If you've spent any time exploring hemp wellness, you've probably noticed CBG showing up more and more. Maybe you've seen it on product labels next to CBD and wondered what the difference actually is, or whether one is better than the other for what you're looking for.
This guide covers everything you need to know about CBG vs CBD, including what each cannabinoid is, how they work differently in the body, what the research says, and how to choose the right one for your wellness routine.
What Is CBG?
CBG stands for cannabigerol. It's a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, and it's often referred to as the "mother cannabinoid" because it's the chemical precursor from which many other cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, are derived. As the hemp plant matures, CBG converts into other cannabinoids through natural enzymatic processes. This means mature hemp plants typically contain only small amounts of CBG, making CBG-rich products rarer and more labor-intensive to produce.
Because CBG is present in such small quantities in most hemp plants, producing high-quality CBG products requires working with specific CBG-dominant hemp strains that have been selectively bred for their elevated CBG content. White CBG is one example of these purpose-bred strains, known for naturally producing significantly higher concentrations of cannabigerol than standard hemp varieties. At Flora Sophia, our CBG products are formulated with full spectrum extract from high-CBG hemp, meaning you're getting a genuinely CBG-rich formula rather than a trace amount blended into a standard CBD extract.
CBG is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not produce a high. It interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), but through slightly different pathways than CBD. Learn more about how the ECS works in our endocannabinoid system guide.
What Is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is the most well-known cannabinoid in hemp. It's found in abundance in mature hemp plants and has been the subject of extensive research over the past decade. Like CBG, CBD is non-psychoactive and interacts with the ECS to support balance and wellness throughout the body.
CBD is associated with everyday stress support, physical comfort, sleep, and overall balance. It's the foundation of most hemp wellness products on the market today. For a deeper look at what CBD is and why full spectrum matters, see our full spectrum CBD guide.
CBG vs CBD: Key Differences
While CBG and CBD both come from hemp and are both non-psychoactive, they interact with the body in meaningfully different ways. Here's a plain-language comparison:
| Feature | CBG | CBD |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Cannabigerol | Cannabidiol |
| Psychoactive? | No | No |
| Origin in plant | Precursor to other cannabinoids | Derived from CBDA via decarboxylation |
| Abundance in hemp | Low (typically under 1%), except few CBG rich strains | High (primary cannabinoid) |
| Primary associations | Focus, energy, stress, memory, gut health | Calm, sleep, physical comfort, everyday balance |
| Human clinical trials | First double-blind trial published 2024 | Extensive research base |
| Works best | Alone or combined with CBD | Alone or combined with CBG, CBDA |
The most important takeaway: CBG and CBD are not interchangeable. They serve different but complementary purposes. Many people find the most balanced results by combining both, which is why our 70mg 2:1 CBD + CBG Tincture has become one of our most popular formulas.
CBG vs CBD for Anxiety
This is where the science gets genuinely exciting. In 2024, researchers at Washington State University published the first double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial specifically examining CBG's effects on anxiety and stress. The results were significant.
Participants who took 20mg of CBG reported meaningfully lower anxiety at 20, 45, and 60 minutes after taking it compared to placebo. Stress ratings also dropped at the earliest measurement point. Critically, these effects came without any intoxication, motor impairment, or negative side effects.
CBD has a much larger body of research behind it and is widely associated with a general sense of calm and reduced everyday stress. It works through slightly different receptor pathways than CBG, which is part of why combining the two may offer more comprehensive support than either alone.
For anxiety specifically, CBG's clinical trial results are a meaningful new development in the research landscape. Our 20mg CBG Tincture matches the exact serving size used in the WSU study.
CBG vs CBD for Focus and Energy
CBG has a reputation among users for supporting mental clarity, focus, and a sense of morning activation, sometimes described as uplifting without being stimulating. This is distinct from CBD, which is more commonly associated with calm and relaxation.
Many people find that taking CBG in the morning supports their focus and productivity, while using CBD in the evening supports wind-down and sleep. Our FOCUS Mushroom + CBG Gummies are specifically formulated around this idea, combining 10mg of CBG with functional mushrooms and B12 for cognitive and energy support.
CBG vs CBD for Sleep
CBD is the more established choice for sleep support, with a broad base of user experience and research pointing to its role in supporting the sleep-wake cycle and reducing the stress and discomfort that often interfere with sleep.
CBG is less commonly used for sleep and in some cases may be better suited to daytime use given its more activating associations. That said, combining CBG with CBD, as in our 70mg 2:1 CBD + CBG formula, may provide a more balanced effect that supports both daytime wellness and nighttime rest.
CBG vs CBD for Skin and Topical Wellness
Both CBG and CBD are found in topical hemp formulas and each brings something distinct to a skin wellness routine. CBD is widely used in topicals for its interaction with the skin's endocannabinoid receptors, supporting a sense of ease and balance in the applied area. CBG complements this through its own interaction with CB2 receptors found in skin tissue.
Our 2:1 CBD + CBG Soothe and Calm Salve is specifically formulated to ease irritated skin and promote healthy skin using the combined plant profile of both cannabinoids. It is designed for topical skin wellness, leaving your skin feeling nourished and rejuvenated.
The 2024 CBG Breakthrough: First Double-Blind Human Trial
Cannabigerol, or CBG for short, is rapidly gaining more attention, and for good reason. In a landmark clinical trial published in 2024 by researchers at Washington State University (WSU), 20mg of CBG significantly reduced anxiety and stress in healthy adults, without the intoxication or cognitive impairment often associated with THC.
