CBG Oil, We all know that marijuana is what people use in order to get high. But, CBG, or cannabigerol, is also found in cannabis plants. Many people know it as the precursor to the other cannabinoids. But what exactly is CBG?
CBG is a type of cannabinoid. It’s just one of the many chemicals that are found in cannabis plants. Some of the most well-known cannabinoids include CBD and THC, but CBG has become a lot more interesting to people everywhere.
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What is CBG Oil?
CBG is just one of the organic compounds that is found in cannabis plants. It’s considered to be a minor cannabinoid, ad as a harvested plant contains 1% of CBG.
Cannabis plants produce CBGA, and the “A” stands for acid. This means CBGA is the acidic form of CBG. Cannabigerolic acid is the star of the show as it’s the precursor to 3 main cannabinoids: THC, CBC, and CBD. Put simply, without CBGA we wouldn’t have CBD or THC.
During a plants’ lifetime, there are natural enzymes that transform CBGA into CBDA, THCA, and CBCA. These then become transformed into CBC, CBD, and THC through decarboxylation. This is the removal of the carboxyl group with heat application. There are small amounts of CBGA which remain on the plant even after formation of other cannabinoids. They are in turn decarboxylated and then turned into CBG.
If you want to learn more about different products derived from this plant, check out our detailed guides on CBD oils, Terpenes, and topical treatments!
What Does CBG Stand for?
CBG, or cannabigerol, is found in cannabis plants. Some of the most common cannabinoids are CBD and THC. There are now more and more interesting potential benefits to using CBG.
You can find CBG in small amounts both in hemp and also marijuana. It’s considered to be a minor cannabinoid due to it being found in most cannabis strains. It’s found typically in low concentrations, usually about 1% or less in marijuana and then less than 2% if it’s hemp.
Where Exactly Does CBG Originate?
CBG is known as the non-acidic form of CBGA, or cannabigerolic acid. This is the foundational compound where cannabinoids are synthesized. CBGA was first to produce cannabis plants. Marijuana and hemp plants make CBGA in a plants trichomes.
Over time, as plants begin to mature, enzymes will break down CBGA into other acidic cannabinoids. For the most part, CBGA gets synthesized into CBDA, CBCA, and THCA. Afterwards, the cannabis plant is then aged or even heated through decarboxylation. These acids will then convert to CBD, CBC, and THC.
What is CBG Flower?
CBG hemp flowers are a type of hemp flower which are rich in CBG. This hemp flower is highly sought after and allows its users to enjoy advantages of a minor and essential cannabinoid.
Like CBD flower, CBG is non-intoxicating and contains naturally lower levels of THC. This means that smoking and even vaping CBG flower won’t get you high and is safe and used by adults.
Consumers everywhere use CBG-rich flowers the same they do with CBD flowers. Both are trimmed and prepared before consumption.
In comparison to the CBD flower, CBG flower is delicate and also demands better care by growers. Cultivating high-CBG flowers won’t be the easiest process. This is because if it’s handled the wrong way the lower loses potency.
Aside from vaping and smoking, CBG flowers can be used also for extraction to make oils and tinctures that are rich in CBG.
How is CBG Flower Grown?
The strains that are found in regular hemp flowers are CBD-dominant and therefore are bred to contain low levels of CBG. TO produce flowers which are high in CBG, growers have to use specific breeding, harvesting and then processing methods.
There has been recent research that has shown breeding new strains of hemp can yield high amounts of CBG.
By using a special selection, growers have the ability to produce a larger harvest of CBG flower which is later used for extraction.
Generally, cannabis cultivars that have larger amounts of THC or CBD will contain a lesser amount of CBG. The theory behind thought is these plants are more efficiently converting CBGa to additional cannabinoids.
CBG Dosage
There have been various doses that have been tested to determine what a proper dosage would be. Research has shown that the maximum dosage of CBG is 300mg CBG per kg of weight. For instance, if you weight 175lbs, you can take up to 24 grams of CBG. This equals out to be about 5 tbsp. and this is something not many people ingest.
A lot of CBG doesn’t always mean it helps you out more. If you take the right dose for your weight, you won’t have to worry about any side effects or other adverse reactions.
Is CBG Legal?
At the federal level, CBG is legal. This is saying it comes from hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill passing helped to legalize hemp and also the derivatives of the plant. The law additionally contained provisions that helped to clarify the legality of products that were hemp derived.
All marijuana-derived and marijuana compounds will remain illegal at federal levels. There are more than 30 states that have their own policies that permit the use of marijuana.
While CBG isn’t available due to the low concentrations, CNG can be found in full-spectrum and hemp-derived oils, including CBD oil.
Does CBG Get You High?
Simply put, no you can’t get high from CBG. Much like CBD, CBG does have mild psychoactive effects but not psychotropic effects. CBD and CBG can affect the brain a lot differently than THC does. They don’t come with any intoxicating effects. In high concentrations, there are effects of euphoria and relaxation with CBG, but a lot of the effects that the cannabinoid will have on your system aren’t psychological.
