What is CBG vs CBD? The Difference Between CBD and CBG Explained

December 2, 2025

One of the most common questions we get asked about our Good Morning Capsules is in relation to CBD vs CBG. Customers wonder, what is CBG vs CBD? We’re glad you asked!

While CBD is the most well-known cannabinoid, more obscure cannabinoids like CBG have their place as well. Think of CBD as the compound that creates a sense of balance throughout the body, easing physical and mental tension. Meanwhile, CBG has an uplifting effect, which is why we use it as a complementary ingredient in our CBD focus formulas.

Learn more about the difference between CBD and CBG below, and what makes them such a dynamic duo in many of our CBD products for sale at Medterra.

“Did everything they said they were going to do and more.” - Carleigh

“I love to take a Good Morning capsule before I go out in the morning to play pickleball. It gives a good energy boost and focus without making me feel jittery.” - Mark

“Just when I need a little kick to get up these work great. No jitters and no crash!!” - Jennifer

Key Takeaways on CBG vs CBD

CBD is major cannabinoid that can help with physical tension and discomfort, racing thoughts, and overall balance.
CBG is a minor cannabinoid commonly used for focus and mindfulness. Think “clean energy” without caffeine-like jitters.
Using CBD and CBG together brings out a calm sense of clarity, perfect for a balanced daytime effect.
Our Energy CBD capsules here at Medterra harness this synergy along with adaptogens to help you start the day on the right foot or power through a mid-day lull.

What is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is the “healing” cannabinoid found in hemp and marijuana. It’s non-intoxicating, so you won’t get high no matter how much CBD you take.

The way it works is indirectly through the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a network of receptors (CB1 and CB2, to be exact) throughout the body and brain. Cannabinoids can bind to these receptors to impact everything from stress to sleep, mood, and more.

CBD doesn’t bind directly to these receptors, like THC does. That’s why it doesn’t get you high. So what do CBD gummies do, then? It’s believed that they change the way serotonin, GABA, and inflammatory pathways behave through the enzymes and channels that regulate them.

That’s a lot of scientific jargon - so let us simplify it for you. People use CBD gummies for easing physical tension at the end of the day, calming a racing mind, encouraging better sleep, managing aches and discomfort, and much, much more. It’s a very versatile cannabinoid. Not just in terms of what it can do, but when it can be used. It’s great day or night!

CBD works best when taken consistently. The body builds a circulating baseline over several days to create a better sense of balance over time. You can incorporate it into your daily regimen through CBD gummies, CBD tablets, or even CBD oil.

These days, anyone can buy CBD products online thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp-derived products in all 50 states (so long as they’re less than 0.3% THC by dry weight).

There are different forms of CBD - like CBD isolate, which is literally just CBD and a carrier oil of some sort. Broad-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, contains CBD and minor cannabinoids with THC removed. We have both of these in store for you here at Medterra.

Speaking of minor cannabinoids, let’s introduce the other half of our CBD vs CBG comparison.

What is CBG?

You probably came here with some understanding of what CBD is and what it can do. CBG is a lot lesser-known - it shouldn’t be, though. CBG, short for cannabigerol, is a minor cannabinoid with strong therapeutic potential in its own right.

It’s often called the “parent cannabinoid” because many other cannabinoids - CBD, THC, CBC, and others - start as CBGa (its acidic form). Only a little bit of CBG is left by the time a cannabis plant has fully matured, though. That’s why CBG products call for selective breeding or early harvesting.

CBG interacts differently with the body than CBD. It has a much stronger binder affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors. It can also interact with the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors and serotonin receptors involved in alertness, focus, and mood regulation.

People say CBG feels clearer, more energizing, and more mentally directed than CBD. That’s not to say it gets you high or causes any sort of intoxication. It doesn’t only THC (and in some cases, CBN) do that. This unique effects profile is why CBG is so great for daytime use.

CBG can help with concentration, especially during long work periods or mentally demanding tasks. It’s usually taken in the morning or afternoon, as taking it too late can impact sleep.

There’s also reason to believe CBG could help ease physical discomfort by interacting with inflammatory and pain-modulating receptors. This effect - as with all the effects of CBG, for that matter - is most prominent when CBD is in the mix as well.

As you’ll learn below after we compare CBG vs CBD directly, that’s the key takeaway from this conversation - it’s not a matter of choosing between CBD vs CBG. They both have their place, and work best in synergy with one another.

CBD vs CBG: Key Differences to Consider

So what’s the difference between CBD and CBG? Well, there are a few. One is a major cannabinoid, the other is a minor cannabinoid. One works more directly with the ECS than the other. Even the specific effects they produce are distinct, to some degree at least.

Here’s a closer look at CBG vs CBD to help you see what separates the two.

Factor	CBD	CBG
Main receptor activity	Indirect CB1/CB2, 5-HT1A, TRPV1, FAAH modulation	More direct CB1/CB2 binding, alpha-2, select serotonin receptors
Typical feel	Calmer mood, less muscle tension, easier wind-down	Clearer thinking, more drive, better task engagement
Best for stress / tension	Strong option for stress, tight shoulders, evening relaxation	Milder effect on tension; not the primary choice
Best for focus / alertness	Too calming for some as a focus aid	Often used for productivity, mental clarity, long workdays
Common effective range	~20–40 mg per day for most adults	~10–20 mg per day for most adults
Product availability	Very common: oils, gummies, capsules, topicals	Less common; mainly oils, capsules, selected gummies
Cost	Lower cost per mg (more abundant in hemp)	Higher cost per mg (rarer, harder to extract)
Natural abundance in hemp	High in mature hemp flowers	Low in mature plants; most CBGa is converted into other cannabinoids

How the Body Processes Each Cannabinoid

CBD interacts with the ECS by altering enzyme activity (like FAAH) and indirectly influencing CB1 and CB2 receptors. It also interacts with serotonin (5-HT1A) and TRPV1 channels. It’s suspected that’s where its calming effects come from.

