CBN vs CBG: A Guide to Their Effects on Pet Health

The cannabis plant contains hundreds of chemical compounds, many of which belong to a class of compounds called cannabinoids. With the rise of the cannabis industry and growing interest in the cannabis family’s potential health benefits, most people have heard of the two major cannabinoids: THC (the compound known for its intoxicating effects) and CBD. Two lesser-known but increasingly studied cannabinoids are cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG). Each of these compounds is beneficial, but it’s also important to know the differences between CBN VS. CBG.

What is CBN?

CBN, or cannabinol, is a minor cannabinoid typically found in aged cannabis. Unlike other cannabinoids, CBN doesn’t come directly from cannabigerol acid (CBGa), the precursor to most other cannabinoids. Instead, it is primarily produced through the degradation of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When THC is exposed to oxygen over time or heated, it breaks down into CBN.

Although CBN is not an abundant cannabinoid, like THC or CBD, there are still beneficial effects being studied to determine how it affects the body.

How CBN Works

CBN primarily binds to CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the body through the endocannabinoid system. CBN has a low or weak binding affinity for CB1 receptors, which may explain why it’s well known for promoting relaxation.

Much more research is needed, particularly in the realm of CBN for pets, to assess whether or not this cannabinoid has therapeutic potential. Aside from promoting calmness, here are some potential benefits of CBN for pets:

• May help discomfort associated with normal daily exercise and activity
• May help ease aches and discomfort caused by training and competition
• Supports animals with joint tenderness due to everyday activity
• Helps animals maintain a normal and relaxed disposition
• Supports proper weight management
• Helps support cognitive function
• Contains antioxidants to eliminate free radicals

Earth Buddy’s Sleep Support

Earth Buddy’s Sleep Support blend contains a combination of high CBN and low CBD to work as a sleep aid. This product contains a ratio of 4: 1 CBN to CBD. CBN and CBD are combined to provide synergistic effects for your pet. Even if you aren’t looking to provide this product to help your pet sleep, this product provides a good option for pet parents searching for a product for relaxation along with the effects listed above.

How CBG Works

CBG activates cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system, including CB1, CB2, and other peripheral receptors of the ECS, which is how it can help balance immune cell activity.

CBG is a CB1 receptor agonist. This means it interacts with the receptor and causes an increase in anandamide (AEA) levels in the nervous system. CBG can also interact with CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the gastrointestinal and immune systems. Research does not make it clear whether it is a CB2 antagonist or agonist. This is part of what researchers are still trying to uncover.

Studies have shown that CBGa can influence 5HT1A-receptors. This receptor group is responsible for regulating serotonin levels in the brain. CBG can be a moderate block of the receptor, which can affect serotonin signaling in the central nervous system.

In addition, CBG has been shown to be an adrenoceptor agonist. This helps CBG control the expression of noradrenaline and adrenaline in the central nervous system. Adrenaline and noradrenaline are major neurotransmitters in the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) which explains how this compound can affect emotional well-being.

Getting to Know CBG

CBG, on the other hand, is known as the “mother” or “stem cell” cannabinoid. Why? Because it’s the precursor from which all other cannabinoids are synthesized, including the most popular cannabinoids in the cannabis industry, known as THC and CBD. In the cannabis plant, cannabigerolic acid (CBGa) is converted into other cannabinoids, and a small amount that remains becomes CBG.

Despite being the “stem cell” cannabinoid, CBG is not well-known in the pet cannabis industry. As research continues to progress, it is slowly gaining attention. It has been found to be similar to CBD but without sedative effects.

Not long ago, the importance of CBG was limited to its ability to act as a precursor to other cannabinoids. Only recently has CBG’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system been recognized in the cannabis industry.

In 2021, there was a study published in the Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research that found CBG promotes a healthy inflammatory response. Then, in 2022, the same journal published another study that showed this cannabinoid can aid in balancing emotions.

More Benefits of CBG

In addition to promoting a balanced disposition and healthy inflammatory processes, CBG has been found to possess the following potential benefits:

• Supports the immune system
• Helps support healthy GI function
• Supports normal GI function
• Helps maintain proper gut flora
• Helps support proper digestion and bowel health
• Contains antioxidants to eliminate free radicals
• Reduces the negative effects of oxidative stress
• Recommended for dogs and cats seven years or older to support and maintain proper body functions and overall good quality of life

Earth Buddy’s Cellular Support

Earth Buddy’s Cellular Support Hemp Extract is formulated with high amounts of CBG extract and low amounts of CBD extract at a 4:1 ratio. Cannabigerol (CBG) is derived from new hemp plant varieties grown on Earth Buddy’s farm in Longmont, CO, that produce high amounts of CBG. Earth Buddy grows a unique strain of CBG on their farm without the use of any pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides to maintain Mother Nature’s way of growing.

The primary goals of this particular product include:

• Enhance brain function
• Support healthy cellular activity
• Help support proper digestion and bowel health
• Enhance your pet’s brain function

CBG and CBN Similarities

Neither CBG nor CBN are found in freshly dried cannabis. Freshly dried cannabis primarily contains cannabinoids in their acidic forms, which means you’ll find more cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabinolic acid (CBNa) than cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN).

Additional similarities include:

• Minor Cannabinoids: These two cannabinoids, CBN and CBG, are considered minor cannabinoids. This is because they are typically found in much lower concentrations in the cannabis plant compared to the major cannabinoids; both CBD and THC.
• Derived from Other Cannabinoids: Both CBN and CBG are derived from other cannabinoids. CBG is formed from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the “mother cannabinoid,” while CBN is formed from the oxidation and degradation of THC.
• Potential Therapeutic Properties: Although research is still ongoing, both CBN and CBG have been studied for their potential therapeutic benefits, as discussed above.
• Federally legalized: Unlike THC, the most abundant cannabinoid with psychoactive effects, both CBN and CBG are federally legalized.
• Work synergistically: While these compounds are present in trace amounts, they may have a synergistic effect with THC and CBD, potentially enhancing the plant’s overall therapeutic potential. This concept is known as the entourage effect.

CBN VS. CBG: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between CBN and CBG lies in their origin and their abundance within the cannabis plant. CBN is a byproduct of THC degrading (as THC degrades, CBN becomes available), whereas CBG is a precursor to other cannabinoids. CBN is typically found in aged cannabis in minimal amounts, while CBG is more abundant in young cannabis plants, though still typically less common than the popular cannabinoids, CBD or THC.

CBN is also more commonly utilized to help animals maintain a more relaxed state, whereas CBG aids in cellular support for pets. Unlike CBG, CBN has mildly psychoactive effects, which is why CBN is recommended more to promote relaxation than CBG.

CBG has also been studied less extensively than other compounds, which means we may not know the full extent of its benefits at this time. As research continues, we will learn more about all of the compounds found in the hemp plant, along with their benefits.

For further reading, we recommend:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6021502/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23415610/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26054900/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/cannabinol
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/168604/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877694/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5021742/