What Is CBG?
What Is CBG? A Deep Dive Into This Cannabinoid and All Its Health Benefits
What is CBG and how does it relate to other cannabinoids such as CBD?
If you've been looking into the health and wellness benefits of the hemp plant, you've probably heard all about the fantastic benefits of dominant cannabinoids like CBD and THC.
But, as it turns out, the hemp plant has more than 100 cannabinoids.
Thanks to the improved legislation around the plant, we can now begin to understand the unique benefits and effects of each cannabinoid.
One such newly discovered cannabinoid that is making waves in the wellness sector is Cannabigerol (CBG).
As a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, CBG is popular among consumers, researchers, and producers.
Although CBG is considered a minor cannabinoid, its health and wellness benefits are not insignificant.
This article will delve deeper into what is CBG, how it affects the body, and how it relates to CBD.
We'll also examine the medical benefits of CBG and highlight some of the best CBG products available in the market.
What Is CBG? The Mother of All Cannabinoids?
Cannabigerol (CBG) is often referred to as the mother of all cannabinoids because all cannabinoids start as CBG.
In other words, CBG breaks down into THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids.
When young cannabis plants reach maturity and begin to bud, different compounds and enzymes combine to create a CBG precursor called CBGA.
This is why young hemp and cannabis plants tend to have higher levels of CBG.
When the hemp plant nears the end of its growth cycle, it absorbs more light to metabolize CBGA to THCA and CBDA—the precursors to THC and CBD.
By the time the hemp plant is harvested, most of the CBGA has been metabolized into cannabinoids.
Only a tiny percentage of the CBGA is turned into CBG.
Therefore, CBG is only found in trace quantities in the hemp plant—sometimes less than 1%.
However, scientists can genetically engineer cannabis strains to produce higher levels of CBG.
Such strains include Super Glue CBG, White CBG, and Jack Frost CBG.
At Oscity Labs, we exclusively breed USDA-compliant hemp varieties. We target strong genetics in CBDV, CBC, CBD, and CBG.
Through our CBG-rich hemp varieties, we can grow and extract significant levels of CBG that we infuse into our wellness products, including CBD+CBG Calm Tincture and CBD+CBG Calm Gummies - Peach Mango.
What is CBG? How it Affects the Body
CBG, much like other cannabinoids, affects the body by binding with the endocannabinoid (ECS) receptors.
ECS works through the many receptors in the nerves, organs, immune systems, and brain to maintain a state of balance or homeostasis in the biological process, such as reproduction, sleep, memory, immune responses, and mood.
The two ECS receptors are CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are found in the nervous system and the brain, while CB2 is found throughout the body, including the immune system.
Unlike CBD, which only binds to CB2 receptors, CBG may bind with CB1 and CB2 receptors.
For this reason, CBG may influence motivation, appetite, pleasure, sleep, and pain perception.
Also, CBG may influence receptors that regulate the production of serotonin, affecting mood, sleep, bone health, wound healing, digestion, and nausea.
What is CBG; Similarities and Differences Between CBD and CBG
CBG and CBD share a lot of qualities. Both cannabinoids may potentially treat numerous medical conditions and, in some cases, may be used to treat similar symptoms.
Here are more similarities between the two cannabinoids:
- They are not intoxicating, so they won't get you high
- According to research, both CBD and CBG can neutralize THC’s adverse psychological effects
- Both bind to receptors in the ECS
Despite the numerous similarities between the cannabinoids, key differences set CBG and CBD apart.
CBG and CBD differ on a molecular level. This means oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon are arranged differently in each cannabinoid.
The molecular structure will determine which receptors the cannabinoid can bind to.
CBG binds to similar receptors as THC.
So it can alleviate conditions caused by problems in the nervous system, including muscle pain, migraine, glaucoma, and lack of appetite.
Conversely, CBD is more effective in alleviating immunity-related conditions and mood disorders.
Combined Benefits of CBG and CBD
When you're stuck in a cannabinoid dilemma, wondering which particular one to go for to alleviate your symptoms, science suggests getting a product that contains a blend of cannabinoids.
Much research has emerged to illuminate just how effective cannabinoids are against a host of conditions.
Taking one isolated cannabinoid has benefits, however, combining different cannabinoids can lead to significantly magnified medical benefits.
This exponential multiplication of medical benefits associated with blending cannabinoids is thanks to the entourage effect.
The entourage effect refers to different compounds in the hemp plant, including cannabinoids and terpenes working together to magnify each other's effects.
CBD and CBG work so great together, not only because of the entourage effect but because they may balance each other out.
