What Does CBG Do?

The cannabis world is fast-growing and more compounds are being discovered. CBG is one of the cannabinoids that is infused in various products, including gummies, tinctures, and capsules. Being a new product, consumers have various concerns. This article highlights everything you need to know about CBG, including its benefits, side effects, and how it differs from CBD.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a compound derived from the cannabis sativa plant. It has endless health benefits to the body, such as treating glaucoma, pain, and bacterial infections. CBG, just like CBD, is not psychoactive. CBG is the mother of all the other cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, as they are derived from it. This compound is found in smaller amounts than THC and CBD, which are abundant in hemp plants. A ripe cannabis sativa plant can only produce 1% of CBG. Currently, scientists have invented ways of increasing the production of CBG. One of the main ways of increasing CBG production is extracting it from a young cannabis plant. A young cannabis plant has more CBG than a ripe cannabis plant. As the cannabis plant matures, most CBG in the pant is converted into other cannabinoids. There are other cannabis strains specifically grown for the production of CBG, including super glue CBG and jack frost CBG. These modifications are done to meet the demand for these products. However, CBG products are still rare and expensive. Alternatively, you can take broad-spectrum CBG products as it contains all cannabinoids apart from THC. Full-spectrum CBD products contain CBG and all the other cannabinoids, including THC. However, the amount of CBG in such products might be very little. Cannabinoids work well when they are combined. Therefore, it is better to take CBG combined with other cannabinoids than to take it as an isolate.

How Does CBG Differ From CBD?

CBG is closely related to CBD. However, they differ in some ways. CBG is found in the hemp plant, while CBD is in smaller amounts. De Gregorio et al. (2019) explained that CBG and CBD could treat different ailments and can treat inflammation, chronic pain, and anxiety. Both compounds are not psychoactive, so they can’t make you feel high or fail a drug test. They can counteract the effects of THC. Therefore, taking CBG or CBD isolates can minimize the effects if you have ingested a high amount of THC. CBG products are rare and expensive, unlike CBD products that are all over the market.

What does CBG do?

Pellati et al. (2018) explained that CBG contains various properties such as anti-inflammatory, therapeutic and antibacterial. These properties enable the compound to treat different ailments and conditions such as:

Loss Of Appetite

Brierley et al. (2016) noted that CBG could increase appetite. CBG contains appetite-stimulating properties. Many people fear an increased appetite as they think it might lead them to obesity or overweight. However, increasing appetite is crucial for people with diseases such as HIV and cancer. Such diseases result in loss of appetite. People with such diseases should eat extra nutritious meals, but more research is needed to explain how CBG affects appetite.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve due to abnormally high pressure in the eye. It is the leading cause of blindness. Cairns et al. (2016) showed that CBG could reduce this pressure in the eye by increasing the flow of aqueous humor.

Huntington’s Diseases

It is a neurodegenerative condition that results from the breakdown of nerve cells. Aguareles et al. (2019) explained that CBG has neuroprotective properties that can treat this condition or improve its symptoms. There are chances that CBG can also treat other neurodegenerative disorders.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

It is a common disease caused by inflammation in the gut. Patients with IBD experience severe abdominal pains and diarrhea. CBG has anti-inflammatory properties. Wang et al. (2019) explained a reduction in inflammation in the gut of mice after CBG was administered for three months. However, human study needs to show the effects of CBG in humans.

Bladder Dysfunctions

This condition is also referred to as urinary incontinence. It is an embarrassing condition that many might not be able to discuss. Most cannabinoids have positive effects on the bladder. Maurya & Velmurugan (2018) showed that CBG has more effects on the bladder and can treat this condition.

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections are very common. They can attack any part of the body but mostly affect the gut. If these infections are not treated, they might cause death. Some notorious bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, develop resistance to most pharmaceutical antibiotics. These bacteria are dangerous if left untreated. McCormick (2020) found that CBG can eradicate these bacteria as it does not develop resistance to this compound.

Cancer

Much research is being conducted on the effects CBG has in cancer treatment. Lu et al. (2017) explained that CBG could treat colon cancer as the study conducted in rats concluded that CBG reduced colon cancer tumors and inhibited new cancer cells' growth. More research is needed to show the effects it would have on humans.

Side Effects Of CBG

All forms of CBG products are not seen to cause serious side effects. CBG is tolerated well by the body. However, more research is being undertaken to investigate any potential side effects it might have on human beings. However, some people have noticed changes in appetite after taking CBG oil. According to Ucci (2020), CBG may also cause tiredness. CBG has not shown interaction with over-the-counter medications and supplements. However, if you are under any medication, you should seek advice from a qualified doctor before taking CBG. CBG might be unsafe for pregnant and lactating mothers.

Conclusion

CBG is a compound with endless benefits. It can treat diseases such as cancer, glaucoma, bacteria infection, Huntington's bladder dysfunction, and inflammatory bowel disease. CBG has not shown any interaction with pharmaceutical medications. It also has no serious side effects but mild ones, such as changes in appetite and fatigue. However, the research on this compound is still limited. Most of the current information is based on research on rats and mice. More research is needed to show how this compound can benefit humans.

Additionally, CBG products are rare and expensive. However, you can get it from consuming full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD products. Before purchasing any CBG product, consider the source of CBG, the potency level, and whether the product has been through third-party lab testing, among other aspects.

References

Aguareles, J., Paraíso-Luna, J., Palomares, B., Bajo-Grañeras, R., Navarrete, C., Ruiz-Calvo, A., ... & Galve-Roperh, I. (2019). Oral administration of the cannabigerol derivative VCE-003.2 promotes subventricular zone neurogenesis and protects against mutant huntingtin-induced neurodegeneration. Translational neurodegeneration, 8(1), 1-15.

Brierley, D. I., Samuels, J., Duncan, M., Whalley, B. J., & Williams, C. M. (2016). Cannabigerol is a novel, well-tolerated appetite stimulant in pre-satiated rats. Psychopharmacology, 233(19), 3603-3613.

Cairns, E. A., Baldridge, W. H., & Kelly, M. E. (2016). The endocannabinoid system as a therapeutic target in glaucoma. Neural Plasticity, 2016.

De Gregorio, D., McLaughlin, R. J., Posa, L., Ochoa-Sanchez, R., Enns, J., Lopez-Canul, M., ... & Gobbi, G. (2019). Cannabidiol modulates serotonergic transmission and reverses allodynia and anxiety-like behavior in a model of neuropathic pain. Pain, 160(1), 136.

Lu, X. S., Qiao, Y. B., Li, Y., Yang, B., Chen, M. B., & Xing, C. G. (2017). Preclinical study of cinobufagin as a promising anti-colorectal cancer agent. Oncotarget, 8(1), 988.

Maurya, N., & Velmurugan, B. K. (2018). Therapeutic applications of cannabinoids. Chemico-biological interactions, 293, 77-88.

McCormick, C. (2020). Pre-print journal club review of BioRxiv article: Uncovering the hidden antibiotic potential of Cannabis. Authorea Preprints.

Pellati, F., Borgonetti, V., Brighenti, V., Biagi, M., Benvenuti, S., & Corsi, L. (2018). Cannabis sativa L. and nonpsychoactive cannabinoids: their chemistry and role against oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer. BioMed research international, 2018.

Ucci, M. What is CBG? CBG vs CBD For Anxiety And Pain Relief (2020 CBG Guide).

Wang, H., Braun, C., Murphy, E. F., & Enck, P. (2019). Bifidobacterium long 1714™ strain modulates the brain activity of healthy volunteers during social stress. The American journal of gastroenterology, 114(7), 1152.