Best CBG Gummies: Price, Potency, & Quality (2022)

What Is CBG?

Cannabigerol, or CBG, is the precursor to most cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and CBC.

As the cannabis plant matures, the CBG contained in the buds transforms into other cannabinoids. Because CBG is the starting point for all other cannabinoids, it’s earned names like “the mother of all cannabinoids” and “the cannabinoid stem cell.”

When the plant is mature, some CBG remains, but the concentration is usually pretty low compared to CBD, THC, or CBC. 

Plants harvested 2 or 3 weeks early usually contain the highest CBG content, so this is what most CBG products are derived from. 

Some farmers are working on new hemp strains that maintain high CBG content at the time of harvest through selective breeding techniques.

What CBG Feels Like

Just like CBD, CBG is a totally non-psychoactive compound. That means you won’t get high — but what does it feel like?

Similar to CBD, the effects of CBG are subtle at first. You won’t notice a distinct onset of effects after taking it like you will with THC products. Instead, users may only notice the effects retrospectively. That is, a few hours after using it, you may notice you’ve been more productive or focused than usual. Chronic pain may also feel dulled or diminished. 

The most noticeable impact of CBG is its effects on glaucoma — an eye disorder characterized by increased ocular pressure and pain. People using CBG to help manage glaucoma symptoms often report rapid relief about 30–45 minutes after taking it. 

There aren’t a lot of studies on CBG yet, but here’s what we know so far:

1. CBG doesn’t have psychotropic properties (it won’t make you high).
2. CBG can make you hungry.
3. CBG can reduce the psychoactivity of other cannabinoids (such as THC).
4. CBG can increase energy by interacting with the adrenergic system.

What Are the Benefits of CBG?

CBG may seem like another gimmick from the cannabis industry — but it’s not. CBG is a different compound than CBD, and its unique molecular structure gives it entirely separate benefits to CBD and THC. 

The main benefit of CBG is its ability to enhance mental and physical energy levels. What makes it unique is that, unlike conventional stimulants (such as caffeine), CBG appears to prolong the amount of time it takes to burnout rather than directly stimulating the brain (which often leads to unwanted side effects). 

CBG is also used for its ability to reduce inflammation in a similar way as CBD, dull pain, and reduce intraocular pressure (the main side effect of glaucoma). 

CBG For Energy

CBG is often used as the go-to cannabinoid for students because of its energy and productivity-enhancing benefits. 

With that said, the effects of CBG are unique from other stimulating compounds. The energizing effects of CBG are subtle. Using a car as a metaphor, most stimulants act like a nitrous oxide injection — allowing the car to output more energy for a short period of time but causing the car to run out of gas more quickly. 

CBG acts more like a CPU upgrade, allowing for an optimization of engine output to provide more power without sacrificing fuel range. 

In effect, you feel a mild boost in energy that lasts for several hours at a time while simultaneously delaying the onset of fatigue or mental exhaustion. 

From a pharmacological perspective, the energizing benefits likely come down to CBG’s ability to bind to the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. 

These receptors are located throughout the brain and peripheral nervous system and are responsible for regulating energy metabolism, synaptic transmission, and acetylcholine levels (the primary neurotransmitter associated with learning and memory).

CBG For Glaucoma

CBG has been shown to reduce intraocular pressure, offering much-needed relief to patients. 

This is an effect lacking in CBD. In fact, some evidence even suggests CBD alone can worsen intraocular pressure and glaucoma symptoms. 

However, studies using both CBD and CBG together noted an improvement in symptoms. 

The primary cannabinoid currently used for glaucoma is THC, but this isn’t ideal for people who don’t want the psychoactive effects. Now, many people are turning to CBG as the best non-psychoactive alternative to THC for managing glaucoma symptoms. 

CBG For Cancer

There is a lot of tenuous research about the cancer-inhibiting properties of different cannabinoids. One study involving CBG showed that administering the compound slowed cancer proliferation in mice with colon cancer. 

While research on this effect is still in the early days, there have been enough promising findings from animal and in vitro research to warrant clinical trials in humans.

It’s believed that CBG offers these potential anticancer effects through its ability to interact with the TRPM8 ion channels, which are involved in the growth and proliferation of certain cancer cell lines (including several forms of colon cancer, skin cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, and lung cancer). 

CBG For Appetite

Loss of appetite is an unpleasant and potentially unsafe symptom of hundreds of diseases and disorders. We know that THC does a great job of stimulating appetite, but the psychoactive effects aren’t for everyone. That’s where CBG comes in.

CBG has shown to improve appetite while inhibiting psychoactive effects of other compounds if you care to try the CBG:THC ratio gummies.

This is another area where CBG and CBD appear to differ from each other. CBD is considered an appetite inhibitor, while CBG is a potent appetite stimulant. 

What To Look For When Shopping For CBG Gummies

Because CBG is a hot new product in the cannabis industry, you might have to wade through some products before finding one that’ll work for you. 

The process for manufacturing CBG hasn’t been standardized, so the potency may vary substantially from one brand to the next (depending on how it’s extracted and isolated). 

Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for CBG gummies. 

If you’re not sure where to start, we highly recommend the Area 52 Mars Energy Gummies or the Neurogan CBG Gummies. 

