CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol) are both non-intoxicating cannabinoids from the hemp plant, but they differ in where they come from, how much of them the plant makes, and how much they have been studied. CBG is formed first: its acid form, CBGA, is the precursor that the plant converts into the acid forms of CBD, THC and CBC. Most hemp contains far more CBD than CBG, although some varieties are bred to be rich in CBG. CBD has been studied in many more human trials than CBG.
Key facts
- Origin
- CBGA is the precursor of CBDA, THCA and CBCA; CBD comes from CBDA, CBG from CBGA
- Amount in hemp
- CBD is usually the main cannabinoid; CBG is typically a small share, except in CBG-rich varieties
- Intoxicating?
- Neither; the intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis is THC
- Receptors
- Lab studies show different profiles: CBG acts at α2-adrenoceptors and 5-HT1A, CBD modulates the CB1 receptor
- Human research
- CBD: many clinical trials and an approved medicine; CBG: a few small trials
- EU status
- Both are listed as cosmetic ingredients in CosIng; both count as novel foods
Where CBD and CBG come from
Hemp makes cannabinoids in their acid form. The first one is cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Enzymes in the plant then convert CBGA into tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA). A review in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics describes CBG as "the precursor molecule for the most abundant phytocannabinoids" (Nachnani et al., 2021).
When the plant material is heated, the acids lose a carboxyl group and become the neutral forms: CBDA becomes CBD and CBGA becomes CBG. Our guide to CBDA explains this step.
How much of each is in hemp?
Because most CBGA is converted into other cannabinoid acids as the plant grows, mature hemp usually contains much more CBD than CBG. One review puts CBG at up to about 10% of the cannabinoid fraction in typical plants. Breeders have developed varieties with a different genetic make-up (the B0 genotype) in which much less CBGA is converted, so CBG becomes the main cannabinoid (Jastrząb et al., 2022; Zagožen et al., 2021). One CBG-dominant hemp cultivar contained 7.8% to 11.2% total CBG (Crawford et al., 2021).
CBD vs CBG at a glance
| Feature | CBD (cannabidiol) | CBG (cannabigerol) |
|---|---|---|
| Acid form in the plant | CBDA | CBGA, the precursor of the other cannabinoid acids |
| Typical amount in hemp | Usually the main cannabinoid | Small share, except in CBG-rich varieties |
| Intoxicating | No | No |
| Receptor profile (lab studies) | Negative allosteric modulator of the CB1 receptor | Partial CB2 agonist; α2-adrenoceptor agonist; blocks 5-HT1A |
| Human research | Many clinical trials; a prescription medicine for certain rare epilepsies | A few small trials |
| EU cosmetics (CosIng) | Listed, both synthetic and derived from cannabis extract | Listed as cannabigerol (skin conditioning) |
| EU food law | Novel food, not yet authorised | Novel food, not yet authorised |
How they act in the body: what lab studies show
Most of what is known about the pharmacology of the two compounds comes from cell and animal studies, which do not show what happens in people.
- CBG is described as non-psychotropic and as a partial agonist of the CB2 receptor; its effect on the CB1 receptor is measurable but not well understood (Navarro et al., 2018). In mouse brain tissue, CBG acted as a potent α2-adrenoceptor agonist and blocked CB1 and 5-HT1A receptors (Cascio et al., 2010).
- CBD behaved as a non-competitive negative allosteric modulator of the CB1 receptor in cell models (Laprairie et al., 2015). In simple terms, it changes how the receptor responds to other compounds rather than switching it on itself.
A review summarised CBG as having receptor "affinity and activity characteristics between Δ9-THC and CBD", and as "unique in its interactions with α-2 adrenoceptors and 5-HT1A" (Nachnani et al., 2021). For background on the receptors, see our guide to the endocannabinoid system.
Human research
CBD has been tested in many controlled clinical trials, and a purified CBD medicine is approved for certain rare forms of epilepsy. The WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence concluded that CBD has no potential for abuse or dependence; see our guide is CBD addictive?
CBG has far fewer human studies. In a 2024 placebo-controlled crossover trial, 34 healthy adults took a single 20 mg dose of hemp-derived CBG; the researchers found "no evidence of subjective drug effects or impairment" (Cuttler et al., 2024). This was a small study of a single dose, and one author has commercial links to CBG. In dogs, a 2022 study of a CBG-rich hemp extract reported no adverse events in a short two-week trial (Amstutz et al., 2022).
Legal status in the EU
Neither CBD nor CBG is listed in the UN drug conventions. In the EU ingredient database for cosmetics (CosIng), cannabigerol is listed with the function "skin conditioning", and cannabidiol has separate entries for synthetic CBD and CBD derived from cannabis extract. CosIng is a reference list, not law. For food, the EU Novel Food Catalogue treats hemp extracts containing non-psychoactive cannabinoids, including CBG, as novel foods that need authorisation before sale. National rules differ; see our guides to CBD law in Germany and France.
From our production
Our hemp extract is made by CO₂ extraction, and we formulate, bottle and label our oils ourselves in Küssnacht am Rigi, Switzerland. Two of our THC-free oils combine CBD with added CBG: Lugano Clarity (7% CBG) and Lucerne Calm (3% CBG). Every production batch is tested, and the certificate shows the cannabinoids measured in that batch.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CBD and CBG?
Both are non-intoxicating cannabinoids from hemp. CBG comes from CBGA, the precursor of the other cannabinoid acids, and is usually present in much smaller amounts than CBD. They also act differently on receptors in lab studies, and CBD has been studied far more in people.
Is CBG the "mother of all cannabinoids"?
The nickname refers to its acid form, CBGA, which the plant converts into the acid forms of THC, CBD and CBC. CBG itself is the neutral form of CBGA.
Does CBG get you high?
No. CBG is described as non-psychotropic, and a 2024 trial with 20 mg of CBG found no evidence of subjective drug effects or impairment.
Why is there less CBG than CBD in hemp?
As the plant grows, most CBGA is converted into other cannabinoid acids such as CBDA. Only varieties bred to convert less CBGA are rich in CBG.
Is CBG legal in the EU?
CBG is not listed in the UN drug conventions, and cannabigerol is listed as a cosmetic ingredient in the EU CosIng database. As a food ingredient, it counts as a novel food that has not been authorised. National rules on hemp products still apply.
Can CBD and CBG be in the same product?
Yes. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum hemp extracts can contain CBG alongside CBD. The certificate of analysis shows which cannabinoids were measured in a batch and how much of each.
Related guides
This article summarises published research. It is not medical advice. Formula Swiss CBD oils are sold as cosmetics for use on the skin. They are not food supplements or medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed:
Sources
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