Cannabigerol (CBG) is a minor cannabinoid that has been gaining steam in the medical cannabis industry.
CBG is a cannabinoid that has been found in most cannabis plants and even some CBG-rich strains are available in the last years.
Cannabis and hemp consumers have long heard of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but cannabigerol has been gaining steam as a potentially new and noteworthy cannabinoid.
What is CBG?
CBG is the mother of all cannabinoids. It’s the first phytocannabinoid that appears during the growth process and can be found in the resin glands on the plant, which are typically on the flower or leaves.
All the other cannabinoids are produced as a result of this little cannabinoid. Cannabigerol acid (CBG-A), the acidic form of CBG, breaks down to generate CBG, CBD, THC, and CBC when the plant is first developing.
However, as the number of states that have created hemp regulations increases, so does the amount of CBG-dominant strains being developed by farmers and breeders. Those CBG variants have between 5% to 20% CBG in them and a minimum amount of THC.
How CBG works?
CBG activates cannabinoid receptors (known as CB₁ and CB₂), which help to regulate pain, mood, appetite, memory and other important functions.
CB1 receptors are concentrated mostly in the nervous system and brain, while CB2 receptors are found throughout the body. CBG binds to both receptors, where it is thought to enhance anandamide’s function by strengthening its activity.
CBG, unlike THCA, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Meaning it won’t make you high.
What are the potential benefits of CBG?
CBG is early in the research, but early studies suggest it may be used to treat many conditions.
- Epilepsy: A study conducted on mice found that CBG reduced the frequency of seizures and increased anandamide levels without causing any psychoactive side effects.
- Anxiety & Depression: Another mouse study showed CBG had anti-depressive and anti-anxiety effects without causing any side effects.
- Cancer: CBG has been shown to reduce cancer cell growth and other tumors in rats, according to a 2014 study by Trusted Source. According to studies, cannabigerol might be used also to treat colon cancer, breast cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. In 2020, Israeli scientist Dr. Yaakov Waksman discovered that CBG and CBC (cannabichromene) have anti-tumor effects when tested on human gastrointestinal cancer cells.
- Inflammatory bowel disease: CBG has been shown to reduce intestinal inflammation and ease symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.
- Skin Conditions: A study found that applying a cream containing CBG to the skin improved pain, itchiness, redness, and swelling in people with atopic dermatitis. Early studies also show it may help psoriasis.
- Huntington’s disease: According to a 2015 study that examined mice with Huntington’s disease, CBG might have neuroprotective effects. CBG may have promise in treating other neurodegenerative diseases, according to the research.
- Bacterial infections: CBG has antibacterial properties which may make it useful for treating bacterial infections. According to a 2008 study, cbg can destroy bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which causes drug-resistant staph infections.
- Appetite loss: CBG is showing promising results in studies that look at how it can help to increase appetite, which could benefit people undergoing cancer treatment or suffering from HIV/AIDS.
As more clinical trials are completed and larger studies published, the world will learn about CBG’s ability to help a wide range of medical conditions.
CBG and the entourage effect
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a phytocannabinoid that has been shown to have very strong effects on the body when used alone. Unlike THC, CBG does not cause any intoxicating effect, but rather binds to cannabinoid receptors which increase anandamide activity.
However, there is a synergistic effect that takes place when cannabinoids are used together, known as the entourage effect. This means that some of these effects may not appear if only one cannabinoid is being ingested at a time.
CBG is an excellent addition when combined with other cannabinoids to create a more potent effect that can be used to treat conditions.
Is CBG better than CBD?
CBG and CBD are both phytocannabinoids that can be used to create different effects.
While CBG and CBD have many of the same benefits, they also each offer different potential benefits that can be used to treat a variety of conditions.
Some medical conditions may be better treated with one cannabinoid over another. For example, CBG is more effective at treating inflammatory bowel disease than CBD is.
Another example is CBG’s neuroprotective properties, which have been demonstrated in recent research (May 2020). “CBD’s effectiveness against neurological diseases has already been demonstrated,” according to the study’s authors, therefore rodent tests were conducted to quantify the differences between the two cannabinoids.
To mimic the effects of neurological diseases on rat tissue, the researchers conducted a variety of studies. CBD and CBG were both effective, but when the brain and spinal cord cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide-induced toxicity, “CBG was more potent than CBD in preventing neurotransmitter loss,” according to the study. In tests on rat cortexes, CBG was also found to be the more effective cannabinoid.
In short, CBG is a phytocannabinoid that offers many of the same medical benefits as CBD, but with additional effects and properties. When combined with other cannabinoids such as THC or CBD in products like oils, creams, edibles and more, CBG can have a synergistic effect and improve the medicinal properties of these products.
However, it’s important to remember that both cannabinoids can provide medical benefits and should not be seen as competitors but rather as different tools in the wellness cannabinoids toolbox.
How to consume CBG?
CBG oils are typically made from hemp, as it is one of only a few plants that have very high amounts of this cannabinoid. In order to obtain large concentrations for creating extracts and tinctures, the hemp must be grown specifically with higher levels of CBG in its genetics.
One method to consume CBG is Tinctures. Drops under the tongue allow for rapid entry into the bloodstream, which will speed up effects and lead to a faster onset time in comparison with other ingestion methods.
Another way to consume CBG is through creams or topicals, which are rubbed onto the skin. This allows for a localized effect of CBG on areas where pain or skin conditions may be present.
A third method is to create edibles that contain CBG oil. This can be added in very small amounts to baked goods or other foods to allow for a slow release of the CBG into the body.
When looking at all products that contain CBG, it’s important to remember that this cannabinoid can have different effects when used in combination with other cannabinoids, so it’s important to be aware of the cannabinoid profile before consuming.
Does CBG Oil Have Any Side Effects?
While CBG oil is generally considered safe, it does have some side effects that can be experienced.
The most common are dry mouth and red eyes when the product has been consumed orally in an edible or tincture form. Other less commonly reported side effects include feeling groggy, diarrhea, fatigue and low blood pressure.
As with all cannabis products, it’s important to start slowly with any new product that contains CBG. Exceeding the recommended dosage can result in negative side effects and leave consumers feeling uncomfortable or ill.
Additionally, if you are taking medications for other conditions, it is imperative to check with your doctor before consuming CBD oil as this drug has been known to interact with certain pharmaceutical drugs.
How Long Does CBG Oil Take To Work?
The time it takes for an individual to feel the effects of a product containing CBG can vary widely depending on multiple factors, including age and genetics.
Additionally, if you have consumed other cannabis products recently or are in close proximity to someone who has, it can impact the effects you feel.
For some people, it may take up to two hours after consumption for them to experience any benefits of this cannabinoid. Others will feel relief within 20 minutes or less with an edible product consumed orally in comparison with other methods which require more time for absorption.
It’s important when consuming any new product that contains CBG to begin with a small amount and work your way up slowly, as this will help you determine how long it takes for effects to be felt.
Conclusion
The CBG cannabinoid is an important one that can provide powerful effects, and as research has shown, can provide numerous health benefits when used in conjunction with other cannabinoids.
As the industry continues to grow and cannabis-based products become more widely available across North America, it’s important for consumers to be aware of what they are consuming so that they can make educated decisions about wellness options available today.
It’s important to remember that while CBG is generally considered safe, it does have some side effects and can interact with certain medications.
CBD and CBG are just the beginning
CBG and CBD are just the start. Boulder Israel aim is to make cannabinoids available, reliable, and easy to use for manufacturers and consumers across the world. We are pioneering worldwide compliant cannabinoid development and refinement, and our quality management programs are helping manufacturers achieve a new level of excellence in their consumer products.
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