In the double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial (34 participants), those who took 20mg of CBG reported significantly lower anxiety at 20, 45, and 60 minutes post-ingestion compared to placebo. Stress ratings also fell at the earliest time point. Equally exciting, participants showed improved verbal memory after taking CBG versus placebo. These results were found after participants ingested 20mg of CBG and then completed an online survey, the Trier Social Stress Test, a verbal memory test, and the DRUID impairment app.
Importantly, the study found no evidence of intoxication, motor impairment, or negative side effects (such as drowsiness or appetite changes), making CBG a promising non-intoxicating option for those seeking relief from stress or anxiety, and those looking for a supplement to support memory.
What This Means for CBG Products and Full-Spectrum CBG
For consumers and companies alike, this first human trial is big news. It lends scientific backing to the anecdotal reports that many CBG users have shared for years.
Because the study used 20mg of hemp-derived CBG, it provides a concrete, research-backed benchmark serving size. That makes a 20mg serving especially relevant and positions products delivering that amount per serving as particularly well-aligned with emerging science.
Why Flora Sophia's 20mg CBG Tincture Fits and What It Supports
These 2024 findings make us even more proud than usual of our 20mg CBG Tincture. With a per-serving CBG amount that exactly matches the serving size used in the WSU study, you can feel confident that you're taking an amount shown to yield real, measurable effects on anxiety, stress, and memory, while avoiding intoxication.
For those seeking more flexibility and interested in pairing CBG with CBD: our 70mg 2:1 Full Spectrum CBD + CBG Tincture provides the benefits of both 47mg of CBD and 23mg of CBG in one easy serving. Additionally, our FOCUS Gummies are another great way to enjoy CBG's benefits in a convenient, delicious format. 10mg of CBG combined with functional mushrooms and B12 further support improved cognitive function.
Should You Take CBG, CBD, or Both?
The honest answer is that it depends on what you're looking for. Here's a simple starting point:
- Take CBG if you're looking for support with focus, mental clarity, stress, or memory, especially during the day
- Take CBD if you're looking for everyday calm, sleep support, physical comfort, or a general wellness foundation
- Take both if you want the broadest range of support, as CBG and CBD work through complementary pathways and appear to enhance each other's effects as part of the entourage effect
Many of our customers start with a single cannabinoid and expand from there. We always recommend giving any new product a consistent two-week trial at the same serving size before adjusting. See our full CBG collection and full spectrum tinctures to explore your options.
A Balanced Perspective: What We Still Don't Know
While the 2024 WSU study is encouraging, it represents just the first double-blind human clinical trial on CBG. Replicating studies with larger sample sizes and more diverse participants will be important to confirm these early findings. It is worth noting that participants were healthy individuals who had tried cannabinoid products before, which means results might differ in people new to cannabinoids or with different health profiles. Researchers also did not measure physiological markers like cortisol, heart rate, or blood pressure, so more remains to be learned about how CBG affects the body beyond subjective mood and memory reports.
As the authors themselves caution, it's vital not to overstate the findings. This is an important early step toward understanding CBG's potential, not a definitive conclusion. Future studies with broader participants, different serving sizes, and longer-term follow-up will help clarify how CBG might be used responsibly and effectively.
Final Thoughts: CBG Moving From Promise to Proof
If you've been curious about CBG but hesitant because of a lack of evidence, the 2024 double-blind CBG study provides real scientific backing to what many have already experienced for themselves. It takes CBG from being misunderstood, understudied, and often overlooked, to being a legitimate wellness option that may reduce stress and anxiety while offering potential cognitive benefits like improved memory.
At Flora Sophia Botanicals, our formulas have always been intentionally crafted, and we are proud that our 20mg CBG Tincture mirrors the clinically studied serving size.
With new research validating CBG's potential to reduce stress and anxiety and support memory, now is a meaningful time to explore CBG as part of your wellness routine.
Read the full WSU study on CBG's effects
Frequently Asked Questions About CBG vs CBD
What is the difference between CBG and CBD?
CBG (cannabigerol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are both non-psychoactive cannabinoids found in hemp. CBG is the precursor to CBD and other cannabinoids. They work through different pathways in the body's endocannabinoid system. CBG is more associated with focus, energy, stress, and memory, while CBD is more associated with calm, sleep, and physical comfort.
Is CBG better than CBD?
Neither is universally better. They serve different purposes and work best when matched to your specific wellness goals. Many people find the most benefit from combining both, as they work through complementary pathways and support different aspects of wellbeing.
Can you take CBG and CBD together?
Yes, and many people find this to be the most effective approach. CBG and CBD work through complementary pathways in the endocannabinoid system and appear to enhance each other's effects as part of the entourage effect. Our 70mg 2:1 CBD + CBG Tincture is formulated specifically for this combination.
Does CBG help with anxiety?
The first double-blind human trial on CBG, published by Washington State University in 2024, found that 20mg of CBG significantly reduced anxiety and stress in healthy adults without intoxication or negative side effects. Our 20mg CBG Tincture matches the exact serving size used in that study.
What is CBG good for?
Based on early research and broad user experience, CBG is associated with stress and anxiety reduction, improved focus and mental clarity, memory support, and potential gut health benefits. It is best suited for daytime use given its more activating character compared to CBD.
Is CBG safe?
The 2024 WSU clinical trial found no evidence of intoxication, motor impairment, or negative side effects from a 20mg serving of CBG. As with any supplement, we recommend consulting a healthcare professional before adding CBG to your routine, especially if you take prescription medications.
Where can I find CBG products?
Flora Sophia carries a full range of farm-to-you CBG products made from Oregon-grown hemp, including tinctures, gummies, and salves. Browse our CBG collection to explore your options.