What is CBG? Everything You Need to Know!
By now, most people who regularly smoke and use cannabis already know that the two most popular active compounds in marijuana are THC and CBD. Most people know what are the effects of CBD and THC. However, did you know that there are far-lesser popular cannabinoids present in a cannabis plant?
Let’s talk about CBG, or better known as Cannabigerol. In this article, we’ll talk about what is CBG and how does it affect our body.
What is CBG?
Cannabinoids are naturally happening chemical compounds that cooperate with your body’s endocannabinoid system, either indirectly or directly. When this cannabinoids interact with your ECS or Endocannabinoid system, many positive things are happening in our body, from improved focus, mood regulation, appetite-stimulating, and pain management to name a few.
While THC and CBD are almost found in every cannabis plant and hemp with high concentrations, CBG is also found, but usually, CBG is in smaller concentrations, for about 1%. CBG is considered to be a minor cannabinoid.
Research and studies show that CBG begins as CBGA, a precursor to the acidic forms of THC and CBD. (THCA and CBDA). This means that before THC and CBD, CBGA is the first cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. As the three precursors to three active compounds, CBGA or Cannabigorelic acid has an outstanding ability to transform into CBDA, THCA, and CBCA.
When light and heat are present, CBGA is transformed into the acidic state of CBDA, THCA, and CBCA, respectively, CBD, THC, and CBC. The activation takes place during the first 6 to 8 weeks of the plant’s flowering cycle. When CBGA is converted, to either THCA or CBDA in most strains, this means that there are more concentrations of THC than CBG and CBD by nature of how these compounds are created.
Because of transformative powers, CBG is driving exciting new research and studies on how the compound works.
Why is There a Sudden Interest about CBG?
Due to recent studies and findings of CBG, more and more cannabis growers are trying to cultivate CBG-rich cannabis plants through genetic manipulation, selective breeding. Other seed growers have made insurmountable progress creating cannabis plants that have high concentrations of CBG.
The buzz about what is CBG is that it may have the potential to out-scale its counterparts in providing psychoactive and therapeutic effects. Although studies are going more and more abundant with these, significant studies about CBG is still lacking. Its transformative effects paved the way for naming the chemical pound as the “stem cell” of cannabinoid compounds.
CBG’s Probable Therapeutic Benefits
Our body’s very own endocannabinoid system works to keep your bodily function regulated and for it to work perfectly, although many studies are discussing different cannabinoids how they work. In general, our endocannabinoids works in different parts of the boy. For example, if you were to get injured in a specific spot in your body, what your CBD does is help regulate immune cells to minimize inflammation in that part of your body.
CBG Medical Benefits
Thanks to the abundance of research on how CBG reacts in our body, there are some remarkable healing properties discovered. Here are some of the few benefits of CBG
1. Anti-inflammatory
It has shown that CBG has potent anti-inflammatory properties making it an ideal medical for people treating muscle pains and joint pains associated with rheumatism. It can be a good idea to incorporate topical treatments with CBG to provide instant relief and address gut inflammation on a microscopic level.
2. Antibacterial and Anti-fungal
Almost all cannabinoids offer antibacterial properties and antifungal properties. Just like THC, and CBD, CBG is more than qualified as both of those came through CBG.
3. Antioxidant
Studies have shown that CBG has what it takes to limit or minimize cell damage. It eliminates free radicals in our body reducing the damage done. By raising our body’s superoxide dismutase, it prevents further damage, or if damage has been done, limits to what it can provide.
4. Glaucoma Treatment
Same goes for CBD and THC, CBG is a good vasodilator because endocannabinoids are prevalent in our eyes, it can prevent intraocular pressure due to glaucoma condition. A study showed that CBG is a great neuro-protectant, this means that has the power to heal our nervous system. With this finding, it can also be a good treatment for conditions such as Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
5. Appetite-Stimulant
CBD is known to be a very powerful appetite stimulant. Making a case for a potential treatment for anorexic patients or people wanting to gain weight.
6. Cancer Treatment
Making a good case for being a cancer treatment. CBG was shown to block receptors that inhibit the growth of cancer cells. In one study involving mice, it inhibits the growth of colorectal cancer cells. Thereby, slowing the growth of cancer cells.
7. Osteoporosis Treatment
It is evident that almost all cannabinoids promote bone growth. Making them beneficial treatment for people suffering from osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions.
8. Pain-Management
CBG like most cannabinoids manages pains inside and outside of our body. Making them a great alternative for managing pain from cancer, multiple sclerosis, and any pain in general.
As more and more scientists are getting excited about the potential of CBG when it comes to its medical benefits. With these researches and studies, it promotes further exploration and investigation on CBG and how we humans can benefit from it. The idea of CBG-alone or CBG-combined cannabinoids will only prompt scientists to further experiment on this promising chemical compound.
Conclusion
As the advancement of research is kicking in on the potential of CBG as a treatment for various conditions, this makes us optimistic about everything on what this humble plant can do.
Aside from THC and CBD, we have hundreds of cannabinoids to thank for, and one of them is the CBG, we need to know what is CBG and how it affects our body to give us a better understanding on how these chemical compounds work in our body and all the positives they bring.
