cbg

In recent years, CBD has gained a reputation as a versatile aid for all kinds of people. Given the encouraging results that have emerged from numerous preliminary studies, it is undoubtedly attracting a growing number of fans. What many of these admirers do not know, however, is that there is another cannabinoid perhaps equally worthy of their attention. No, we are not talking about THC. There are more than 100 cannabinoids in the Cannabis sativa plant. One of these is CBG, which we will discuss today. By the end of this article, you will understand why it deserves recognition.

CBG - The origin of all Cannabinoids:

Although cannabis contains hundreds of them, all cannabinoids are connected in a kind of family tree, where the most important ones known so far come from a single substance: CBGA. When CBGA is synthesized by one of four different dehydrogenase enzymes during plant growth, CBDA, THCA, CBCA, and CBG are formed. These, in turn, are transformed into CBD, THC, CBC and CBG (which undergoes no change), respectively, after undergoing decarboxylation. However, do not let the latter term confuse you. Decarboxylation simply means that they are exposed to heat.

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What is Cannabigerol (CBG)?

CBG comes from CBGA and is one of many cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp. CBGA is just the acidic version of CBG. As the cannabis plant grows, almost all of the CBGA in the plant converts to THCA or CBDA. At harvest, most strains contain as little as 1 percent CBG or less. After the significant potential benefits of CBG discovered by research, the pace of experimental hybridization in this field has increased exponentially. Exactly like THC or CBD, CBG affects our bodies by causing a range of effects that are making it increasingly palatable as we discover what it is capable of.

How does CBG work?

Before talking about the potential benefits of CBG, we should examine how cannabinoids such as CBG are able to affect people. Whether it is THC, CBD, CBG or any other cannabinoid, all of these molecules are processed through our body's endocannabinoid system and act by mimicking the compounds produced naturally by our own body: endocannabinoids. However, there is a difference in the way each individual cannabinoid is processed. THC, for example, binds to CB1 receptors found in the brain. CBG, on the other hand, binds to CB2 receptors found in the gut, connective tissue, and nervous system. This distinction can be better understood through analysis of the effects.

What are the benefits of CBG?

The first thing to know about CBG is that it has no psychotropic properties, which means that after consuming it you will not get high. However, as many of you may know, getting high is not the only aspect that draws attention to cannabinoids. In fact, according to some research, numerous health problems can be treated or alleviated with cannabigerol.

  • CBG and pain

    Although little research is still circulating in this field, science gives a clear indication about CBG and pain relief. In 2010, a study conducted on the brain membranes of mice found that cannabigerol acts as a potent α2-adrenergic receptor agonist. This places it in a class of drugs known to manage various forms of pain, among others. A 2008 scientific review came to a similar conclusion. Throughout this review, reference is made to a 1991 study in which researchers discovered that CBG is an even stronger analgesic than THC.

  • CBG and Glaucoma

    Research on CBG's potential role in combating glaucoma goes back even further. The Department of Ophthalmology at West Virginia University tackled this topic in 1990, testing both THC and CBG. The goal of this study was to determine whether either cannabinoid could reduce intraocular pressure in cats. Interestingly, after administering these compounds onto their corneas via osmotic minipumps, it emerged that both cannabigerol and its psychoactive counterpart were able to successfully reduce intraocular pressure. The fact that CBG was able to exhibit this property, the researchers explain, could justify its use to treat glaucoma.

  • CBG and inflammation

    Inflammatory bowel disease affects millions of people worldwide, and there is always a need for new treatments. In an effort to investigate the mechanisms by which CBG might counteract inflammation, the Department of Pharmacology at Naples University conducted a study in mice. Published in 2013, their study concluded that CBG can debilitate colitis in a mouse model, as well as "reduce nitric oxide production in macrophages." Reflecting on the findings, the researchers suggest that CBG should be considered as an experimental treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

  • Neurodegenerative diseases

    Last but not least, scientists have discovered a link between CBG and the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Published in 2015 in the journal Neurotherapeutics, this study conducted in mice with Huntington's disease found that cannabigerol could protect these animals from several symptoms of the disease. This was mainly demonstrated by the way it normalized the expression of several genes associated with the disease. It also enhanced gene expression of insulin-like growth factor, brain neurotrophic factor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Thus, new avenues of research have opened up, and the path to evaluate the efficacy of CBG as a treatment for Huntington's disease now seems clear.

In conclusion, is CBG or CBD better?

So we have seen that the potential benefits of CBG are many, but can we consider it better than CBD? Well, this may not be the most correct question to start with, since they are two completely different cannabinoids. However, research suggests that both act on similar ailments, such as pain, glaucoma and inflammation. If we also consider this, CBG would seem to be more effective than other cannabinoids in managing problems such as muscle twitching. Overall, one is not necessarily better than the other, and your personal preferences will depend on why you are taking it. There is much more research on CBD and the products are much more affordable, so for now we can only recommend it.