CBG is also called the ‘mother cannabinoid’.
It’s acidic precursor, CBGA, is the precursor of major cannabinoids like CBD and THC.
After:
- reviewing 30+ CBG products, and,
- analyzing hundreds of anecdotal reports,
we conclude that CBG is the least sedative of cannabinoids.
In fact, CBG can have an energizing and uplifting effect, while keeping you grounded like CBD.
CBG is a great daytime cannabinoid. You can even combine it with other cannabinoids like CBD, for even better results.
Today you’re getting a list of the best CBG oil products on the market.
We have tested and reviewed 32 products on the following metrics:
- cannabinoid- and terpene-profiles,
- transparency of the brand,
- experienced effects,
- value,
- taste,
From these 32 products, we listed the 5 best ones below:
Quickly go to…
- #1 NuLeaf Naturals CBG Oil (Best Full Spectrum CBG Oil)
- #2 Lazarus Naturals CBG:CBD Oil Tincture (Best Value CBG Oil)
- #3 3Chi Broad-Spectrum CBG:CBD Oil (Best Broad-Spectrum CBG Oil)
- #4 CBDistillery CBD + CBG Oil Tincture 1:1 (Best Satisfaction-Guarantee)
- #5 CBDfx CBD + CBG Oil Wellness Tincture (Honorable Mention)
Comparison of the Best CBG Products
| Product |
NuLeaf Naturals
 |
Lazarus Naturals
 |
3Chi
 |
CBDistillery
 |
CBDfx
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Ratings | 4.47/5 | 4.7/5 | 3.68/5 | 4.39/5 | 3.89/5 |
| CBD/$ | 0mg (14.1mg CBG) | 0mg (18.8mg CBG) | 0mg (28.6mg CBG) | 0mg (8mg CBG) | 14.28mg |
| Minor cannabinoids + terpenes/$ | 2mg | 25.5mg | 32.5mg | 10mg | 7mg |
| Cannabinoid-profileThe number of different cannabinoids present, and in what concentrations.: | |||||
| Terpene-profileThe number of different terpenes present, and in what concentrations: | |||||
| TransparencyBacked by 3rd-party lab-test reports? Transparent about where hemp is sourced?: | |||||
| ValueHow many CBD + minor cannabinoids and terpenes you get per dollar: | |||||
| Full-spectrum ratio | 0.14 | 1.36 | 1.14 | 1.23 | 0.5 |
| Read Review | NuLeaf Naturals | Lazarus Naturals | 3Chi | CBDistillery | CBDfx |
1. NuLeaf Naturals Full Spectrum Hemp CBG Oil
Pros and Cons
- One of the only full-spectrum CBG oils
- Made from organic Hemp grown in Colorado
- CBG is more uplifting than CBD, could be better for daytime
- Pricey
Check current price at:
Read full review
Price comparison to averages
Cannabinoid-profile
While CBG isolate or distillate is easy to find…True full-spectrum CBG oil is hard to come by.
And while there are no studies that prove CBG is more effective when taken with other cannabinoids and terpenes, like is the case with CBD…
CBG probably acts similarly in this regard.
After reviewing dozens of CBG products, we came to the conclusion:
CBG is best used together with secondary cannabinoids and terpenes. It’s best used how CBG is found in nature. Hemp flower has hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes inside it. CBG is never present in hemp flower as an isolated compound.
And when you’re talking about CBG oils that contain a wide variety of cannabinoids and terpenes…
NuLeaf Naturals CBG oil makes it to the top of the list.
This CBG oil has high concentrations of CBG (5.9%), but also has detectable levels of:
- CBD (0.19%);
- CBC (0.12%);
- CBN (0.12%);
- Delta-8 THC (0.12%), and;
- Terpenes (0.25%).
It’s a true CBG-dominant product. But compared to other CBG products, its chemical profile is much closer to that of a high-CBG hemp plant.
How do I get these numbers?
Well, a transparent cannabinoid brand publishes full lab-test reports on a batch-by-batch basis.
NuLeaf Naturals has been one of the most transparent cannabinoid brands for 5+ years.
By now, I have no issues blindly recommending NuLeaf Naturals products to anyone. I’ve checked and analyzed dozens of NuLeaf Naturals lab-test reports and can say with confidence:
This is the real deal.
Up next…
2. Lazarus Naturals CBG:CBD Oil Tincture
Pros and Cons
- Truly full-spectrum with minor cannabinoids and terpenes
- Made from organic Hemp grown in Oregon
- Great value
- If you're looking for uplifting effects, this tincture may be too sedating
Cannabinoid-profile
This tincture contains as much CBD as CBG.
It’s not a true CBG-dominant product.
But, it’s one of the few CBG products that have a good variety of additional cannabinoids and terpenes.
Any CBG product that has a wide variety of hemp-derived compounds, deserves a spot on our list.
Why?
Because there are so few of them!
