What is the difference between CBD and CBG? Well, the answer may shock you. Although both non-toxic cannabinoids, CBG and CBD have subtle but interesting differences that set them apart.
In this article we take a look at the unique benefits of CBG, compared with CBD.
What is CBG?
Cannabigerol or, CBG is produced by the hemp plant at its seedling stage, when enzymes react with acids to form CBGA. That extra (A) at the end of CBG stands for the acidic form. To drop the A for acid off the word, the cannabinoid needs to go through a process called decarboxylation.
Decarboxylation happens when a cannabinoid is applied to heat or UV light. Basically, this changes the chemical structure and changes CBGA to CBG.
Essentially, CBGA (and, by extension, CBG) is key to the hemp plant’s production of cannabinoids, such as CBD, as its formation effectively triggers a chemical chain reaction that leads to the emergence of over one-hundred different compounds.
Nevertheless, CBG isn’t widely known about, or included in cannabis-derived products, because its levels in hemp, at less than one per cent, are far lower than CBD.
But, breakthroughs in botany and science have allowed CBG to be isolated and sold. At Pure Organic CBD, our full spectrum products contain a small amount of CBG.
What are the effects of CBG?Â
In spite of its somewhat elusive nature, CBG appears to have a positive influence on both a person’s mind and body.
Research into the effects of CBG is still in its early stages and there’s a lot more to discover. Nevertheless, initial studies suggest that CBG is non-toxic and appears to influence a person’s CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors.
For those unfamiliar with these receptors, they are part of the ECS of endocannabinoid system. The ECS is what allows CBD and other cannabinoids to function with the body.
As these ECS receptors are found all over the human body, CBG’s impact on physiology is significant. So far, studies of CBG have extended to treatments of: inflammation, Huntington’s disease, glaucoma and drug-resistant bacteria.
Preliminary results suggest that CBG has potential health benefits in these areas, and more studies are underway to find out more.
CBG also may aid in encouraging the entourage effect when used with CBD. The entourage effect is when cannabinoids work together to compound their respective effects on the body. Because our company wants everyone who uses our CBD to find benefits, our products are designed to usher in the entourage effect.
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The difference between CBG and CBD
CBG is distinct from CBD in chemical structure and concentration in the hemp plant, but they do originate from similar chemical pathways.
As explained above, CBG is formed when the extra carboxyl group from CBGA is removed via decarboxylation. When exposed to heat, CBGA changes from an acidic compound to an activated variant (CBG). With CBDA as the precursor compound, a similar process occurs for CBD.
The two also share other similarities. Both CBG and CBD are non-toxic and non-psychotropic compounds, which means they aren’t dangerous and don’t get you high. Although research is limited, the potential for side effects seems unlikely when consuming either.
But, whereas CBD influences the endocannabinoid system as a whole, instead of binding with specific cannabinoid receptors, CBG demonstrates an infinity for both CB1 and CB2 receptors. The brain contains a large number of CB1 receptors, while most CB2 receptors are in the immune system.
As only one per cent of a hemp’s dry weight comprises CBG, compared with ten per cent of CBD, it is much more difficult to isolate and much more expensive.
Given these difficulties, Pure Organic CBD is proud to offer a higher than normal concentration of CBG in our products. This is possible due to the superior type of hemp we use and can only come from decades of cultivation expertise. There really is no comparison.
CBG in products
Anyone interested in experiencing the benefits of CBG should take a look at our range of full-spectrum CBD products, i.e. those that contain a mixed balanced of non-psychotropic cannabinoids.
Although most of the extract is of CBD, this works alongside quantities of CBC, CBN, CBDV, THCA, plus, of course, CBGA and CBG, to deliver enhanced results.
Selecting a full-spectrum CBD oil from Pure Organic CBD will allow you to gain a small amount of CBG’s benefit and introduce you to the overall wellness impact of cannabinoids.
For CBD Oil in the UK, there is no comparison. We are the only CBD company to be certified by Bio-Suisse meaning our standards are as high as can be. We offer lab reports on everything from cannabinoid content (like CBG and CBD) as well as soil reports, water reports, chemical report and more.
To buy CBD that has CBG in it, visit our shop page and select any product in the black box. For any questions, you can always reach out to one of our staff members who
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