What is CBG?

CBD and THC are the best known active ingredients in cannabis. However, they are not the only ones that have an effect on the body and may be of interest. This is true of CBG, an understated but promising cannabinoid!

CBG, the parent molecule of cannabinoids

The level of CBG, or cannabigerol, in a hemp plant is barely 1%. This understated cannabinoid plays a major role in cannabis composition. It is the precursor of all other cannabinoids, including CBD and THC. The first cannabinoid acid to form in a cannabis plant is CBGA. It is at its highest level when the cannabis plant is flowering. Under the effect of various enzymes, CBGA is then transformed into THCA and CBDA. Heat and light finally lead to the decarboxylation of these acids, resulting in the cannabinoids that you so enjoy in your flowers, wax and CBD oils. Because of the low CBG content in hemp, it has only recently been the focus of research. And while there is still much to discover, CBG has promising potential.

How does CGB act?

The little research that exists on CGB has shown that it interacts in a similar way in the endocannabinoid system as CBD. Both molecules are CB1 receptor antagonists present in the endocannabinoid system.CBG thus inhibits, via its action on the CB1 receptor, the assimilation of anandamide, an endocannabinoid that plays an important role in the regulation of pain, appetite and reward circuits. The same study also showed that CBG influences the vanilloid 1 receptor which is involved in pain perception and inflammation management.

Another study conducted in 2016 on rats also showed that cannabigerol increased appetite. It is CGB which is responsible for the famous craving triggered by cannabis use. However, these results need to be corroborated by further studies in humans.

The therapeutic potential of CBG

Nevertheless, several studies have been carried out on animals to assess the use of CBG in the treatment of certain specific diseases. Cannabigerol has been shown to be effective in rats with colon cancer. CBG slowed the development of colorectal cancer in rats by inhibiting tumour growth.

Another study also revealed promising new prospects for use in the treatment of glaucoma. CBG is said to be a powerful vasodilator, which reduces intraocular pressure.

Finally, CBG is a proven antibacterial, which could make it useful in the fight against bacteria which are becoming resistant to the standard antibiotic treatments, such as staphylococcus aureus!

Which products contain CBG?

CBG is present in very small quantities in mature plants or when processed for consumption. Therefore, obtaining a product with a high CBG content requires the use of varieties rich in cannabigerol and a special processing method using young plants to preserve their high level of active ingredients.

Like all cannabinoids, CBG is more effective when it acts work together with the other active ingredients in hemp.

That’s why we recommend our full spectrum CBG and CBD oils which combine the best of legal cannabis for an optimal effect.