Phytocannabinoids CBG and CBD are cannabinoids that naturally occur in the cannabis plant. Humans and all mammals have endocannabinoids, naturally occurring neurotransmitters that send chemical messages between cells. Our endocannabinoid system plays a role in homeostasis which regulates inflammation, stress responses, appetite, mood, pain, sleep, metabolism, and muscle control.
CBD & CBG are my go to cannabinoids. Whether I took a gnarly hit in roller derby, went too hard in the gym or just need a little extra help sleeping, CBD & CBG, both individually as well as used in tandem, are always within reach. In this post, we’ll go through the cannabinoids individually, the cannabinoids compared, benefits and how to incorporate them into your health and wellness routines.
What is CBG?
CBG, short for Cannabigerol, is known as the “mother of cannabinoids” and interacts with the endocannabinoid system at both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The majority of CB1 receptors are found in the central nervous system, brain and spinal cord, with the majority of the CB2 receptors found in the peripheral nervous system. CBG is available in flower, crude, distillate and isolate formats. It’s necessary to review third party COAs prior to purchasing to ensure quality.
What Are the Benefits and Effects of CBG?
According to this study, CBG has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation. It’s also been an effective cannabinoid therapy option for GI ailments like Crohn’s disease, colitis, and IBD.
While there is little research to suggest that CBG reduces exercise induced inflammation or DOMS, delayed onset muscle soreness, 30mg at night helps tomorrow hurt less when I’ve been working out. I also notice that it quiets my inner crazy lady so I can fall asleep faster, aka reduces anxiety.
Does CBG Make You Feel High?
No, CBG is non psychoactive, non psychotropic and non intoxicating. CBG does not take you off of the ground nor make you feel high. THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid that can create euphoric, or high, feelings. While we could feel relaxed, it will not be high.
What is CBD?
CBD, short for Cannabidiol, is the second most popular cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. There are over 6,700 scientific papers on PubMed regarding CBD and its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, effects on pain, inflammation, sleep, seizures, anxiety, depression, autism, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and cancer related symptoms. There are also a handful of studies for CBD and pets.
CBD is available in flower, crude, full spectrum distillate, broad spectrum distillate (No THC), and isolate formats. Reminder, again, please review third party COAs prior to purchasing to ensure quality.
What are the Benefits and Effects of CBD?
According to this PubMed study, CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation, seizures, pain, anxiety, arthritis, and improve sleep scores or help with insomnia. CBD activates the TRPV1 receptor, aka the capsaicin receptor, this is how it can reduce inflammation, pain and arthritis symptoms.
We’re always hearing that there isn’t enough cannabinoid research. While top CBD brands across the internet have the anecdotal data supporting that CBD has helped tens of thousands of adults across the globe with their pain, insomnia, anxiety, etc. with over 20,000 reviews of their CBD based products, it’s not enough for the medical community.
As a science enthusiast, we do need more randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials to show the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids in all shapes and sizes of men and women to showcase that cannabinoid therapies are medicine. There are drug drug interactions and dosing is important as well.
Until then, CBD IS SAFE FOR DOGS! William Bookout, Chairman of the Board at National Animal Supplement Council, found that “daily exposure to CBD, CBD + CBG and CBD + CBDA at 5 mg/kg bw of total cannabinoids for 90 consecutive days was well tolerated.” If it wasn’t for CBD, my 12 & 13 year old senior puppers would have deteriorated years ago and I am thankful that the medical community is learning more about cannabinoids as medicine.
What Does CBD Feel Like?
Since CBD is also non psychoactive, non psychotropic and non intoxicating, we won’t feel like we’re off the ground, hanging out in Asgard with Oden or locked into a couch. It’s more of the absence of a feeling. If I have social anxiety, taking CBD prior to a networking event could reduce that feeling of anxiety. If I have insomnia, taking CBD prior to bedtime could improve my sleep score. If I experience migraines and incorporate CBD into my daily health and wellness routine, I might notice the frequencies or pain of the migraine reduced.
What is the Difference Between CBD and CBG?
While CBG shares a similar mechanism of action with the CBD, CBG health benefits can be different. Since CBG is a partial agonist at the CB1 receptor, it could stimulate appetite and help cancer patients experiencing cachexia, or loss of appetite, who do not want to participate with the THC related activities of feeling high.
Please remember that everybody has a different body with a different endocannabinoid system, different chemistry, different inputs including food or stressors and each cannabinoid could affect the body differently based on it. Cannabinoids are also lipophilic, or fat loving, and can be more effective with food. Tiny reminders here. Cannabinoid therapies are not a one pill fixes all and it might take trial and error within R&D formulations to create finished goods that produce desired results.
