if you can experience some relief or improved quality of life. This particular product is ideal for first-time users of CBG. It has a medium level of concentration, allowing you to ease yourself into discovering what this oil can do to help you.