In the constantly expanding cannabis universe, two diminutive stars are being added to the constellation of pain relief: CBN (Cannabinol) and CBG (Cannabigerol). Since CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) have long been the ‘brightest’ stars in the milky cannabinoid sky, it’s time to highlight these emerging cannabinoids and their potential to lighten the load of aches and pains in earthly life. Slip on your space helmet, and get ready for a fun, informative and science-based exploration of CBN vs CBG for pain relief so you can decide which cannabinoid might eventually become the best co-pilot on your journey to relief.
CBN: The Nighttime Navigator
Pretend you are the pain, the ache, and the soreness. And from out of the dark, you hear a sexy and sultry voice on cannabis-whisper: Lie down, lie down. Go to sleep. Allow me to love you there. You do, and you find your pain, your ache, and your soreness falling asleep. That’s the love affair with CBN (cannabinol), a cannabinoid associated with ageing cannabis that has earned the status as the sexiest weed on the planet. CBN is famous for its sedative effects.
How CBN Helps with Pain:
- Comfortable Sedation: Perhaps CBN’s most celebrated attribute is that it promotes relaxation and sleep, a boon both to a pain sufferer and his spouse!
- Anti-Inflammatory: It also packs an anti-inflammatory punch, targeting the root of many pain issues.
- Muscle Relaxant – This is due to CBN’s ability to relax your muscles by reducing tension and spasms in your muscles. This relaxation could be particularly helpful in relieving the feeling of pain by easing tension in your muscles, causing strain, and making it more difficult to relax.
CBG: The Daytime Dynamo
Focus now on the so-called ‘mother of all cannabinoids’ — CBG. Why is it called ‘mother’? Purely because it’s the precursor to most of the other cannabinoids out there.
How CBG Helps with Pain:
- Immune System Calmer: CBG may calm an over-reactive or out-of-balance immune system.
- Immune-Modulator: CBG has been shown to have immune-modulating and and anti-inflammatory effects, encouraging immune cells toward better function.
- Anti-Inflammatory General: CBG is an inflammation eradicator and is known to be anti-inflammatory in virtually all settings. Inflammation is one of the primary causes of pain. If CBG reduces inflammation, is it so hard to imagine that it may reduce pain?
- Anxiety Alleviator: In addition to relieving pain, CBG also helps to quell the mind, by eliminating the anxiety that can sometimes accompany chronic pain.
- Neuroprotective: In addition to potentially providing relief from anxiety and stress, CBG possesses promising neuroprotective properties to protect the nervous system, which could help with neuropathic pain.
CBN vs CBG: Which One Is Better for Pain?
After all, you are at the intersection of CBG vs CBN, trying to figure out which way to turn toward your pain relief. To be clear, neither is objectively better than the other. It really boils down to which is better-suited for your pain and lifestyle.
Much like stars in a dark sky, whether CBN or CBG takes the award of ‘Best Cannabinoid for Pain Relief’ depends on what you’re looking for. Here’s how they compare:
- The type of pain: if you can directly tie your pain to insomnia or sleeping difficulty, the sedative effects of CBN might be right for you. If it’s inflammation and muscle tension that causes your pain, then CBG’s properties might be a better choice.
- Availability: CBG is, in general, abundant in higher quantities in the buds of young cannabis plants, so it can be a little easier to extract and add to products. CBN on the other hand, created from old THC, can be a little harder to get our hands on in sizable doses.
- Research and evidence: Both cannabinoids are the target of an intense scientific research effort, and much remains to be learned of their full spectrum of potential effects and methods of action. But early studies and user reports are highly encouraging of their potential to help treat pain.
Consider CBN if:
- You’re looking to block pain that’s also cutting down your sleep. As a sedative, CBN can help deliver much-needed comfort and slumber for night-time pain warriors.
- Your pain is inflammation- or muscle-tension-based. CBN’s muscle-quieting antispasmodic effects can serve as a safe onramp to a comfortable road of pain relief.
Lean Towards CBG if:
- You struggle with daytime pain but want to avoid sedation. Without any psychoactive effects, you can experience pain relief without feeling like you need to take a nap.
- Anxiety go hand in hand with your pain. CBG will provide its anti-anxiety effects to help control the mental war you likely fight with chronic pain.
Navigating the Pain Relief Route: Tips and Tricks
- Start Low and Go Slow: Both CBN and CBG should initially be taken in low doses, then slowly increased until you find the sweet spot for pain relief.
- Quality Control: Buy from a reliable source, one that provides consistent dosage and quality of product, as all cannabinoids are not equal.
- Treatment by Combination: When in doubt, treat by combination of cannabinoids. CBN and CBG tend to be synergistic with each other and with CBD, or even with low doses of THC, as an all-out pain and inflammation treatment strategy.
- Get a Doctor’s Input: You should consult your doctor before adding any cannabinoid to your pain management regimen, especially if you are on other medications.
Wrapping Up the Journey
In the lush landscape of cannabinoids, CBN and CBG emerge as two promising allies in the battle against pain. Whether you’re seeking solace in the quiet hours of the night with CBN or need a non-sedative pain warrior like CBG to accompany you through the day, these cannabinoids offer a natural route to relief. Remember, the journey to pain management is personal, and exploring the potential of CBN and CBG can be an empowering step towards finding your path to comfort and well-being. Here’s to navigating the cannabinoid relief route with curiosity, care, and a bit of cannabinoid magic!