It’s important for manufacturers to create a mix of skus that can help patients find relief. For example, one of my pharmacists from school found that CBD was not helping some of her patients sleep when they are on a THC regimen so she switched the patients from CBD to CBG and CBG improved their sleep scores. If a brand doesn’t have a CBG option to switch the CBD patient, the customer is lost. Product innovation must be a priority, there’s no guarantee that success will happen in our saturated market without it.
How to Use CBD and CBG?
Let’s review delivery methods, onset times and durations:
Smoking, Dabs, Vaping. Onset time: 1-3 minutes. Duration: 1-3 hours.
The advantages to inhalation include faster onset times and quicker relief. Both CBD & CBG are available in flower for smoking in joints, pipes, or bongs. Discrete inhalation options include vape cartridges, all in one disposable devices or pods. Dabbing concentrates includes the plant material, rig, and a heating element.
Tinctures, Sprays, Lollipops..
Onset time: 10-25 minutes. Duration: 1-3 hours.
Since inhalation can cause coughing as well as lung irritation, oral absorption is the next fastest delivery method onset time. Sublingual tinctures should be held beneath the tongue for about a minute to bypass the blood brain barrier, get into the bloodstream, and not wait 30-90 minutes for first pass metabolism in the liver to kick in. Buccal absorption is through our cheeks, so think lozenge or candy.
Edibles. Gummies, Chocolate, Drinks.
Onset time: 30-90 minutes. Duration: 6-8 hours.
Start low and go slow! Depending on our unique metabolisms and cannabinoids being lipophilic, or fat loving, it could take up to 2 hours for an edible to hit. A benefit of edibles as a delivery method is that the duration of relief could be 6-8 hours. This is why I love edibles for sleep! I’m that turkey who wakes up ready to party at 2 or 3am so an edible will carry me through the night for 7-8 hours rest.
Topicals, transdermals.
Onset time: 15-30 minutes. Duration: 3-8 hours.
Topicals are great for bumps, bruises and localized owies. They can be classified as lotions, balms and salves. Each one has their own unique texture and packaging. I prefer lotions over balms and salves because I like full absorption of a product. Balms and salves always make me feel sticky and sometimes they ruin clothing.
Transdermals are adhesive patches used for systemic delivery of the cannabinoids. In English, the patch contains the cannabinoid that goes into the bloodstream and does not remain in the top layers of our skin, like topicals.
CBD and CBG Products Available at MC Nutraceuticals
Crude
Crude is the oil product right after extraction from the flower. We use ethanol extraction and ensure there are no residual solvents via full panel COAs. A benefit of using crude oil is that it contains all of the original strain material including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, fats, and lipids, which can support the entourage effect.
Full Spectrum Distillate
Full Spectrum Distillate contains all cannabinoids and terpenes from the crude oil with the waxes and discolorations removed. Formulations that include full spectrum distillate are typically topicals, tinctures, edibles and vapes. Similar to crude, using a full spectrum distillate can support the endocannabinoid system and the entourage effect because it contains all of the cannabinoids from the original strain material.
Broad Spectrum CBD Distillate
Broad Spectrum CBD Distillate is unique in that the THC cannabinoid has been removed. While I am pro full spectrum products for their medicinal benefits, I understand that some people have concerns about THC and do not want to utilize products containing THC into their routines. Please also note that if you do encounter drug tests, do not take cannabinoids. When in doubt, leave it out because it’s not worth it.
CBG and CBD Isolate
Isolates are 99% pure cannabinoids with every other compound and substance removed. When formulating with isolates, it’s easier to create consistent experiences and relief because it’s just that molecule. Manufacturers can dial in dosing based on market research as well as research and development to create particular products. A popular blend is a 1:1, or 25mg CBD and 25mg CBG in an edible format.
Water Soluble CBD and CBG
We also offer water soluble options, which are perfect for beverages. Water soluble products will homogenize in water for faster absorption than a traditional edible. In English, water solubles will mix in water and not separate into oil and water layers, like Italian Dressing. Just remember, fast in fast out. If you’re looking for quicker relief or relaxation, a water soluble formulation might be for you.
Do you have more questions about CBD or CBG?
I hope this article was able to answer all your questions about CBD and CBG and that you now have a better understanding of the differences and similarities between the two cannabinoids. If you have any questions, please call our team today at (800) 685-8084 or email us at sales@mcnutraceuticals.com to review all cannabinoids and contract manufacturing options.