1. Look For Lab Tests

No matter what cannabis product you’re buying, always look for lab tests. Third-party lab testing should be provided for every single product and batch. 

If you can’t easily find third-party lab tests on a company’s website, we don’t recommend purchasing CBG (or any cannabis product) from them.

Third-party tests determine the concentration of the products, as well as every compound in the product. So, if there’s some unsafe oil or, more innocuously, a lower amount of CBG than advertised, you can find a different product.

2. Look For US-Grown Hemp

Hemp plants grown in the US are regulated by the federal government. That means that when you’re buying US-grown hemp, you can be sure that the farm it came from adheres to certain safety measures and standards of quality. 

Hemp is legal in the US, so there’s no reason for growers to go through back channels or for manufacturers to buy foreign hemp.

There’s been a lot of issues with contamination over the past couple of years with hemp grown in India or China. It’s much cheaper to grow in these regions, but ground and air contamination levels are often outside what’s considered safe here in the United States. 

Additionally, Indian and Chinese regulators are far less stringent on production safety protocols and quality control than they are in the US, Canada, or European countries. 

3. Look For 1:1 CBG:CBD Blends

CBG on its own works great, but we’ve found it works even better if there’s some CBD in there too. 

Additionally, the cost of CBG is quite expensive. Part of this comes down to the decarboxylation process, which results in up to 50% losses when converting CBGA to CBG. 

Cutting CBG with CBD provides much better value for the money without sacrificing on efficacy.

Other Energy-Boosting Ingredients That Go Well With GBG 

Herbalists consider cannabinoids like CBG “adaptogenic,” — which is a term used to describe compounds that offer regulatory effects on the central nervous system. They buffer our ability to manage stress, increase mental and physical energy levels, and offer a general health-promoting action. 

Like other adaptogens, CBG works better when used in combination with other herbs or supplements. Its effects build off other energizing ingredients like caffeine or theobromine (the active ingredient in chocolate). 

Here are some other synergistic ingredients to look for in the formula when shopping for CBG energy gummies: 

1. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a popular ayurvedic herb used to support adrenal health, chronic stress, and chronic fatigue. 

The active ingredients, called withanolides, have been shown to support adrenal function long-term and prevent burnout. 

This ingredient works very well alongside CBG in people who find themselves tired more often than not. This blend is helpful for gradually increasing energy levels and productivity over several weeks or months of use. 

This combo is much better than formulas made with caffeine or other stimulants that may worsen the problem by further depleting the adrenal glands. 

2. Ginseng

Ginseng (Panax ginseng or Panax quinquefolium) is one of the premier tonic herbs according to traditional Chinese medicine. 

Similar to ashwagandha, ginseng is a great option to combine with CBG for general weakness, fatigue, or lethargy. It’s often used after recovering from illness to regain some strength. 

There are two types of ginseng to be aware of: 

1. Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) is much more stimulating. It’s better for those looking for stimulating effects. It’s the main species used by men to enhance virility and libido and athletes to boost athletic output and performance. 
2. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) is more gentle. This type of ginseng is better for those recovering from illness or chronic fatigue. It’s a good option to combine with CBG for boosting general health, focus, and immune function with long-term use. 

3. B Vitamins

One of the ways CBG offers its energy and focus-enhancing benefits is through its interaction with the A2 adrenergic receptors. This receptor plays a direct role in the production of acetylcholine, which is heavily involved in the processes of learning, memory, and focus. 

B vitamins serve as the catalyst for producing and recycling this neurotransmitter, so it’s a good idea to take a B complex alongside CBG supplementation to optimize this process further. 

Without enough B vitamins kicking around to catalyze neurotransmitter production, you’re not going to get the full benefits from using CBG or other neuroregulatory cannabinoids. 

4. Caffeine

Caffeine is a direct cognitive stimulant. It’s much stronger than CBG for this effect, but it comes with a catch. Caffeine is notorious for making users feel anxious and tense and often results in a crash several hours later as it wears off. 

however, CBG appears to negate many of these side effects without compromising its benefits. You get the best of both worlds with this combination — a clear increase in mental and physical energy catalyzed by the caffeine, with less chances of feeling anxiousness, nausea, and adrenal burnout. 

5. Theobromine

Theobromine is essentially the mirror image of caffeine. It’s the primary stimulating ingredient in dark chocolate. 

The effects of caffeine and theobromine are similar, but there are some key differences between the two. 

Theobromine is much milder and therefore less likely to induce anxiety or muscle tension. People who are sensitive to caffeine may want to try theobromine instead. 

Additionally, theobromine has a stronger dilating effect on the airway leading to the lungs. It’s often used by athletes to improve airflow to the lungs during high-intensity exercise, and mountaineers at risk of developing altitude sickness.

Final Thoughts: When Should I Consider Using CBG Gummies? 

CBG has the potential to succeed wherever other cannabinoids have failed. 

Because it isn’t psychoactive, it can be used in place of THC for certain ailments, like glaucoma or low appetite. 

Although more research is needed on the benefits of CBG, it’s already shown a lot of promise as an alternative to THC, and it’s considered the best cannabinoid for enhancing mental and physical energy, focus, and productivity — especially when combined with other synergistic ingredients. 

If you’re looking for a quick recommendation, check out the Mars Energy Gummies from Area 52 or the pure CBG gummies from Neurogan.