Most CBG products contain one or two cannabinoids, and no terpenes. So they are less effective than products from NuLeaf Naturals or Lazarus Naturals.
Besides CBG (3.58%) and CBD (3.38%), this tincture has the following cannabinoids in it in detectable levels:
- CBC (0.22%);
- THC (0.16%).
The best part?
This CBG oil has the most hemp-derived terpenes of any CBG oil that we reviewed.
Specifically, it contains the following hemp-derived terpenes that may synergize with CBG:
- farnesene;
- a-Bisabolol;
- guaiol;
- b-Caryophyllene;
- humulene.
As you can see, this is not a CBG oil that’s bolstered with one or two terpenes. It contains a wide range of hemp-derived terpenes.
If we look at how much CBG you get for every dollar, it’s more than NuLeaf Naturals. Plus, this CBG oil has as much CBD in it as CBG. So it’s not the fairest of comparisons.
When we look at the total cannabinoids + terpenes you get per dollar, this is the most affordable option on the list.
A product that comes with a CBG:CBD ratio of 1:1 is slightly more sedative than a true CBG-dominant product.
Not as sedative as a CBD- or CBN-dominant product, but more sedative than pure CBG.
Buy Lazarus Naturals CBG:CBD Oil
Next up…
3. 3Chi Broad-Spectrum CBG:CBD Oil
Pros and Cons
- One of the only broad-spectrum CBG oils
- Good value
- Very few minor cannabinoids and terpenes
Cannabinoid-profile
When it comes to alternative cannabinoids, 3Chi is one of our favorite brands.
They cover all the alternative cannabinoids and do so at an affordable price point.
And while they don’t have a true CBG-dominant product like NuLeaf Naturals…
This product contains at least as much CBG as CBD.
Plus, it contains a few minor cannabinoids in smaller concentrations:
- CBC (0.04%), and;
- CBN (0.03%).
This oil contains some terpenes:
- trans-Caryophyllene (0.13%).
As you can see, this CBG oil contains no detectable levels of THC. But it still contains more than only CBG or CBD.
And since there are so few true broad-spectrum CBG oils around in the first place…
We have crowned this CBG oil as the best THC-free, broad-spectrum CBG oil.
There are a lot of CBG oils sold as ‘broad-spectrum’. But when you check their cannabinoid-profiles, you can’t see any other cannabinoids than CBG or CBD.
This 3Chi oil is a broad-spectrum oil in the truest sense.
Up next…
4. CBDistillery CBD + CBG Oil Tincture 1:1
Pros and Cons
- Truly full-spectrum with minor cannabinoids and terpenes
- 60-day satisfaction-guarantee
- Established and trustworthy brand
- Pricey
- If you're looking for uplifting effects, may be too sedative for daytime because of CBD and THC
Cannabinoid-profile
This is another CBG+CBD oil that contains as much CBG as CBD.
This oil as well has detectable levels of a few minor cannabinoids:
- THC (0.09%);
- CBC (0.09%), and;
- CBDA (0.02%).
The levels of minor cannabinoids are a bit lower than NuLeaf Naturals or Lazarus Naturals. But a bit higher than 3Chi CBG oil.
This oil has no detectable levels hemp-derived of terpenes.
Also, it’s slightly more expensive than 3Chi CBG oil, so we rate it slightly lower.
That said…
This is another solid option if you’re looking for CBG:CBD combo product.
CBDistillery is a highly trustworthy brand that has been extracting cannabinoids from hemp since 2015.
Since 2015, they proved that their products are effective and free from toxins and contaminants.
All of their products come with a full lab-test report.
It's also the only product on the list that comes with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
Next up…
5. CBDfx CBD + CBG Oil Wellness Tincture 1000mg
Pros and Cons
- High-levels of CBG, in addition to CBD
- Added terpene blend
- Good value
- Slightly more uplifting than regular CBD products
- No minor cannabinoids present in meaningful concentrations
- Contains terpenes-complex, but no terpene test to show
Cannabinoid-profile
This is another CBG+CBD combination product.
The difference with the other combination products on the list is that this one is CBD-dominant.
The CBG:CBD ratio is 1:3. There’s 3-times more CBD inside this oil than CBG. Still, this oil has more CBG than regular CBD oil.
This oil is the most sedative on the list. Because CBD simply is more sedative than CBG. If you’re looking for the energizing, uplifting effects of CBG, I recommend one of the other products.
If you’re looking for a product that’s sedative, but slightly less sedative than CBD oil, this is a great option.
What I don’t like about this oil it has no detectable levels of minor cannabinoids. And while it supposedly contains a terpene complex, I also don't see proof of this in the lab-test reports.
If you’re looking for a THC-free oil, you could appreciate that it has no other cannabinoids than CBD and CBG. Yet, if you’re looking for a THC-free oil, you might as well go for the 3Chi CBG oil. Why? Because at least it contains some minor cannabinoids and terpenes.
Besides hemp-derived compounds, this product contains additional anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compounds:
- Curcumin, and;
- Coenzyme Q10.
