Kratom vs. CBG: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?

There are a lot of new plant derivatives hitting the market right now, that promise to offer all kinds of benefits with minimal side effect risks. And, we love seeing how much the market is expanding to offer up all kinds of new ways to take our wellbeing into our own hands. But, we also know that things can be a little confusing for the average person who isn’t well-versed in all of these various plant substances and doesn’t know where to even start.

So, we are going to compare two super popular products – kratom and CBG. Both of these are derived from plants, and both have some potential benefits. Let’s see how they differ from one another, as that way, you can get a better idea in terms of which one is right for you.

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom is derived from the Southeast Asian Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is an evergreen tree related to coffee. Kratom specifically refers to the dried, finely ground leaves of the tree. These leaves of the tree contain a unique array of alkaloids boasting properties which can change how we feel, both mentally and physically. When we consume kratom, these alkaloids interact with opioid receptors, which are responsible for things like pain, mood, and more.

Kratom is sold in numerous strain choices, according to the specific cultivar of the tree, which can vary from one region of Southeast Asia to the next. Available in three veins, this references the color of the leaf’s vein at the time of harvest. At different periods of maturation, the vein’s color transforms, and this color dictates how developed specific alkaloids are. Because of that, the vein of the kratom (the color) informs us of how potent the kratom is, and how strong certain effects are going to be.

Can I Get High off of Kratom?

It’s possible to get high off of kratom, based on the dosage that you take, as well as the vein and the strain, but ultimately, all kratom products can potentially intoxicate you if you consume enough of at one time. Again, the alkaloids in kratom interact with opioid receptors in the brain, and one thing we know is that these receptors can initiate a mind-altering response, similar to opiates.

Is Kratom Legal?

According to federal law, kratom is legal, as it’s never been prohibited in the United States. However, a handful of states have banned it, and they are:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

Just be aware that also, some municipalities have banned kratom throughout the United States, despite being legal in the actual state. So, our recommendation is that you check your state laws and local laws periodically to make sure kratom is still legal where you live, as this can change without much warning.

Does Kratom Have Benefits?

Keep in mind that kratom hasn’t been on the Western market for very long, and so medical researchers hasn’t had much time to dive into its effects. Still, enough scientific papers have been published for us to conclude that kratom has the potential to:

• Enhance energy, focus, and alertness
• Act as an anxiolytic
• Enhance mood
• Offers analgesic properties
• Improve sleep
• Decrease appetite

Does Kratom Have Side Effects?

Like basically any substance on the market, kratom use can cause certain side effects if it’s not taken as it’s supposed to – basically, if you don’t follow the directions on the label, if you take too much of it, or if your body’s chemistry simply doesn’t agree with it. These side effects can include:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Impaired coordination
• Increased heartrate
• Dry mouth/thirst
• Irritability/confusion
• Potential overdose

What Kinds of Kratom Products are There?

You can buy kratom in a variety of product types, as it’s pretty easy to infuse the water-soluble kratom powder into any type of formulation. The most popular types of kratom products you can find nowadays are:

• Kratom Powder: The dried and ground up leaves, which is the pure form of kratom. It can be added to liquids or any other kind of solution you prefer.
• Kratom Liquid Extracts: These are highly concentrated liquid kratom products that are taken like a shot to offer a fast-acting and very potent experience.
• Bottled Kratom Drinks: Bottled kratom beverages include soft drinks, sparkling water, and any other type of drink infused with kratom powder.
• Kratom Teas: Kratom tea is just kratom powder placed inside of a teabag, for an easy way to extract the alkaloids into hot water.
• Kratom Edibles: Kratom gummies and other kratom-infused edibles promote long-lasting effects that come on more gradually.
• Kratom Capsules: Taking kratom in capsule form can be convenient if you’re already used to taking supplements as part of a routine.
• Kratom Vapes: These are still quite new to the marketplace, but just like any vapes, they’re available in bottle E-Liquids to be used in compatible vape pens, as well as pre-filled cartridges that attach to any 510-threaded pen-style system and AIO (All-In-One) Disposable Vapes. Vaping kratom allows you to feel the effects within minutes, but the effects don’t last as long.
• Kratom Topicals: Kratom topicals are applied to the skin, so that the alkaloids absorb transdermally.

