
Beyond Cannabidiol – CBG and CBN
You’ve heard plenty about cannabidiol (CBD). It’s the main product we promote here at CBD Best Review. It’s the non-psychoactive cousin of THC – the most notable compound in cannabis. But you may have noticed other acronyms like CBN or CBG popping up, too. This alphabet soup can get a little bewildering, so today, we’re going to remove some of the mystery behind the letters.
What are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are chemical substances found in all varieties of cannabis. They interact either indirectly or directly in the body and brain and are found in varying concentrations depending upon the plant.
Most people are familiar with THC. This cannabinoid is responsible for the euphoric effects or “high” users get when consuming edibles or smoking pot. THC has also been shown to have a wide range of therapeutic benefits, which is why there is such a strong push to legalize medical marijuana.
CBD (cannabidiol) is the second prominent cannabinoid in cannabis, and it is also thought to provide many of these same physical and mental benefits but without the high—thus its popularity.
But here’s the kicker – THC and CBD are just two of the chemicals present in cannabis. There are actually over 100 naturally-occurring cannabinoids in the plant. Technically, this means at least 98 other cannabinoids exist that are just waiting to be explored.
Because of legal issues, it’s been challenging to research these additional compounds in past years. But as cannabis legalization has progressed, access is improving, so scientists can actually study the plants now.
Not surprisingly, the new findings are often remarkable, and two of the most recent up-and-coming cannabinoids – CBN and CBG – are making headlines.
CBN
CBN stands for cannabinol. This fascinating cannabinoid is in the early research stages, so it’s essential to understand that most of the information available is still preliminary or based on anecdotal evidence.
We know that CBN is a metabolite of THC formed when Tetrahydrocannabinol is exposed to oxygen or heated. So, it’s often found in aged cannabis. It’s not particularly abundant. In fact, most cannabis strains contain less than one percent CBN. To obtain a therapeutic amount, the plant needs to age, and that takes time. For this reason, CBN is usually not cheap.
The good news is it seems only a small amount is needed to be effective.
What is CBN Good For?
Again, since research is still in the very early stages, we can only rely on animal studies and anecdotal evidence to illustrate CBN’s effects. However, initial findings suggest that one of the primary benefits of taking CBN is to improve sleep.
There is conflicting evidence as to whether CBN is mind-altering or not. Some studies suggest that, like CBD, the compound is not psychoactive, while other findings indicate it has mild psychoactive properties. Either way, it appears that cannabinol may work as a powerful sedative that could help users fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer.
Because of its potential as a solution for insomnia, some CBD brands have begun creating nighttime CBD tinctures formulated with CBN.
Other research suggests that CBN may work as an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, and appetite stimulant.
CBG
CBG stands for Cannabigerol. Discovered in the 1960s, it’s the cannabinoid that all the other cannabinoids originate from, so it’s been dubbed the “stem cell cannabinoid.” It’s non-psychoactive and won’t get you high. In fact, the presence of CBG in marijuana can keep users from getting too stoned. If you’ve previously had a bad experience with weed, it’s possible it did not contain enough CBG to moderate the trippy effects.
While CBG is present in all cannabis varieties, it is found in the highest concentrations in young plants. But it’s not easy to find on the market. That’s because extracting it requires harvesting the plants at their earliest stages of growth.
This is also the reason why CBG is relatively costly. It takes thousands of pounds of cannabis to create even a small amount of CBG isolate, and Its scarcity renders it around five times more expensive than CBD. However, some growers have begun to focus solely on cannabigerol as interest has increased in the compound.
What is CBG Good For?
GBG has only recently begun to hit the market, gaining popularity for its potential antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. But preliminary research suggests that it may have other benefits as well:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A 2013 animal study indicates that CBG may reduce inflammation associated with IBD.
- Cancer: In 2014, a study was conducted which concluded that CBG might reduce colon cancer growth in rats.
- Bladder Dysfunction: A tudy in 2015 concluded that CBG is the cannabinoid showing the most promise in the potential treatment of bladder dysfunction.
- Glaucoma: CBG may be why medical cannabis is so effective in treating glaucoma, a study suggests.
Other research has focused on the possibility of CBG as a future treatment for neurodegenerative conditions like Huntington’s disease and drug-resistant Staph infections or MRSA. Anecdotally, it is thought to relieve pain, stimulate the appetite, and have mood-lifting properties.
Closing Thoughts
As cannabis research progresses, we will likely learn more fascinating things about cannabinoids and how they work in the human body. But it’s important to realize that your mileage will vary with these products. Although our current knowledge of CBN and CBG is highly promising, you should still proceed with caution when trying any new products.
Many of the listed benefits need to be backed by solid research before cannabinoids can safely be used to treat any diseases or conditions. If you are already taking medications, these compounds could potentially interfere with their effectiveness, so it’s wise to talk to your health care professional first.
As with any cannabis products, you will want to start slow and work your way up with CBN or CBG, carefully noting any changes (good or bad) until you find a brand and dosage that works with your body.
Editor’s Note:
Full-spectrum CBD products contain trace amounts of many cannabinoids found in hemp. Sometimes, you will see additional cannabinoids listed on the certificates of analysis (COA’s), often without much fanfare. Other brands have created specific formulations containing CBN or CBG in varying amounts. We’ve listed some of the best CBD oils containing CBG or CBN below.
Receptra Naturals Serious Rest Gummies With CBN
Receptra Serious Rest Gummies with CBN for sleep are formulated to optimize the rest you receive tonight, so you can seize the day, tomorrow. Each serving contains 25 milligrams of CBD and 3 milligrams of CBN. Available in a Strawberry flavor to make your evening routine more enjoyable.