While CBD works to encourage the production of ESC, CBG works to bind with its receptors to promote homeostasis throughout the body.
Potential Medical Benefits of CBG
CBG has shown great promise in soothing a variety of ailments and conditions. Here are some potential benefits you can expect from CBG.
• Anxiety Alleviation and Calm Inducing
In a 2021 study to investigate what is CBG’s effects on anxiety and other conditions, 127 US adults who had used CBG for six months completed a survey.
78.9% of the study participants reported that their anxiety had greatly improved due to CBG.
Aside from soothing anxiety, CBG may also improve your mood and leave you feeling calm. CBG does this by bolstering GABA production in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps your mind and muscles relax.
• Anti-inflammatory Properties
CBG, much like CBD, shows excellent anti-inflammatory potential and can reduce inflammation in different body parts.
According to a recent study, CBG may reduce inflammation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
CBG's anti-inflammatory properties may also be applied to athletic recovery, cognitive function, sleep, and endurance.
• Effective Against Bacteria
CBG has strong antibacterial properties. In a study to investigate the effects of cannabinoids on MRSA—a bacterial infection resistant to antibiotics, CBG acted similarly to a powerful antibiotic called vancomycin.
• Appetite Stimulation
A 2016 animal study unveiled what is CBG's potential effects on inducing appetite. In the study, rats dosed with CBG ate twice as much food as the rats that did not receive any CBG.
• Anticancer Potential
A 2014 animal study revealed that CBGA might inhibit tumour growth by blocking proteins that can promote the growth of cancer cells.
However, more research is still needed to determine if these results can be replicated in humans.
• Bladder Dysfunction
Much anecdotal evidence has suggested that cannabinoids can help manage bladder dysfunction.
Following these reports, a 2015 study investigated the effects of various cannabinoids on bladder contractions.
The study results revealed that CBG was the most effective against dysfunctions, followed by THCV, CBD, and CBDV.
• Glaucoma
CBG may improve glaucoma by increasing the flow of aqueous humor fluid. The fluid provides nutrients to the eyes and maintains eye pressure.
• Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s Disease is a hereditary condition that can cause the degradation of the nerve cells in the brain.
Over time, it causes brain parts to work incorrectly, leading to a loss of thinking ability, movement, and emotional problems.
CBG has neuroprotective properties, so it may stop nerve cell damage in the brain and improve movement by strengthening the connection between the nerve and muscle cells.
• ADHD Alleviation
CBG regulates receptors responsible for blood pressure, heart rate, and fight or flight response. When CBG inhibits these receptors, it essentially soothes the symptoms of ADHD.
What is CBG & Where Can You Buy the Best CBG Products?
At Oscity Labs, we have products that harness CBG and CBD combined power.
Through our unique technology, which allows us to extract specific parts of cannabinoid molecules, we made this line of calm products to induce maximum relaxation, alleviate your mood, and promote recovery from exercise-induced inflammation.
CBD+CBG Calm Tincture
Are you looking for soothing relief from anxiety and stress? Our CBD+CBG Calm Tincture comes in a delicious blue raspberry flavour to give a delectable way to chase anxiety.
The tincture comes in a bottle with a dropper that makes it easy to dose and place the oil under the tongue.
You can choose between a 30mg or 60mg bottle, depending on your level of CBD tolerance or the severity of your condition.
CBD+CBG Calm Gummies - Peach Mango
These peach mango-flavoured gummies are fortified with botanicals for added calming and relaxing benefits.
Each container of CBD+CBG Calm Gummies - Peach Mango has 30 delicious gummies, with each gummy containing 25mg of CBG-infused CBD.
If you are new to CBD, start with half a gummy and work your way up as you observe the effects.
Frequently Asked Questions About What is CBG
What Does CBG Do for the Body?
CBG bind to ESC receptors, so it can affect pain, inflammation, nausea, and anxiety.
According to numerous studies, CBG has shown great potential to fight cancer cells, glaucoma, bacteria, and nerve cell degradation.
Is CBD or CBG Better?
Studies have linked both cannabinoids to numerous health benefits.
While CBD has the potential to alleviate inflammation, pain, and epilepsy, CBG can potentially benefit bacterial infection, cancer, appetite, and irritation.
Research also suggests combining the two cannabinoids can lead to exponentially better medical benefits.
How Does CBG Make You Feel?
Since CBG can bind with both CB1 and CB2 receptors, it can potentially enhance motivation, sleep, appetite, and pleasure.
Does CBG Help Anxiety?
CBG binds with receptors that improve mood, promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
