CBG Vs CBD: The Differences
These days, the majority of educated people are already aware of CBD along with its benefits to both our physical and mental health.
Not so many people, however, are aware of a growing trend and demand for other cannabinoids such as CBN and CBG flower.
The amount of research being carried out on cannabinoids is increasing all the time and although some studies date back to the 1990’s and beyond, further investigation into the potential of CBG is high on the scientific community’s agenda.
While CBD is far from being old news, CBG flower has stepped into the spotlight next to CBD and is set to be the next big thing in the world of hemp and cannabis medicine.
Smoking CBG flower is noticeably different from smoking CBD flowers. Both the effects and flavors are much more subtle and soft.
If you are used to CBD, you might feel like nothing is happening at first before you get a slight increase in focus and mental clarity. If the effects are too soft, you can mix CBD and CBG for a more potent combination.
What is CBG Flower?
Many people are asking, what is a CBG flower?
In short, a CBG flower is a hemp or cannabis bud that has been specially bred to contain particularly high concentrations of the cannabinoid, CBG, as opposed to CBD or THC.
CBG is often referred to as the “mother” or “stem cell” cannabinoid due to the fact that it’s a precursor to other cannabinoids.
Like other cannabinoids, it interacts with our body’s endocannabinoid system to affect physiological and cognitive processes such as pain response, mood, sleep cycles, memory, and motor functions.
It’s safe to say that there’s a lot of excitement about the potential of CBG and it’s predicted to be hitting the shelves just as hard as CBD in the near future.
5 Potential CBG Flower Benefits
Evidence from laboratory studies, both in-vitro and in animal models, suggests that, like CBD, CBG flower effects are potent and wide-reaching.
This is likely due to the importance of the endocannabinoid system and the role it plays in keeping our body running both effectively and efficiently. We identified five research-backed CBG flower benefits:
1 – CBG Enhances Mood
CBG can help to stimulate your body’s production of anandamide, our body’s native cannabinoid which is often referred to as our “bliss” chemical. Increased levels of anandamide will boost your mood and feeling of wellbeing.
2 – CBG Alleviates Anxiety
It also inhibits GABA uptake – GABA acts as a neurotransmitter which attaches itself to receptors in your brain.
It helps by inhibiting the uptake of this amino acid leads to increased levels of serotonin and GABA in the brain, which results in tension relief and a sensation of calm for the body and brain.
Many prescription anti-anxiety medications are based on this model for treatment. GABA is also thought to help prevent seizures.
Read about the best CBD strains for anxiety
3 – CBG is Antibacterial & Antifungal
It has also been found to be an extremely effective antibacterial and antifungal agent making it a critical focus in further research for combatting potentially life threatening staph infections, such as MRSA, which are resistant to antibiotics.
4 – CBG is a Neuroprotectant
It is also widely thought to be able to help conditions such as Huntingdon’s Disease due to it’s potent neuroprotective properties.
5 – CBG Reduces Pain & Inflammation
Even early studies of CBG (such as Ethan Russo’s back in 2010) found it to be effective in treating pain and inflammation, but until recently it was only found in much smaller quantities within the plant and therefore wasn’t given as much attention as other cannabinoids.
The usefulness of CBG doesn’t stop there, however, as it has also been found to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and reduce the effect of colitis. Unlike CBD, CBG also relieves intraocular eye pressure, making it a potential novel treatment (along with THC), for glaucoma.
CBG Flower FAQ’s
So now you know what CBG flower is and what it can do, here are the answers to some of the other most common questions we get asked regarding CBG:
What does CBG stand for?
CBG stands for cannabigerol. It is one of over 100 cannabinoids that have been identified in the hemp plant.
Does CBG get you high?
No, CBG can’t get you high as it isn’t an intoxicating substance. In fact, as long as your product is derived from hemp, it should never be able to get you high as hemp only contains trace amounts of THC (which is the compound responsible for making you feel high or stoned).
How do I get a CBG product?
You can check out your local dispensary but the easiest way to find CBG flower for sale, is online. As with all hemp flower, be sure to hunt down a clean and organic source that offers third-party lab results to verify the cannabinoid content of their products.
What does CBG do to your body?
Like other cannabinoids, CBG is a biologically active compound that interacts with our body’s endocannabinoid systems. It has several known modes of action, including stimulating your body’s production of anandamide, improving your mood and feeling of wellbeing. It also inhibits GABA uptake, leading to increased levels of serotonin, promoting a sense of calm in the brain and body.
How does CBG make you feel?
For the most part, CBG makes people feel happy, focused, and calm.
Can you smoke CBG?
Yes, lots of people smoke CBG flower, not only because they find it to be an enjoyable user experience, but also because the effects come on a lot faster than with other methods of consumption.
