More individuals are becoming interested in the various impacts of different cannabinoids as the cannabis industry grows every year. Sadly, there is a lot of misinformation and mayhem around these drugs. We’ll dispel some prevalent myths concerning two increasingly well-liked cannabinoids in this article: cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN). Despite being fairly similar, they have a few subtle differences that, depending on the time of day, can be utilized.
Let’s see how CBG vs CBN varies from one another.
What’s The Difference Between CBG and CBN?
Both CBG and CBN are produced by marijuana and hemp plants, and their chemical structures are remarkably similar. Their health advantages are also pretty comparable because of their affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors. The main distinction between CBG and CBN is how these compounds are produced naturally in marijuana.
Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), from which CBG is derived. Because it serves as an accelerator for almost all other cannabinoids, this acidic form of CBGA is known as the mother of all cannabinoids. Depending on the kind of enzymes that are involved in its metabolism, CBG can be transformed into CBD, CBC, or THC.
Due to this deterioration, mature hemp marijuana plants contain very little CBG, hence it is recommended to harvest them sooner to increase yields. Another insignificant cannabinoid is CBN. Contrary to CBG, it develops as a result of THC’s deterioration over time. CBN concentrations in aged cannabis are greater than in young buds.
Plants purposely exposed to UV radiation while being cultivated in the sun may also contain CBN. THC is converted to CBN with the aid of light. The way that both cannabinoids are utilized by the body for each of our unique medical requirements is another distinction between CBG and CBN.
Comparison Table of CBG vs CBN
CBG
CBN
Effect Profile
Energizing, mood-enhancing, stimulating, non-intoxicating, mild pain reliever
Relaxing, sedating, mild pain reliever, mildly psychoactive, appetite-stimulating
Legal Status
Federally legal as long as sourced from hemp plants
Federally illegal in most states, except where marijuana is legal
Price
Very expensive
Very expensive
Market Availability
Limited
Limited
Dosage Range
5–10 mg for beginners
10–25 mg for daily users
2.5 mg for beginners + going up until desired effects are achieved
Ratio in Hemp
Less than 2% in mature hemp but up to around 30% in younger plants
Little to none
Ratio in Marijuana
Less than 2% in mature plants but up to 30% in younger plants
Trace amounts in freshly harvested buds but up to 30% after exposure to light
Best Time for Harvest
Highest in immature cannabis plants
Highest in overripe marijuana
CBG vs. CBN: Differences in Effects
Although CBG and CBN both affect the ECS’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, their effects on the user are very different. The majority of people who use CBG products like gummies say they experience a boost in energy and clarity that is comparable to that of coffee and other natural stimulants, but without the jittery effects. The majority of users also report better moods and attitudes toward life, as well as increased attention.
CBG is therefore beneficial for working, learning, or concentrating on a specific task that calls for sustained mental attention (e.g. programming). Additionally, CBG is not a sedative, so it won’t make you feel high. However, because CBN is a byproduct of the breakdown of THC, its effects are more similar to those of THC. CBN may thus have some somewhat psychedelic side effects.
Although it’s unclear whether these effects may be due directly to CBN or to the oxidization of terpenes in mature cannabis, CBN is also recognized for its calming and sedating characteristics. Nevertheless, a lot of people found CBN sleep aids to be helpful.
CBG vs. CBN: Differences in Potential Medical Applications
CBG and CBN have various medicinal uses because of the variations in their effects. Here is what I was able to find out about the research that has been done on both substances.
The following conditions show promise for CBG as a treatment:
Appetite loss
Bacterial infections
Bladder dysfunctions
Cancer
Glaucoma
Huntington’s disease
Inflammatory bowel disease
The problems requiring pain management and irregularities in the circadian rhythm that CBN is thought to treat include:
Joint pain
Muscle pain
Fibromyalgia
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Insomnia
Despite the fact that these results are encouraging, not enough clinical research has yet been done to provide firm conclusions on the applications mentioned above.
CBG vs. CBN: Differences in Terms of Legal Status
CBG and CBN are governed by laws that are quite different because of the differences in their sources. Because CBG is derived from immature hemp plants, it is allowed under federal law. Commercial hemp and its derivatives can now be produced and sold as long as they have a THC content of 0.3% or less, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. Since CBG is allowed under federal law, hemp is as well. There are no restrictions on where you may purchase it in the USA.
