While there's no doubt that CBD has become a hot topic in health and wellness, there's a new cannabinoid making a notable impression in the scene—CBG.
We're calling it a "new" cannabinoid, but it's not technically new.
CBG is short for cannabigerol, one of many non-psychoactive cannabinoids produced in the cannabis plant. It's nicknamed the mother of all cannabinoids because its natural form, cannabigerolic acid, transforms into tetrahydrocannabinolic acid ( THCA ) cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) as the plant matures.
CBG is only now taking center stage in pharmacological studies and making a splash in cannabis product marketing, but CBG is considered a minor cannabinoid with major potential.
The benefits of CBG are believed to encompass improvements in focus and appetite, reduction in stress, enhancement of eye health, alleviation of inflammation, support for metabolism, and relief from aches and pains. Preliminary research indicates that CBG combats inflammation, nausea, and in possibly hindering the growth of cancer cells, as well as lowering the eye pressure by glaucoma.
As studies continue to explore its effectiveness in treating conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and cancer, it's important to note that the FDA has not recognized CBG as a cure for these conditions.
Key Takeaways:
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CBG stands for cannabigerol, and its raw form CBGa (cannabigerolic acid), is the precursor to CBDa and THCa, which eventually become CBD and THC.
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As a non-psychoactive precursor cannabinoid, it's found more concentrated in young cannabis plants, and it's found in quantities of less than 1% in mature plants.
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Some of the potential benefits of CBG include inflammation support, pain relief, and helps you focus. There has been little research, but that research indicates a reduction to the eye pressure caused by glaucoma.
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There are also many anecdotal reports that CBG works best for daytime use for energy, focus, and productivity because, compared to CBD, it doesn't tend to make people sleepy while still supporting a calm and relaxed mood.
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You can find CBG in a wide range of products, just like CBD. And like CBD, CBG is best used as a full spectrum extract for the entourage effect rather than a CBG isolate.
7 CBG Benefits According To Recent Studies
As research progresses in the cannabis space, more and more attention is being placed on CBG.
It's important to note that research is still in its early phases, and there's still a lot to uncover about the benefits of CBG and its potential side effects.
We've rounded up the most interesting research to date on the mother of all phytocannabinoids. These findings give insight into what CBG does and open up the potential for future research into CBG oil benefits.
1. CBG May Help To Support Focus
Users often report a sense of alertness or focus related to CBG.
One of the possible explanations for this effect is that CBG has shown great potential as a neuroprotectant [11].
CBG helps to support healthy inflammatory function and has even been shown to possibly support neurogenesis, the growth of new brain cells, which may help to support long-term brain health.
Another way CBG is hypothesized to support focus is by reducing stress through interactions at GABA receptor sites, which manage the fight-or-flight response [3, 12].
The idea here is that by reducing stress, you're more present and better able to focus on the task at hand. While more research is needed to investigate the benefits of CBG for focus, this is still one of the major reasons people are turning towards CBG products.
2. CBG May Help To Support A Healthy Appetite
Marijuana, the cannabis plant potent in the psychoactive compound THC, has been comedically associated with the munchies.
Many are curious as to what CBG does for appetite.
CBG seems to share this appetite-stimulating trait with THC, which may help certain people get an adequate amount of nutrients.
Overindulging in junk food is typically what comes to mind with the marijuana munchies. However, there are cases in which an increase in appetite is beneficial, such as for those experiencing a lack of appetite for various reasons.
In a study conducted with rats, CBG was found to increase the appetite in well-satiated rats without producing any dangerous side effects [2].
3. CBG May Help To Support A Normal Stress Response
One of the many reasons people turn to hemp-derived CBD oil is to manage their emotional well-being. As we touched on briefly, CBG benefits may extend to supporting a normal stress response.
Both CBD and CBG help to inhibit the breakdown of the neurotransmitter GABA. Increased concentrations of GABA may have potent relaxation effects that help to regulate the stress response [3].
However, there's another mechanism at play in which CBG helps to support stress management. CBG happens to be a potent 5-HT1A serotonin receptor antagonist [4].
Studies suggest that CBG inhibits serotonin's uptake, which means a higher concentration of this neurotransmitter may stay active in the brain, helping to support mood [5].
4. CBG May Help to Support Eye Health
What does CBG do for eye health?
