The Rundown on CBG
As a cannabis enthusiast, you’ve likely heard of CBG. If you’ve taken interest in CBD, you may have seen some bundle packs containing both CBD and CBG. But what exactly is CBG, and what does it do?
CBG may seem elusive at first, especially among several other cannabinoid products hitting the markets these days. Maybe you have a friend who takes CBG for focus, and another who uses it for pain relief. As you’ll soon discover, CBG has been researched to show a whole range of health benefits that are potentially groundbreaking.
CBG doesn’t have to be some big mystery. In this article we’re going to cover everything you need to know about CBG. You’ll be an expert in no time!
What is CBG?
CBG is short for cannabigerol. It’s a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in trace amounts in hemp and cannabis plants. It was first isolated in 1964.
Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBG can legally be extracted from hemp plants that have less than .3% THC. This means that CBG can currently be sold in all 50 states regardless of cannabis laws and regulations.
CBG is gaining in popularity thanks to its myriad of health benefits and increased public interest and demand for cannabinoid products.
How is CBG made?
CBG is almost always derived from younger cannabis plants because they have more CBG than grown up plants.
Some strains such as Jack Frost CBG or White CBG have more CBG in them than other strains. These strains are cultivated specifically to produce CBG. White CBG was bred by Oregon CBD and has won multiple awards because of how much CBG it contains- about 10%.
More experimentation is still being done to breed plants that contain more and more CBG.
What are some cannabis strains that are high in both CBG and THC?
Some cannabis strains that are high in both CBG and THC include:
- Ace of Spades
- Animal Cookies
- Blueberry Muffins
- Fruit Punch
- Pink Lemonade
- White CBG
What is CBGA?
CBG starts in its acidic form- CBGA. This naturally becomes CBG as it neutralizes during plant growth.
CBGA can also turn into CBG when it’s heated up, a process known as decarboxylation. This is needed for CBG to reach its full therapeutic potential.
Something to note is that CBGA can turn into more than just CBG. It’s also the acidic precursor for all the other cannabinoids’ acidic forms. Therefore, CBGA is responsible for every single cannabinoid found in the hemp plant.
CBGA turns into different cannabinoids depending on the conditions and environment.
What’s the difference between CBD and CBG?
CBD and CBG are both non-psychoactive cannabinoids. Most cannabis plants contain up to 25% CBD but only about 1% CBG. They both use the same endocannabinoid receptors, but CBG and CBD have shown different health benefits in research- although they both appear to be anti-inflammatories.
One of the biggest differences between CBD and CBG is that much more research is available about CBD. As CBG becomes more and more popular, it’s likely to be further studied.
Anecdotally, people have described CBG as the “daytime version” of CBD.
CBG and the endocannabinoid system
There are 2 kinds of cannabinoid receptors in our body- CB1 and CB2.
CB1 receptors can be found in your brain and nervous system. CB2 receptors can be found in the immune system and other parts of your body.
CBG binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors.
What are the benefits of CBG?
Of the little studies that have been done, there are still significant findings. In a 2021 study, many patients discovered that CBG-dominant products helped their insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain, and more.
Let’s go over some other significant findings.
- CBG may be able to stimulate appetite. This can help people with eating disorders and those with cancer or HIV, among other conditions.
- Bacterial infections. CBG has the ability to kill bacteria, most notably the bacteria that causes drug-resistant staph infections.
- Bladder dysfunction. A number of cannabinoids appear to affect bladder contractions. Among these, CBG seems the most promising.
- In a rat study, it was found that CBG may be able to reduce the growth of tumors and cancer cells.
- While medical marijuana seems to treat glaucoma, CBG may be at the forefront of this ability. This is because CBG reduces intraocular pressure.
- Huntington’s disease. CBG may be neuroprotective and may have the ability to help treat neurodegenerative conditions.
- Inflammatory bowel disease. CBG appears to lower the inflammation associated with IBD, according to a 2013 mice study.
Anecdotally reported effects include increased energy at lower doses and sedation at higher doses. It is also said to be able to ease symptoms of OCD and PTSD by combatting depression and stress.
And as more and more studies come out, we’re only going to discover more health benefits and confirm hypotheses. Hopefully CBG will eventually be used in conventional medical settings!
What are the side effects of CBG?
We don’t know much about the potential side effects of CBG. However, it’s well tolerated by rats. But that’s not sufficient evidence to say there are no side effects in humans.
Does it interact with medications?
It’s best to talk to your doctor before taking CBG oil if you’re on any medications. This is even more important if you’re on a medication that has the grapefruit warning. Grapefruit and other closely related fruits can increase side effects of certain drugs by slowing down how quickly they’re metabolized by the liver.
CBG and scarcity
CBG products are scarce because of how hard it is to produce and because it has a smaller market than other cannabinoids. It’s also expensive because there isn’t much CBG in cannabis plants so it’s an expensive production process. In addition, low supply means high demand- and with higher demand comes higher prices.
What forms does CBG come in?
The most popular form that CBG comes in is as an isolated oil. Unfortunately, CBG oil can be on the pricier side. Broad-spectrum CBD oils contain small amounts of CBG along with other cannabinoids.
It’s theorized when you use different cannabinoids in conjunction they each become more effective. This is called the entourage effect.
Can I extract my own CBG?
The short answer is that it’s very unlikely for you to be able to extract your own CBG.
First, the cannabinoid is extracted with a superfluid liquid solvent such as ethanol or CO2. Hemp gets dissolved in the solution, drawing out the terpenes and cannabinoids of the hemp. Then the solution gets evaporated with heat beneath a vacuum and leaves behind a pure CBG concentrate.
How is CBG measured?
CBG is measured with potency testing just like other cannabinoids. One process is called Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography. HPLC is great because it can test samples without heating them up. Heating up cannabinoids can turn them into different forms and skew the data. Therefore, HPLC is one of the most precise techniques out there.
How do you pick out a good CBG product?
Picking out a good CBG product is much like picking out any good cannabis product. You want to begin by finding a reputable brand. You’re best off not buying from a local gas station! Dispensaries are a pretty good bet. From there, look at reviews. If there aren’t many reviews, that’s not necessarily a bad thing- they may just be a new company. Search the reviews for the effects you’re looking for. Are you looking for pain relief? Energy? See what the reviews mention.
Lastly, only buy CBG that’s third-party tested. Ideally the company would link to their lab reports so you know they’re legitimate.
Final thoughts
Pretty much everyone can benefit from CBG. Whether you want to protect your neurons or simply want an energy boost, CBG has got your back. The amazing thing about hemp and cannabis is how many different and unique cannabinoids they contain. And something really exciting about this day and age is the amount of research and effort being put into all these different cannabinoids!
The days of assuming that consuming hemp and cannabis is simply for getting high are long behind us, as you can reap many of their benefits without intoxication. And that’s a beautiful if you ask us!