Contender #2: CBG

CBG has gotten very popular over the last few years, and it’s a derivative of the hemp plant much like CBD, CBN, delta 8 THC, and so on. CBG, short for cannabigerol, is unique in that it’s the “mother cannabinoid”, meaning that it’s the precursor to all other 100+ cannabinoids in cannabis. Before the flower buds of cannabis reach full maturity, CBG is the only cannabinoid present in their chemical makeup, and eventually, CBG splits off into all of the other cannabinoids we’re familiar with. This is why all cannabinoids are isomers of one another.

Like all cannabinoids, CBG’s effects exist because of a process in which it attaches itself to cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) in the body, which mainly exist within the nervous system, but are found in other bodily systems as well. Cannabinoid receptors use cannabinoids to regulate processes of the body as part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) – a system in every mammal that’s tasked with keeping the body in homeostasis. This is why every cannabinoid can offer a large number of properties that pertain to different physiological systems and processes.

Can I Get High off of CBG?

No, CBG cannot get you high, because it doesn’t act on any cannabinoid receptors that cause intoxication – that is, CB1 receptors that other cannabinoids like THC have an affinity for. No matter how much CBG you take, you will not get high off of it, and despite the fact that many people say that the cannabinoid has a “mellowing” effect, it’s not due to intoxication.

Is CBG Legal?

CBG is a completely legal cannabinoid as marijuana. In 2018, the Farm Bill passed in the United States, which finally made the hemp plant legal. This piece of legislation declared that long as it’s extracted from hemp and not all hemp derivatives can be sold legally as long as they contain no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight. CBG and THC are not the same cannabinoid, and so CBG-based products are legal. And, while states have the right to ban certain cannabis-derived products, no states have restricted sales of nonintoxicating cannabinoids like cannabigerol. This means that CBG can be purchased in all 50 states, without limitations on strength, product type, possession amount, etc.

Does CBG Have Benefits?

There are actually many published studies on the effects of CBG, as it was isolated many years ago. That means that we know a good amount of information about its potential benefits. Remember that these benefits come from the way in which CBG is used by the endocannabinoid system to regulate important physiological processes throughout the body. In studies, CBG has found to have the potential to:

• Reduce stress levels
• Offer analgesic properties
• Offer anti-inflammatory properties
• Increase appetite
• Improve mood
• Improve focus and alertness
• Reduce glaucoma symptoms
• Regulate immune function

Does CBG Have Side Effects?

CBG is completely nontoxic to the body, and in general, cannabis is not associated with any life-threatening risks. Even in high doses, it shouldn’t cause a severe reaction. Possible side effects of CBG are considered mild, if you even experience any, and include:

• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• Reduction in blood pressure
• Fatigue/drowsiness
• Appetite changes

What Kinds of CBG-Infused Product Types are There?

CBG comes in a broad array of product types, such as the ones below.

• Flower: Raw hemp flower can be harvested before it fully matures, so that it contains a high concentration of CBG. CBG flower comes in specific strains based on how it’s bred.
• Vapes (E-Liquids, Cartridges, and Disposable Vape Pens): Vaping CBG offers a fast-acting and potent way to get in that serving of its effects along with a nice selection of strains, all while being convenient, travel-friendly, and discreet.
• Edibles: Gummies, candies, baked goods, and other edibles produce long-lasting effects with a gradual onset.
• Capsules: Capsules infused with cannabinoids are great for those who already take supplements in a capsulated form, and simply wanting to add CBG to their regimen.
• Topicals: Topicals are applied to the skin, allowing the soothing CBG to infuse directly into the deep tissue of the body.
• Concentrates (aka “Dabs”): Concentrates are concentrated cannabis products that are dabbed – that is, flash-vaporized at a high temperature using a special “dabbing” device – for an ultra-powerful and fast-acting experience.
• Beverages: CBG-infused beverages offer a faster absorption than edible products, and possibly more potency due to the fact that beverages are water-soluble.
• Tinctures: CBG tinctures offer a sublingual solution that’s easy to administer, with an onset time, duration of effects, and potency that’s between edible products and inhalable products.

Kratom or CBG: Which One Will You Choose?

Overall, CBG and kratom both have a lot to offer in terms of their properties, although they provide these properties through totally different mechanisms. If you’re looking for relief through mother nature, we suggest you give both a try and compare them for yourself, as you may be surprised by what each one can bring to the table. Fortunately, you can check out both CBG and kratom in all kinds of formulas, strengths, and more, here at The Calm Leaf.