CBG is a non-psychoactive minor cannabinoid found in hemp and marijuana plants. It has been referred to as the "mother of all cannabinoids" because every other cannabinoid is derived from its acidic form, CBGA (cannabigerolic acid).
CBG is particularly abundant in the
trichomes of
very young cannabis plants. However, as the plant matures, a process called
decarboxylation occurs, and this chemical precursor eventually converts into other compounds. Thus, it is important to extract CBG early in the growing process.
CBG vs. CBD
CBG and CBD not only sound alike, but they also share the aspect of non-psychoactivity. In other words, neither one of these compounds will "make you high."
Still, there are
differences between the two. For one, CBG has a
unique chemical formula, meaning it does not have the same arrangement of atoms. As a result, it interacts with the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in the body's endocannabinoid system differently than CBD.
How CBG Works in Your Body
The
endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is a network of chemical messengers and receptors that regulate essential bodily functions. Usually, endocannabinoids like
anandamide will be the chemicals doing the... messaging. However,
phytocannabinoids (which are almost exclusively derived from cannabis plants) are also able to interact with the ECS.
THC, as a point of reference, binds strongly to ECS receptors, resulting in its potent mind-and-body effects. CBG, on the other hand, has a low binding affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are primarily located in the central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are concentrated in the immune system and peripheral nerve cells. This explains CBG's mild effects on the mind, which mostly manifest in a relaxed feeling, as well as its potentially anti-inflammatory, pain-dampening effects throughout the body.
However, CBG's interactions in our bodies extend well beyond the standard cannabinoid receptors associated with THC. Its activity is characterized by a "multidirectional" approach, engaging G-protein-coupled receptors, ligand-gated ion channels, and nuclear receptors. The result of this multidirectional approach is CBG's robust antioxidant, antibacterial, neuroprotective, and neuromodulatory properties that have been observed in numerous scientific studies. For example, CBG has been shown to decrease markers of oxidative stress, as well as inhibit the breakdown of anandamide in the body, which may offer an uplifted mood and calming sensation. Most interestingly, it has also been shown to prevent cell proliferation, making it a prospect in emerging cancer research.
These results in these early studies are promising,
but more scientific research is needed to substantiate any claims about cannabigerol's therapeutic potential. At least anecdotally, however,
reports from consumers support that CBG is an effective means of alleviating daily stress and discomfort
.What does CBG feel like?
One of CBG's most distinct characteristics is what it does not do. Unlike the
various types of THC, CBG does not produce a high. However, as mentioned above, its interactions with various receptors in the nervous system produce an uplifting and calming feeling.
Some have suggested that CBD and CBG have similar effects, but with CBG, it is more pronounced. All in all, if you have enjoyed CBD in the past, CBG may be worth giving a try!
The Importance of CBG
Without the acidic form of CBG, known as CBGA, we would not have the products that we have grown to love because CBGA is the chemical precursor for well-known cannabinoids, Delta-9 THC, and CBD. But this transition doesn’t happen overnight.
As the plant begins to grow, enzymes will slowly convert CBGA into cannabinoid acids. Some include:
- Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)
- Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA),
- Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA)
The concentration of CBGA is at its highest during the early stages of the plant's development. Still, as the plant continues to grow, CBGA is converted into other acidic forms until it reaches maturity. And just like other cannabinoids, if you draw out CBGA and apply heat to it, it will transform into CBG. You can do this by putting it in an oven, a lighter, or by using a vaporizer.
How Is CBG Made?
CBG is naturally produced in young hemp plants, but as the plant develops, it starts to convert into other cannabinoids. With CBG production in mind, hemp growers have had to choose—do they halt hemp’s natural growth process to gain a higher yield of CBG but a low concentration of other compounds?
The downside of this method is the amount of plant material it takes to achieve CBG production, and growers miss out on drawing out other compounds. Instead, some cultivators harvest hemp after it reaches maturity because it is more economically viable to produce not only CBG but also CBD and Delta-9 THC.
There are some instances of farmers who cross-breed with different genetics to achieve a higher concentration of CBG while still maintaining additional cannabinoid production.
How to Consume CBG
indica
sativa
