CBD vs. CBG: Side Effects, Receptors and Which One to Pick

CBD and CBG are both non-intoxicating cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis, but they're not the same thing: CBD is far more common and far better studied, while CBG is a minor cannabinoid that early research links to anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. They also act differently in the body, have slightly different side effects and are often combined in "full-spectrum" CBD products. Research suggests both have a wide range of potential medical uses, alone or alongside other cannabinoids.

Your body makes its own cannabinoids, too, called endocannabinoids, and they help regulate things like mood, pain, appetite and memory. The two main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC and CBD.

What is CBG?

CBD and CBG are two non-intoxicating cannabinoids found in both cannabis and hemp. CBD has become one of the most researched cannabinoids for its medical potential, while CBG shows promising therapeutic properties but reliable CBG-rich products are still hard to find.

Cannabis contains a long list of cannabinoids, including THCV, CBN, CBC and many more, and each one is being studied for its therapeutic potential.

CBG, for its part, has shown antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic properties in lab studies. Early research also suggests it may slow the growth of some cancer cells, though that work is still preclinical. And CBG may help reduce inflammation without the psychoactive effects of THC.

CBD and CBG are close chemical cousins with nearly identical formulas (C21H30O2 for CBD, C21H32O2 for CBG), but their atoms are arranged differently. Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is the precursor to both THCA and CBDA, the raw acid forms of THC and CBD, and both cannabinoids are being explored for similar health issues because both appear to influence how the brain processes pain.

CBD oil and CBG oil are two popular products extracted from hemp and used for a wide variety of health conditions. Hemp is cannabis bred to be low in THC, and it's often grown specifically for its CBD content.

In short, CBD and CBG are two non-intoxicating cannabinoids with promising therapeutic uses for a wide range of conditions. Hemp is cannabis grown mainly for its CBD content, and it's the raw material for the CBD and CBG oils people use for all kinds of health issues.

What is CBD?

Some sources rate CBD as the better pick for inflammation, though neither CBD nor CBG gets you high. CBD is also often described as more potent than CBG, meaning you'd need less of it for the same effect.

CBD has the strongest evidence in certain forms of epilepsy, and research is looking at it for a wide range of other conditions, including chronic pain, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune conditions, schizophrenia, high blood pressure, chemo-related nausea and vomiting, and digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn's disease.

They don't just differ in therapeutic properties; their side effects differ too. CBG can cause dry mouth and raise your heart rate while lowering blood pressure. CBD, on the other hand, can make some people tired or sluggish.

Because their effects and side effects differ, some sources suggest not mixing CBG with CBD or THC for health purposes until you know how each one affects you on its own.

CBD may be the cannabinoid most people associate with therapeutic use, but CBG shows real potential as an anti-inflammatory and as a booster of cell regeneration.

And while it may outperform CBD for certain conditions, CBG hasn't caught on like its better-known sibling. That's because there just isn't enough research on CBG yet: preclinical trials and lab studies are limited.

Can you take CBG and CBD together?

Yes, you can combine CBG and CBD. In fact, lots of CBD products now contain a blend of both. Each has its own therapeutic profile, but they may also work together through what's known as the "entourage effect," the idea that cannabinoids boost each other's benefits and amplify the positive effects in the body. People use CBG and CBD blends for things like inflammation, pain, anxiety and insomnia, though research on the combination is still early.

CBD vs. CBG: which is better?

Neither one is flat-out better than the other, since CBD and CBG each have their own therapeutic uses.

The main differences come down to how they interact with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). CBD doesn't bind strongly to cannabinoid receptors and acts mostly indirectly, and much of its activity is linked to CB2 receptors, which sit mainly in the immune system. CBG, on the other hand, binds directly to both CB1 and CB2 receptors.

As for side effects, both are generally considered safe, but mild side effects like drowsiness, nausea and dry mouth can happen. Keep in mind that both CBD and CBG can interact with other medications and affect how your body metabolizes them. Always talk to a doctor before starting any supplement that contains CBD or CBG.

Bottom line: CBD and CBG each have unique therapeutic properties and may help with different conditions. Choosing between them depends on what you're dealing with and your personal preferences.

How does CBG work in the body?

CBG (cannabigerol) works on the endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate pain, mood, appetite and immune response, among other things. CBG binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in that system and may have therapeutic effects for a range of conditions.

Animal and lab studies also suggest CBG may be neuroprotective, meaning it could help protect the brain, and it's being studied in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

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