What is CBG?

CBG is similar to CBD and is showing much promise in the treatment of various health conditions.

CBG, CBD, CBN, CBA . . . it seems as though more and more cannabinoid compounds – and their acronyms – are becoming a part of everyday vernacular all the time. 

How can you be expected to keep up? Yesterday it was CBN, today it’s CBG, tomorrow. . . well, who’s to say?

Whether you are looking for the latest cannabis update, doing some research, or you’re just plain confused, sharpen those pencils and grab your notepad because here’s a crash course on CBG. 

What is CBD and how Does CBG Compare?

Before we can delve into CBG, we will start with a quick review of CBD.

For those who are new to cannabis and its constituents – welcome. 

For the old pros among us, here’s a little review that will take you back to the basics. 

Short for cannabidiol, CBD is one of the hundreds of chemical compounds in the ever-famous Cannabis sativa plant. 

CBD is known for its relationship with its famous relative tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another cannabinoid chemical responsible for producing the psychoactive effects associated with the ‘high’ one gets when smoking marijuana. 

The parent plant cannabis is where the similarity ends, and the family tree splits. 

THC is found abundantly in marijuana – one subspecies of the cannabis Sativa plant. 

CBD, however, is more bountiful in the hemp plant – another derivative of cannabis. Hemp plants and marijuana plants are different, and so are CBD and THC.

Unlike THC, CBD does not produce psychoactive effects and will not get you high. 

While hemp CBD might contain a trace amount of THC on occasion, federal and state laws typically only permit a concentration of 0.3 percent THC when this happens. 

Regardless of THC content, CBD can benefit users greatly.

A popular pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and sleep aid, CBD has quickly become the first choice for symptom management.

CBD has been used to alleviate or inhibit adverse side effects and symptoms of Alzheimer’s, acne, anxiety, bloating, cancer, and possibly even Covid (we like to call this list the CBD ABCS). 

CBD offers us these benefits because of how our body digests it through our endocannabinoid system (ECS). 

The ECS, a biological system in place throughout your body, facilitates homeostasis, an internal, physiological equilibrium that regulates our immunity, appetite, sleep, and many other functions our body depends on to keep up and running. 

When CBD enters our ECS, it meets two types of endocannabinoid receptors, the CB1 receptor and the CB2 receptor, which bind to the CBD and carry it throughout our bloodstream. 

These receptors act like little cell towers, emitting a signal to the rest of our body and sending messages such as “reduce the pain” or “activate sedation.” 

In reality, the system is a bit more complicated than that, but we’ll save the rest for science class. 

What is CBG? 

While CBG may be new subject material, it is similar to CBD. 

Like CBD, CBG is a cannabinoid compound found in the hemp plant. 

CBG is produced when CBGA (cannabigerol acid) is decarboxylated. CBGA is the precursor molecule that other cannabinoids like CBD come from.

Formally known as Cannabigerol, CBG interacts with our body the same way CBD does. 

CBG is processed through our ECS, and it won’t get you high either, as it also only contains approximately 0.3 percent THC. 

However, CBG prefers the CB2 receptor as opposed to the CB1 receptor. In addition, it has been said to produce physiological behaviors that are unlike that of other cannabinoids. However, the full scope of these effects remains to be revealed entirely by research at this time. 

Also, like CBD, studies on CBG show that it potentially benefits pain, inflammation, and anxiety.

Unlike CBD, CBG is further sought after because of the evidence surrounding its potential effects on infection, diseases, and a specific type of cancer. 

What is CBG Used For?

CBG is being used for many different conditions. Relatively new on the scene, CBG is showing great promise.

CBG for Inflammatory Bowel Disease 

CBG’s propensity for reducing inflammation is seemingly apparent in relieving and decreasing symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, which causes swelling in the digestive tract.

In a similar vein, CBG may help battle bladder issues. 

While cannabinoids, in general, have been shown to affect bladder functions positively, and in particular, bladder contractions, CBG has been determined to affect them the most.  

CBG Appetite Stimulation

Like CBD and THC, CBG shows promise as an appetite stimulant, which means it increases your appetite or makes you feel hungry – an action often referred to as “getting the munchies.” 

More than midnight snacks, however, appetite stimulation is related to treating bladder and bowel issues, and incorporating CBG in medicine could also help treat sexually transmitted diseases and cancer.  

A Cannabinoid for Colorectal and Glioblastoma Mulitforme Cancer 

While cannabinoid use for cancer is not a novel topic, CBG research has shown a new relationship with two specific cancers in particular. 

Experiments on lab rats with colon cancer found that CBG can delay colorectal cancer cell and tumor growth. 

Similar studies also discovered that CBG related glioblastoma multiforme cell inhibition, which impacts brain cancer. 

Bacterial Infections and CBG 

Research has been conducted on CBG’s ability to kill bacteria. 

The many antimicrobial tendencies of CBG may prevent bacterial infection and have been associated with acting against staph infections. 

More specifically, CBG could help stop the growth of bacteria that leads to staph infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). 

CBG for Glaucoma 

An eye condition that causes damage to your optic nerve, glaucoma can cause a partial loss of sight or even complete blindness. 

Glaucoma is caused by intraocular pressure, an increase in pressure in your eye that occurs when a fluid build-up occurs. 

CBG was found to reduce this pressure and may be a top contender for glaucoma treatment in the future – we will have to wait and see.

CBG and Other Cannabis Components Strengthening the Family Tree 

Mixing and matching cannabinoids is the latest trend in the hemp industry. 

Cooperative cannabinoid activity can sometimes produce altered outcomes, a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. 

As the strengths of various compounds continue to be identified, cannabinoid combos illuminate the actual degree to which cannabidiol products could serve us. 

Incorporating CBG into CBD, CBN, and even THC products might enhance phytocannabinoid use. 

Whereas some pairs such as CBD and CBN may increase intended effects, others, like CBN and CBG, could help tame unwanted effects, most notably the psychoactive activities of THC. 

Tempering the intoxicating aspects of THC could help promote cannabis and marijuana medicinals, drawing out the practical effects and preventing the ‘high’ ones. 

Using CBG in CBD pharmaceuticals might amplify outcomes. For example, pain relief may be more substantial, inflammation further reduced, and appetite could be increased even more. 

As of now, CBG research is limited, and the majority of peer-reviewed studies and experiments on CBG have been performed on animals, so the full effect of CBG on humans remains to be seen. 

Currently, we do know that CBG is another nonintoxicating chemical compound with prospective health and wellness benefits, so the smart thing to do is study up and prepare for the discoveries that await. 

You have successfully completed your CBG crash course! Now, it’s time for the quiz! Just kidding – but be sure to be on the lookout for the latest CBD and CBG products so that you can put this research to the test.