CBG OIL VS CBD OIL, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE

Cannabidiol, CBD is a phytocannabinoid extracted from hemp and marijuana that interacts with the body through the endocannabinoid system.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It's known as the "mother of all cannabinoids." Other cannabinoids are derived from cannabigerol acid (CBGA), an acidic form of CBG. CBG is found in lower concentrations in cannabis plants than other cannabinoids.

CBD Versus CBG

CBG is one of more than 115 cannabinoids found in marijuana. It was first synthesized in 1964, and researchers have been investigating its potential health benefits ever since. According to  Yekhtin, Mechoulam et al. (2021), CBG's ability to alleviate physical discomfort may be more potent than THC's, although it is not psychoactive. CBG may also have antibacterial, antidepressant, and anti-cancer properties, according to research. When cannabis is decarboxylated, CBGA transforms into CBG, allowing it to interact with the body's cannabinoid receptors. According to research, CBG is a partial agonist of the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBG may also affect the receptors that regulate immune response, pain, and sensitivity.

CBD was isolated from cannabis in the late 1930s and was largely ignored until the 1970s, when it piqued the interest of medical researchers due to its anticonvulsant properties. Pure CBD, such as Epidiolex, an FDA-approved anticonvulsant drug, has been shown in studies to have great potential as a treatment for treatment-resistant forms of childhood epilepsy. CBD may also enhance immune function, alleviate physical discomfort, aid in stress management, and improve cognitive performance. Numerous studies have shown that when CBD and THC are combined, they provide more significant health benefits than either of them alone. CBD and CBG interact similarly; this phenomenon is known as the entourage effect.

How CBD And CBG Are Made

Because young cannabis plants contain more CBG than fully developed plants, CBG is extracted from them. Some cannabis strains, such as White CBG, Super Glue CBG, and Jack Frost CBG, have higher CBG content than others. These strains are specifically bred to produce higher levels of CBG. CBD and THC both begin as CBGA, an acidic form of CBG. It is why younger cannabis plants have higher CBG concentrations. CBG concentrations are very low in fully developed plants with high THC and CBD concentrations. The majority of the CBG has already been converted to CBD and THC as the plant has grown. Cannabis growers have been experimenting with cross-breeding due to difficulty obtaining CBG.

CBD oil is obtained from mature hemp plants that are dried and ready for processing. There are several high strain CBD hemp, such as charlotte’s web, sour space candy, bubba kush, Hawaiian haze, and cherry blossom, all of which are specifically bred to have high levels of CBD with very few low levels of THC. However, unlike CBG, which is scarcely found in mature plants, CBD is most prevalent and can be found in concentrations of up to twenty-five percent of the total plant cannabinoids. It makes it relatively easy to obtain, and one can employ simple methods such as ethanol extraction for the commercial production of CBD oil.

Differences Between CBD And CBG

CBD and CBG differ from each other in several aspects. These include the following:

• Chemical structure – CBG and CBD have distinct chemical structures. Their hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms, which make up a cannabinoid, are arranged differently. In other words, they have different three-dimensional shapes and thus interact in different ways with the body's cannabinoid receptors. The endocannabinoid receptors are highly lipophilic. Thus the chemical structure of a cannabinoid influences its bioavailability.
• Pharmacology – The authors of a 2011 study published in the journal Psychopharmacology highlighted the differences in the mechanisms used by CBD and CBG on the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor. CBD activates this receptor, whereas CBG inhibits it. The study's findings indicated that pre-treatment with CBG inhibited CBD's anti-nausea effects, implying that they had opposing effects on the 5-HT1A receptor despite binding to the same site.
• Appetite effects – Another significant difference between CBG and CBD is how they affect appetite. A study on rats found that CBG supplementation encouraged the animals to consume more food than they normally would. CBG did not affect eating habits in another study, but CBD significantly reduced total food consumption.

Therapeutic Benefits Of CBG Versus CBD

There hasn't been a lot of research done on the therapeutic effects of CBG. On the other hand, Preclinical studies provide some insight into how the cannabinoid may interact with the body. CBG, like CBD, has no psychoactive properties. It instead provides additional therapeutic benefits such as appetite stimulation, anti-cancer properties, antibiotic properties, and potential treatment for MRSA bacterial infections. Studies have shown CBD to have various therapeutic benefits, including pain relief, improved sleep, reduced stress and anxiety, and neuroprotective properties. However, as with any cannabinoid, there is always more to discover. Because most studies have been conducted on animals, human trials are required to understand how CBG and CBD interact in the body fully.

Conclusion

CBD and CBG are both phytocannabinoids obtained from cannabis-related plants. These cannabinoids are anti-psychotic; hence they are under research for potential therapeutic use in treating various illnesses. CBD is produced from a mature hemp plant, whereas CBG is obtained from young hemp plants as they contain high amounts of CBG. It is strongly recommended that one consults a professional consultant before using either of these products.

References

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Kogan, N. M., Lavi, Y., Topping, L. M., Williams, R., Mccann, F. E., Yekhtin, Z., … & Mechoulam, R. (2021). Novel CBG Derivatives Can Reduce Inflammation, Pain, And Obesity. Molecules, 26(18), 5601.

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