Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of the 100+ cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp plants. The most well-known cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), but there’s growing interest in the potential benefits of CBG, which has only recently become available in significant potencies. During the early growing stages, Cannabis sativa plants contain high concentrations of cannabigerolic acid, CBGA, before THC or CBD are present. As the plant matures, CBGA is converted to THCA, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, as well as CBDA, cannabidiolic acid. Due to its key role in biosynthesis for other cannabinoids, cannabigerolic acid is considered “The Mother of All Cannabinoids.”
Let’s take a closer look into CBG and its potential effects and benefits.
What is CBG?
CBG is one of the first cannabinoids that forms in the Cannabis sativa plant and is considered a minor cannabinoid as it produces in trace amounts in most cannabis strains. CBG has been given the nickname of being “The Mother of All Cannabinoids” since in its raw, unheated form, it is the precursor cannabinoid which is later converted into THCA, CBDA, or CBCA. CBGA is decarboxylated into CBG by heat and time, but only a few cannabis varieties actually have significant amounts of CBGA in their mature flowers. Previously, some growers used early harvesting techniques purposely increasing the yield of CBGA. More recently, breeders have developed varieties of cannabis which lack the enzymes responsible for converting CBGA into the other cannabinoids, resulting in fully mature flowers high in CBGA and low in THC/other cannabinoids. These flowers can then be extracted to produce products with high levels of CBG that offer distinct medicinal benefits.
How does CBG interact with your body?
CBG interacts with both known sets of receptors of the ECS. They are called CB1 and CB2 and are believed to be linked with most of the body’s systems, including the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, as well as the immune system. The ECS exists throughout the bodies of humans, and all other animals, including birds, fish, and invertebrates such as leeches and nematodes. In humans, these receptors are abundant in the brain, immune cells, bone, liver, pancreas, skeletal muscle, blood vessels, kidneys, gastrointestinal and fatty tissue.
How does CBG make you feel?
The most common feelings associated with CBG include a sense of calm and general well-being, better focus, and concentration. CBG, like CBD, offers similar benefits to the mind and body including immune support and relief of muscle soreness. CBG may brighten your mood, promote a healthy inflammation response and help address occasional nausea.
Will CBG make you feel high?
No, CBG alone will not make you feel high or any type of intoxicated feeling. CBG is psychoactive but it’s non-psychotropic, meaning it may change one’s mood but it won’t alter one’s perception that leads to intoxication like THC does. So, if CBG is blended with an intoxicating cannabinoid such as THC, then you will feel a high from it.
What are the benefits of CBG?
CBG works to fight inflammation, pain, nausea and may have neuroprotective properties that support brain cells’ ability to regenerate. Research has shown it also may significantly reduce intraocular eye pressure caused by glaucoma and works as a vasodilator neuroprotectant. Let’s take a look at other potential benefits CBG may have.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
CBG is an inhibitor to alpha-2 receptors, which are primarily found in the nervous system and regulate blood pressure and heart rate, as well as sympathetic nervous system activity. Because CBG is able to inhibit them, it may be able to help with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Cannabis is well-known for helping to stimulate hunger and reduce pain. CBG has been found to work as a great anti-inflammatory as well. Increasing appetite while reducing pain and inflammation are all things that people living with IBS/IBD look for, so a CBG product may be worth giving a try. In one IBS study, 62.1% of those with IBS all reported improvements in their conditions after using a nano-processed CBG/CBD product.
Pain & Inflammation
Since CBG has been shown to be a great anti-inflammatory cannabinoid, very common symptoms that CBG has been found to help with include pain and inflammation. In the same study from above, of the respondents that reported pain, 57.6% reported improvements in their pain, with 51.2% being able to reduce or stop their pain medications, after using the nano-processed CBG/CBD product.
Bacterial Infections
CBG’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties means it has the potential to improve gut health and may also fight against the “bad” bacteria that causes intestinal inflammation. CBG can act as an antibacterial agent even against bacterial strains that are resistant to other drugs. A 2020 study on the antibiotic potential of cannabis found just this, especially against methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA, a type of bacteria that causes staph infections.
What are the differences between CBG and CBD?
CBG and CBD share a lot of similarities, but they do have quite a few differences too. In terms of how both cannabinoids grow in the plant, CBG is significantly less prevalent in the plant compared to CBD. Most cannabis plants only contain around 1% of CBG, when CBD is usually either the first or second more prevalent cannabinoid in the plant. CBG and CBD also differ in how they interact with our endocannabinoid system. CBG binds directly to both our CB1 and CB2 receptors, while CBD seems to mostly bind to our CB2 receptor. As CBG is able to bind to the same receptors as THC, it can potentially address issues that pertain to the nervous system, including conditions such as glaucoma, migraines, muscle soreness, and inducing appetite.
Where to buy CBG products?
You can find CBG products right with us! Stop in any of our store locations, or shop our website to find and read about our CBG products. Some of our most popular CBG products will be our Full Spectrum CBD + CBG for Relief and De-Stress Gummies from Enjoy, as well as our Broad Spectrum CBG: CBD Oil Tincture from 3CHI. The Enjoy CBD + CBG Relief gummies are formulated for pain relief and inflammation as they also contain Turmeric and Ginseng to add to those relief properties. In their CBD + CBG De-Stress gummies, they have an additional blend of Functional Mushrooms and Ashwagandha to assist in relieving stress and anxiety. These are Full Spectrum gummies so they do contain trace amounts of THC per gummy, but not enough per serving to produce an intoxicating effect. In addition to these products, we will be introducing a new Nano CBG gummy from Soothe very soon! These gummies will be 25mg of Nano CBG making them fast-acting for consumers on the move. Keep an eye out for their release as you are going to want to try these out!
