CBG vs CBD for Perimenopause: What Is the Difference and Which Should You Try?
Exploring CBG vs CBD for perimenopause symptoms? This guide explains how each cannabinoid works, what the evidence shows, and who each might suit.
Why Cannabinoids Are Being Discussed in Perimenopause
CBD has become one of the most widely sold supplements in the UK and many women in perimenopause are using it for sleep, anxiety, and pain. CBG is less well known but increasingly available alongside CBD in specialist products. Both are cannabinoids derived from the hemp plant and both are legal in the UK when properly extracted and below 0.2% THC. Neither will produce a psychoactive effect. The interest in these compounds for perimenopause reflects a broader search for tools to manage anxiety, sleep disruption, and chronic discomfort without adding more pharmaceutical complexity. However, the evidence base for both remains limited compared to more established interventions.
What Is CBD and How Does It Work?
CBD (cannabidiol) is the most researched non-psychoactive cannabinoid. It interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors involved in regulating mood, sleep, pain, appetite, and immune response. CBD does not bind directly to CB1 receptors in the brain the way THC does, but it influences them indirectly and also acts on serotonin receptors, which may explain its reported effects on anxiety. Clinical evidence for CBD is strongest for epilepsy (where a pharmaceutical-grade form is licensed) and moderate for anxiety and pain in preliminary studies. For menopause-specific symptoms, there is limited but emerging research suggesting modest benefit for sleep and anxiety. Quality and bioavailability vary significantly between products.
What Is CBG and How Does It Work?
CBG (cannabigerol) is sometimes called the mother cannabinoid because it is the chemical precursor from which other cannabinoids including CBD and THC are synthesised. Like CBD it is non-psychoactive. CBG is thought to have a more direct interaction with CB1 and CB2 receptors than CBD and may have stronger anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties based on early research. Some users report that CBG produces a clearer, more focused effect compared to the calmer, more sedating feel of CBD. The research base for CBG is considerably younger and smaller than for CBD. Most of the evidence comes from in vitro or animal studies rather than clinical trials.
Key Differences Between CBD and CBG
The practical differences most relevant to perimenopause are the reported experiential effects and the evidence base. CBD has more human study data behind it and is generally the more established starting point for sleep and anxiety. CBG has stronger preliminary evidence for anti-inflammatory effects and may be more useful for pain and inflammation-related symptoms. Some products combine both in a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum formulation on the basis that cannabinoids may work better together than in isolation (a concept called the entourage effect). CBG-dominant products are typically more expensive than CBD because the compound is present in lower concentrations in the hemp plant and more costly to extract.
What the Evidence Actually Supports
For perimenopause specifically, neither CBD nor CBG has been studied in well-powered randomised controlled trials. The available evidence comes largely from observational surveys and small studies. Women who report benefit tend to describe improved sleep onset, reduced anxiety, and slightly lower pain levels. These effects are real for some individuals but not universal and may partly reflect placebo. The absence of regulation in the UK supplement market means product quality is highly variable. Independent third-party testing, which reputable brands make available, is the most reliable indicator of whether a product contains what it claims.
Practical Guidance Before Starting Either
If you are new to cannabinoids, CBD is the better starting point because there is more guidance on dosing, more user experience data, and a wider range of quality-verified products. If you have already tried CBD without significant effect and are primarily managing inflammation or joint pain, a CBG-containing product is worth exploring. Discuss with your GP before starting either if you take medication, as CBD can interact with blood thinners and some other drugs by affecting liver enzyme activity. Start at a low dose and increase gradually. Tracking symptoms in PeriPlan before and after introducing a new supplement helps you distinguish genuine effect from coincidence or natural symptom fluctuation.
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