Curious to see just how different these two cannabinoids really are?
The cannabis industry is raving about two specific cannabinoids, and it’s no surprise: CBG and CBD are two powerhouse cannabinoids that have legitimate health benefits that most people can use.
And now it’s your turn to dive in.
Here’s the thing…
CBD is everywhere right now. We’ve heard about it for years.
CBG, on the other hand, is still being discovered by a lot of people.
This article will break down CBG vs CBD for you, and highlight the differences, so you can decide which one you should be using for health.
First, let’s quickly cover what CBG and CBD really are.
What you’ll discover:
- What Are CBG and CBD Really?
- The Science Behind How They Work
- CBG vs CBD: Health Benefits Breakdown
- Delta 9: What Most People Aren’t Considering
What Are CBG and CBD Really?
CBG is called the “mother of all cannabinoids” because it’s what most other cannabinoids are derived from including CBD and THC. So where do you find it?
CBG in its raw form is only found in trace amounts in a mature marijuana plant. The reason?
Most of the CBG gets converted into other cannabinoids as it matures and grows. It’s a rare cannabinoid to find, which is also why it’s more expensive to extract.
CBD, the most popular cannabinoid in the world, is found in abundance in hemp plants. It’s been studied for decades for its health benefits, and has been shown in study after study to be non-psychoactive.
The key difference between CBG and CBD?
CBG directly binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors in your endocannabinoid system, while CBD works more indirectly with those receptors without actually binding to them.
The Science Behind How They Work
There’s a lot of science behind all this, but in a nutshell…
Our body has an internal system for balancing sleep, mood, pain, inflammation, and all sorts of other things called the endocannabinoid system. CBG and CBD work in this system to give us those benefits.
CBG works directly on your endocannabinoid system by activating CB1 receptors in the brain and CB2 receptors throughout your body. This creates those energizing and focus-enhancing effects.
CBD, on the other hand, works more indirectly. Instead of directly binding to your receptors, it helps to regulate the way your body uses its own endocannabinoids. This is how CBD helps you to feel calm, relaxed, and anti-inflammatory.
The best part?
Both cannabinoids are 100% legal when sourced from hemp plants containing less than 0.3% THC.
CBG vs CBD: Health Benefits Breakdown
So, now we know how they work, let’s cover what each one can do…
CBG Health Benefits
CBG is all about that daytime energy, focus, and productivity. Here’s what science is saying about CBG:
Energy and Focus
CBG’s energizing and uplifting effects make it ideal to take during the day. 70.8% of individuals with ADHD found that taking CBG and CBD together improved their symptoms.
Pain Relief
CBG has been shown in study after study to help with pain. 73.9% of survey takers reported that CBG worked better for their pain than prescription medications.
Anxiety Support
Research published in 2021 found that those who took 20mg of CBG reported fewer signs of anxiety compared to those who took a placebo.
Digestive Health
CBG may help to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and support gut health.
CBD Health Benefits
CBD, the superstar cannabinoid that has been studied for years, offers health support in the following areas:
Stress and Anxiety
CBD’s natural calming and relaxing effects make it great for reducing everyday stress and anxiety.
Sleep Support
CBD can also help with sleep and many people use it to get better sleep at night.
Anti-Inflammatory
CBD is also great for supporting your body and reducing inflammation throughout the body.
Pain Management
CBD’s interaction with pain receptors can also help you manage pain naturally.
Pretty awesome stuff, right?
Delta 9: What Most People Aren’t Considering
Here’s another thing you need to know…
Delta 9 THC brings another aspect of cannabinoids into the mix. CBD and CBG are non-psychoactive, which means you don’t get high with either one.
Delta 9 on the other hand, has the effects that people associate with getting high.
Don’t count it out just yet, though.
Small amounts of Delta 9 (<0.3% to be federally legal) can work well together with CBG and CBD to enhance their effects without causing intoxication.
Comparing Delta 9 to CBG and CBD
Delta 9 THC’s effects come from how it strongly binds to CB1 receptors in the brain. This is what causes the high, but it also has unique therapeutic effects.
Pain Relief
Delta 9 could be especially helpful for neuropathic pain that may not respond as well to other treatments.
Appetite
Unlike CBG (which can actually suppress appetite), Delta 9 can also be used to help people stimulate their appetite if necessary.
Sleep
If you combine Delta 9 with CBD, small amounts of THC can also improve sleep even more than CBD alone.
The Entourage Effect
Now comes the fun part…
CBG, CBD, and Delta 9 can work together in what’s called the entourage effect. This is a term used to describe when cannabinoids work together to provide better results than alone.
For example:
- CBG provides energizing and focus-enhancing benefits
- CBD works to calm and reduce inflammation
- Delta 9 may enhance pain relief and sleep benefits
The result is a more well-rounded and potentially more effective experience.
Which One Is Right for You?
Here’s the thing…
It all depends on what you’re looking for. It’s not a one-size-fits-all scenario.
If you’re looking for…
Choose CBG.
- Daytime energy and focus
- Pain relief without drowsiness
- Digestive health
- Mental clarity and productivity
Choose CBD.
- Stress and anxiety management
- Sleep support
- General wellness
- Anti-inflammatory support
Choose Delta 9 (in small legal amounts).
- Pain relief
- Sleep support
- Appetite stimulation
- Entourage effect with other cannabinoids
First Steps on Your Cannabinoid Journey
Don’t stress about it. Pick one cannabinoid to start with, and see how it makes you feel. You can always switch it up or add in another cannabinoid later.
If you’re new to cannabinoids, it’s recommended starting with CBD to get a feel for how it impacts your body. CBD is the most widely studied cannabinoid, the most abundant in hemp, and the most available.
From there, you can branch out and add CBG for daytime energy, or small amounts of Delta 9 to enhance the experience.
Wrapping It Up
CBG, CBD, and Delta 9 each provide different health benefits and mechanisms for better health.
CBG energizes and helps with focus, CBD calms and heals, and Delta 9 enhances and balances.
The good news?
You don’t have to choose just one cannabinoid. Many people find the best results by combining all three cannabinoids strategically, based on their unique needs and goals.
Focus more on quality rather than quantity or price. Choose brands that use reputable extraction methods, provide third-party lab testing, and have clear ingredient labels. Your health is worth the investment.
Experiment with CBG for daytime productivity, CBD for evening relaxation, or Delta 9 for enhanced benefits. Whichever cannabinoid you start with, you’re on your way to a healthier, more natural you backed by real science.
