CBG: The Benefits of the Newly Studied Cannabinoid found in Cannabis

Everyone knows about the popular cannabinoid or chemical compound derived from hemp called Cannabidiol, also known as CBD. Although in hemp there are over 100 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, including Cannabigerol, also known as CBG. Yet with recent studies into hemp and CBD, more scientists are looking into the unexplored benefits of CBG effects for possibly helping relieve the symptoms of rare diseases and maybe even for cancer.

The Difference Between CBD and CBG Effects:

Hemp is highly composed of CBD, which can possibly help consumers with inflammation, anxiety, sleep deprivation and much more. In the cannabis plant, hemp can also contain .3 % of tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, which is also a property in marijuana that can cause psychoactive effects. Although with the small trace amount of .3 % of THC, the cannabinoid can possibly help consumers with pain severity, nausea, insomnia, epileptic seizures, and more. 

Since Cannabigerol is present in only 1% of all cannabis plants, CBG is known as a minor cannabinoid that has been one of the least studied cannabinoids in cannabis. Just like CBD and THC, CBG interacts with our body’s endocannabinoid system to help promote homeostasis. Cannabigerol interacts with our body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors commonly found in the brain and throughout our immune system to help balance our “mood, metabolism, appetite, and pain response.” 

What Can CBG Do for You?   

Even though CBG research is still at its infancy, many researchers and scientists are beginning to see the cannabinoid’s promising medicinal properties for all body wellness. John Huemoeller, the CEO of AXIM Biotechnologies Inc, a research and cannabis-based pharmaceutical company, stated that CBG has recently shown “promise as a possible antibacterial agent and anti-inflammatory” property.

Huemoeller comments that Cannabigerol contains medicinal properties to regulate mood due to its ability to “boost anandamide, the body’s natural “bliss” molecule.” CBG also acts as a GABA reuptake inhibitor that could possibly be used to help with seizures, anxiety, and overdose. Most importantly, CBG has also shown potential as a possible neuroprotectant to help relieve the symptoms of Huntington’s disease and more. 

In a 2015 study, CBG was discovered to be effective in protecting neurons in lab mice with Huntington’s disease, helping slow down the nerve cell degeneration or damage in the brain. The research team also saw significant improvement in motor functions and decreased the toxicity of the disease from healthy cells in the body. 

Recent studies on CBG have also shown the cannabinoid as a possible treatment for glaucoma by decreasing the affected eye’s intraocular pressure. In another study performed on lab mice in 2013 also showed CBG to help decrease inflammation in the colon for relieving inflammatory bowel disease. 

Remarkably, scientists are looking into CBG to possibly use to fight cancer. In a 2014 Italian study, a biochemistry research team discovered that CBG helps receptors block cancer cell growth throughout the body. The Italian team of scientists also saw a significant improvement in the growth of colorectal cancer in lab mice, resulting in the slowing of colon cancer cells. The scientist’s findings also documented CBG’s effects in inhibiting tumor growth and chemically-induced colon carcinogenesis, in which Cannabigerol could become one of the most promising treatments to help possibly cure colon cancer. 

Why Don’t We See CBG More Often?

Unfortunately, CBG is one of the most expensive cannabinoids to extract from cannabis because there is so little of it in the plant. James Rowland, CEO of Steve’s Goods, a Colorado cannabis store and dispensary, comments that it takes thousands of pounds of cannabis to create a small amount of CBG isolate. Rowland comments that CBD is easier to extract from hemp because over 20% of the plant is made of CBD. If hemp contains only 1% of CBG, then it would take around twenty times the amount of cannabis to get the same amount of CBD out of hemp. 

With Cannabigerol’s (CBG) consumer demand and medicinal benefits, more dispensaries are looking into scientifically engineering more cannabis strains to contain higher percentages of CBG. Although as the demand for CBG goes up, more companies will have to increase the amount of hemp they grow to create more products with CBG.  

At Go Green Botanicals, we offer top of the line CBD infused products available in sublingual oils, vapes, edibles, and more. Some products will contain the legal limit of .3% or less of THC and will be considered Full Spectrum. Full Spectrum products will contain over 100 cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, CBC and more. Where as other products are considered an isolate and only contain the cannabinoid, CBD.

As we move closer to cannabis legalization, more clinical studies and research can be done to gain deeper knowledge on all the plant has to offer.