A Complete Insight into CBG

Cannabigerol (CBG) has proven itself as a valuable component of the hemp plant with its own unique properties that can apply to all kinds of individuals with various needs. In recent years, CBG has been becoming increasingly prominent on the hemp market, with lots of formulations offering high-CBG hemp extracts in various forms. And yet, a good number of daily CBD users don’t really know much about CBG, or what it can do for them.

What Exactly is CBG?

Cannabigerol is a minor cannabinoid, making up only about 1% of the plant’s chemical composition on average, compared to the 15% to 25% or CBD that naturally occurs in hemp. CBG is referred to as the “mother cannabinoid” because in its raw, acidic form, CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) converts into cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA); the acidic, pre-decarboxylated forms of cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabichromene (CBC), respectively. Commercially, CBG is usually derived from younger hemp plants because it is less likely to have already converted into these acidic cannabinoids.

Cannabigerol binds to both CB1 (nervous system) and CB2 (immune and digestive system) receptors as part of the function of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It’s associated with the strengthening of anandamide, a neurotransmitter associated with sleep, mood and pain. It may also minimize the psychoactive effects of THC due to its potential to interrupt the psychoactive response associated with CB1 receptors.

The History of CBG

Cannabigerol was discovered back in 1964, by a team of Israeli researchers who were seeking to identify the active compounds in hashish. CBG was unearthed as a result, alongside numerous compounds in hemp that had, along with cannabigerol, never been isolated before. It would take several years before CBG would be studied for its potential properties related to the role of the endocannabinoid system.

What are the Properties of CBG?

Cannabigerol has not been as heavily researched as cannabidiol primary due to the fact that it is harder to isolate since CBG is far less prominent in the plant, and less stable than CBN in its naturally occurring form. Still, there has been a decent amount of research over the years illustrating certain properties that the cannabinoid may be able to offer to users.

#1: Potential Bladder Support

Cannabigerol may offer support to bladder function by attaching to cannabinoid receptors located in the bladder, to minimize contractions and generally help with bladder dysfunctions. In a study, multiple cannabinoids were tested on rats with bladder dysfunction, and CBG was found to be the most effective.

#2: Potential Effects Against Glaucoma

Cannabigerol might be effective against glaucoma, a condition caused by the buildup of intraocular eye pressure that can lead to vision problems, pain and more, and is notoriously difficult to treat. Cannabinoid receptors in the intraocular eye region seemed to effectively utilize cannabigerol to regulate functions associated with the eye including pressure accumulation.

#3: Potential Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Many cannabinoids have come to be associated with anti-inflammatory activity, as cannabinoids in general are effective at attaching to cannabinoid receptors associated with inflammation. But, cannabigerol has earned a reputation for potentially offering some of the strongest anti-inflammatory effects which can be useful for all kinds of inflammatory issues. Studies on its anti-inflammatory properties show that it may effectively reduce localized inflammation responsible for pain, along with more widespread inflammation that can lead to various conditions, due to its effects on the immune system.

#4: Potential Properties Related to IBD

Cannabigerol has been studied for its effects on IBD (irritable bowel disease) , and was found to effectively reduce inflammation of the lower intestine in order to minimize symptoms associated with the disease. It appears that cannabigerol is particularly effective at attaching to cannabinoid receptors along the colon that manage function of this region of the digestive tract.

#5: Potential Sleep Regulation

Cannabigerol, as stated earlier, contributes to an increase in anandamide, a crucial neurotransmitter that balances sleep in mammals. This neurotransmitter can play a role in strengthening the nervous system’s management of sleep cycle, to support the body’s ability to sleep each night and wake up feeling well-rested.

#6: Potential Regulation of Appetite

Anandamide also plays a crucial role in appetite, offering a balancing effect that may naturally increase appetite in those suffering from various ailments that cause them to lose interest in food. Studies have shown that when administered cannabigerol, rats maintained more active feeding patterns and showed more of a desire to seek out food.

#7: Potential Mood Regulation

Researchers are in the early stages of researching cannabigerol’s effects on serotonin in order to understand the role that the cannabinoid may play in managing mood and specifically, depression symptoms. This goes back to the cannabinoid’s influence on anandamide, but the research is still underway to provide a clearer picture of the connection between CBG and mood.

What is the Psychoactive Nature of CBG?

Cannabigerol is 100% non-intoxicating, much like cannabidiol. Taking a serving of CBG along with THC can actually lessen the high associated with the latter cannabinoid by acting as a CB1 antagonist, meaning that it desensitizes CB1 receptors to the effects of intoxicating compounds.

Types of CBG Products

An influx of products are emerging on the market that contain high, active levels of cannabigerol to offer its properties to the body in an effective way. As of now, cannabigerol can be found in a wide array of product types.

• Vapes: CBG vapes usually consist of full spectrum hemp extract enhanced with cannabigerol extract. Available as both pre-filled 510-threaded vape carts and maintenance-free disposable vape pens, CBG vapes provide effects that activate within minutes and last for 1 to 2 hours, while feeling particularly potent due to the highly bioavailable nature of inhalable hemp products.
• Tinctures: CBG tinctures are oil-based formulas consisting of pure cannabigerol or a high-cannabigerol whole plant extract, diluted in a carrier oil. Available in a number of milligram strengths, CBG tinctures absorb below the tongue to offer effects somewhere around 30 minutes following administration and lasting for about 4 or so hours.
• Edibles: CBG edibles come in a wide variety of flavors and concentrations, and deliver long-lasting effects of up to 8 hours, while feeling more subtle in the body than other delivery methods.
• Capsules: CBG capsules act just like edibles, but the formulas are simpler, consisting of hemp extract and minimal ingredients in capsule form.
• Flower: CBG flower refers to raw hemp flower that is taken from a high-cannabigerol strain. Breeders are making an effort to grow strains of hemp that are naturally high in cannabigerol levels, and various high-cannabigerol strains are now available, both in pre-roll and loose bud form.
• Dabs: CBG dabs are concentrates with extremely high levels of cannabigerol. They’re “dabbed”, meaning vaporized at a high temperature using a special dabbing device like a dab rig or dab pen.