Cannabinoid Combinations: Understanding the Basics of Using CBD & CBG Together

Naturally synergistic plant elements produce stronger effects when they're working together than on their own. While many CBD enthusiasts prefer using tinctures and topicals made with pure CBD isolate powder, others prefer taking full advantage of those synergistic relationships. Whether you've been a CBD user for years or still weighing your options, you may want to consider choosing a product made with CBG and CBD together. Once you know how these equally impressive components of hemp extract work, it's easy to understand why so many CBD users are adding their combined health and wellness potential to their daily routines. 

What are CBD and CBG?  

CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol) are two of more than 113 active elements in cannabis plants classified as cannabinoids, plant components that function a lot like similar chemical messengers produced as needed in your body (Cooray et al., 2020). Marijuana plants have high concentrations of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and varying amounts of CBD and CBG. Hemp plants produce high amounts of CBD and small amounts of THC and CBG. That's why most CBD products sold in retail stores, specialty shops, and online are made with the oil extracted from hemp's stalks, stems, and flowers. CBD products made from marijuana are typically sold through a dispensary. 

Although CBD is the most abundant of the many cannabinoids in hemp, it's not the first to develop. That distinction belongs to the acidic form of CBG, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Often called the "mother of all cannabinoids,” we wouldn't have CBD without it. As crops mature, naturally occurring plant enzymes convert CBGA to CBCA, THCA, and CBDA (Komarnytsky et al., 2021). Once mature crops are harvested, dried, and their oil extracted, the plant extracts are heated to speed decarboxylation, the process that converts acidic cannabinoids to their non-acidic, active forms, CBC, THC, CBD, and CBG (Wang et al., 2016). Each of the many cannabinoids in hemp extract contributes to its overall effect in different ways. 

Can You Take CBD and CBG Together?  

You can definitely take CBD and CBG together. Whether you're using CBD on its own or in combination with CBG, the cannabinoids in the product you select interact with the receptors of the largest regulatory system in your body, your endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors. CBG binds with your cannabinoid receptors. CBD has an indirect effect (Bielawiec et al., 2020). Although most of the evidence is based on lab results and a small number of clinical trials, many cannabis researchers believe supporting ECS function with plant-derived cannabinoids like CBD and CBG helps support ECS function in a way that promotes essential balance (homeostasis) (Sallaberry & Astern, 2018). Like CBD, CBG is non-intoxicating, generally well-tolerated, and has an impressively low risk of mild side effects that could include a dry mouth or digestive upset (Chesney et al., 2020). 

What Are the Benefits of Combining CBD with CBG?  

Based on the feedback of nearly 2,000 CBD users, most survey respondents report favorable results using hemp-derived CBD products for better sleep, relaxation, mild or temporary anxiety, and pain, stiffness, and inflammation after physical activity. While these survey results are based on the responses of people using products made with full spectrum extract, broad spectrum extract, and pure CBD isolate powder, many CBD users feel full spectrum products are the more potent of the three main options, with good reason. It's the only product type that contains the full array of additional cannabinoids nature intended, including a small amount of Delta-9 THC (less than 0.3%). 

Decades ago, researchers discovered that cannabis contains an entire range of seemingly inactive components that become active when combined with the plant's many additional cannabinoids and terpenes. Together, their combined impact maximizes the overall contributions of each active component. It's a property unique to cannabis widely known today as an "entourage effect" (Nahler et al., 2019). CBD users who choose full spectrum hemp-derived products made with higher concentrations of CBG are typically interested in the potency-maximizing potential of an enhanced entourage effect. Current evidence suggests enriching the cannabinoid profile of hemp extract with enough CBG to achieve an equal balance enhances the total contribution of each cannabinoid (Mammana et al., 2019). 

How Much of Each Cannabinoid Should I Take?  

Most hemp-derived products have serving-size suggestions printed right on their label. However, taking CBD, CBG, or any other hemp-derived cannabinoid isn't the same as taking over-the-counter solutions, meaning there's no ideal serving size that works the same for everyone. There are just too many factors that come into play, including age, weight, reasons for use, genetics and overall body composition. That's why it's important to understand that a serving size that works for one person could be considerably more or even a lot less than a serving size that's right for you. When using any combination of cannabinoids for the first time, we generally recommend starting with a partial serving, giving your system time to respond, and increasing gradually at a pace you're comfortable with.  

