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CBG stands for cannabigerol, which is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBG is playfully referred to as the “mother of cannabinoids” because it is considered a precursor to other cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). It is a non-psychoactive compound, meaning it doesn’t produce the high typically associated with THC.
CBG is present in cannabis in relatively low concentrations compared to THC and CBD. However, it has gained attention for its therapeutic properties. Some preliminary research suggests that CBG might have anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), and neuroprotective effects. It has also been studied for its potential in treating conditions like glaucoma, inflammatory bowel disease, and even certain types of cancer.
This article will discuss several exciting findings in CBG research attesting to its benefits, how CBG compares with CBD, and how to incorporate CBG into your wellness routine.
The Benefits of CBG
While CBG Tinctures may be a relative newcomer when compared to CBD and THC products, there is growing interest in CBG and its potential benefits. There has been a good deal of recent research showing CBG’s immense potential to treat and prevent various ailments and health issues.
Pain Management
CBG’s potential as an analgesic (pain reliever) has also been explored. Some studies suggest that CBG interacts with pain receptors and pathways in the body, potentially contributing to pain relief (Finn et al., 2021).
Obesity and Weight Gain
One study (Kogan et al., 2021) observing novel CBG derivatives showed that it can reduce the pain and inflammation associated with obesity. Kogan and colleagues synthesized three new CBG types, HUM-223, HUM-233, and HUM-234, which were shown to help with pain and swelling. HUM-234 appears to help repress weight gain despite high fatty food intake. As this was an animal study, the mice that took HUM-234 had better digestion, and their livers were healthier. These new CBG types could become new medicines to help with pain and swelling. And HUM-234 might also help to maintain a healthy weight.
Neuroprotective Properties
CBG has shown promise in animal studies for its potential neuroprotective effects. Some research suggests that CBG might be able to protect neurons from damage and degeneration, which could be relevant in conditions like Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
A 2019 study looked at the interrelation of CBG and CBD to see if these compounds can help with inflammation and cell damage in diseases like ALS (Mammana et al., 2019). Cells that act like nerve cells were used to find that treatment with CBG and CBD together helped reduce inflammation caused by certain factors. They also saw that these two cannabinoids acted together to affect specific proteins and processes related to cell health positively. These findings suggest that using CBG and CBD together might have potential benefits for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Indeed, many high-quality CBG Tincture producers like High Heals choose to combine CBG and CBD to deliver their combined benefits. This combination of cannabinoids can be found in High Heals – Deep Healing 1:1 (2000mg CBD + CBG) Tincture.
Inflammation and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
CBG has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in various studies. It has been investigated for its potential to reduce inflammation in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. CBG’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system might play a role in modulating the body’s inflammatory response.
Glaucoma
CBG has been studied for its potential to reduce intraocular pressure, a glaucoma risk factor. Some research suggests that CBG might help increase the outflow of fluid from the eyes, which could alleviate pressure and contribute to the management of glaucoma.
Cancer
There have been early-stage studies indicating that CBG might have antitumor properties. Some research has explored CBG’s potential to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and promote apoptosis (programmed cell death) in certain types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer and breast cancer.
Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumour, often experiences early relapses despite standard treatment. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD have been proposed as treatments, but THC’s psychoactive effects pose issues for patients with cognitive impairment. In contrast, non-psychoactive CBG, which has shown anti-tumour properties, was tested for the first time on glioblastoma. A study conducted by Lah and colleagues in 2021 showed that CBG effectively impedes tumour growth and destroys therapy-resistant cancer stem cells, suggesting it could be a promising new addition to glioblastoma treatment.
Read ‘Cannabis for Cancer’ to learn more about cannabinoids in cancer research.
Antibiotic Properties and Potential
Since Covid-19, there has been a lot of discussion about the potential antibiotic potential of cannabis. Bacterial antibiotic resistance is a particular area of concern, identified as a major threat to civilization. Serious infections are becoming difficult to treat as bacteria become immune to stronger drugs. Cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD), cannabichromene (CBC), and CBG have shown that they can fight certain kinds of bacteria, even ones that are resistant to regular antibiotics.
Research has shown that CBG is especially good at stopping bacteria from sticking together and forming the protective layer that produces resistance to antibiotics (Alfei et al., 2023). One study observed the effects of CBG on Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that causes dental problems. CBG stopped the bacteria from forming sticky layers on teeth, reducing their activity, and could be a useful treatment for preventing tooth decay (Aqawi et al., 2021).
What Is the Difference Between CBD and CBG?
CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol) are both cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant, but they have distinct chemical structures and potential effects.
Differences
First, CBD and CBG have different chemical structures. They are both compounds found in the cannabis plant, but they belong to different classes of cannabinoids. CBG is often present in much smaller quantities in cannabis plants than CBD. CBG is considered a minor cannabinoid, while CBD is one of the major cannabinoids.
Second, CBD and CBG interact with the endocannabinoid system in the body, but they do so differently. CBD indirectly interacts with cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2 receptors) and other receptors, affecting various physiological processes. CBG also interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors, but it may have a higher affinity for CB2 receptors, which are more prevalent in the immune system.
