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Cannabinol (CBN) and Cannabigerol (CBG) are two entirely different chemicals found in weed.
One is formed when the plant ages, while the other is the very first compound that forms in the plant and from which all the other cannabinoids are derived or synthesized.
Rightly known as “the mother of all cannabinoids,” it is the starting point from which different cannabinoids take shape, and therefore, it is found in abundance in young cannabis plants.
CBN, on the other hand, is the byproduct of aging, which is formed mainly due to the degradation of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in weed. As such, it is slightly psychotropic too, and might end up giving you some ‘high’ in the end.
Due to its close relation with THC, CBN acts as a great sedative with many potential sleep-inducing and anxiolytic properties.
Whereas, CBG, with no THC whatsoever, has claimed to be particularly great for pain and inflammation, especially when coupled with CBD, the other non-psychoactive compound in weed that is completely medicinal.
Before we shed more light on the key differences between the two, let us quickly understand them separately one by one.
CBN ( Cannabinol) is the main active chemical that is formed when THC degrades or breaks down into smaller compounds, especially as the plant ages.
Being obtained from THC only, it has similar psychoactive properties; albeit, much weaker in effects and potency.
As a minor cannabinoid produced by THC, it has a lower affinity to our Endocannabinoid System (ECS), and thus fewer side effects of marijuana intoxication.
Despite the lack of strength though, CBN tends to offer many sedative properties such as relief from anxiety and sleeplessness.
Due to this, CBD is largely used for inducing sleep and relaxation and is often referred to as “the sleepy cannabinoid.”
Moreover, to meet the requirements of everybody, CBN is found across various cannabis products such as gummies, edibles, vapes, oils, tinctures, and topicals that you can choose from.
What is CBG?
CBG (Cannabigerol) is the “mother of all cannabinoids,” the first active cannabinoid that takes form in the Cannabaceae plant family, from which all the other cannabinoids including THC and CBD are derived.
As the starting point for other cannabinoids, CBG does not have any psychoactive properties and is purely used for therapeutic purposes such as relief from pain and inflammation.
As such, it is primarily sourced from young cannabis plants because, by the time they grow or ripen, much of their CBG content would also have been converted into THC and CBD.
Moving on, CBG is Often used with CBD, the key medicinal component of weed. And it can be found in many forms including gummies, tinctures, capsules, topicals, and lotions.
Key Differences Between CBN and CBG
As you can see, there are many differences between CBN and CBG worth mentioning starting with their origin and formulation.
While CBG is formed when the plant is at the initial stages of growth, CBN is formed during the final stages of the plant’s life when all its chemicals, especially, THC start to break down or degrade.
As a result, while CBN tends to have certain psychoactive properties and the intoxicating effects of THC such as sedation and sleep, CBG has nothing to do with THC whatsoever.
Being deprived of all THC, CBG is largely used with CBD to further enhance its therapeutic effects of pain relief, anti-inflammation, and neuroprotection.
Let us take a closer look:
CBN vs CBG | CBN | CBG |
Origin | CBN forms when THC ages or oxidizes. | CBG is the first cannabinoid that forms in cannabis plants, from which other active cannabinoids including THC and CBD are synthesized. |
Psychoactive Effects | Slightly psychoactive. | Completely non-psychoactive. |
Potential Benefits | Sedation and sleep aid. | Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and neuroprotective properties. |
ECS interaction | Mild affinity for Endocannabinoid receptors. | Strong affinity with Endocannabinoid receptors, especially, CB2. |
Product Types | Oils, tinctures, capsules, and gummies. | Oils, tinctures, capsules, and topicals. |
Availability | Mainly found in broad-spectrum and full-spectrum products. | Rare and expensive. Found in isolated and combined forms with other major cannabinoids. |
Potential Health Benefits of CBN
As a byproduct of aging THC, CBN shares its psychoactive properties too although with much less of a degree than THC.
Moreover, as a minor cannabinoid, CBN is also a less studied cannabinoid than THC.
