How Is CBG Different From CBD?

CBD has been trending for quite a while now as marijuana's safer cousin. Users opt for this cannabinoid to treat various chronic and mental health ailments from anxiety and depression to multiple sclerosis and arthritis. CBD's popularity isn't dying soon, especially when researchers continue to find positive data regarding this cannabinoid. Yet, an emerging compound is fueling everyone’s curiosity, CBG.

Even its name, CBG, is strikingly similar to CBD, but how similar are these two cannabinoids? Is CBG better than CBD? Could it prove more effective? In this article, learn everything you need to know about CBG. 

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What is CBD?

CBD is found in the Cannabis Sativa plant, and it has become popular because of its legalization in several countries and its lack of THC. The industry has made this cannabinoid alluring by producing a range of products from oil tinctures to balms, skincare products, and edibles. 

What is CBG?

It is a cannabinoid found in the Cannabis Sativa plant as well. The latter has hundreds of cannabinoids in it. CBD is one such cannabinoid, THC, which is the cannabinoid found in marijuana that causes users to become high. 

CBG is the precursor that comes before all the other cannabinoids—a stem cell of sorts. CBG starts its journey in its inactive form, known as CBGA. When producers extract CBGA, they break it down into base molecules from which the other cannabinoids such as THC and CBD stem. Without CBGA, we wouldn't have THC and CBD.

CBG is the active form of CBGA, another cannabinoid stemming from it. Since it breaks down and bears other cannabinoids, producers can never extract large quantities of this cannabinoid from the cannabis plant compared to THC and CBD. For this reason, we know little about CBG, as few studies have focused solely on observing the work of CBG on the mind and body. 

It doesn’t mean you won’t find great CBG products on the market. High-quality brands produce a range of CBG-infused products from edibles to skincare products, oil tinctures, candles, and more. 

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What are the critical differences between CBG and CBD?

CBG is the reason why we have Steve's Goods Full Spectrum CBD Gummies in the first place. The two bear some similarities. For instance, both cannabinoids are non-intoxicating. This means they neither make users high nor is there a risk of overdose. 

Much like CBD, CBG possesses anti-inflammatory properties. In a study, researchers noted the positive results when they used CBG to treat colitis. Here, the cannabinoid proved helpful for joint pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, and nausea. Both CBD and CBG can also ease anxiety, but the two differ in other ways as well.  

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CBG can increase your appetite.

The studies conducted to date have highlighted marijuana as helping stimulate users' appetite, while CBD decreases it. As a result, users who want to lose weight opt for CBD, while others, such as chemo patients, use marijuana to increase their appetite.

The problem with marijuana is that it causes users to get high, so cancer patients must choose between increasing their appetite or avoid the psychoactive effects of THC. CBG could solve this issue. In one study on rats, researchers observed how the animals became hungrier when they ingested this cannabinoid. 

CBG for glaucoma.

What researchers know to date regarding glaucoma treatment is that CBD is not beneficial, but THC is. Similar to the former point, glaucoma patients must decide whether they want the psychoactive effects of THC to help with treatment. CBG could change this by becoming the primary cannabinoid for glaucoma and help users avoid the psychoactive effects of THC.  

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CBG can combat bacteria.

Antibiotics are critical for the body when we need to combat threatening bacterial infections. But even antibiotics cannot beat every form of bacteria. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one example of a staph infection that resists the work of methicillin, which is a type of antibiotic. 

If left untreated, MRSA can be fatal. CBG promises to combat bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics. One such study showed this cannabinoid's potential to fight bacteria that the antibiotics could not beat.

CBG for neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease come with substantial physical and mental challenges. Easing the challenges and improving the patient's quality of life is crucial, as researchers have not found a cure yet. CBG could help with such diseases. In one of the studies, researchers observed how this cannabinoid "normalized expression of abnormal genes linked to brain degeneration, showing that it's a neuroprotective compound."

Conclusion

Even with such promising data, it is essential to keep in mind the limited research body conducted on CBG so far. Researchers have a long way to go before they can list with confidence the benefits of this cannabinoid. So if you are taking medication for glaucoma or other health issues, it's best if you don't stop your medication abruptly. If you are curious about CBG and wish to try it, seek your doctor's advice. Once you look for CBG products, you learn that there is a limited range and most CBG products come with a blend of CBD. 

Written By: Tammy Taylor