This product is also marketed as a ‘wellness’ product that boosts your immune system. Curcumin and coenzyme Q10 are indeed proven, potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds.
Whether they act synergistically to cannabinoids is unclear. But at least individually, they have many beneficial effects.
Frequently Asked Questions About CBG Oil
What’s the Difference Between CBD and CBG?
CBD and CBG are both hemp-derived cannabinoids.
The acidic form of CBG, CBGA, is the precursor cannabinoid of most other cannabinoids in their acidic form. This includes CBDA, which is the acidic form of CBD (1).
This means that CBGA can convert into CBDA.
You can conceptualize this process as follows:
- CBGA > CBDA
- CBGA > THCA
- CBGA > CBCA
Once this acidic form of the cannabinoid dries or gets heated, it decarboxylates. It transforms into the cannabinoids as we know them:
- CBDA > CBD
- THCA > THC
- CBCA > CBC
But CBGA can also convert into CBG.
What’s CBG Used For?
CBG has some similar effects to CBD. But CBG also has unique effects.
It interacts with some of the same receptor systems as CBD, but sometimes differently (2):
- CBG is cannabinoid 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid 2 (CB2) partial activator;
- CBG binds to and blocks the CB1 receptor;
- CBG activates and desensitizes a variety of TRPV (vanilloid) receptors;
- CBG is an inhibitor of AEA (anandamide) reuptake;
- CBG is an inhibitor of GABA uptake;
- CBG binds and blocks the activity of the 5HTA1 serotonin receptor. This is unique to CBG, for example, CBD is an activator of the 5HTA1 serotonin receptor;
- CBG is a potent activator of α-2 adrenoceptor (this is unique to CBG).
Activation of the α-2 adrenoceptor improves of impaired prefrontal cortex function (3).
Prefrontal cortex impairment is a common occurrence with:
- aging,
- attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
- tic disorders,
- post-traumatic stress disorder, and,
- dementia.
CBG’s unique activity at the 5HTA1 serotonin receptor is thought to be responsible for its anti-depressant effects.
In general, CBG is thought to have potent:
- anti-inflammatory;
- anti-oxidant;
- neuroprotective, and;
- anti-depressant effects.
- As you can see, CBG's benefits are similar to CBD's. But CBG may have a more important role than CBD in conditions that are affected by:activation of the α-2 adrenoceptor, or,
- blockage by the 5HTA1 receptor.
CBG may interact with prescription medicines like traditional anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medicines. Both CBG and anti-anxiety medicines work on the 5HTA1 serotonin receptor. You may experience unexpected side effects when combining CBG with prescription medicines. Always consult with your physician if you plan to take CBG.
CBG seems to be more energizing and uplifting than CBD. CBG is probably the least sedative cannabinoid we have tested.
How Much CBG Should I Use?
We experience good effects with 50-60mg of CBG.
If you’re taking a CBG + CBD combination product, take as much so that the total dose of cannabinoids is 50-60mg. That can mean 25mg CBG and 25mg CBD, for example.
But again:
These are not official dosage guidelines. It’s just what we experience when taking CBG oil products.
What Are CBG’s Side Effects?
CBG interacts with some of the same receptor systems as prescription medicines. So CBG can interact with various of these drugs.
Other than that, the side effects of CBG in humans haven’t been well researched. We currently don’t know if CBG has any long-term side effects.
Anecdotally, I can tell you if I use too much CBG at night I can have some trouble falling asleep.
Therefore, if you plan on using CBG during the night, I highly recommend combining it with CBD or CBN.
Does CBG Oil Show Up on a Drug-Test?
If you take CBG oil in the form of a full spectrum extract that contains some THC, you could fail a drug test. Why? Because drug tests always screen for THC.
However:
CBG itself doesn’t get screened for, neither does CBG convert to THC inside your body. Because the pathways necessary for conversion aren’t present inside your body. Therefore if you use a broad-spectrum or isolate product, you won’t fail a drug test.
If you want to avoid THC:
It’s important with any cannabinoid product, to make sure to always use a product that’s backed by a third-party lab-test report. So you always know exactly whether and how much THC you’re ingesting.
What's Next…
Go to our CBD Hub to learn more about CBD-related topics.
Sources:
-
Wang, Y. H., Avula, B., ElSohly, M., Radwan, M., Wang, M., Wanas, A., . . . Khan, I. (2017). Quantitative Determination of Δ9-THC, CBG, CBD, Their Acid Precursors and Five Other Neutral Cannabinoids by UHPLC-UV-MS. Planta Medica, 84(04), 260–266. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-124873
-
Nachnani, R., Raup-Konsavage, W. M., & Vrana, K. E. (2020). The Pharmacological Case for Cannabigerol. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 376(2), 204–212. https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.120.000340
-
Arnsten, A. F. (2010). The use of α-2A adrenergic agonists for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 10(10), 1595–1605. https://doi.org/10.1586/ern.10.133
