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Introduction to CBG (Cannabigerol)
Cannabis plants produce hundreds of biologically active compounds. There are two that tend to get all the attention: CBD and THC. However, there is another cannabinoid that is gaining popularity for its potential therapeutic benefits: CBG.
CBG is non-intoxicating, which means it won’t make you feel high. However, CBG appears to have its own unique effects on the body. While research on the results of CBG shows a lot of potential in the medical community, there is still much to learn about how these two cannabinoids compare in terms of their effects on the body.
In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of CBG according to current scientific findings and why many people are adding CBG oil to their wellness routine.
Article Highlights:
- CBG stands for Cannabigerol, one of many cannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa plants.
- CBG has been shown to interact with endocannabinoid receptors and many other receptor sites involved in pain and discomfort.
What Is CBG (Cannabigerol)?
Cannabigerol is non-psychoactive, which means it doesn’t produce intoxication. CBG works alongside other cannabinoids in the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates various functions in the body, including mood, appetite, sleep, and pain perception.
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How Is CBG Made?
CBG is a naturally occurring cannabinoid, and it’s one of many produced in cannabis produced by specialized cells known as trichomes.
These trichomes are speckled on the flowers and leaves of hemp and marijuana plants, containing enzymes called synthases that catalyze the production of cannabinoids.
The process is abiotic in nature, meaning that it does not involve other living organisms or biological processes like photosynthesis.
Instead, cannabinoids are synthesized through chemical reactions involving simple organic molecules like terpenes, amino acids, lipids, and fatty acids.
Overall, this makes cannabinoids one of the most complex substances produced by plants.
CBG actually exists in nature most abundantly in young cannabis plants in its acidic form, CBGa. As the cannabis plant ages, CBGa transforms into CBDa, THCa, and CBCa.
But to turn CBGa into CBG, the molecule must be exposed to heat to break the carboxylic acid chain leaving behind CBG.
Cannabinoids play a crucial role in various aspects of the plant’s growth and health. Thanks to their unique structure and function, they have become popular targets for research into future medical treatments for various diseases and conditions. As scientists better understand these potent molecules, we can expect exciting new discoveries about their effects on human biology in years to come.
How Does CBG Work?
Cannabinoids like CBG interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. The ECS regulates mood, motivation, appetite, and pain sensations. CBG works by binding to cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body.
By doing this, CBG may aid in modulating the effects of other cannabinoids like THC and CBD.
The Potential Benefits Of CBG Based On Current Research
Like other cannabinoids, CBG interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). CBG binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors located throughout the body.
This interaction affects different processes, depending on where the receptors are located. For example, CB1 receptors are found in the brain, so CBG can affect mood and cognition. CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are found in the immune system.
CBG Has Been Shown To Have Neuroprotective Properties
Huntington’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the mutation of the HTT gene, producing an abnormal form of the Huntington protein in brain cells, causing progressive damage and loss of function in certain parts of the brain.
Huntington’s is a debilitating neurological disorder that can cause various symptoms, including involuntary movements, cognitive decline, and emotional instability.
There is currently no cure for Huntington’s disease, but treatments are available to help manage symptoms and slow the condition’s progression.
In experimental models of Huntington’s disease, CBG was highly effective as a neuroprotectant in mice, improving motor deficits and antioxidant defenses [1].
This early CBG research opens new avenues for CBG for neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s. However, there are currently no CBG-based pharmaceuticals or CBG products that should replace medical treatments.
CBG May Have Antibacterial Properties
A study published in 2020 found that CBG was effective against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. The researchers concluded that CBG might be a promising candidate for developing new antibacterial drugs [5].
Other potentially antibacterial cannabinoids include CBN, CBC, THC, and CBD.
What Is CBG Oil?
CBG oil is an oral cannabinoid supplement made with CBG-rich hemp extract dissolved in a carrier oil, such as MCT coconut oil.
Like THC and CBD oils on the market, CBG oils come in many different potencies, as indicated by the number of MG on the bottle.
The best CBG oil should come from full-spectrum hemp extract. This ensures that the product contains CBG alongside other cannabinoids such as CBD and trace amounts of THC (up to 0.3%) for more substantial and reliable effects.