In the light of what we have been able to accumulate, CBD offers the following health benefits:
• Sedation and sleep aid.
• Pain relief.
• Anti-inflammation.
• Appetite stimulation.
• Neuroprotective properties such as protecting brain cells from oxidative stress.
• Antibacterial effects against antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA.
• Glaucoma relief.
• Potential anti-convulsant properties for seizures.
Despite being mainly anecdotal, CBN is gaining substantial popularity as of late as a potential sleep aid that you can also use for anxiety and relaxation.
Potential Health Benefits of CBG
As the parent cannabinoid found only in young plants, CBG does not have psychoactive properties in it whatsoever.
Used mainly for therapeutic purposes, some of the major health benefits of CBG include:
• Anti-inflammation.
• Anti-bacterial and antimicrobial properties.
• Neuroprotection.
• Pain relief.
• Appetite stimulation.
• Mood regulation.
• Relief from anxiety and depression.
• Managing glaucoma-related issues.
• Helping with bladder disorders.
• Anti-cancer properties.
Given the wide array of its potential therapeutic effects, CBG is being increasingly used across many types of wellness products whether topicals or consumables.
On top of that, it is often sold with CBD and THC to enhance the supposed effects of weed in a phenomenon called the “entourage effect.”
How to Choose Between CBN and CBG
Choosing between CBN and CBG is not a complicated task given their contrasting applications.
While CBN is much more suitable for sedation, sleep, and relaxation, CBG happens to be a great choice for pain management, anti-inflammation, and mood upliftment, thanks to its anxiolytic effects.
That said, the question of choosing between the two boils down to one simple thing i.e. your requirement or the specific health condition that you want to target in the first place.
So, for sleep and relaxation, you might want to go with CBN.
For excruciating pain and inflammation, you might want to try CBG as it has stronger anti-inflammatory properties.
Similarly, for uplifting mood and alleviating anxiety, you can try either of the two depending on the time of the day. To be specific, CBN, due to its strong sleep-inducing properties, during the night. CBG, with its non-sedative nature during the day, promotes a clear-headed focus and alert relaxation.
On the other hand, if you want to gain the benefits of both, you can always go for broad and full-spectrum products that offer a more balanced experience on any given day.
Conclusion: Incorporating CBN and CBG into Your Wellness Routine
To make sure you get the best of both, you can also personalize the experience based on the kind of effects that you are looking for.
For instance, choosing the right timing to administer them both as mentioned above.
CBD during the night for instant sedation and sleep. And CBG during the daytime for a clear-headed focus.
In addition to that, you might also want to combine your CBD and CBG with other cannabinoids for a better and synergistic entourage effect.
Perhaps, the greatest factor that plays a key role here is none other than your preference of taste as in the method of consumption or use.
Keeping topicals aside for a while, some of the most mouth-friendly options that you can opt for when consuming either of the two include edible gummies, tinctures, oils, edibles, capsules, and soft gels.
At the same time, do pay close attention to the dosage levels and always start low and slow as is the case with all things weed.
FAQs
CBN is the byproduct of aging THC; whereas, CBG is the starting point, the first active cannabinoid in cannabis plants from which all other cannabinoids are formed.
As a milder form of THC, the main psychoactive substance in weed, CBN is particularly known for its sedative effects, and thus is largely used as a promising sleeping aid.
Being completely non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating, CBG often provides much-needed relaxation with a lack of sedation and high. Thus, delivering its therapeutic effects with enhanced alertness, focus, and energy.
Yes, like other cannabinoids, CBN and CBG can also be administered together as is the case with most broad-spectrum and full-spectrum products. And not for nothing, as different cannabinoids when taken together are claimed to enhance the overall effects of weed in a process called the “entourage effect.”
Choosing between CBN and CBG products is quite easy as it all depends on your personal needs. For sleep and relaxation, it is CBN. For pain and inflammation, CBG.
Yet, regardless of what you need, always make sure to go through the product label and only buy from an authorized or authentic cannabis dealer.
