5 Best CBG Oils: Honest Reviews & Guide (March 2023)

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Like CBD, cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid with many potential health benefits.

Given its novelty, finding quality CBG oil and other products containing CBG can be difficult. Some might contain less CBG than advertised, while others simply cost too much.

To make your search easier, I searched and tested 15 CBG products from leading brands by comparing the effects, hemp source, potency, third-party test reports, potency, price, and more.

Read on for my reviews of the best CBG oil and an evidence-based guide to this rising cannabinoid.

Summary

The best CBG oil you can get is Upstate Elevator’s CBD+CBG tincture. It had the greatest effects out of all the CBG oils I tested for this review, plus a great price and flavor.

1. Best Overall: Upstate Elevator CBG Tincture | Full review
2. Best Value: Lazarus Naturals CBG Oil | Full review
3. Best Potency: NuLeaf Naturals CBG Oil | Full review
4. Best THC-Free: CBDfx Wellness Tincture | Full review
5. Best CBGa Oil: Hometown Hero CBDa+CBGa Tincture | Full review

Upstate Elevator Supply Co. CBG Tincture (Best Overall)

If you’re looking for the best CBG oil possible, I recommend Upstate Elevator Supply Co. Its full-spectrum CBD+CBG tincture is made from a proprietary strain of hemp bred specifically for Vermont and certified organic by the USDA.

This full-spectrum oil combines a 1:1 ratio of CBD and CBG and has one of the lowest prices you’ll find. Upstate Elevator Supply Co. is a top-notch CBD company based in Vermont. 

My experience: I took a full dropper (50 mg) during the early afternoon. This tincture had the most potent effects out of any CBG product I’ve tried; I felt more calm, upbeat, and awake/energetic within 20 minutes. I also liked the taste, which is hempy but also reminds me of chocolate.

Lazarus Naturals CBD/CBG Oil Tincture (Best Value)

If you want to save big on high-quality CBG oil, Lazarus Naturals is your best option. This tincture is full-spectrum, certified organic, has a high potency, and comes at an exceptionally low price of 2-3 cents per mg. There’s also free shipping on orders over $50.

Lazarus Naturals is an employee-owned, vertically-integrated CBD company known for offering exceptional products at some of the lowest prices in the industry.

My experience: I took a full dropper (50 mg) a few hours after waking up. I felt like my mood improved and I felt more cheerful about 30 minutes later, with the feeling lasting for several hours.

NuLeaf Naturals Full Spectrum CBG Oil (Best Potency)

Most of the CBG oils you’ll find contain equal or higher amounts of CBD. If you’re looking for a potent product that’s rich in CBG, NuLeaf Naturals is the best option.

Its full-spectrum oil provides 60 mg of CBG per ml, one of the highest potencies you’ll find. At the same time, it still contains smaller amounts of CBD, THC, minor cannabinoids, and terpenes to make the most of the entourage effect (1).

Established in 2014, NuLeaf Naturals is one of the most trusted American CBD brands.

Our experience: Our product reviewer Antonio took 3 full servings (90 mg CBG) and felt an increased appetite for the rest of the day. He also enjoyed the strong natural hemp seed flavor.

CBDfx CBD + CBG Wellness Tincture (Best THC-Free)

I recommend CBDfx’s wellness tincture if you need to avoid THC. It combines a 2:1 ratio of pure CBD and CBG, alongside a blend of terpenes and two other ingredients with many potential health benefits: curcumin and coenzyme Q10 (3, 4). 

You can choose from 30 or 60 ml bottles available in five strengths ranging from 500 to 6000 mg of CBD and 250 to 3000 mg of CBG.

California’s CBDfx is one of the most popular brands on the market. It uses organic hemp grown in Kentucky to make its products and provides comprehensive third-party lab test reports.

My experience: I took one dropper (100 mg) of the 2000 mg CBD/1000 mg CBG tincture. It tasted slightly sweet with a subtle lemon aftertaste. I started feeling relaxed and cheerful in about 40 minutes but the effects were weaker than expected for such a potent tincture.

Hometown Hero CBDa+CBGa Tincture (Best CBGa Oil)

This unique full-spectrum oil provides the “raw” cannabinoids CBGa and CBDa alongside their “activated” forms CBG and CBD at a 1:1 ratio. You get 600 mg of each cannabinoid.

CBGa is the first cannabinoid produced by cannabis plants and gives rise to most other cannabinoids, including CBG. It was highlighted by a January 2022 study that found that CBGa and CBDa blocked the COVID-19 virus from entering human cells.

Hometown Hero CBD is a reputable Texas brand that specializes in intoxicating hemp products and donates a portion of every sale to veteran organizations.

My experience: I took a full dropper and immediately noticed the natural hemp flavor. The effects kicked in about half an hour later. I felt relaxed and upbeat for several hours, helping me stay energized for a day of snowboarding.

What is CBG?

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It’s non-intoxicating just like CBD, so it can’t get you high. CBG is considered a minor cannabinoid because most cannabis plants contain less than 1% of it.

CBG comes from cannabigerolic acid (CBGa). CBGa is considered the “mother of all cannabinoids” because it’s one of the first cannabinoids made inside the cannabis plant and turns into THCa, CBDa, and other cannabinoid acids (5). Typically, only a small amount of CBGa turns into CBG. 