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- Made with full spectrum hemp extract
- No Melatonin, Vegan
- With 25mg CBD + 3mg CBN per serving
- Outstanding mountain Strawberry flavor
- Formulated to optimize your sleep at night
Green Roads Sweet Sleep CBD Oil
Green Roads new nighttime formula, Sweet Sleep, is the perfect twist on the brand’s best selling CBD oil. Each serving contains 22.5 mg of CBD to help manage stress, 2.5 milligrams of melatonin, and 2.5 milligrams of CBN. Available in a light blueberry flavor, this is one of our favorite CBN products yet!

- Made with broad spectrum hemp extract (0% THC)
- Helps you manage ordinary stress
- With 750mg of CBD per bottle
- With light and sweet berry flavor
- With 2.5mg melatonin per serving for sleep support
- Includes CBN - the perfect addition to our sleep formula (2.5mg/serving)
CBDistillery CBN + CBD Sleep Tincture
This sleep tincture from CBDistillery contains a 1:3 ratio of CBN to CBD and was created to promote relaxation and a good night’s sleep. It’s a full-spectrum product containing complementary cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids to enhance the entourage effect.

- Made with Full Spectrum hemp extract
- Convenient and portable 30mL tincture bottle
- With 150mg CBN + 450mg CBD
- non-GMO industrial hemp grown in the USA
- A natural alternative to help improve sleep, relief, and relaxation
- Easily adjustable serving size to fit personal needs
CBNight Water Soluble CBN Oil
American Shaman’s water soluble CBN formula is intended to be taken at bedtime by dissolving it in a glass of water about a half-hour before bedtime. It’s designed to promote a deep sense of relaxation, allowing you to fall asleep sooner and stay asleep longer.

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- Made with broad spectrum hemp extract (0% THC)
- Potency: 30mg CBN (for 30mL) or 5mg CBN (for 5mL)
- Designed to promote a deep sense of relaxation
- A new revolutionary blend of cannabinoids that focuses on better sleep
Try the CBD 1:1 CBG Oil
Try the CBD’s 1:1 CBD and CBG oil contains 500 mg of each cannabinoid and is sourced from organically-grown Colorado hemp. Well-priced with 30 servings per bottle, the product is ideal for everyday use.

- Made from broad spectrum hemp extract
- Contains 500mg CBD and 500mg CBG
- Includes CBG to provide calmness and comfort
- Made from organically-grown non-GMO hemp
Lazarus Naturals High Potency 1:1 CBG:CBD Tincture
This high potency formula from Lazarus Naturals contains 25 mg of CBD and 25 mg of CBG per serving, making it one of the strongest in our lineup. Full-spectrum and sourced from hemp grown on Lazarus’ own farms, it’s vegan, non-GMO, and fully lab-tested.

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- Made with full spectrum hemp extract
- Third-party lab tested
- Potency: 750mg or 3000mg (CBG : CBD)
- Vegan and gluten-free with no artificial flavors
- CBG and CBD together may support healthy immune and digestive functions
CBDistillery CBG + CBD Oil Tincture 1:1
CBDistillery’s CBG and CBD formulation contains an equal ratio of CBD to CBG, with 500 milligrams of each cannabinoid in every bottle. Created to encourage the entourage effect and promote well-being, it’s designed for everyday use.

- Made with full spectrum hemp exract
- Designed for everyday use
- With 500mg CBG + 500mg CBD
- CBG and CBD together multiplies the wellness benefits of CBD
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article and the products promoted within it are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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