CBD vs CBG vs CBN — three cannabinoids compared
Cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN) are three distinct compounds found in the hemp plant. All three belong to the cannabinoid family, but each has a different chemical structure, a different origin within the plant’s life cycle, and a different profile on a lab report. People often group them together under “cannabinoids” and assume they’re interchangeable. They’re not.
EU Labs produces oils based on each of these three cannabinoids — CBD oils in several concentrations, a dedicated CBG Oil 3000mg, and a CBN Oil 3000mg. Same extraction method, same MCT coconut oil carrier, same third-party lab testing across the range. The difference is which cannabinoid dominates the formula.
Understanding what separates CBD from CBG from CBN starts with the hemp plant itself. Each cannabinoid appears at a different stage of the plant’s growth, in different quantities, and through different chemical pathways. The distinctions matter if you’re choosing between bottles on the shelf.
Where each cannabinoid comes from
CBG is sometimes called the “parent cannabinoid.” Hemp plants produce cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) early in their growth cycle, and CBGA acts as a precursor — the plant’s enzymes convert it into other cannabinoid acids as the plant matures. Most CBGA transforms into CBDA, THCA, or CBCA. Only a small fraction remains as CBG by harvest time.
That’s why CBG-rich hemp requires specific timing. Farmers harvest earlier or use cultivars bred to retain higher CBG levels. A typical mature hemp plant contains less than 1% CBG by dry weight, compared to 15–25% CBD in high-CBD strains. Extracting meaningful quantities of CBG takes more raw plant material, which is one reason CBG products tend to sit at a higher price point per milligram.
CBD dominates the mature hemp plant. After CBGA converts to CBDA during growth, heat and time decarboxylate CBDA into CBD. This happens naturally as the plant dries and cures, and it’s completed during extraction. CBD is the most abundant non-intoxicating cannabinoid in most commercial hemp — the one you’ll find at the highest concentration on nearly every certificate of analysis.
CBN takes a different path entirely. It doesn’t come directly from CBGA. Instead, CBN forms when THC degrades — through exposure to oxygen, UV light, or heat over time. Aged cannabis contains more CBN than fresh cannabis. In hemp-derived products, CBN levels are naturally low because hemp contains very little THC to begin with. Producing CBN-rich extracts requires either isolating CBN specifically or using hemp processed under controlled conditions to maximise conversion.
Chemical structure and lab profile
All three cannabinoids share the same molecular formula backbone but differ in ring structure and double-bond placement. Those structural differences change how each molecule interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the body — CB1 and CB2. CBD has a notably low binding affinity for both receptors. CBG interacts with both but through different mechanisms. CBN shows a slight affinity for CB1.
On a third-party lab report, you’ll see each cannabinoid listed separately with its concentration in milligrams per millilitre. A full-spectrum CBD oil will show CBD as the dominant cannabinoid, with trace amounts of CBG, CBN, CBC, and others. A dedicated CBG oil flips that ratio — CBG leads, with other cannabinoids present in smaller quantities.
EU Labs publishes batch-specific lab reports for every product. The CBD Oil 3000mg Full Spectrum shows CBD at 60 mg/mL with minor cannabinoids listed below it. The CBG Oil 3000mg shows CBG as the primary compound at 60 mg/mL. Same concentration, different dominant molecule. Reading the lab certificate tells you exactly what’s in the bottle — no guessing required.
How people use each one
CBD oil is the most widely purchased cannabinoid product in Australia. People include it in morning routines, evening routines, or both. Some take it daily as a consistent part of their schedule. Others use it situationally. The Stillroot shop carries CBD oils from 1500 mg up to 12000 mg in both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum options, so the range covers everything from newcomers to long-term users who’ve settled on a higher concentration.
CBG oil attracts a different crowd. It’s newer to the Australian market and less well-known than CBD. Many people who buy CBG oil already use CBD and want to try a different cannabinoid as part of their daily routine. Some alternate between the two. Others combine them — a few drops of each. There’s no single “correct” way to incorporate CBG. It depends on personal preference.
CBN oil is commonly associated with evening and nighttime routines. That association comes from anecdotal tradition rather than any claim we’d make about the product. What we can say: CBN oil is a popular choice among people who include cannabinoid products in their wind-down routine before bed. The EU Labs CBN Oil 3000mg fits that pattern — a 50 mL bottle with MCT carrier oil and a standard glass dropper, same as the CBD and CBG bottles.
Worth noting: none of these cannabinoid oils are medicines. They haven’t been evaluated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for therapeutic use. How people choose to include them in their routines is a personal decision, ideally made in consultation with a healthcare professional.
Availability and concentration
CBD oils come in the widest range of concentrations. EU Labs offers 1500 mg, 3000 mg, 6000 mg, and 12000 mg options in both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum formulations. That’s eight CBD products before counting the pet range. The concentration spread lets you start low and move up, or jump straight to a higher mg/mL if you already know what suits your routine.
CBG and CBN oils are currently available at a single concentration each — 3000 mg in a 50 mL bottle, delivering 60 mg/mL. The range is narrower because the market is newer. Fewer people buy CBG and CBN compared to CBD, so fewer concentration tiers make sense at this stage. If demand grows, the range may expand.
All three use MCT coconut oil as the carrier. All three come in amber glass dropper bottles. All three go through the same CO₂ extraction pipeline and the same independent lab testing. The manufacturing process doesn’t change between cannabinoids — what changes is the hemp input and the target compound during extraction.
Price per milligram
CBD oil generally costs less per milligram than CBG or CBN oil. That reflects the economics of hemp farming and extraction. CBD-rich hemp is abundant, yields are high, and the supply chain is mature. CBG requires earlier harvesting or specialised cultivars, and the yields per hectare are lower. CBN requires additional processing steps to convert or isolate the compound.
When comparing prices, divide the bottle cost by total milligrams. A 3000 mg bottle at $X gives you a per-milligram cost. A 12000 mg CBD bottle at $Y gives you a different — usually lower — per-milligram cost because higher concentrations offer better value. Check the Stillroot shop for current pricing across all three cannabinoids.
The cost difference doesn’t mean CBD is “better value” in absolute terms. You’re buying different compounds for potentially different reasons. Comparing the per-milligram price of CBD to CBG is like comparing the per-kilo price of apples to oranges. Useful for budgeting, but the products aren’t substitutes for each other.
Choosing between them
Start with what you’re looking to add to your routine. If you’re new to cannabinoid products, CBD is the most common starting point — widest range of concentrations, most information available, largest community of users in Australia. The CBD Oil 3000mg Full Spectrum or Broad Spectrum both work well as a first bottle.
If you already use CBD and want to explore other cannabinoids, CBG oil is a logical next step. Same bottle size, same carrier oil, same dropper. The transition is straightforward. Some people use CBG alongside their existing CBD routine rather than replacing it entirely.
CBN oil suits people who want a cannabinoid product specifically for their evening routine. Again — not a medical claim, just a description of how most CBN customers in Australia tend to use it. A healthcare professional can help you think through whether adding any cannabinoid product makes sense for your situation.
You can also use all three. Nothing prevents combining CBD, CBG and CBN oils as part of a broader routine. Some people take CBD in the morning, CBG midday, and CBN in the evening. Others mix drops from different bottles. EU Labs manufactures all three to the same standard, so compatibility isn’t a concern from a product-quality standpoint.
These products have not been evaluated by the TGA. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You must be 18+ to purchase. Please consult a healthcare professional before use.