However, there are some cannabis strains bred for high CBG levels. It’s also possible to get more CBG by harvesting and extracting plants at the optimal time.

What is CBG Oil?

CBG oil is essentially a CBG-rich version of CBD oil. It can contain pure CBG, a specific mix or ratio of CBG and CBD, or CBG-rich full-spectrum hemp extract.

The CBG is dissolved in MCT oil or another carrier oil to improve its absorption and taken under the tongue like a regular CBD tincture.

Most people use CBG oil to boost their mood, relieve anxiety, improve energy, focus, and motivation, and support overall well-being.

CBG Oil Benefits

CBG has many potential health benefits. Although it’s seen less research than CBD, early studies have shown promising results:

• A 2016 study in rats found that CBG can stimulate appetite (6)
• A 2013 study in mice reported that CBG improved inflammatory bowel disease (7)
• According to a 2017 review paper, CBG may have anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antibacterial, antidepressant, and anticancer properties (8)
• Two animal studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) found that CBG and its derivatives improved neuroinflammation (9,10)
• A 2015 study reported that CBG protected neurons from damage in mice with Huntington’s disease (11)
• A 2019 petri dish study found that the combination of CBD and CBG reduced neuroinflammation better than either cannabinoid alone (12)
• A 2010 study found that CBG strongly activates a2 adrenergic receptors, suggesting that it may have pain-relieving, sedative, and antihypertensive effects (13)

Additionally, a 2021 survey of 121 cannabis users who smoked CBG-dominant cannabis strains found that it was most commonly used to treat anxiety (51.2% of users), chronic pain (40.9%), depression (33.1%), and insomnia or poor sleep (30.7%).

Most participants said their symptoms were “very much improved” or “much improved” with CBG-rich cannabis. Additionally, 73.9% said CBG-rich cannabis was better than prescription medicine for pain, 80% for depression, 73% for insomnia, and 78.3% for anxiety (14).

According to leading cannabis researcher Dr. Ethan Russo, CBG also has “a strong anti-anxiety effect.”

While this list of CBG’s potential benefits is impressive, more high-quality human research is needed to fully understand its therapeutic effects.

CBG vs CBD

Both CBG and CBD are non-intoxicating cannabinoids. They have some similar effects, like anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and pain-relieving properties (15). However, CBG also has some distinct effects.

For example, whereas CBD appears to slightly suppress appetite, CBG may have the opposite effect (16). Another interesting finding is that CBG blocks the serotonin (5HT1A) receptor, whereas CBD activates it (13, 17).

What Effects Does CBG Oil Have?

Like any cannabinoid, CBG affects everyone differently. Having said that, in my experience, CBG oil typically makes me feel:

• Relaxed & calm (similar to CBD)
• Uplifted & happy
• Energized

That’s why I usually take CBG oil during the day (and why most companies market CBG products for daytime use).

CBG Oil Dosage

The right CBG oil dosage depends on your body weight, genetics, the benefits you’re looking for, the formula you’re using, and other factors. In short, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all dosage.

Health experts recommend the “start low and go slow” approach to cannabinoids (18). Start with a 5-10 mg dose of CBG oil and wait two hours to see the effects. If it’s not enough, try a bigger dose next time. Repeat this method until you find the dosage that gives you the desired effects.

Alternatively, you can start with the dosage suggested by your CBG oil.

CBG Oil Safety & Side Effects

Although research is lacking, studies suggest that CBG may have some side effects and interactions. For example, it might interfere with drugs that act on serotonin, such as SSRI antidepressants (10).

The most common side effects reported in a survey of CBG-rich cannabis users were dry mouth, sleepiness, increased appetite, and dry eyes (14). But all of these side effects can’t be attributed to CBG alone, since cannabis contains many other cannabinoids and terpenes.

It’s best to talk with your doctor before taking CBG oil products, especially if you’re on any prescription medications.

How I Chose The Best CBG Oil

I’ve tested dozens of CBG oils from leading brands, making sure to take breaks in between to avoid possible tolerance. Using that experience I settled on the five best options based on the following criteria:

• Third-party testing: Done by an independent lab, these tests verify that you’re getting a safe and accurate CBG oil. I always check third-party test reports to make sure they match the label and any claims.
• Effects: The oils I settled on had the most potent effects out of all the ones I tested.
• Type of CBG oil: You can choose from isolate (pure CBG), a mix of pure CBG and CBD, and full-spectrum CBG oil, which contains the full range of hemp cannabinoids. Full-spectrum is the most effective but I also suggest alternatives for people who avoid THC.
• Potency: This is the amount of CBG and other cannabinoids in milligrams per ml (mg/ml). I prefer high-potency (40 +mg/ml) CBG oil because it offers greater value for your money and is convenient for both new and experienced users.
• Hemp source: CBG is derived from hemp, so plant quality has a big effect on the final product. I prefer companies that grow their own organic hemp and explain where and how it’s grown. USDA-organic and other certifications are great as well.
• Company reputation: I look for established brands that share details about their production process and are backed by positive customer reviews.
• Price: I compare the value of CBG oils by breaking down the price into cents per mg of cannabinoids and consider free shipping and other ways to save.

CBG FAQs