As for how much of each cannabinoid you should take, that also depends on the type of products you're using. When you're using a product made with a blend of CBD and CBG, the mixing and measuring are already done for you. If you're trying to combine the cannabinoids on your own using two separate products, consider measuring half of your usual serving size of CBD and calculating how many milligrams are in that serving. Then, measure your CBG to get an equivalent number of milligrams. Based on the exceptional work of our expert botanists, a 1:1 CBD to CBG ratio is ideal. That's the same CBG to CBD ratio you'll find in the full spectrum CBG & CBD Oil Tinctures and Gummies featured in the Synergy Collection by CBDistillery®. 

Why Try Daytime Synergy CBG & CBD Gummies?  

CBDistillery® Daytime Synergy CBG & CBD Gummies are a delicious way to experience everything this combination of cannabinoids has to offer. In each flavorful square, you'll get 15mg of CBD and 15mg of CBG. We think you'll love the way their natural orange flavor complements the terpene profile of our high-quality full spectrum hemp extract. Since every gummy supplement gives you a consistent pre-measured serving of hemp-derived cannabinoids, they're great for home use and on the go. Each wide-mouth jar gives you 30 gummy supplements. 

As you're browsing product reviews, you'll see numerous comments from adults of all ages who feel they get even better results using CBD and CBG together than using similar products without enhanced concentrations of CBG. In addition to reports of better sleep and less discomfort after physical activity, many CBG and CBD users say they feel calmer, less stressed, more focused, and energized. In a 2022 CBDistillery customer survey, participants using our Daytime Synergy Gummies reported a significant difference in the reduction of mild or temporary anxiety and found the combination better than anything they've tried in the past year. 

Could CBG & CBD Be Your Best Combination of Cannabinoids?  

Not all that long ago, CBD users had fewer choices. Their options were limited to products made with full spectrum hemp extract, broad spectrum extract, or pure CBD isolate powder. A lot has changed in a relatively short amount of time. At CBDistillery®, our expert botanists developed a full range of products featuring the health and wellness potential of an impressive selection of minor cannabinoids and functional supplements. The list includes tinctures and gummies made with a combination of full spectrum CBD and just enough CBG to achieve a 1:1 CBG to CBD ratio. You'll find these products and more in the Synergy Collection by CBDistillery®. 

For more information, visit CBDistillery® to find answers to frequently asked questions or read the latest industry studies. If you're interested in the many potential benefits of supporting ECS function with CBD but not quite sure where to start, take our CBD quiz or schedule a personal consultation with an expert. You can shop with confidence knowing every product we offer is US Hemp Authority® certified, rigorously tested, quality assured, and made with 100% clean ingredients. 

References: 

Bielaweic P, Harasim-Symbor, et al. (2020) Phytocannabinoids: Useful Drugs for the Treatment of Obesity: Special Focus on Cannabidiol. 11:114  Front Endocronol. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2020.00114/full 

Chesney E, Oliver D, et al. (2020) Adverse Effects of Cannabidiol: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Neuropsychopharmacol. 45, 1799-806. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0667-2 

Cooray R, Gupta V, et al. (2020) Current Aspects of the Endocannabinoid System and Targeted THC and CBD Phytocannabinoids as Potential Therapeutics for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease: a Review. 57 Mol Neurobiol 4878-90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-020-02054-6 

Komarnytsky S, Rathinasabapathy T, et al. (2021) Endocannabinoid System and Its Regulation by Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Full Spectrum Hemp Oils. 22(11) Int J Mol Sci 5479. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115479 

Mammana S, Cavalli E, et al. Could the Combination of Two Non-Psychotropic Cannabinoids Counteract Neuroinflammation? Effectiveness of Cannabidiol Associated with Cannabigerol. 55(11) Medicina 747. https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/55/11/747/htm 

Nahler, G, Jones T, et al. (2019) Cannabidiol and Contributions of Major Hemp Phytocompounds to the "Entourage Effect": Possible Mechanisms. J Altern Complement Integr Med 70(5) PDF download 

Sallaberry C, Astern L. (2018) The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator. 34(6) JYI 48-55. https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator 

Wang M, Wang Y, et al. (2016) Decarboxylation Study of Acidic Cannabinoids: A Novel Approach Using Ultra-High-Performance Supercritical Fluid Chromatography/Photodiode Array – Mass Spectrometry. 1(1) Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 262-271. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0020