New to CB receptors? Learn more about how cannabis interacts with your body in ‘What is the Endocannabinoid System?’
Similarities
CBD and CBG also possess some similarities. CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t make you feel high like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) does. CBG is also non-psychoactive.
CBD is known for its potential anti-anxiety, analgesic (pain-relieving), anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. It has been investigated for various conditions, including epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain.
Similarly, CBG is being studied for its potential anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and potential anticancer properties. It has shown promise in preclinical studies for conditions like glaucoma, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain types of cancer.
How to use CBG
CBG Tinctures in Canada are becoming more popular as research and product development increases. There are a few ways to incorporate CBG into your wellness routine. In general, those looking to lower stress, alleviate mild to moderate pain, and achieve a feeling of tranquility are likely to benefit from CBG.
The most popular methods for using and administering CBG are:
CBG Tincture or Oil
CBG is particularly potent and effective when taken in liquid form. Administering it under the tongue and allowing it to sit and absorb before swallowing is common. Additionally, you can mix it into your food or beverages for easy consumption.
CBG Tinctures can be found online in Canada through SacredMeds Dispensary. We have a selection of quality CBG Tinctures available in our CBG Category.
CBG Crystals
Available in their purest form, CBG Isolate crystals are in powder form. You can melt them under your tongue or incorporate them into smoothies or oils as a dietary supplement.
Topical CBG Ointments and Products
CBG ointments and topical solutions like lotions or serums can be applied directly to the affected area for localized treatment or general skin care. These products allow CBG to be absorbed through the skin, providing targeted results.
CBG Dosing Considerations
Personal tolerance will be a leading determinant of how much CBG will be effective for you. If you feel quite sensitive to its effects on a first, low dose, then continuing at this low dose is recommended. Conversely, certain individuals might experience a milder, even imperceptible response to the compound. This will warrant a higher dosage for observable benefits.
When determining your optimal CBG dosage, there are several considerations to consider. For instance, the composition and potency of the CBG Tinctures you’re consuming, the specific symptoms you’re addressing, and elements like your age, gender, weight, and overall well-being. Generally, those with greater body mass may need slightly more to achieve equivalent effects. Males might lean towards a larger dose, whereas older individuals may require a smaller one.
The nature of the symptoms you’re working to alleviate also influences the ideal CBG dosage for desired outcomes. For instance, a study revealed that individuals taking 25mg of CBG daily experienced enhanced sleep quality, although results displayed variability. However, it’s plausible that an alternate condition like pain or IBS might mandate a lower or higher dosage for optimal efficacy.
Dosage Recommendations
Given the above considerations, CBG dosing is similar to CBD dosing. For IBS, lower doses of around 20-50mg per day have been suggested. Higher doses may be recommended for issues ranging from depression and anxiety to severe pain caused by cancer.
As CBG is non-psychoactive, it can take some time to recognize when it is taking effect. As with all psychoactive therapies, it is important to start low and go slow as you determine the correct dosage for you.
CBG Tinctures for Health and Well-Being
CBG, a lesser-known cannabinoid, holds promise for a wide range of potential benefits. Research has revealed its potential to manage pain, contribute to weight management, protect neurons, reduce inflammation in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, lower intraocular pressure for glaucoma, and possibly inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells. CBG has also shown antibiotic properties, which could be significant in the face of bacterial resistance.
If you’re interested in trying CBG Tinctures for their potential advantages, starting with a small amount and slowly increasing as needed is wise. Note your dosage as you progress to ensure a safe and effective incorporation into your wellness routine.
Recommended reading:
References
Alfei, S., Schito, G. C. and Schito, A. M. (2023) ‘Synthetic Pathways to non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids as promising molecules to develop novel antibiotics: A Review’, Pharmaceutics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, [online] Available Here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10384972/ (Accessed 27 August 2023).
Aqawi, M., Sionov, R. V. and Gallily, R. (2021) ‘Anti-Biofilm activity of Cannabigerol against streptococcus mutans’, Microorganisms, U.S. National Library of Medicine, [online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8539625/ (Accessed 27 August 2023).
Finn, D. P., Haroutounian, S. and Hohmann, A. G. (2021) ‘Cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system, and pain: A review of preclinical studies’, Pain, U.S. National Library of Medicine, [online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8819673/ (Accessed 27 August 2023).
Kogan, N. M., Lavi, Y. and Topping, L. M. (2021) ‘Novel CBG derivatives can reduce inflammation, pain and obesity’, Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), U.S. National Library of Medicine, [online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8467477/ (Accessed 27 August 2023).
Lah, T. T., Novak, M. and Pena Almidon, M. A. (2021) ‘Cannabigerol is a potential therapeutic agent in a novel combined therapy for glioblastoma’, Cells, U.S. National Library of Medicine, [online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7914500/ (Accessed 27 August 2023).
Mammana, S., Cavalli, E. and Gugliandolo, A. (2019) ‘Could the combination of two non-psychotropic cannabinoids counteract neuroinflammation? effectiveness of cannabidiol associated with Cannabigerol’, Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), U.S. National Library of Medicine, [online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6915685/ (Accessed 27 August 2023).