After the 2018 Farm Bill eased restrictions around hemp, the hemp-derived CBD market is thriving with millions of consumers turning to the non-psychoactive cannabinoid for their wellness regimens.
While CBD, or cannabidiol, has a host of potential benefits, today’s hemp-derived cannabinoid market includes plenty of other options, including the cannabinoid CBG, or cannabigerol, which recently entered the spotlight.
Those familiar with hemp-derived cannabinoids are likely already aware that a number of products contain both CBD and CBG. But what makes these cannabinoids unique, and what can users expect when they take the CBG and CBD together?
If you’ve ever found yourself curious about combining CBD and CBG, you’re in the right spot. Let’s dive in!
Key Takeaways
- CBD and CBG are both non-psychoactive and share a number of similarities, though their distinctions make them perfect to combine, effectively evening one another out.
- There is overlap, but CBD’s benefits are generally more mentally focused in the brain, while CBG generally focuses on physical and bodily functions.
- CBD and CBG are safe to take together, and many hemp-derived cannabinoid products prominently feature both compounds.
- The entourage effect allows CBD and CBG to work together and can potentially enhance effects from each cannabinoid.
What is CBD?
Next to THC, CBD is one of the most commonly known and occurring cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp plants. Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our bodies, which plays a role in regulating a number of processes in our bodies and minds. There are more than 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids that we’ve discovered so far.
CBD is non-psychoactive, which means it doesn’t come with the “high” often associated with THC. Though it still has many of the same potential benefits as THC, which has made it an attractive option among consumers as the hemp-derived cannabis market opened up.
Of course, CBD’s popularity also skyrocketed as the cannabis and hemp markets opened up thanks to the continued research showing the many potential benefits it holds. And with the rise of CBD ushered in additional research, prompting the re-emergence of others, like CBG.
What is CBG?
While it was first isolated in 1964, studies on CBG didn’t truly take off until just a few years ago. It may be because of the typically low amounts of CBG in mature cannabis plants, but when you look at the entire life cycle of the cannabis plant, it’s clear why it’s called the “Mother of All Cannabinoids.”
The acidic form of CBG, CBG-A or cannabigerolic acid, is the precursor of other cannabinoids, including THC-A and CBD-A which eventually convert to THC and CBD. So if you see a cannabis product with CBD and/or THC, that means it was once CBG.
Is CBG psychoactive? Does CBG get you high? While there are many distinctions between CBD and CBG, this cannabinoid is also non-psychoactive. So consuming these cannabinoids alone or together will not get you high, though there are plenty of other perks.
Now that the market is opening up a bit, scientists are finally getting to the bottom of CBG and its potential benefits, and breeders are even working to crossbreed plants to achieve higher yields of the cannabinoid. This, in time, will hopefully make CBG even more accessible to consumers than it already is.
Most people are somewhat familiar with the effects of CBD, but the question remains: What does CBG do?
CBD vs. CBG
There are a number of similarities between CBD and CBG, most notably that both cannabinoids are non-psychoactive. They also share a number of benefits. However, the two cannabinoids also stand apart in a number of ways. Before we look at the synergistic effects of CBD and CBG combined, let’s take a closer look at what makes these cannabinoids unique.
Benefits of CBG and CBD
The two cannabinoids each carry a number of distinct potential benefits. In general, CBD generally focuses on more mental benefits, while CBG’s benefits are generally more physical. While research as a whole is still catching up, we still have a wealth of knowledge showing the potential of these two cannabis compounds.
Potential CBD benefits include:
- Promoting a sense of calmness and relaxation, which can promote better sleep, aid in relieving stress and generally aid in boosting mood
- Effectively reducing the pain response in our bodies and assisting with pain relief
- Reducing inflammation, which could aid in treatment for a number of conditions
Potential CBG benefits include:
- Reducing intraocular pressure and increasing aqueous humor outflow, which shows therapeutic potential to treat glaucoma
- Antibacterial properties to work against bacteria and bacterial infections
- Promise in treating bladder dysfunctions, as it’s been found to reduce bladder contractions
- Promise as a neuroprotectant
- Encouraging increased appetite, whereas one CBD study reported an overall reduction in appetite
We’re still uncovering the full picture surrounding cannabinoids and their benefits, and bear in mind that this list is not exhaustive.
Other Differences Between CBD and CBG
The reason these two cannabinoids have such different impacts on our bodies is due to their unique structure, specifically the arrangement of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms. Essentially, the two cannabinoids bind with the brain’s endocannabinoid receptors in distinct ways, leading to different effects on the body.
Specifically, CBD binds to receptors as an activator, whereas CBG acts as a blocker or antagonist. This means the two cannabinoids actually interact with our body in opposing ways, but when they are paired together, those polarizing effects can actually balance one another out.
Can You Mix CBD and CBG Together?
If you haven’t already gathered, yes! It’s completely safe to mix these two cannabinoids. In fact, mixing CBD and CBG, along with any number of cannabinoids, can actually provide even more profound therapeutic benefits.
The Entourage Effect
The entourage effect is a term often thrown around when discussing a combination of cannabinoids. Essentially, the idea is that maintaining all of the compounds in cannabis, including terpenes and cannabinoids like CBG and CBD, actually allows them all to work together and amplify their individual benefits.
Let’s examine this as it pertains to CBD and CBG:
CBD doesn’t interact directly with the CB1 or CB2 receptors in the ECS, but it helps to modulate the production of our body’s naturally produced endocannabinoids and increase efficacy. CBG binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors directly, similar to THC. This may be why the entourage effect is often referenced in relation to THC and CBD, but similarly, CBD and CBG often fill in each other’s gaps.
Benefits of Taking CBD and CBG Together
Admittedly, studies surrounding CBD and CBG in conjunction are still limited, but there is still plentiful research that gives us an idea of what benefits consumers can expect when combining the two cannabinoids.
Some potential therapeutic benefits of combining CBD and CBG include:
- Pain Reduction: While CBD is used more prominently than CBG for pain and pain management, blending the two cannabinoids can be an even more effective way to find relief.
- Fighting Bacteria: Both cannabinoids have displayed antibacterial properties and the ability to fight off bacterial infections, so combining the two could help to improve the antibiotic effects as a whole.
- Mood Enhancement: CBD alien increases anandamide levels in the brain, preventing enzymes from breaking down anandamide. Low anandamide is linked to symptoms of depression. CBG on the other hand keeps the body from absorbing as much serotonin, also leading to an improvement in mood. You get the idea by now — these actions together are a winning combo for a better mood.
Final Thoughts
The good news is combining cannabinoids in general, including CBG and CBD, can actually be an even better way to reap maximum benefits.
Because of the unique ways CBD and CBG interact with our bodies and the ECS, they essentially balance one another out. Even though there are plenty of distinct differences between the two compounds, they also overlap in that they are both non-psychoactive and show promise in treating some of the same conditions and symptoms.
Due to the entourage effect through combining cannabinoids, consumers can already enjoy a number of products with CBG and CBD, and the synergistic effects could actually work to further enhance cannabinoid efficacy.
CBD is still relatively new in the grand scheme, and CBG has barely made its big debut. Fortunately, in the modern world of cannabis, finding affordable, accessible products with both cannabinoids is only becoming easier. So what are you waiting for?
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