What Are the Effects of CBG Flower?

Odds are you’ve heard of CBD and THC – but what about CBG? No, your eyes don’t deceive you; there really is another cannabinoid that’s nearly identical to BD, yet distinct enough to offer its own benefits and potential use cases. Below, we explore all the facts you need to know about CBG flower so you can determine whether it has a place in your cannabis routine. We’ll also unpack CBG flower effects, benefits, and tips to help you get started.

What is CBG?

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa plants. Think of it as a “cousin” to CBD and THC. Like CBD and delta-9 THC, CBG comes from the precursor cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Through a process of decarboxylation, CBGA transforms into CBG. However, CBGA can also become CBD or THC, depending on the biosynthetic processes used. 

CBG itself is found less frequently in plants than CBD or THC. That means that producing CBG products – including flower derived from hemp plants – can be a bit more costly than producing CBD. 

Unlike its fellow common cannabinoids, CBG is not psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you “high.” Instead, it delivers a host of benefits to users, many of which have caused researchers to consider CBG as a star ingredient for cannabis-based medications in the future.

CBG vs. CBD vs. THC

CBG, CBD, CBGA… that’s a lot of letters that seem to mean almost the same thing! If you’re still a little unclear on the difference between CBG and other cannabinoids, you’re not alone. Here’s a cannabinoid comparison chart that breaks things down in a bit more detail:

CBG Effects & Benefits

Though there’s still a lot to learn about CBD, early research has already established how effectively it can protect the body against neurodegenerative and immune diseases. CBG also seems to be an effective appetite stimulant, antibacterial agent, and anti-inflammatory substance.

Studies also show that many of CBG’s effects line up with those of CBD. Examples of common effects and benefits of CBG use include:

• Lowered anxiety and stress levels
• Enhanced and improved memory
• Pain relief
• Increased appetite
• Reduced inflammation and swelling

Once again, CBG is non-psychoactive, which means it shouldn’t cause impairment. However, when combined with cannabinoids that are psychoactive – say, THC – it can increase the intensity of those effects through a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect.”

The entourage effect is the theory that cannabinoids and terpenes work better and produce stronger effects when combined with each other. So, ultimately, CBG’s benefits and effects can depend on a consumer’s specific goals.

What is CBG Flower?

When we talk about “CBG flower,” we’re typically referring to CBG hemp flower. This term describes buds taken from hemp plants that contain high levels of CBG. Like CBD flower, CBG flower may contain trace amounts of THC – 0.3% or lower by weight – and still be legal to sell. However, these small amounts of THC shouldn’t be enough to cause a “high” for most users. 

While CBG flower may be similar to CBD flower in its look, smell, and purpose, producing it is actually a bit tricky. Cultivating CBG flower takes skill and precision, as ensuring that none of that precious CBG is lost is key. 

If you get your hands on some CBG flower, you’ll likely notice that it’s slightly different from CBD or THC flower. CBG strains often have a white, frosted appearance in their buds, which is a good way to tell them apart. They may also be coated in a light layer of concentrate and kief to up their potency, meaning the texture of your bud may be a bit different than you’re used to. 

Regardless, CBG flower looks and smokes much like the CBD flower or THC bud you might be more familiar with. If you’re a fan of inhalable cannabis and want something to enhance your experience, CBG flower might be for you.

What Are the Effects of CBG Flower?

The effects of CBG flower will vary depending on whether your flower is purely CBG-based or if it contains other cannabinoids, like CBD or THC. In general, though, CBG flower is known to reduce pain, lower anxiety and stress levels, stimulate the appetite and promote a feeling of tranquility that can be very therapeutic. 

When it also contains other cannabinoids, CBD flower might produce additional effects, too, like euphoria or changes in energy or mood. The effects you experience may be dose-dependent, too, or fluctuate depending on the specific strain you use.

CBG Flower Benefits

In addition to the classic benefits of CBG, like pain and anxiety relief, you can also reap benefits that are unique to CBG flower, such as:

• Fast-acting and powerful results
• Customizable doses and use cases (smoking a bowl vs. vaping, for example)
• Lots of strain varieties to choose from

Choosing to use CBG flower over another type of CBG product gives you access to almost instantaneous results that will hit hard, leaving you pain- and stress-free within just a few minutes. 

Potential Downsides of CBG Flower

Side effects of CBG flower are few and far between, though they can happen, particularly if you use a lot of flower at once. Common side effects include dry mouth, headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, and gastrointestinal distress (nausea, cramping, etc.). 

You can avoid these adverse side effects by only using as much product as you need to achieve your desired effects.

Tips for Using CBG Flower Like a Pro

Now that you know all there is to know about what CBG flower is and what its effects are like, it’s time to start experimenting! Before you hit the ground running, though, keep these essential tips in mind to make your CBG experience as pleasant as possible:

• Start with a low dose and work your way up. If you’re new to CBG, start with the lowest dose possible and see how it affects your body. If you’re not satisfied with the results, slowly increase your dose until you reach a point that works for you but also doesn’t cause any side effects. 
• Consider logging your experiences. Keeping a cannabis journal or a log of how different cannabinoids affect you makes it much easier to know which products to pursue and which to steer clear of. For example, maybe smoking CBG flower tends to give you headaches, but vaping the same dose doesn’t. 
• Give your product time to kick in before taking more. Resist the urge to go back to your pipe or joint after a few minutes – give yourself a good 30 minutes or so to truly feel the effects of your CBG flower. Then, you can accurately determine whether you actually need more to achieve your desired effects.
• Consult your doctor about any concerns. It’s always smart to check with your doctor before you start using CBG flower or any other cannabis product. Some cannabinoids can interact with prescription medications and may not be a good fit for all users. 

Shop CBG Products (Including Flower!) at Green Dragon

Ready to experience the effects of CBG flower yourself? Find exciting products and cannabis goodies that will help you build the routine of your dreams here at The Green Dragon CBD! 

We’re your go-to source for the highest-quality cannabis on the market, including CBG flower, vapes, gummies, and more. You can find third-party lab reports (certificates of analysis) for the products we sell right here on our site, so you know exactly what you’re getting before you even hit “add to cart.” 

We know that finding the right cannabis for your needs can be tricky. Feel free to reach out to our team at any time with questions or to receive a free consultation!