Comparing Cannabinoids: CBD vs. CBN vs. CBG

At the mention of cannabinoids, CBD is probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, did you know that CBD is only one among 113 known cannabis compounds?

The legalization of hemp-derived products in the 2018 Farm Bill has increased the commonly used cannabinoids such as CBN and CBG, among others.

Unfortunately, most people who have heard about these cannabinoids only know that they are non-toxic and nothing else about CBD vs. CBN vs. CBG.

While this is true, it is not enough to help you know which cannabinoid best fits your needs. Are you ready to learn the difference between CBD, CBN, and CBG? Brace yourself for more information on each of them below.

Comparing Cannabinoids: CBD vs. CBN vs. CBG

• CBD

• CBD, whose full name is cannabidiol, is the second most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis Sativa. It was first identified in 1940 and since then has become the most researched and widely understood cannabinoid.
• Over the decades, CBD has been known to help relieve pain and inflammation.
• Given its high abundance in cannabis, it is cheap and easy to extract and produce. You can get it in the form of gummies, topicals, tinctures, or pills.
• Unlike THC, CBD does not make one high, thus making it ideal for health uses.
• It has become an alternative treatment for many conditions.
• Unfortunately, CBD is still not legalized by FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
• Therefore, when buying CBD products, always get them from reputable retailers to avoid ending up with unreliable or unsafe products, most of which contain THC.

• Benefits of CBD

CBD has different effects and benefits on different people. These effects and benefits differ based on your biochemistry, consumption method used and quality of the product.

Nevertheless, of all the benefits that CBD has, the greatest is that it is non-intoxicating. Additionally, it is heaven-sent for people with various health conditions.

These conditions are:

• Aches and pains
  Skin conditions like acne, eczema, and rashes
  Nausea and vomiting
  Inflammation
  Seizures and convulsions
  Panic and anxiety

• CBN

CBN (cannabinol) is a compound derived through the conversion of CBD to CBN. Although you may not know much about CBN like CBD, it was the first cannabinoid to be discovered back in 1930.

CBN content in cannabis Sativa is available in small amounts, especially when the plant is young and fresh. Since cannabis strains have low CBN levels, manufacturers get CBN and CBN isolate by exposing THC to heat or light, thus breaking it down to produce CBN.

However, although it is derived from THC, it does not have the most THC effects, especially the psychoactive effects.

• Benefits of CBN

The greatest benefit of CBN is its sedative effects. It is ideal for use when dealing with insomnia. Unfortunately, for it to work as a sedative, you need to use it alongside THC or CBD.

More research is needed to show why CBN does not have sedative effects when used on its own. Other health benefits of CBN are:

• Helps relieve pain
• Reduce inflammation
• Anti-bacterial benefits
• Helps boost appetite
• Neuroprotection

Previously, THC was used to boost appetite, but its ‘high’ effects made it unsuitable for most people. CBN was then discovered to carry this trait of THC without making one high.

CBN is also a neuroprotective agent that delays the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a type of neurodegenerative disease.

• CBG

• CBG, cannabigerol, was first discovered in 1964 when scientists were working with hashish. It is derived from CBGA (cannabigerol acid), which is the mother of all cannabinoids.
• It is the mother since cannabinoids like CBC, CBD, and THC were first CBGA but then broken down after exposure to heat or light to their current forms.
• However, after CBGA converts to CBG, it does not transform to become anything else.
• In the cannabis plant, CBG content is less than 1%. This increases demand for careful and expensive extraction and production. Additionally, it also explains why CBG could take a while to overtake CBD in the market.
• Cultivators are currently looking for strains that already have high CBG content to limit the need to convert CBGA to CBG. Users of CBG claim that it has the same effects as CBD, and it is also non-toxic.

• Benefits of CBG

The low levels of CBG in the cannabis Sativa do not make it any less valuable than other cannabinoids. CBG bind with CB1 and CB2 receptors, thus increasing dopamine levels.

The increased dopamine levels help boost mood, appetite, and sleep.

Additionally, it controls the uptake of GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain.

This inhibits serotonin receptors. It also helps reduce depression and anxiety. Other benefits of CBG include:

• Pain relief
• Reduce intraocular pressure that causes glaucoma
• Decrease inflammation
• Has neuro-protective properties
• Treatment for bladder dysfunction
• Treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases
• Anti-cancer agent

CBD vs. CBN vs. CBG

When thinking about CBD vs. CBN vs. CBG, it is safe to say that neither is better than the other. Each plays an important role in helping keep the body balanced and healthy.

Additionally, it is possible to take them even when you are healthy since they boost health and wellness without any negative effects.

When considering the benefits of CBN vs. CBD vs. CBG on an individual, it is impossible to rate them. This is because the cannabinoids have different effects on different people.

While some of the benefits of CBN, CBD, and CBG overlap, their properties are different enough to allow you to use them together. Taking two or more of them together provides the entourage effect.

These are effectiveness levels produced when the cannabinoids combine to produce properties that they may not produce individually.

Which Cannabinoid Is Best for You?

Given the benefits of CBG vs. CBN vs. CBD, it is easy to determine which one is best for you based on your goal. However, as mentioned above, cannabinoids have even better effects and are synergetic when used together.

It is advisable to talk to your doctor, especially if you have any existing health conditions to give you the go-ahead on using any of the cannabinoids.

Start Enjoying the Benefits of CBD, CBG, and CBN

There is a lot to learn and explore about cannabis Sativa and CBD vs. CBN vs. CBG. Without learning them, you risk missing out on some ideal benefits of the cannabinoids that could help boost your body and overall health.

However, remember that these cannabinoids are not FDA-approved, meaning that extra care is needed during purchase to ensure you get pure and quality products. Keep browsing our blog for more of our best content.