Benefits of CBG
Similar to some of the other cannabinoids, there are several benefits to CBG. Some advantages of CBG can include:
- Anti-proliferative
- Anti-insomnia
- Analgesia
- Anti-convulsive
- Brain cell stimulant
- Antidepressant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Appetite stimulant
- Antibacterial
CBG helps to treat a number of conditions and ailments you might be suffering from. Some other areas it can help with include anorexia, glaucoma, chronic pain, epilepsy, IBS, cancer, and more.
How Does CBG Work?
Similar to other cannabinoids, CBG will work by influencing your endocannabinoid system within the body. Your endocannabinoid system is a collection of CB1 and also CB2 receptors, endocannabinoids and also enzymes.
Endocannabinoids are compounds produced by the body. They bind together with CB1 and CB2 receptors. They help regulate a number of the body’s physiological functions and they help to maintain internal balance.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects That Come with CBG
CBG has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. This means it can be helpful in treating a number of conditions that come from chronic diseases.
One study showed CBG worked on helping to relieve discomfort from IBS. Researchers found CBG helped reduce inflammatory markers with mice who were induced with IBD, and it additionally relieved colitis. Based on such findings, CBG was suggested to be tested further in humans as a potential treatment for IBD.
CBG Works as an Appetite Suppressant
CBG shows great promise to working as an appetite suppressant based on a study done in 2016. Rats were either given a placebo or CBG and their feeding habits were then observed. Rats who ate CBG increased their meal intake as opposed to those who ingested the placebo. However, amount eaten at meals and duration of their meals weren’t affected.
Using CBG for Bladder Problems
There was a 2015 study done that showed cannabinoids were used for people who suffered with bladder dysfunction. This study found that they were capable of reducing bladder contractions that were found in mice. Among the cannabinoids t hat were tested, CBG became the most effective, along with THCV. CBG also showed to reduce contractions in humans.
CBG as an Anti-Microbial Agent
Along with a few other cannabinoids, CBG has shown antibacterial effects. When it was tested among various Staphylococcus aureus bacterium strains in a lab, CBG has a significant amount of antimicrobial properties. This finding found that CBG could be crucial in the future.
Neuroprotective Effects CBG Can Have
As well as having anti-inflammatory properties, CBG can also be an antioxidant and protects your nervous system from any type of damage. This is done in a similar way to endocannabinoids 2-AG.
There was an animal study done on the neuroprotective effects CBG had. Results showed that CBG helped to improve motor deficits as well as preserved neurons in certain neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington’s disease.
Mental Health Advantages of CBG
There was a 2016 study one that showed CBG could be a great alternative treatment for both anxiety and depression. Different research findings showed that CBG’s anxiety properties were revealed in different areas. However, there is a little bit more research that needs to be done. CBG has been known to block serotonin receptors and this shows potential for this particular cannabinoid treating depression.
CBG has also been shown to inhibit the brain’s uptake of GABA, which is an amino acid which acts like a neurotransmitter in the CNS, or central nervous system. It also can calm the system down. GABA blocks nerve impulses, and when inhibited, GABA results in lessened muscle tension and anxiety.
How CBG Compares to Others
CBD has all the buzz right now, but CBG has become more and more popular. Like THC and CBD, CBG is additionally a cannabinoid that comes from cannabis plants.
CBG isn’t psychoactive though. This means you won’t get the increased appetite and restlessness THC gives you. CBG is the parent molecule to all other cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. CBG can be transformed into other cannabinoids using either ultraviolet radiation or heat.
Why is CBG So Expensive?
Another difference between CBG and other cannabinoids is the price. Perhaps the main reason for this is production. A lot of resources and biomass is required to produce a small amount of CBG.
That’s mainly due to the fact that CBG content of hemp plants are low; well below 1%. In comparison, there’s 20% CBD found in hemp plants. SO, what this means is you need to put 20 times the effort into getting CBG as you would need to do with CBD.
Buying CBG Oil
CBG oil isn’t as common as CBD oil because of the cost of CBG. CBG prices are often double what you will find CBD costing.
There are full-spectrum CBD products, in addition to broad-spectrum products that have CBG in the formula. You’ll typically find it in trace amounts. For those of you who are specifically looking for CBG to add it to your daily regimen, make sure you are buying your CBG from reputable sources. Make sure they do third-party testing. If you’re looking to complete your regime and entourage effect, full-spectrum tinctures are recommended. If you want a THC-free oil, then choose a broad-spectrum tincture.
How CBG Compares to CBD
CBG and CBD both are nonintoxicating. This means you won’t get high from them. Both interact with receptors in your body and according to a study done in 2018, it also possesses anti-inflammatory effects.
However, there are several different functions that CBG has over CBD. There are also several health benefits.
The primary difference between the two is that the level of research done between the two is different. CBD has had a lot of research done but CBG hasn’t had as much.
With that being said, the popularity of CBG means there will be more studies done.
Does it Interact with Medications?
There isn’t a lot of research done that shows how CBG might interact with over-the-counter meds. If you do take any medication, you might want to talk to your doctor about how CBG could interact with your current medication regimen.
Studies are being done on CBG that are proving to be very promising. CBG has become widely used by people everywhere for many different reasons. Offering such versatility means it can help almost anyone with any ailment or chronic conditions. There is still a lot of research that’s needed to better understand just how CBG can work in the body.
