What is CBG?
A Type of Cannabinoid Derived from Young Cannabis Plants
That’s right, Cannabigerol (CBG) is found in young cannabis plants and is often referred to as the “mother of all cannabinoids.” This is because other cannabinoids such as THC or CBD are derived from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the acidic form of CBG.
CBG is found in smaller quantities than other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, making products derived from CBG rare and often expensive. Despite this, CBG continues to grow in popularity because of the many potential benefits this particular cannabinoid offers.
Why is CBG concentration so low?
Since CBG converts to other cannabinoids as the plant matures, the concentration of CBG is drastically diminished by the time the plant is ready for harvest. Producers and growers are faced with a choice of harvesting younger plants to extract higher amounts of CBG or wait until maturity to harvest higher concentrations of THC products instead.
How does CBG work?
CBG is processed by the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is made up of molecules and receptors that are responsible for keeping our bodies in an optimal state, regardless of what’s going on in our external environment.
Our body contains two types of cannabinoid receptors—CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are found in the nervous system and brain, while CB2 receptors are located in the immune system and other areas of the body.
In our bodies, CBG imitates endocannabinoids, the natural compounds our body makes. CBG does not have psychotropic effects like THC, which means it will not give you a high.
CBG works by binding to both receptors, where it’s thought to strengthen the function of anandamide. Anandamide is one of many neurotransmitters in the brain. It plays a role in enhancing pleasure and motivation, regulating appetite and sleep, and alleviating pain.
Potential benefits of CBG
Research shows that CBG may have therapeutic effects. While more research is needed to learn the exact effects of this cannabinoid and its potential benefits, here are a few of their findings.
- Anxiety and Depression
One small-scale study found that the number one reason people used cannabis preparations high in CBG was to reduce anxiety, with one in three using it to ease depression.4 Most of the users reported that they felt that CBG was more effective for these purposes than conventional medicines.
One small-scale study found that the number one reason people used cannabis preparations high in CBG was to reduce anxiety, with one in three using it to ease depression.4 Most of the users reported that they felt that CBG was more effective for these purposes than conventional medicines.
- Chronic Pain
In the study mentioned above, the second-most common reason people used CBG was for chronic pain, with 73.9% reporting that it worked better than traditional medicines. Chronic pain is pain that lasts three months or more. This type of condition impacts roughly one in five U.S. adults or around 51.6 million Americans.
In the study mentioned above, the second-most common reason people used CBG was for chronic pain, with 73.9% reporting that it worked better than traditional medicines. Chronic pain is pain that lasts three months or more. This type of condition impacts roughly one in five U.S. adults or around 51.6 million Americans.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
According to one review, between 15% and 40% of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) use cannabis and cannabinoids to increase their appetite as well as to reduce their pain. Although studies have found promise for its effects on IBD, researchers added that high-quality evidence is lacking, as is advice as to the proper dose and mode of administration.
According to one review, between 15% and 40% of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) use cannabis and cannabinoids to increase their appetite as well as to reduce their pain. Although studies have found promise for its effects on IBD, researchers added that high-quality evidence is lacking, as is advice as to the proper dose and mode of administration.
- Glaucoma
Individuals with high eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP), are at a greater risk of developing glaucoma.7 Several studies have looked at the impact of cannabinoids on IOP. Many have found that these cannabis derivatives help lower IOP in both humans and animals, making them a potential glaucoma treatment.
Individuals with high eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP), are at a greater risk of developing glaucoma.7 Several studies have looked at the impact of cannabinoids on IOP. Many have found that these cannabis derivatives help lower IOP in both humans and animals, making them a potential glaucoma treatment.
- Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s disease causes a breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. Cannabigerol appears to have a positive effect on cell viability while also protecting certain cells (N2a cells) from the toxic effects of excitatory neurotransmitters that, when activated too long, lead to cell death.
Huntington’s disease causes a breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. Cannabigerol appears to have a positive effect on cell viability while also protecting certain cells (N2a cells) from the toxic effects of excitatory neurotransmitters that, when activated too long, lead to cell death.
- Cancer
A 2021 meta-analysis reports that CBG appears to not only stop breast cancer cells from increasing in numbers but may also kill off inflammatory cells associated with this cancer type.
A 2021 meta-analysis reports that CBG appears to not only stop breast cancer cells from increasing in numbers but may also kill off inflammatory cells associated with this cancer type.
How is CBG consumed?
Research shows that CBG may have therapeutic effects. While more research is needed to learn the exact effects of this cannabinoid and its potential benefits, here are a few of their findings.
Broad-spectrum CBD oils also contain compounds called terpenes, which are responsible for the plant’s smell and are found in many plants, including fruit and herbs. Using cannabinoids together with terpenes is said to increase their combined effectiveness through a phenomenon called the entourage effect.
The most common form of commercially available CBG is oil, but it is rare and expensive. As an alternative, broad-spectrum CBD oils contain almost all the cannabinoids of cannabis.
