CBD and CBG oil: What's the difference?

CBD oil is widely available online and in specialised stores, but did you know that it isn't the only potentially beneficial compound to come from hemp? The plant is actually home to over a hundred different cannabinoids. Moreover, one compound of particular interest is cannabigerol (CBG).

Despite its many similarities to CBD, CBG has several characteristics that make it a versatile supplement in its own right. However, before we dive into how the two molecules compare, let's first outline their potential benefits.

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is a popular wellness supplement featuring the primary ingredient cannabidiol. Also called CBD, cannabidiol is a natural compound found inside industrial hemp. After manufacturers carefully extract the cannabinoid from raw plant material, it's blended with various carrier oils for most convenient administration.

CBD oils come in a range of concentrations, with the higher the percentage of CBD, the stronger the effect. After administration, CBD enters the body, where it influences a vast network of receptors. Spread all over the body, these receptors help manage balance, or in simple terms, how well the different systems in our body work together. The balancing influence of CBD is one of the primary reasons it's become a popular wellness supplement.

Benefits of CBD

Many of the studies into the possible benefits of CBD are still in preclinical or animal testing phases. However, so far, evidence suggests the compound may influence the following:

• Modulate pain
• Influence our inflammatory response
• Balance skin disorders
• Regulate mood
• Encourage a healthy sleep cycle

What Is CBG Oil?

Now it's time to take a look at the lesser-known option—CBG oil. First, let's start with why CBG products are more scarce than CBD. Inside hemp, there are over a hundred cannabinoids, but they don't all exist simultaneously. The highest levels of CBG exist during the plant's seedling phase, but by the time hemp reaches maturity, CBG levels typically drop to less than 1%.

However, with the right expertise and equipment, it's still possible to isolate impactful concentrations of CBG and blend it with a carrier oil, just like CBD. As for why CBG is becoming more desirable, well, that comes down to two factors. The first is the compound's lack of psychoactivity, and the second is its influence on the human body. CBG also affects dozens of biological processes, but in a slightly different way to CBD, making it an alternative but still impactful wellness supplement.

Benefits of CBG

The difficulty isolating significant levels of CBG means conclusive research is lacking. However, early indications suggest that CBG may have the following qualities:

• Promising antibacterial agent
• Appetite stimulant
• Novel treatment for glaucoma
• Support digestive health

CBG Oil vs CBD Oil

With the basics of both CBG and CBD covered, it's time to move onto the head-to-head. How do these two compounds compare?

Effects

We've already highlighted the differences in their potential effects, but what really separates these two compounds is how they influence the body. CBD works behind the scenes, bolstering various receptors as a whole. As a result, it doesn't directly affect any area of the body but instead acts as a general manager to make sure our systems work optimally.

CBG, on the other hand, binds directly with receptors in specific areas around the body—It's why the potential benefits of CBG appear more specific. This critical difference between the two compounds means not only do they address different wellness issues, but taking a combination of the two could prove hugely impactful.

Safety

You'll likely be consuming CBD or CBG oil several times a day, so it's crucial you're aware of any potential side effects. The good news is both compounds are non-psychoactive. As a result, they won't get you high and appear well-tolerated in humans.

CBG appears to exhibit no side effects, although it's important to highlight that researchers have yet to test the impact of higher doses. 

Price

If the price seems too good to be true, then the oil likely contains unwanted elements or lacks the purity of higher priced goods. In addition, extracting cannabinoids isn't straightforward, so consider the reputation and expertise of the seller carefully.

The difficulty of extracting compounds from hemp is also why CBG oils tend to be more expensive than their CBD counterparts. Remember, natural occurring CBG levels are much lower, so more plant material is needed for CBG products to match the ratios you'd see in a mid-strength CBD oil.

Legality

One issue both compounds are unaffected by is legality. If you're interested in trying CBD or CBG to support your wellness routine, both are legal and widely available throughout Europe and the US. However, there can be issues with the THC content of inferior quality oils, so always ensure you buy products from a reputable seller. We'll cover more on how to pick a high-quality CBD or CBG oil shortly.

Can You Take CBD Oil and CBG Oil Together?

We alluded to this earlier, but one of the greatest strengths of both CBD and CBG is their synergy. Not only do they blend well, but they may actually prove more effective when consumed together.

Cannabinoids benefit from a phenomenon known as the 'entourage effect', meaning that their respective attributes are enhanced when they exist alongside similar compounds. As a result, a combination of CBD and CBG may actually exert a broader influence on well-being, making it more impactful than taking either in isolation.

How to Pick a High-Quality CBD or CBG Oil

No matter which oil you decide to try, the focus should always be on high-quality, independently tested products. However, if you're new to the world of cannabinoid-infused wellness products, you may not know what to look out for. With that in mind, here are our top three tips when shopping for CBD or CBG oils.

Check the Ingredients

It may seem like an obvious tip, but checking what's actually in a CBD or CBG oil is crucial. Extraction, filtration, and processing are sophisticated processes, with dozens of steps that could go wrong without the proper expertise. Check how much CBD or CBG is actually in the bottle and where it comes from. The purest and safest oils will come from naturally grown industrial hemp.

Verify With Test Results

Although checking ingredients is an excellent first step, we would always recommend asking for independent test results to back up any claims. For example, if the oil states that it's THC free, do the results indicate as such?

Also, check that the percentage of CBD or CBG advertised matches what's actually in the bottle. Reputable companies should have no issue showing off their test results, or at the very least, sending you a copy upon request.

Read Customer Reviews

Finally, checking what other customers say about a company and its products remains one of the best ways to gauge quality. Reviewing can be an emotive subject, but look for common themes, good and bad.

Do products arrive on time? Have people had a positive experience? Are there examples of poor customer service? Examining customer reviews can provide valuable insight into how a business operates and the quality of its products.

Which One Should You Choose: CBD or CBG Oil?

Both CBD and CBG oil possess a wealth of possibilities. From their balancing influence on everyday well-being, to addressing specific issues, there's no doubt that cannabinoids influence our mind and body.

However, it's crucial you remember that while researchers know an influence exists, they still don't know the full extent of that influence, or the best way to take advantage of it. For instance, studies into the best dose of CBD or CBG remain inconclusive, so we don't know how well both compounds scale with greater concentrations.

That said, both compounds are non-psychotropic and have a good safety profile. So, provided you buy CBD or CBG oils from a reputable provider, there's no reason why you can't experiment with either cannabinoid to see how they impact your well-being.