On the other hand, CBG has a more direct relationship with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS. It also binds to alpha-2 adrenergic receptors and certain serotonin receptors tied to alertness and mental drive.

All of the differences between CBD and CBG stem from these interactions.

Typical Effects You’ll Feel

Neither cannabinoid is going to produce the mind-altering effects THC is known for. There are some nuances here, though.

CBD feels really subtle. It’s commonly used for stress relief, muscle tension, and overall balance. People who make it a part of their consistent routine notice looser muscles, less internal pressure, and an easier time relaxing.

In contrast, CBG has a more alert, clear-headed effect profile. People describe it as heightened concentration without jitteriness. It’s really beneficial for productivity or demanding cognitive tasks, be it in the workplace, creative projects at home, or anything in between.

Which One Is Better for Stress or Physical Tension?

You probably want to know which is better between CBG vs CBD - it all depends on what you’re looking for from cannabis! CBD makes more sense for stress, tight shoulders, daytime irritability, or trouble relaxing at night. It has a closer relationship with the nervous system.

That’s not to say CBG doesn’t have a place here as well, though. It can decrease physical discomfort to some degree itself. This is a case where using CBD and CBG together can be the best approach.

Which One Is Better for Focus or Alertness?

As for which is better between CBD vs CBG for concentration and daytime energy, that’s easy - CBG. It feels more uplifting physically and mentally, but not in a stimulant type of way. It’s subtle, but that’s a good thing. You won’t have to worry about jitters or a crash after the fact.

CBD sits on the other end of the spectrum. It’s used for relaxation more than energy. But when you bring the two cannabinoids together, as we have in our Good Morning Capsules, you get a calm sense of alertness to jumpstart your day or push through after lunch.

Common Doses Needed to Feel an Effect

There isn’t a meaningful difference in the doses needed between CBG vs CBD - but some people say that CBG feels stronger. So, you’ll see recommendations like:

25-50mg of CBD
10-25mg of CBG

Personally, though, we’ve found the best results come from a 1:1 ratio of these two. That’s why our CBD Energy Capsules deliver 25mg of each cannabinoid.

Availability in Products and Cost Differences

CBD is definitely the more prominent cannabinoid between the two. It’s available in just about every product we sell here at Medterra - CBD tinctures, gummies, capsules, topicals, etc.

For comparison, we only have one product that has a meaningful dose of CBG - that’s the Good Morning Capsules we keep talking about. Now, CBG is still in all our broad-spectrum formulas, just in smaller amounts.

Natural Abundance in the Hemp Plant

There’s one final difference between CBD and CBG - how available the two are in hemp. Although most cannabinoids start as CBGa, there’s actually very little CBG content come harvest day. Meanwhile, CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid in the plant.

This goes back to how CBD products are more readily available than their CBG counterparts. It’s just a lot more work to produce CBG products. Extractors have to use early-harvest plants or specialized cultivars to get ample CBG content.

How Are CBG and CBD Similar?

For all the differences between CBD and CBG, there are some similarities you might have started to pick up on. For instance:

Both are non-intoxicating cannabinoids from hemp and/or marijuana.
Both interact with ECS receptors and related pathways.
Both support stress management and general wellness in different ways.
Both work in gummies, oils, and capsules.
Both play nicely in products built for daytime performance or targeted relief.

That being said, it’s not a matter of choosing between CBG vs CBD - at least, not all the time. There are many cases where the smartest approach is combining them!

The Combined Effects of CBD and CBG

CBD and CBG work well together because their effects cover different parts of the same system. CBD helps ease physical tension and supports a calmer baseline during stressful moments, while CBG sparks creative energy and stirs up a clean sense of focus.

This combination is especially useful for long workdays, busy mornings, or situations where you need to focus without relying on heavy caffeine. Our Energy CBD Capsules are one of the most practical ways to use CBD and CBG in the same routine. Here’s what you get in every capsule:

25mg CBD
25mg CBG
75 mg caffeine
200 mg bacopa extract
125 mg KSM-66® ashwagandha

Thousands of people rely on these capsules every day, and with over 300 positive reviews, it’s easy to see what keeps them coming back for more. Order yours today and feel the effects for yourself!

Wrapping Up Our CBG vs CBD Comparison

Hopefully you have a solid grasp on the difference between CBD and CBG at this point. As we wrap up our comparison of CBG vs CBD, we invite you to read other comparison guides if you’re interested, like CBN vs CBD gummies or CBD oil vs gummies.

At this point, though, all that’s left to do is shop our lineup at Medterra and find out firsthand how the various cannabinoids work in synergy. Add our Energy CBD Capsules to your daytime routine and get reliable, targeted support from cannabinoids that work well together!

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between CBG and CBD?

There is more than one difference between CBD and CBG. CBD is a major cannabinoid; CBG is a minor cannabinoid. CBD works more indirectly than CBG. CBD is best for general balance, subtle relaxation, and physical comfort, whereas CBG helps improve focus during the day.

Is CBG stronger than CBD?

CBG has been said to feel more activating at lower doses than CBD, all else equal. We still think a 1:1 ratio of CBD to CBG is best, though.

Are there any downsides of CBG?

It can be too energizing if taken later in the day, impacting your sleep quality. Other than that, though, you have nothing to worry about when you use a safe formula from a trusted brand like Medterra.

Can CBD and CBG be taken together?

Yes, this is a great way to stimulate a clean sense of energy and mental clarity during the day. Our Good Morning Capsules are the best way to harness the dynamic duo of CBD and CBG.