There's a high concentration of cannabinoid receptors in eye tissues. It turns out the endocannabinoid system may play a vital role in maintaining eye health.
High levels of eye pressure (ocular hypertension) can result in poor blood flow to the optic nerves, affecting vision.
While research in this area is still fairly new, there is a study that suggests that cannabinoids, and notably, CBG, may help to regulate a healthy level of intraocular eye pressure [6].
5. CBG May Help to Support A Normal Inflammatory Response
While CBD is best known for its role in supporting a healthy immune response, CBG has shown effects on particular inflammatory channels in mice related to the inflammatory response [7].
According to a recent study, CBG limited the actions of significant inflammatory markers, including IL-1, IL-10, iNOS, and interferon-γ.
What does CBG do for the inflammatory function in simpler terms?
Inflammation is a natural response by the body to fight off infection and heal injuries, but sometimes it can spiral out of control, causing damage to healthy tissue.
CBG may help to control the activity of molecules that cause inflammation (inflammatory markers), which means that with more research, CBG may be proven to have therapeutic benefits for fighting diseases that involve inflammation.
6. CBG Shows Promise To Support Healthy Metabolic Process
Does CBG have benefits for fat loss?
There isn't any evidence that any cannabinoids can directly help with melting away stubborn fat. However, a study published in 2019 supports CBG's potential to effecting fat storage— Specifically, adipocyte tissues are closely related to obesity [8].
This study was conducted via computer simulation, but its positive findings help to progress this research into animal and human studies on CBG and fat metabolism needed to substantiate this benefit.
7. CBG May Help to Support Comfort
People who have already discovered the CBG benefits also claim it works wonders for their aches and pains
CBG is found to exhibit more analgesic (comfort-inducing) effects than THC and is a much better GABA reuptake inhibitor than both THC and CBD [9]. Additionally, While we've briefly touched on GABA's effects on the stress response, it may also have therapeutic potential as a muscle relaxant.
What Is CBG Good For?
Now that we have a better idea of what CBG does in the hemp plant, let's move into how CBG works in the body.
As a cannabinoid, CBG benefits our body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the name "cannabinoid" in the ECS is no coincidence. Its discovery in 1992 came from research looking for how the active compounds in cannabis interact with our bodies.
The researchers found out that these plant-made cannabinoids behave similarly to endogenous (internal) cannabinoids to relay messages within the ECS. The ECS behaves as a modulator for our immune system, nervous system, and nearly all the body's organs [1].
This explains why THC, CBD, and CBG effects are so extensive.
As we've briefly mentioned, CBG is the parent molecule to the most notable cannabinoids, THC and CBD.
CBG's importance was once tied strictly to its transformation into these compounds—however, researchers have highlighted CBG's unique properties and interactions with the endocannabinoid system.
CBG Compared to CBD, CBN & CBDa:
When comparing CBG to other prominent cannabinoids such as CBN (cannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), and CBDa (cannabidiolic acid), several distinct attributes come to the forefront.
CBG, unlike CBD and CBDa, is renowned for its potential to enhance focus. This makes CBG a sought-after choice for those requiring cognitive clarity and sharpness, differentiating it from the calming effects often associated with CBD.
While both CBG and CBD have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties, some users have found CBG to be more effective in managing specific inflammatory conditions.
CBN, on the other hand, is often associated with its sedative properties, making it more suitable for individuals looking for sleep aids.
As a result, many consumers choose CBG over other cannabinoids for its unique blend of cognitive enhancement and inflammation management, without the sedative effects of CBN or the broad calming nature of CBD.
Does CBG Get You High?
Now that we've uncovered some of the top CBG benefits let's get into a very important topic — whether or not CBG oils cause intoxication.
A large concern people have when using a cannabis product is its potential for a high feeling. CBG is non-psychoactive and will not get you high.
In fact, some studies suggest that CBG may work to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC, potentially making it a useful anti-psychotic compound [10].
THC produces a high mainly by activating the CB1 endocannabinoid receptor in the central nervous system. The activated CB1 receptors release a cascade of feel-good hormones, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, associated with high marijuana use.
THC may also interact with serotonin receptors, we mentioned one earlier, 5HT1A.
