CBG Vs. CBD: Your Guide To These Popular Cannabinoids

The cannabidiol (CBD) market has exploded in recent years, with estimates from 2021 valuating the global CBD market at a whopping $5.18 billion (and growing). The reality is that CBD has become an extremely popular natural health product, especially for those who live in states where tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is illegal or in instances where individuals simply don't like the psychoactive impact of THC. 

But the growth of the industry has bred innovation. This has caused scientists to look for even more cannabinoids (chemicals found within the hemp plant) that could potentially be used as a means to bolster overall health and wellness. Take, for example, cannabigerol (CBG). As a consumer, knowing the difference between these products and what each may have to offer is important to purchasing the right ones. What is CBG? What is CBD? What should you know about CBG vs CBD? 

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Cannabigerol or CBG, like CBD, belongs to a group of substances naturally found in the hemp plant called cannabinoids (more specifically, plant-based cannabinoids or phytocannabinoids). CBG is a chemical that exists in very low quantities in hemp, making up about 1 percent of the total cannabinoid content. CBG has to be derived from younger hemp flowers as well, whereas cannabinoids like CBD and THC are derived from fully developed plants.

If you've already been shopping around, you may have come across CBG products labeled as "isolate" or "full-spectrum". But what do these terms mean? Aptly named, isolate refers to a form of CBG in which CBG has been isolated from other plant matter in order to give you a pure product experience. 

Full-spectrum, on the other hand, are CBG products that contain a wide range of hemp plant matter, including other cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils, and beyond. Some prefer full-spectrum isolate because they believe that the different aspects of the hemp plant work together to offer their own unique benefits and support overall health more efficiently, a phenomenon referred to as the entourage effect. 

So, what is cannabidiol or CBD? The first product to really kickstart our interest in cannabinoids, CBD is a derivative of the hemp plant that's most well-known to the modern consumer. CBD was unique in that it still binds to the receptors of the endocannabinoid system (an internal system designed to help us regulate pain and other aspects of our body) without causing psychoactive effects like THC. CBD, like THC, is believed to offer a wide range of health benefits for users who take it. 

Like the section above, isolate vs full spectrum CBD has the same characteristics as CBG products with these terms. Isolate is pure CBD, while full-spectrum CBD features other plant matter and substances naturally found in the hemp plant. 

If you're looking into cannabinoids as a whole and CBG vs CBD, you may have numerous questions. Are they essentially just the same? Does it matter what you take? What do they have to offer? Here's what you need to know in order to make an educated purchase for yourself. 

Researching CBG vs CBD can be a bit tricky, especially because they have certain purported health benefits that may overlap. Which one do you choose based on what you're looking to receive from it? 

CBD is best described as a catch-all cannabinoid. Like THC, CBD offers a wide range of purported health benefits. Most commonly, CBD is used for pain relief and inflammation reduction, insomnia and general sleep support, and general anxiety and stress relief. At the moment, there is an FDA-approved medication on the market designed to reduce seizures in those with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex called Epidiolex. However, research for other applications of CBD still needs to be researched further to fully understand how CBD works and what health benefits it truly offers. 

So, what may you use CBG products for? CBG is believed to offer numerous health benefits, providing support for those dealing with intraocular pressure due to glaucoma, fighting against inflammation that causes inflammatory bowel syndrome, potentially counteracting the symptoms of ADHD, and stimulating appetite, just to name a few. As with CBD, more research needs to be conducted on CBG before definitive claims can be made. 

When it comes to CBG vs CBD, you'll discover that they share common side effects. Reported side effects of CBG and CBD include nausea, dry mouth, dry eyes, fatigue, and changes in mood. 

No specific cannabinoid product is necessarily better than another, per se. It all depends on what you're looking to gain from using the product and which product is the best fit for your needs. Consider what you're interested in cannabinoids for and which products match well with your symptoms. 

They can! Because CBG is found in such low quantities in developed hemp plants (where CBD is extracted from), taking them together may allow you to experience the effects of both. Regardless of whether you're taking them for sleep, mental health, or inflammation and pain relief, see if a CBG and CBD product works better for you!

When it comes to safety, it's more than natural to be concerned about natural health products. Here are some of the most common safety questions consumers have. 

CBD and CBD are, in fact, legal to ship and use nationally. The Farm Bill is a piece of legislation that legalized the use of hemp and hemp products. As long as CBD and CBG products contain less than 0.3 percent THC, you can have them shipped right to your doorstep. 

The answer to this question depends on a wide variety of factors. How do these substances interact with your body? What's your overall weight? How do you metabolize them? The reality is that there's no recommended dosage that works for everyone. Instead, follow the directions on your product and adjust as needed. 

CBD and CBG half-life is tricky. CBD is reported to stay in your body anywhere from one hour to five days. Meanwhile, some report that CBG stays in your system for anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. However, this will ultimately depend on how much you take, how often you take it, and how often you take breaks. 

CBG and CBD should be taken with care if you're taking medications that feature a grapefruit warning label. Like grapefruit, it's believed that cannabinoids may impact your body's ability to metabolize medications. This could have a major impact on your overall health. Speak to your primary care physician if you're interested in cannabinoids to learn more. 

If you have any questions or concerns, working with your doctor may help you better understand cannabinoids and whether or not they're right for you. Additionally, this can give you access to the proven medications you need to successfully address symptoms of serious conditions. 

What should you be looking for when you're shopping for CBD and CBG products? While there are some factors like flavor or type (gummy, tincture, etc.) that will influence your decision, here are a few key traits of high-quality cannabinoid products to look for: 

• Organic: Are your hemp products organic? Hemp is extremely effective at absorbing contaminants from the soil. Non-organic hemp products could put you at risk by allowing you to absorb these contaminants from the extracts. 
• Lab-Tested: Has your hemp been lab-tested? Do you know what's in it?
• Locally-Sourced: Where does your hemp come from? If there's not transparency at every point in the process, it's difficult to know the quality of your hemp products. 

If you're looking to purchase CBD and CBG products, look for those that offer all of the above traits. One excellent example of a CBD company that achieves this is BATCH!

As a consumer, learning more about CBG vs CBD helps you better understand these cannabinoids, how they may support your health, and what to look for in a trustworthy hemp product. Are you ready to take the next step and try CBD or CBG hemp products for yourself? We here at BATCH are dedicated to crafting excellent CBD, CBG, and other hemp-derived products that are organic, single-sourced (grown right here in Wisconsin), and lab-tested for quality assurance and peace of mind. Shop now or reach out to us if you have any questions!