 Are you just trying to figure out which kind of CMOS you really want to try first? Or is it that you're just not sure if there's a benefit to IWAR's CMOS over regular CMOS? And why the heck does IWAR's CMOS get a really cool name when other CMOS is just kind of like... ...generally... ...mossy? Mmm. You know what? I'm gonna call regular CMOS Major General CMOS. Give it a little power and prestige. Yes, yes, I am a Major General! Papa! Not now, darling, I'm off! Let's get into all the differences right now on Ascentric Nature. What are CMOSes really? So the first question you might have is, how is CMOS different from seaweed? Well, CMOSes are actually a type of seaweed. All CMOS falls under the category of roto-fights, which is the largest group of algae in the seaweed world. Another interesting distinction is that true landmoss, or bryophyta, are not related at all to CMOS. What about kelp? Is kelp different? Kelps are phyophytes, and oddly, they're not related to CMOS either, which is tough because a lot of people often call kelp seaweed. See why this is all so confusing? Etymology. In other words, what the heck are these two CMOSes called? Now the easiest way to distinguish IWAR's CMOS from Major General CMOS is the biological names. While there are various subspecies of these, Major General CMOS is better known as genus Gracilaria, and Irish CMOS Chondrus Crispus. Chondrus Crispus is called Irish CMOS because it was the Irish who first took advantage of its amazing properties in the late 1700s. Not only medicinally, but to save lives during the Irish potato famine. According to folklore, Irish CMOS was carried on trips to ensure your safety, placed beneath rugs to increase your luck, and also used to ensure a steady flow of money into your household. Well, I kinda reckon the potato famine destroyed that myth. Part of the reason it doesn't have a cool name is genus Gracilaria is much more straightforward. Gracilaria is simply a genus of about 190 species of CMOS that was first established by DK Metcalf. Nope, wait, he's a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. Genus Gracilaria was established in 1830 by English botanist Dr. R.K. Greville in the Algae Britannica. Where do they grow? No surprise really, Irish CMOS can be found in abundance around the coast of Ireland. But you can also find Chondrus Crispus around many of the North Atlantic coastlines in cooler water. And the only place it can grow is on rocks. Major General CMOS, on the other hand, sprawls around the globe. Genus Gracilaria grows in many different places and climates across the world. It comprises around 80% of the worldwide market. It can be grown not only on rocks but various cultures like bottom culture, raft, stake rope, and even pond cultures. It even grows in various types of waters. How do they look different? So how can you tell the difference just by looking at the two? The fact is, it ain't always easy. As both species can come in different colors. So you can't really use that as a distinguishing factor. And once it's turned into a powder, forget about it. You'd have to have it analyzed in a lab to really know which species it is for sure. The main distinguishing factor is that Irish CMOS is more of a flat, fan-like shape. Major General Gracilaria, on the other hand, tends to look more like strands or thin stringy noodles in its appearance. Maybe an angel hairpasta? While color is not a definitive way to distinguish the two, Irish CMOS is predominantly darker and tends to be more in the red to purple range of color. Gracilaria, on the other hand, is often pale or straw-colored due to the fact that it is often found in areas exposed to much more sunlight like the tropics. Are there different benefits? Irish CMOS is the only one that has carrageenan, an expectorant or demulsant that helps with sore throats, coughs, colds, and various chest problems. Now it's very important to note that natural carrageenan found in Irish CMOS isn't nearly the same thing as the industrial byproduct that is found in processed carrageenan, which isn't nearly as healthy to take. Processed carrageenan is a product that's used as a thickener for various products from pate, toothpaste, and firefighting foam. It's also used to help add clarity to beer, increase the viscosity of sauces, and even enhance diet soda texture. The nutrients of Irish CMOS are supposedly higher than genus Gracilaria, as some research claims that challenges Christmas contains as many as 92 different trace minerals. However, this is really where more research is needed, as current research shows that the minerals, amino acids, and other various nutritional levels can vary according to season. But at the end of the day, there aren't many known differences between the two. Both have lots of vitamins and minerals. Both have great amino acids, including omega-3 fatty acids. They're also both loaded with antioxidants and phenolic compounds that are just plain good for you. If you want to know more about it, then watch my video on the benefits of CMOS. Final Thoughts Irish CMOS is rather more expensive than Major General CMOS, and this is partially because its nutritional benefits are considered higher. It's just plain harder to grow and find. And the fact that it's much harder to be farmed or faked. Gracilaria, on the other hand, is much more susceptible to the attack of fraudsters. There have been stories of people charging as much as $10 per ounce of General CMOS. Ouch! Somebody call the Moss Police! And sadly, even those who aren't fraudsters are often just really bad at labeling what the product is. I just did a quick search, but I found tons of different product labels that had a genus Gracilaria listed as Irish CMOS. WRONG! FITS YOUR PRODUCTS, PEOPLE! COME ON! When it comes down to it, both Irish CMOS and Major General CMOS have amazing health benefits. And really, it's a matter of which one you like best and works best with your body. So have you tried CMOS before, or are you going to try it now that you know more about it? Let me know in the comments down below. If you want to learn more about the benefits of CMOS, then watch this video right here. Or if you want some good Herbie history, then watch this puppy. Please, be kind. Take care of each other. And if you haven't already, go out there and try some good quality CMOS for yourself.