CBG vs. CBD: Which is Best for My Pet?

Is CBG or CBD better for my pet?

There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about cannabidiol (CBD). This versatile molecule has taken the health and wellness world by storm—and you (or your pup) may have already tried it for yourselves. While the CBD hype is still going strong, there may be a new player set to take some of the spotlight: cannabigerol, or CBG.

While still new to the cannabis and hemp markets, CBG is beginning to grow in popularity as more folks learn its many potential benefits, leading many growers to begin breeding plants high in CBG.

But what exactly is CBG, and how is it different from CBD? And more importantly, is CBG better than CBD when it comes to its effects?

CBG and CBD Both Act on the Endocannabinoid System

CBD and CBG both work on a system in our bodies (and in our pet’s bodies) called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network of receptors that spans the bodies of all mammals; it’s responsible for key functions in the body.

There are many different parts to the ECS. There are the receptor cells which can be triggered or influenced by the phytocannabinoids. Our bodies actually make their own versions of cannabinoids called endocannabinoids that act on the ECS.

CBD, THC and CBG are similar enough in structure to these endocannabinoids—that’s why they can also potentially influence the ECS and thus many bodily processes.

Research on how the cannabinoids in cannabis affect the ECS is still in its infancy. However, we do know a few of the ways that cannabis compounds interact with the ECS. It’s also been suggested that CBD may help the body not destruct its natural endocannabinoids in the body.

When it comes to research involving CBG, the information that we have is limited. As of this writing, studies show that CBG can attach to the receptor cells, which plays a role in the body’s inflammatory response. Other research suggests that CBG may influence the receptors of the ECS, but we still don’t have full picture on how exactly it does this.

They Have Similar Health Benefits for Pets

CBG and CBD shares many of the same potential benefits, such as:

Preliminary research indicates that CBG may have a positive effect for pets that need help with conditions like:

Is CBG Better Than CBD?

But because every pet is different, there’s really no straight answer when it comes to this question. Both CBD and CBG may offer similar benefits and depending on your pet, one may be more helpful than the other.

If you’ve tried CBD in the past, but didn’t have the results you were expecting, giving your pet CBG may be worth a shot. CBG, like CBD, typically has no side effects so a bit of experimenting on your end isn’t likely to cause any adverse effects in your pet.

However, instead of choosing one over the other, you may want to consider combining CBD and CBG to reap the benefits of all of the compounds working together for greater effectiveness  – what’s known in the cannabinoid world as the “entourage effect.”

So, while CBD continues to enjoy it’s time in the spotlight, it may soon find a new partner in CBG. Both cannabinoids may have similar benefits in the body, though research does suggest that they work differently at the molecular level.

When it comes to determining which one is best for your pet, trying both is key. Like CBD, it’s better to start low and go slow when first giving your pet CBG. And if you aren’t seeing the results that you want, it’s possible that combing both CBD and CBG could reap greater benefits than each cannabinoid could do alone. Check out our full spectrum hemp oil with 300 mg CBG and see if it helps your fur baby today!