Because THC is degraded to produce CBN, considerable amounts of THC are required for CBN manufacturing to be profitable. This calls for the usage of marijuana plants, which are currently only authorized for recreational use in a few states while being lawful on the federal level. CBN is therefore less widely available than CBD.
Differences in Prices Between CBG and CBN
It goes without saying that CBG and CBN are among the most costly cannabinoids. And there’s a valid explanation behind it.
First off, because these substances are still quite new to the commercial market, producers are still looking for the best method to make extraction effective. Due to the absence of scale production methods, few firms sell CBG and CBN supplements.
The fact that CBG and CBN are generated in such little quantities in the plant contributes to their higher price tags when compared to CBD extracts. To produce these cannabinoids on a large scale, more procedures are needed.
Comparing The Market Availability of CBG and CBN
Although it’s far more difficult to locate high-quality CBG products than CBD or THC, it is feasible to find some. Due to the fact that it is only permitted in jurisdictions where marijuana is allowed for either recreational or medical use, the market availability of CBN is even more constrained than that of CBD.
How to Dose CBG and CBN
First off, keep in mind that CBG and CBN should be dosed cautiously because they may induce a few minor side effects. It’s a good idea to start with a very modest amount, like 5 mg, even if there aren’t any official dosage guidelines for CBG and CBN – neither for specific ailments nor for general supplements.
From there, you may gradually raise your cannabis dosage until you achieve the desired results without feeling uncomfortable.
The following are potential negative effects of ingesting too much CBG or CBN:
Dry mouth
Sedation
Fluctuation of appetite
Diarrhea
Grogginess
Dizziness
How are CBG and CBN Made?
Due to CBN’s indirect derivation from CBG, their chemical structures are fairly similar. THC is produced through CBG’s conversion to CBN and delta 8 THC (but only in small amounts). The creation of a carbon ring on CBN, which does not happen on CBG, is the difference between their molecules’ molecular structures. The impact of this small distinction on your perception of both cannabinoids is significant.
Every cannabinoid has a unique impact profile, which is explained by the theory put out by scientists that the aforementioned characteristic dictates how cannabinoids bind to and affect receptors in the endocannabinoid system.
Do CBG and CBN Show Up On a Drug Test?
Although CBN is considerably more likely to cause you to fail a drug test than CBG, you should still use caution when using both cannabinoids. Standard drug tests, sometimes referred to as immunoassays, may identify specific chemicals in the material being tested, with THC being the most frequently found substance.
Because CBG differs chemically from THC, there is very little possibility that taking this cannabinoid alone will cause you to test positive for drugs. However, since whole hemp plants are used to produce full-spectrum CBG and the industry is still uncontrolled, there is a potential that your product will include more than 0.3% THC, which might cause you to fail your screening.
However, taking CBN dramatically increases your likelihood of testing positive for THC in a drug test. Although it shouldn’t show up on a drug test, CBN is more comparable to THC and is more prevalent in marijuana-derived extracts, which have larger concentrations of delta 9 THC.
Can You Get High off of CBN or CBG?
As a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, CBG won’t make you feel high. In addition to an energetic impact, most users also experience mood elevation and improved concentration. These don’t, however, come with a high. On the other hand, CBN is somewhat intoxicating, so if you consume enough of it, you may become high. You would need to take a lot of CBN to get any high because its strength is said to be around ten times lower than that of THC.
Which One is Better: CBG or CBN?
Distinct cannabinoids like CBG and CBN have different health advantages and help to regulate our endocannabinoid system. Which is best for you ultimately relies on your health requirements and lifestyle. CBG is a better choice if you’re searching for an energizing cannabinoid that will lift your spirits and keep you focused on difficult tasks.
But if you’re searching for a sedative with a hint of psychoactivity, you might want to consider adding CBN to your supplement regimen. Try out various doses and experiment. You might be able to include both into your regimen.
The post CBG vs CBN: What’s The Difference? appeared first on Hemp Lifestyle Magazine.