Serotonin has many important jobs, but it plays a vital role in our perceived senses: mood, heart rate, and blood pressure in the central nervous system. CBG has been shown to counteract the effects of THC by binding to the CB1 receptors and the 5HT1A receptor.
Aside from producing a high, THC has its own set of health benefits. However, its psychoactive properties make it an undesirable compound for most people—and its legal status remains problematic in most parts of the world.
Plant breeders are still looking for ways to include higher concentrations of CBG in high-THC marijuana strains to help offset potent psychoactive effects.
Is CBG Legal?
While the benefits of CBG are exciting, there's not much we can do with it if it's not legal.
Hemp-derived CBG oil is controlled under the same laws as CBD. As long as the CBG is derived from hemp crops that contain less than 0.3% THC, CBG is legal in the United States and Canada.
Yet, CBD regulations for sales and purchase may vary state by state and have the potential to change over time. We highly encourage you to always stay engaged and actively follow your local state laws to stay informed.
Because we're only now beginning to understand CBG benefits, it can be hard to source CBG products.
What Are The Side Effects Of CBG?
Now that we have a better understanding of the question, "what does CBG do?" It's important to look at potential side effects.
There currently aren't enough clinical trials in humans to determine the potential side effects of CBG. However, CBG, like other cannabinoids, has very low toxicity and is generally well tolerated.
In the clinical trials with rats, where high doses of CBG was used, there were no significant adverse effects [2].
How does CBGa Become CBG?
A flowering hemp plant begins to produce crystal-like molecules known as cannabinoids — but their acidic form with the carboxylic acid chain noted by the "a."
CBGa emerges around the 3/4-week mark of the flowering phase.
Before researchers discovered CBG benefits, the CBG cannabinoid was largely known as "the parent molecule".
As the plant is exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, the CBGa molecule transforms into either THCa, CBGa, or CBCa.
Looking for more insights into cannabis? Dive into our next post exploring what CBGa really is.
Final Thoughts: CBG Benefits
Most of the research surrounding the cannabis plant has centered around THC and CBD, as they're the most abundant compounds. However, there are over a hundred more minor cannabinoids that contribute to the many health benefits of hemp extracts that are worth looking into.
As the parent molecule to many different cannabinoids and its non-psychoactive effects, CBG stands out as the next big compound. You'll likely be seeing more of it the health and wellness space as more selective breeding, early crop harvesting, and CBG isolation become more popular.
As for shopping for any health-related product, you should always do your due diligence when it comes to research as not all cannabis products are made equal. To make sure you're getting safe and effective CBD and CBG oils, shop from reputable brands, check where the hemp is sourced, and reference third-party lab testing.
If you've tried CBG before, let us know what you think in the comment section below.
FAQ's about CBG Effects
1. What is CBG?
CBG stands for cannabigerol.
It’s one of the many non-psychoactive minor cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. CBG has the nickname “the parent molecule” because its raw form, cannabigerolic acid, is the precursor to CBD and THC.
2. What is CBG Good for?
The research on CBG is still new, but it shows a lot of promise for supporting brain health, normal inflammation, and relief from discomfort. It shares many of the same benefits as CBD but with an emphasis on focus and alertness, making it ideal for daytime use.
3. Does CBG Get You High?
CBG is not considered a psychoactive cannabinoid and does not produce intoxicating effects as THC does—the main psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana.
4. How Does CBG Make You Feel?
CBG can affect individuals differently depending on their experience with cannabinoids, genetics, and lifestyle.
Many people report feeling more focused and alert and have a sense of calm when taking CBG products, which is why it’s become a favorite tool for productivity.
Resources:
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D'Aniello, E., Fellous, T., Iannotti, F. A., Gentile, A., Allarà, M., Balestrieri, F., ... & Di Marzo, V. (2019). Identification and characterization of phytocannabinoids as novel dual PPARα/γ agonists by a computational and in vitro experimental approach. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-General Subjects, 1863(3), 586-597.
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Valdeolivas, S., Navarrete, C., Cantarero, I., Bellido, M. L., Muñoz, E., & Sagredo, O. (2015). Neuroprotective properties of cannabigerol in Huntington’s disease: studies in R6/2 mice and 3-nitropropionate-lesioned mice. Neurotherapeutics, 12, 185-199.
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Disclaimer
The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.
