CBD (cannabidiol) is gaining popularity in the wellness industry because of its natural therapeutic and calming effects. It is one of the several cannabinoids extracted from the hemp plant. However, another cannabinoid extracted from the hemp plant is CBG (cannabigerol), and consumers and scientists are interested in this compound.
CBD and CBG are non-psychoactive (you would not get the ‘high’ feeling). Rather they possess anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and analgesic properties. The feeling of relaxation of these substances makes them appropriate for toning down anxiety and depression. As these compounds are similar in origin and function, you will want to compare CBD vs. CBG for anxiety and depression.
In this article, we will give detailed information about the differences and what you should look out for as you make your choice.
CBD vs. CBG
CBD and CBG are extracted from the same parent plant (hemp), providing similar health benefits. However, there are still clear distinctions between these compounds. Let’s talk about these distinct cannabinoids.
- Molecular structure: The arrangements of the carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms of these compounds are different. The difference in their structure means they would relate with the body’s endocannabinoid system differently.
- Pharmacology: Results from a study published in the journal Psychopharmacology showed that both compounds use different methods to interact with the 5-HT1A serotonin receptors. CBD acts as a receptor, while CBG acts as a blocker.
- Appetite: According to studies, CBG increases appetite, while CBD may not have any effect on the eating pattern or it would lower the amount of food intake.
Is CBD or CBG Better for Anxiety?
The sufferers of anxiety continue to increase daily because of the continuous bombardment of fearful news, pressure from work, and many more things to worry about.
When you consider CBD vs. CBG for anxiety, you should remember that both compounds are from the same parent plants, and they have shown tremendous benefits for relieving anxiety. There are more researches and results for CBD for anxiety and depression, and they show that it is appropriate for toning down mild forms of these disorders. Most effective products of CBD such as CBD oil works excellent with anxiety relief.
On the other hand, CBG has demonstrated strong anti-anxiety properties and muscle-relaxing reactions. Both of these reactions are linked to the nervous system, as CBG interacts with the endocannabinoid system of the brain to regulate pain, mood, and anxiety. In addition, reports about CBG show that it has been helpful to increase dopamine levels, which supports wakefulness and appetite.
Can I Take CBD And CBG Together?
The answer is: Yes. You can take CBD and CBG together and get tremendous results. Most consumers take CBD for insomnia at night to improve their sleep cycle and then CBG in the morning to improve their wakefulness and focus. The combination of these compounds is one of the most effective strategies against anxiety and depression.
How Do CBD and CBG Work?
These compounds (CBD and CBG) are from the same parent plant hemp, they are non-psychoactive, which means they would not get you high. They work by interacting with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system in the brain. Also, they bind to the receptors and strengthen the activities of anandamide (a neurotransmitter for regulating pain, pleasure, appetite, and sleep).
Therapeutic Benefits: CBD vs. CBG
There is more research about the therapeutic effects of CBD, and there are a host of several therapeutic benefits of this compound. Here are some of its therapeutic properties:
- Pain relief: The compounds possess anti-inflammatory properties and ease pain naturally. It prevents pain and inflammation by inhibiting the release of compounds that causes inflammation in the body.
- Epilepsy symptoms: Epidiolex is the only FDA-approved CBD substance for treating epilepsy symptoms.
- Improved sleep
- Toning down anxiety and depression
- Neuroprotective properties
- Antidepressants
For CBG, there are no clinical trials that have researched the effects of CBG on humans. However, some preclinical researches have studied the therapeutic effects and benefits of this compound, even as it does not give a psychoactive effect. For CBG, here are the therapeutic benefits:
- MRSA Bacterial Infection: CBG has proven to be an effective antibiotic. On a test conducted for 18 cannabinoids for MRSA, CBG being one of the cannabinoids, out-performed all the compounds and worked effectively like vancomycin, another powerful antibiotic.
- Cancer: CBG inhibits abnormal cell proliferation, which helps to stop cancerous growths.
- Appetite stimulation: According to preclinical studies, CBG promotes appetite in rats. As a result of this finding, CBD can be used as a treatment option for appetite loss and cachexia. It would stimulate appetite without any intoxicating effects.
- Antidepressants
- Pain relief
The legality of CBD & CBG
Both CBD and CBG are legal at the federal level since they are non-intoxicating. According to the farm bill in 2018, hemp was declassified as a controlled substance. Therefore, it is considered as an agricultural plant, which can be grown, sold, and transferred. However, only hemp-derived compounds that contain less than 0.3 percent THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are legalized. In addition, these substances are not approved by the FDA, except for Epidiolex, which is used for treating epilepsy symptoms.
Conclusion
Cannabinoids extracted from hemp plants are legal. More research is still ongoing to understand their benefits and side effects. CBD was available before CBG; so, there is more information, and it is available in more quantities at local stores.
It could be difficult finding CBG products, which means when you find one, you should check the labels and certificate of analysis properly. Before CBG becomes very popular and more accessible, you get the Full-spectrum CBD, which contains several other cannabinoids, including minute quantities of CBG.
In addition, for any product, you need to buy, check out the third-party laboratory tests, and meet your doctor before you start consuming any cannabinoid products.