What strain has the highest CBG?
The final CBG content of any strain will vary from one retailer to another, depending on how it was grown, when it was harvested, and how well it was cured.
Some of the best high-CBG strains around include White CBG, John Snow, Jack Frost, and White Whale CBG flower.
How long do the effects of CBG last?
CBG’s effects should last between two and eight hours, depending on how you take it. Inhalation has the fastest onset of effects, but the CBG will also leave your system faster than if you take CBG orally (ingesting tinctures, capsules, or gummies) where the CBG may stay in your system for many hours.
How long does CBG stay in your system?
The length of time that CBG will stay in your system will depend on how you choose to ingest it, how much you take, and how often you take it, but it’s thought to be between a couple of days and a few weeks.
CBG Flower For Sale
There are currently a few brands that sell CBG flower in their online stores. You want to watch out because a couple of brands list CBD flower that has a higher than normal CBG percentage as “CBG flower” when that isn’t necessarily true.
Always check the COA (certificate of analysis) before you make a purchase. If the company does not offer you a COA you should look somewhere else.
These are the best CBG strains right now.
White CBG by Green Unicorn Farms
We have yet to write a full White CBG review, but this strain is pure fire! This is a mellow and relaxing strain with creamy and citric flavors. White CBD effects are lingering and very uplifting, making it a perfect strain for waking up and getting the day started.
The most beautiful buds of any CBG flower I’ve seen. Highly recommended!
EDITOR’S CHOICE
95.2
TOTAL SCORE
★★★★★
Sour G
Sour G may be the most focusing and uplifting CBG strain available. It’s a very dank and gassy strain with heritage from the classic Sour Diesel CBD strain.
It gives a feeling of mental clarity, focus and calm that I recommend smoking in the daytime. Mix it with Hawaiian Haze for a boost of energy and flavor. Highly recommended for it’s effects even though it’s not very high in cannabinoids.
BEST DAYTIME
94.4
TOTAL SCORE
★★★★★
White CBG by Cannaflower (former Berkshire CBD)
White CBG from Cannaflower is a potent CBG hemp strain that helps you feel a calm that is noticeably different from CBD.
The effects are very smooth and quick acting. Expect a mellow relaxation that starts in your body and works its way into your mind.
GREAT QUALITY
92
TOTAL SCORE
★★★★★
CBG Rich by Secret Nature
Expect an uplifting and relaxing calm from these indoor grown CBG pre rolls.
The pre rolls have a soft flavor profile that is not too exciting but it more than makes up for that with its effects. Although it’s a sativa strain, CBG Rich is very relaxing to smoke. You’ll experience a sense of focus and clarity in your thoughts while removing any jitters or anxiety.
BEST CBG PRE-ROLLS
90.8
TOTAL SCORE
★★★★★
John Snow – American Shaman
It’s a premium quality strain with a high CBG percentage. Grown on small farms using sustainable farming practices with lab tests on the final product to ensure no pesticides or heavy metals are present.
BEST SHPPING & SERVICE
90
TOTAL SCORE
★★★★★
GoatGrass CBG Oil
If you want to experience CBG but don’t want to smoke hemp flower, GoatGrass offers you a great alternative in the form of a CBG tincture.
As with all oils, the onset is slower than smoking but the effects are longer lasting and more subtle.
The CBG oil is a perfect morning supplement that gives you a slight boost in mood while increasing focus and removing cloudy thoughts.
CBG TINCTURE
91.4
TOTAL SCORE
★★★★★
CBG Flower vs CBD Flower
Looking at the list of benefits of CBG flower, it’s easy to see that CBG and CBD have a lot in common. CBG, however, has been found to be slightly more effective at inhibiting GABA uptake, potentially making it more promising for treating anxiety.
Another important difference worth noting is that CBG hemp flower has much more delicate trichomes than CBD and THC, so it’s even more important to ensure your CBG flower is properly cured and to choose a supplier that handles and delivers the product with care.
Smoking CBG Benefits
There are many benefits to be gained from vaping or smoking CBG flower , over taking an oil. Firstly, smoking the flower in its natural form offers the purest cannabinoid experience you can get. Many people appreciate the taste, aromas, and experience of smoking hemp and you can also enjoy a much faster onset of effects.
Inhalation is the fastest way to get all of the plant’s beneficial compounds into your body However, the faster the effects set in, the faster they will leave also, which is why many CBD users combine products
Read more about smoking CBD flower here
Thanks to expert cannabis breeders and the advancements in seed genetics, we now have hemp strains exhibiting much larger quantities of CBG so we recommend you try it for yourself to see which works better for you, CBG or CBD?