CBG vs CBD: What Are Their Differences?

CBD (cannabidiol) has long been known as the main non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. In other words, it’s the compound that doesn’t get you high.  You, or someone you know, may use CBD for nausea or to help with anxiety. CBD has been in the spotlight for various potential therapeutic benefits, which we’ll detail later on. That being said, CBD isn’t the only non psychoactive compound making waves. CBG (cannabigerol) is another compound emerging as a potential game changer in the wellness world. But why? Keep reading to learn more about CBG vs CBD, including what they are, potential benefits, as well as their differences.

CBG vs CBD: What is CBD?

Before we dive into the differences between CBG vs CBD, let’s explore some background information. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non psychoactive cannabinoid that exists in cannabis and hemp plants. It was first discovered in 1940. Research shows that CBD use can benefit people with conditions like:  

• anxiety
• auto-inflammatory diseases
• neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s 

People also use CBD for nausea relief, as well as relief from chronic pain and anxiety. You can find CBD in oils, gummies, sprays, and more. If you have experience with psychoactive cannabinoids, you can also reap the potential benefits of CBD in our premium cannabinoid blends. They’re PhD Pharmacist-formulated to facilitate specific experiences, such as Clarity, Creativity, Desire, and Tranquility, to name a few. These are available as edibles, disposable and vape cartridges. 

CBG vs CBD: What is CBG?

To really understand CBG vs CBD we’ll go over what CBG is. CBG, or cannabigerol, is a compound that one can find in cannabis and hemp plants. Researchers first discovered CBG in 1964, when they initially began to study cannabis. CBG is actually considered the “mother” of cannabinoids because it’s the precursor of both THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD. In other words, there’s more CBG in younger cannabis plants as when the plants are older, the CBG has most likely already converted into other cannabinoids. As far as potential benefits go, some studies suggest that CBG may provide therapeutic potential in treating:

• Huntington’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

CBG is also known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. It has also shown promise as an anticancer compound that inhibits the growth of cancer cells. People commonly use this compound in different products including, CBG gummies, CBG flower, CBG tincture, and more. For a psychoactive route, we offer premium blends with CBG, including our Recover blend, Motivation blend, Introvert blend, and more. 

CBG vs CBD: Structure

We’ll start by going into the chemical structures of CBG vs CBD. Both cannabinoids have the same molecular formula however, they vary in their atomic arrangements. Meaning their hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms are arranged in different formations. In CBG, there are carbon atoms that have -COOH groups attached to them, forming a cyclohexene ring. In CBD, two hydrogen atoms are replaced by hydroxyl groups (-OH).

CBG vs CBD: Main Differences

Chemical structures aside, while both compounds are cannabinoids present in cannabis and hemp products, they do have some more differences. Below we’ll go over CBG vs CBD and what sets them apart from each other.

• The main difference between these compounds is that CBD is a major cannabinoid while CBG is a minor cannabinoid. This means that cannabis usually contains higher levels of CBD than CBG. 

• When it comes to CBG vs CBD, CBD is more abundantly found in hemp. On the other hand, one can only find CBG during the hemp plant’s blooming phase. This scarcity in fully flowered cannabis plants is what makes CBG a minor cannabinoid.

• CBG and CBD interact with our bodies differently. CBD actually has a low binding affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are cannabinoid receptors in the body. It actually interacts with how these receptors bind with THC, modulating its psychoactive effects. CBG, however, binds directly to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which, in turn, makes our bodies more open to receiving its health benefits.

• Another interesting difference is found in two studies performed regarding how these cannabinoids stimulate appetite. One study using CBD found that it significantly reduced subjects’ total food intake. However, another study using CBG revealed that subjects actually ate two times their regular food intake. This indicates that CBD can act as an appetite suppressant, while CBG has potential to act as an appetite stimulant.

Is CBD Legal In Florida? And Other States?

So now that we’ve gone over CBG vs CBD, a common question to have at this point would be is CBD Legal In Florida? How about in other states? Per the 2018 Farm Bill hemp products with no greater than 0.3 percent THC per dry weight are legal under federal law. As long as both CBD & CBG are both derived from federally legal hemp, they are federally legal, meaning in all states. However, CBD and CBG that are derived from marijuana are still illegal at the federal level. 

Related Article: "Is Delta 8 Legal In Your State?"

Is CBG Legal?

Yes CBG is legal as it falls under the 2018 Farm Bill as long as it’s derived from federally legal hemp. 

We encourage you to verify the legality of CBD & CBG in your state, as some states may have limitations on them.

Drug Tests: How long CBD & CBG stays in your system

You may also wonder how CBD and CBG fare against drug tests. When testing for cannabis use, drug tests typically look for THC, the main psychoactive compound, metabolites. Neither CBD or CBG should show up on drug tests, however it is possible. If the CBD or CBG products contain THC, then the THC could cause you to fail a drug test. That’s why it’s important to shop brands that provide lab results. The only reason you’d need to know how long CBD or CBG stays in your system is if there were actually THC in those products. In which case you’d want to know how long THC stays in your system. 

Related Article: “Does HHC Show Up On Drug Tests? 5 Things To Know” 

Where To Find Trusted CBD, CBG, and Delta 8 Near You

When it comes to CBG vs CBD, there are many differences, like their availability in cannabis plants and how they interact with our endocannabinoid system. The most important factor in purchasing is ensuring that you’re shopping with a trusted source. Whether you’re a fan of using CBG gummies, CBG flower, CBG tincture, or CBD oils to get your daily dose of potential benefits, you can also find both CBD and CBG in our premium blends. As leaders in the hemp industry, Mellow Fellow uses cutting edge technology to bring you Delta 8, Delta 10, HHC and more cannabinoids in the various strains. And now with our store locator, you may not have to wait for delivery. You can use it to find Delta 8 and more near you.

We are also excited to announce we've released a new line of live resin disposable vapes in 2ml and 4ml. Learn more about live resin here. What’s your favorite way to implement CBD and/or CBG into your life? Let us know in the comments below! Stay safe, and stay mellow.

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