CBD vs. CBG: What’s the Difference & Why Are Wellness Brands Using Both?
Walk into just about any health store today, and you’ll find hemp-derived products everywhere—from skincare and topical creams to oral care and recovery products. With the continued rise of interest in cannabinoids such as CBD and CBG, more consumers are seeking natural alternatives.
You have probably heard of the term CBD. However, CBG is a lesser-known ingredient that is beginning to appear more often in wellness products. So what’s the difference between CBD and CBG, and why are brands combining them?
The answer lies in the way the compounds interact with the body and the unique properties each one contributes to a formula.
What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the main compounds in hemp. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it won’t cause intoxication or a high.
In recent years, CBD has become one of the most popular hemp ingredients in personal care products. The clinical benefits of CBD are still being explored by researchers, especially how it can help with comfort, recovery, and overall balance.
Today, you can find CBD in many products, from tinctures to skincare to topical products. CBD creams for joints or CBD healing salves are part of the daily recovery routine for many after exercise, work, or everyday wear and tear.
CBD has also found its way into oral care. With the rise of natural dental products, consumers and practitioners are looking to CBD for gum health and other oral wellness purposes.
What is CBG?
CBG (cannabigerol) is often referred to as the mother cannabinoid as many other cannabinoids begin as CBG in the hemp plant’s growth cycle.
This cannabinoid has become a lot more interesting in recent years. But the amount of CBG in hemp plants is usually much lower than the amount of CBD.
Researchers are still learning about CBG, but early studies suggest that it interacts differently with the body’s endocannabinoid system than CBD does. Because of these differences, many formulators view CBG as a complementary ingredient, not as a replacement for CBD.
That’s one reason more brands are opting to put both cannabinoids in the same product.
What makes CBD and CBG different?
CBD and CBG are both compounds found in hemp that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. The big difference is in how they act on receptors throughout the body.
CBD is commonly known for helping with relaxation, recovery, and balance in daily life.
Research is underway to explore the potential of CBG to support healthy inflammatory responses and overall tissue health.
All cannabinoids have their own qualities, but many experts believe that the real promise is in working together.
Why are CBD and CBG often combined?
Many manufacturers formulate with both rather than choosing between CBD and CBG.
The objective is to create a more complete hemp extract that uses the strengths of multiple plant compounds. This technique is in line with the concept that the natural compounds of hemp may work better in combination than on their own.
Which brings us to another important term: full-spectrum hemp extract.
What is full-spectrum hemp extract?
Full-spectrum hemp extract includes a variety of naturally occurring compounds from the hemp plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other helpful plant compounds.
The interaction of these compounds is often called the entourage effect by many people. The theory is that cannabinoids such as CBD and CBG may be more effective when combined with other naturally occurring compounds in the plant.
This is why many hemp companies opt for full-spectrum formulations instead of products with only one isolated cannabinoid.
Why BirchTree Uses CBD and CBG
At BirchTree, our product development starts with a simple idea: ingredients working in harmony naturally.
That’s why BirchTree combines CBD and CBG with other carefully chosen ingredients like Manuka honey, full-spectrum hemp extract, and plant-based botanicals.
Manuka honey is prized for its unique properties and is often used in skin and oral care products. Combined with cannabinoids and other plant-based ingredients to help create products intended to support whole-body wellness.
Final Thoughts
CBD vs. CBG is not a question of either/or. Each cannabinoid offers its own unique set of benefits, and more and more brands are adding them to full-spectrum formulas. Rather than relying on a single ingredient, the unique benefits of several hemp-derived compounds can be combined to provide a more holistic approach.
As consumers seek more natural solutions for their skincare, recovery and oral health, products that harness the benefits of CBD, CBG, and other naturally occurring hemp compounds are set to be a growing part of the wellness landscape. As research continues to evolve, interest in these plant-based ingredients is likely to grow even further.
