CBD vs. CBG vs. CBN: How These Cannabinoids Compare

CBD, CBG and CBN have their differences, but they share one thing: they're all cannabinoids. CBD is the most abundant and best-studied of the three, CBN forms as THC breaks down with age, and CBG is the rare “parent” compound the others start from. But first, what exactly is a cannabinoid?

Put simply, cannabinoids are the natural compounds found in the resin glands of the cannabis plant. They're best known for the wide range of therapeutic and medicinal effects people associate with them.

Cannabinoids work by interacting with the human endocannabinoid system (the network of receptors and messengers that helps regulate pain, mood, sleep and more), and research suggests that can help with pain relief, anxiety, seizures and nausea. Some studies also point to anti-inflammatory effects and possible benefits for skin conditions like eczema and rashes.

Each cannabinoid has its own properties and potential benefits, but they can also work together synergistically, helping the body make better use of them.

What's the difference between CBD, CBG and CBN?

CBD

Alongside tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) is the best-known cannabinoid, mostly because there's so much of it in the cannabis plant. In hemp specifically, it's the most abundant cannabinoid of all.

CBD's popularity also comes from the fact that people use it for pain and inflammation without the high that comes with THC. As a result, it's generally considered “safer” to use. It's also the cheapest cannabinoid to extract and produce legally, which makes it a popular commercial pick.

In fact, a CBD medication proved effective enough at reducing certain types of seizures that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it as a prescription drug.

CBD comes in tinctures, gummies, capsules, topicals and more. People mostly use it as an anti-inflammatory, to sleep better, for anxiety, for seizures and spasms, to help with addiction and for pain relief.

CBN

CBD may get all the hype, but cannabinol (CBN) was actually the first cannabinoid ever identified: it was isolated in the late 1890s, and its structure was worked out in the 1930s. The plant doesn't make it directly: it forms as THC breaks down over time, from age or exposure to heat or oxygen. It does have some intoxicating effects, but some research suggests CBN is only about a quarter as potent as THC.

CBN is often used as an anti-inflammatory, for pain relief and to improve sleep quality, and it has been studied for its potential to stimulate bone growth.

CBG

Cannabigerol (CBG) comes from its acidic precursor, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), known as the “mother of all cannabinoids“. All the cannabinoids we just covered start out as CBGA, which the plant converts into other compounds that then change further when exposed to light and heat.

CBG is extremely rare: it usually makes up less than 1% of the cannabinoids in a typical plant. That's why it takes a delicate extraction process, which makes it valuable and expensive. That said, some hemp growers are working on breeding plants that naturally hold on to high concentrations of CBGA instead of converting it into other compounds. It's still early days, but the results so far look promising.

Research into CBG's potential benefits points to skin microbiome support, pain relief and muscle relaxation, anti-inflammatory effects, and possible anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties. It has also been studied for glaucoma, and for possible neuroprotective and antibacterial properties. It may also stimulate appetite, which is why it's being looked at for people living with HIV or eating disorders.

CBD and these other cannabinoids are getting more popular by the day, but it's important to do your homework and talk to a health professional before using any of them. Cannabinoid wellness products don't work just because they contain a particular compound. They need to be properly formulated, made with high-quality ingredients and designed for a specific purpose.

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