The 2018 Farm Bill brought about the adoption of many new alternative cannabinoid products. One of these alternative cannabinoid products is CBG.
CBG is a naturally occurring compound that may have the potential to reduce pain and inflammation.
What Is CBG?
CBG is a cannabinoid, meaning it’s a compound that naturally occurs in all cannabis plants. This compound can be extracted and isolated in order to provide individuals with a variety of benefits.
CBG is naturally found in flowers and extracts as a decarboxylated cannabinoid of CBGA. Breeders have created some high CBGA, low THCA-producing strains from which producers can extract and isolate CBG. However, it can also be semi-synthetic in the case of certain products. It’s been found to be a weak partial agonist at the CB1 and CB2 receptors. There are other receptors in the body, such as the 5-HT1a receptor and TRPV channels, that CBG can interact with and use to elicit effects.1
Effects and Benefits of CBG
It is important to note that CBG is a non-intoxicating compound. This means that it will not provide the same high that THC does.
A reduction in inflammation is one of the biggest potential benefits of CBG. There is some anecdotal evidence that suggests CBG may be helpful for people with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease. As always, it’s important to speak with your doctor before making health and wellness decisions.
CBG also has the potential to stimulate appetite. However, researchers note that CBG is more effective at stimulating appetite when it is part of a whole plant. CBG isolates have not been demonstrated to be as effective at stimulating appetite. Researchers hypothesize that CBG may be more helpful for individuals with anorexia than high THC products due to the non-intoxicating effects.
Some people who take CBG say it may help with symptoms of anxiety. Given current research, it’s believed that CBG’s anti-anxiety effects are highly dependent on dosage. The right dosage can vary for everyone, so consider consulting a specialist to determine how much CBG you should be taking.
Many people deal with chronic pain on a daily basis, and it’s possible that CBG could be a solution for some. It has been found that CBG was more effective than conventional pain medications at treating both chronic and acute pain.2 While this is a significant find, it’s important to note that there is still a lot of research that needs to be done in this area.
Risks of CBG
There hasn’t been much research done to examine the potential risks of CBG and CBG oil, but one study found that 44% of the sample size experienced no adverse effects from CBG. The adverse effects experienced included dry mouth, dry eyes, increased appetite, and sleepiness.2
CBG vs. Other Popular Cannabinoids
CBG does not produce the intoxicating effects associated with delta-9 THC. Yet, they both may work together to stimulate appetite. Delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC also produce intoxicating effects, though at lower or higher potencies than delta-9 THC, respectively.3 CBG has lower binding affinity for the CB1 receptor than delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC, and delta-10 THC.4
Both CBD and CBG have antimicrobial properties. However, CBG has been found to be more effective in this area than CBD.5 Both of these compounds are non-intoxicating and may help individuals feel more relaxed. Individuals can find a number of CBG and CBD products at store-front and online retailers, as well as your locally licensed dispensaries.
When it comes to comparing CBG and THCV, more research needs to be done. It’s likely that individuals will experience more intoxicating effects when taking THCV, but research has also shown that, unlike CBG, THCV has the ability to suppress appetite.
Consumer Favorite CBG Products
From CBG oil to gummies, there are many different product options to explore if you are interested in this cannabinoid.
Available to adult-use and medical consumers in a number of states, Wyld Pear Gummies have both CBG and THC, so this product is likely to have an intoxicating effect for most users. However, these gummies were designed with balance in mind. If you’re looking for a holistic product, then this could be the right pick for you.
These pear gummies are also available to consumers outside of legal cannabis states in a formula that does not have THC. Each of these gummies has 20mg of CBD and 10mg of CBG, and they're crafted to help consumers feel rejuvenated and restored.
Rose brand's cannabis-infused delights are an option you won’t want to pass up. These edibles have relatively low amounts of THC, so they’re great for beginners or consumers who want the health benefits of cannabis without a significant high.
If you’re looking to buy CBG hemp flower, we recommend checking out Horn Creek Hemp. Their products are tested in a third-party lab and made using proven practices, so you can feel good about purchasing from them.
Remember to buy products only from reputable sources and discuss any changes in your health and wellness practices with your doctor.
References
- Walsh KB, McKinney AE, Holmes AE. Minor Cannabinoids: Biosynthesis, Molecular Pharmacology and Potential Therapeutic Uses. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2021;12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.777804 ↩︎
- Russo EB, Cuttler C, Cooper ZD, Stueber A, Whiteley VL, Sexton M. Survey of Patients Employing Cannabigerol-Predominant Cannabis Preparations: Perceived Medical Effects, Adverse Events, and Withdrawal Symptoms. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2022;7(5):706-716. doi:10.1089/can.2021.0058 ↩︎
- Tagen M, Klumpers LE. Review of delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8 -THC): Comparative pharmacology with Δ9 -THC [published correction appears in Br J Pharmacol. 2023 Jan;180(1):130]. Br J Pharmacol. 2022;179(15):3915-3933. doi:10.1111/bph.15865 ↩︎
- Jastrząb A, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E. The Origin and Biomedical Relevance of Cannabigerol. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(14):7929. Published 2022 Jul 19. doi:10.3390/ijms23147929 ↩︎
- Luz-Veiga M, Amorim M, Pinto-Ribeiro I, Oliveira ALS, Silva S, Pimentel LL, Rodríguez-Alcalá LM, Madureira R, Pintado M, Azevedo-Silva J, et al. Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol Exert Antimicrobial Activity without Compromising Skin Microbiota. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023; 24(3):2389. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms240323 ↩︎
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
