Cannabis and humans have had a long sacred relationship for more than 4000 years.

Cannabis has been farmed and cultivated for thousands of years for its oil and fiber. Also used for its medicinal properties and ability to treat various physical and mental ailments, cannabis has become a popular therapeutic plant across many regions throughout the world. Read on to learn about the differences and benefits of CBG and CBD.

What makes Cannabis special is more than 400 different active compounds that it is composed of. 

Cannabinoids are the most abundant among these active compounds. There are over 120 different types of cannabinoids present in the Cannabis plant.

CBD(Cannabidiol) and CBG(Cannabigerol) are two such cannabinoids. Both these cannabinoids are non-psychoactive and don’t cause any mind-altering effects on consumption.

What Are CBD and CBG?

CBG or Cannabigerol is the activated form of the acid Cannabigerol Acid or CBGA. 

All the Cannabinoids in the cannabis are present in an acidic form naturally and are only activated when they are heated up or undergo decarboxylation . 

The CBGA in the mature cannabis plant is converted to CBD and THC via CBDA and THCA. CBDA is an acidic form of CBD while THCA is the acidic form of Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.

The amount of CBGA which does not convert to CBD and THC is decarboxylated into CBG. CBGA is the precursor or parent to the other cannabinoid acids.

CBG vs CBD

CBD and CBG share many properties and benefits. Both these cannabinoids are not hallucinogenic and do not cause any feeling of “high” upon consumption.

Both these are used medicinally to cure common to severe ailments.

CBD and CBG interact with the Endocannabinoid System of your body to maintain it in homeostasis.

Endocannabinoid System or ECS is a signalling system composed of cannabinoid receptors, machinery for cannabinoid synthesis and degradation and endogenous cannabinoids. 

ECS system regulates your pain, mood and appetite. It maintains your sleep cycle, immunity, memory and reproductive function.  CBD interacts with the ECS system indirectly. It does not have a strong binding affinity to the receptors of the ECS system. 

The receptors called CB1 and CB2 are indirectly acted upon by CBD to produce positive effects throughout the body.  CBD interacts with the enzymes and proteins of the ECS system to control important functions like relieving pain and reducing inflammation.

While CBG works directly on the CB1 and CB2 receptors present in the brain. THC produces its psychedelic effects by binding to these receptors. CBG can be seen as a buffer for THC and can diminish the intoxicating effects of THC.

Benefits of CBG and CBD

Both these cannabinoids show promising results for the treatment of many severe and common diseases. 

Potential Curative Effects of CBG

• CBG can provide relief to Glaucoma Patients and reduce Intraocular Pressure 

This is a huge advantage of CBG over CBD because CBD without the help of THC cannot have any positive effect of glaucoma.

CBG can help treat glaucoma without the intoxicating effect of THC. 

A 1990 study proved the medicinal effects of CBG on glaucoma.

• CBG have antifungal, antibiotic properties, especially when used as a treatment for MRSA infection 

MRSA infection is caused by antibiotic resistant staph bacteria. MRSA skin infections start  by redness and swelling and painful red bumps full of pus and are painful to touch. 

In 2008 a study showed the positive antibiotic effects of CBG in treating MRSA infections

• CBG is Anti-inflammatory  

It can provide instant relief from Inflammatory Bowel Disease by reducing inflammation.  CBG can manage abdominal pain, diarrhea, reduced appetite, mood swings, weight loss and nausea, all the symptoms associated with IBD.

It also reduces the effects of colitis.

• CBG has Neuroprotective properties  

CBG can help to treat neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzhiemers. 

It can reduce and prevent brain degeneration in patients suffering from Huntington’s as well.

• CBG can have positive effects on Psoriasis and similar skin disorders   

CBG helps reduce inflammation and can treat skin disorders like eczema. 

CBG maintains the lipid synthesis of the sebaceous gland responsible for acne and other severe skin conditions.

• CBG has Anticancer Properties   

CBG might inhibit the production and growth of cancer cells and could potentially slow down the tumor growth.

CBG can not only slow down or hamper tumor cell growth it can even enhance the effects of first-line therapies for cancer.

 Possible Remedial Benefits of CBD

1. CBD can Relieve Pain and Inflammation 

It can have pain relieving effects on your body. CBD does this by indirectly interacting with the ECS system and neurotransmitters of your body. 

There are many methods of administration of CBD for relieving pain and inflammation in a speedy manner.

CBD can be ingested in the form of CBD oil, gummies or capsules, smoked or vaped in the form of oil and applied on skin in the form of creams, salves or oil. However, the most efficient and fast way to see the positive effects of CBD from chronic pain and inflammation is by using CBD oil. 

2. CBD can Reduce Anxiety and Depression

Two of the most prevailing psychotic conditions in the world , anxiety and depression, can be treated using CBD.

Pharmaceutical drugs often used to treat these conditions have many side-effects like erectile dysfunction , nausea, headache drowsiness and loss of sexual desire. 

CBD Oil can safely and naturally help the people suffering from depression by maintaining balanced levels of serotonin in their bodies.

Low levels of serotonin is associated with depression, fatigue and anxiety. 

CBD Oil can also help children suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

If you’re wondering where to buy CBD Oil from, you should certainly avoid any nearby stores. Primarily because buying from these local brands might not be as safe as buying from a brand like Joy Organics.

Additionally, you could be overcharged for the volume of CBD you are getting.

3. CBD helps with the side effects of Cancer

Much like its precursor CBG, CBD can also be used to treat cancer and its symptoms. 

CBD is known for its anti-inflammation and pain relieving properties. These properties help a great deal in decreasing the negative after effects of a patient who underwent chemotherapy. 

CBD can also help in nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It also hampers the cancer cells growth in breast cancer. 

4. CBD can Improve the Health of the Heart

CBD can be beneficial for the health of your heart and the circulatory system. 

It is known to regulate optimal blood pressure levels. High Blood Pressure can cause many cardiovascular diseases, even strokes. 

CBD acts as a natural stress-reducing agent which can effectively promote your heart health. 

Conclusion

Both CBD and CBG have potential health benefits and can be used as a cure for many diseases. Both the cannabinoids are non-intoxicating and have no negative effect on your mental faculties. While CBG can directly interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS system of your body, CBD does the same indirectly.  However CBD is present in much larger amounts in the cannabis plant while CBG is not. 

As the cannabis plant matures the CBGA in it is converted to CBD and THC , and only the left over minuscule quantities of CBGA are decarboxylated into CBG. Thus CBG is considered to be very expensive and difficult to cultivate. 

The better and cheaper option is to go for CBD, which has almost the same therapeutic benefits as CBG.

What is your opinion on the benefits of CBG and CBD? Please leave us a comment below.