What is the cannabinoid CBG and what does it do ?
Cannabigerol (CBG) accounts for 1% or less of the many compounds found in cannabis, but it may be the most important; it’s the chemical precursor for creating the better-known cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Now, it’s possible to purchase this relatively rare cannabinoid in isolate form for use alone or with other cannabis products. CBG has a number of potent health benefits on its own, and folks turn to CBG to relieve the symptoms of conditions such as:
- Irritable bowel disorder
- Anxiety
- Glaucoma
WHAT IS CBG?
The familiar Cannabis sativa plant contains hundreds of separate compounds. Many of these occur in small amounts and haven’t been well studied, so their effects aren’t known. But researchers have identified a number of cannabinoids that have documented effects on the human (and animal) body and brain.
Topping the list of these is THC, technically known as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol; it’s the compound that causes marijuana’s well known high. You’ve probably also heard of CBD, an abundant cannabinoid that doesn’t cause a high like THC does, but does have considerable powers for:
- Relieving pain
- Easing inflammation
- Protecting the nervous system and brain
These compounds exist because of CBG. Cannabis plants produce cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Enzymes break this acid down and convert it into other acids. These include:
- Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) , a precursor of THC
- Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), the path to CBD
- Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), a precursor to cannabichromene (CBCA), a lesser-known member of the major cannabinoid family
As the plant matures, ultraviolet light converts these acids into the cannabinoids THC, CBD and CBC.
CBG also exists as a cannabinoid. It’s considered one of the four major cannabinoids—a group that also includes its “children”: THC, CBD and CBC.
But not many cannabis strains contain the cannabinoid CBG in significant amounts. Because CBGA is the starting point for the development of other substances in the cannabis plant, harvesting large amounts of it has been problematic.
Some growers are able to extract the highest possible yield of CBG by harvesting cannabis plants early in the flowering cycle, before their CBG content diverts into the building blocks of other cannabis compounds.
Some hemp farmers are also specifically cultivating hemp strains to contain larger amounts of CBG.
HOW CAN CBG HELP IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH?
Like other cannabinoids, CBG works with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network of receptors in organs, tissues and neural networks found throughout the body. This system responds to cannabinoid-like chemicals produced by the body itself, called endocannabinoids, and also to cannabinoids from outside sources, including cannabis and some other plants.
Cannabinoids from both sources trigger responses in these receptors and also activate other kinds of processes involving:
- The immune system
- Central nervous system
- Other networks that promote balance, or homeostasis, within all of the body’s interconnected systems
CBG activates both of the known endocannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. CBG also appears to boost production of the natural endocannabinoid anandamide, a chemical that can increase dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, sleep and appetite.
CBG is similar to CBD in terms of its health effects, but some research indicates that it may be more potent.
- CBG is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent that can even be effective against MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant form of staphylococcus.
- This also means CBG can effectively fight the inflammation of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
- CBG is also a vasodilator—it can keep blood vessels open and flexible. This can help control high blood pressure and lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.
Like CBD, CBG is also a neuroprotectant. It can support the integrity of the protective sheath around neurons and encourage the development of healthy neural pathways.
- Some research suggests that CBG can help relieve symptoms of neurological diseases like Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
- Other in vivo lab studies reveal that CBG can block cancer cell growth , especially colorectal cancer cells.
- CBG appears to inhibit muscle contractions. This means it may help with bladder problems , too.
- CBG may also be a potent pain reliever and antidepressant.
HOW TO TAKE CBG
Like CBD, you can legally purchase a variety of CBG products, because it’s largely sourced from hemp and doesn’t have the psychoactive effects that THC does. CBG isolate is typically available in powder, crystal or oil form. But unlike CBD, it isn’t sold in edible, tincture or topical forms. Producers say that you can add CBG to these products, or you can use it alone.
All Jampha products are Full Spectrum and contain CBG.
So, this means you can eat, dab or vape CBG. You can even apply it to your skin as a topical. It’s also possible to buy CBD products, such as oils, which contain added CBG.
Taken in therapeutic doses, CBG is safe and generally causes no side effects. Large doses— in excess of 300 or so milligrams per kilogram of body weight —can trigger some unpleasant but temporary side effects such as:
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Other digestive upset
As with other cannabinoids, it’s wise to start with small doses of CBG and work up to a dose that delivers the effects you’re looking for.
CBG will become far more important as the complexities of Cannabinoids are revealed through Science and with time.
What Disorders Can CBG Treat?
Because of its long list of benefits, CBG can be used to treat:
- Glaucoma.
- Inflammatory bowel disease.
- Anti-inflammatory disorders.
- Epilepsy.
- Chronic pain.
- Depression.
- Osteoporosis.
- Insomnia.
- Huntington’s disease.
- Cancer.
- Methicillin-resistant microbial strains such as MRSA.
- Low appetite (resulting from chemotherapy and other treatments).
- Bladder dysfunction.
- Psoriasis.
Research into CBG is still ongoing, so this list will likely grow longer in the future.
Does CBG Have Any Side Effects?
CBG does not have any side effects when taken in therapeutic doses. The key words there are “therapeutic doses.” You can experience negative side effects if you consume too much of any substance…even water.
Thankfully, CBG only becomes a problem when taken in excess of 300 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
For a 180-pound person, that means they would have to consume 54,000 milligrams of CBG for it to become dangerous. To put that in perspective, a 180-pound person suffering from severe pain should take, at the most, 25 milligrams to feel relief.
If it’s hard to visualize milligrams, think of it this way:
- 25 milligrams = ⅛ of a teaspoon
- 54,000 milligrams = almost 11 tablespoons
And that 25 milligrams of CBG will likely be administered in a few drops of tincture or a small amount of an edible. So you can see that there’s a huge difference between a “therapeutic dose” and one that would cause side effects.
That’s why we can effectively say that CBG has no side effects.
As a precursor to all other cannabinoids CBG holds many of the keys to unlocking the secrets of cannabinoids. A full spectrum CBD product should contain CBG in its base oil. Either C02 or Distillate with full panel 3rd party testing is recommended.
With Loving-Kindness,
Jampha