What Are The Benefits of CBG Oil
We’ve taken a look at the practical and clinical uses of CBG in medical cannabis research. Let’s get into the benefits of adding CBG oil into your wellness routine.
It’s also possible to find CBG-rich hemp flowers made through genetic manipulation by breeding specific characteristics of hemp.
However, unlike smoking cannabis, which can irritate the lungs, CBG oil and CBG gummies offer a discreet way to reap the benefits and take higher concentrations while maintaining precision with your doses.
Many people enjoy taking CBG oil alongside CBD to support energy and focus for work and school during the morning routine.
Is CBG Legal?
CBG is legal if it’s derived from hemp plants.
The 2018 revision of the United States Farm Bill created a legal distinction between hemp and marijuana.
Hemp products must not contain more than 0.3% THC on a dried-weight basis. Otherwise, the plant, including its extracts, is legal for sale and production.
Comparing The Benefits Of CBG And CBD
CBG belongs to the class of minor cannabinoids because it doesn’t exist in mature cannabis plants in significant quantities. Meanwhile, CBD is the main active component in hemp, so there’s no surprise that much more research is available surrounding CBD than CBG.
In terms of effects, CBG is non-intoxicating, like CBD, which won’t make you feel high.
Both compounds have been observed to support normal stress response and anti-bacterial actions and support a calm and centered mood. Research in murine models suggests that CBG may be more potent for specific use cases, such as physical support and brain health, but more research is needed.
It’s also possible for some people to react more favorably to one cannabinoid over another due to genetics and lifestyle factors. Some people may not feel the health benefits of CBD, so they will turn to CBG to support their wellness goals.
When it comes to sustaining a healthy sleep cycle, CBD is likely the better candidate as many people report generally feeling more alert and energized with CBG, even in higher concentrations.
Final Thoughts: Benefits Of CBG
As the world of cannabis evolves, so too does our understanding of the various cannabinoids that make up this complex plant. While THC and CBD have long been the focus of attention, other compounds like CBG are beginning to garner more interest from both scientists and consumers.
CBG is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that offers a variety of potential benefits, including antibacterial, and pain-relieving properties. In addition, CBG has been shown to promote neurological health and protect against age-related cognitive decline in early studies.
For practical everyday use, some people find CBG to be more suitable for their lifestyle for energy and focus than CBD products. Based on our understanding of cannabinoids and the entourage effect, CBG and CBD work best together to compliment and balance their effect profiles, which is why VIIA offers CBG: CBD products made from premium-quality hemp crops.
Resources Cited:
- Valdeolivas, S., Navarrete, C., Cantarero, I., Bellido, M. L., Muñoz, E., & Sagredo, O. (2015). Neuroprotective properties of cannabigerol in Huntington’s disease: studies in R6/2 mice and 3-nitropropionate-lesioned mice. Neurotherapeutics, 12(1), 185-199.
- Borrelli, F., Fasolino, I., Romano, B., Capasso, R., Maiello, F., Coppola, D., … & Izzo, A. A. (2013). Beneficial effect of the non-psychotropic plant cannabinoid cannabigerol on experimental IBS. Biochemical pharmacology, 85(9), 1306-1316.Chicago
- Borrelli, F., Pagano, E., Romano, B., Panzera, S., Maiello, F., Coppola, D., … & Izzo, A. A. (2014). Colon carcinogenesis is inhibited by the TRPM8 antagonist cannabigerol, a Cannabis-derived non-psychotropic cannabinoid. Carcinogenesis, 35(12), 2787-2797.
- Ligresti, A., Moriello, A. S., Starowicz, K., Matias, I., Pisanti, S., De Petrocellis, L., … & Di Marzo, V. (2006). Antitumor activity of plant cannabinoids with emphasis on the effect of cannabidiol on human breast carcinoma. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 318(3), 1375-1387.
- Farha, M. A., El-Halfawy, O. M., Gale, R. T., MacNair, C. R., Carfrae, L. A., Zhang, X., … & Brown, E. D. (2020). Uncovering the hidden antibiotic potential of cannabis. ACS infectious diseases, 6(3), 338-346.
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What is THC? THC is the main psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant and has become more widely accepted throughout the country. As cannabis