What is CBG?
CBG (Cannabigerol) is a cannabinoid found in both hemp and marijuana. Like other cannabinoids, CBG occurs mostly in its acidic form, CBGA (Cannabigerolic acid) in the raw plant. Affectionately referred to as “The Mother of all Cannabinoids”, CBG occurs in high amounts in premature hemp and marijuana plants. As the plants mature, the majority of CBGA is converted to either THCA or CBDA, depending on plant genetics. What we typically are left with is around 1% CBG in the finished plant.
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What are the Benefits of CBG?
Now that we know what CBG is and where it comes from, let’s discuss some of its health benefits and applications. Preliminary research has shown CBG to exert anti-inflammatory1, antioxidant2, neuroprotective2,3,4, anxiolytic4,5, anti-depressant4,5 and antineoplastic7 effects. While there are many more potential benefits to CBG, these are the most well-studied that we will be focusing on.
CBG for Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Neuroprotection
Several studies have shown CBG to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.1,2,3,4 These three effects are synergistic for a wide array of medical conditions. A lot of the focus here has been on increased levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. These mechanisms of CBG can be particularly useful in conditions such as Huntington’s Disease.3
CBG for Anxiety and Stress
A 2010 study showed CBG to be a “highly potent alpha2-Adrenoceptor Agonist”.5 What this means is that through this pathway, CBG is able to reduce levels of norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is most commonly known for its role in our “fight or flight” response. When CBG inhibits norepinephrine production through this pathway, the resulting effects are sedation and pain modulation. Both of these effects have the ability to relieve anxiety and stress.
CBG also activates a receptor known as 5HT1A. This receptor modulates mood and can help with both anxiety and depression. This is one of the same receptors activated by CBD, and studies have shown synergy between the two.10 We highly recommend our most popular line of products for anxiety we call Calm. This product line will not only calm anxiety but inflammation as well.
CBG for Depression
Studies have shown CBG to be a 5HT1A receptor antagonist.4,5 This means that CBG has been shown to be a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Through this process, CBG can elevate circulating levels of serotonin in the body and alleviate symptoms of depression. This process appears to be different from how CBD and CBC are able to elevate mood. We formulate our products to create an “entourage effect”, which is why our Elevate line combines CBD, CBG, and CBC for ultimate mood elevation.
CBG for Cancer
One study from 2014 showed that “CBG inhibited the growth of xenograft tumours as well as chemically induced colon carcinogenesis.”8 Another study from 2017 showed that “…CBG elicits hyperphagia, by reducing latency to feed and increasing meal frequency, without producing negative neuromotor side effects.”9 These studies indicate that CBG has the potential to be helpful for some people fighting cancer.
In Conclusion
We hope that you can see now why we love to add CBG to our products. With so many uses and the research still coming out, we think that CBG would be a great addition to just about anyone’s routine. Our Calm products are our best sellers for a reason. If you haven’t tried CBG before, or even if you have tried other CBG products, we highly recommend you give ours a shot. Stay healthy.
If you are interested in learning about other minor cannabinoids, check out this article on CBN.
Sources
1Borrelli F;Fasolino I;Romano B;Capasso R;Maiello F;Coppola D;Orlando P;Battista G;Pagano E;Di Marzo V;Izzo AA; “Beneficial Effect of the Non-Psychotropic Plant Cannabinoid Cannabigerol on Experimental Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Biochemical Pharmacology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23415610/.
2di Giacomo, Viviana, et al. “Neuroprotective and Neuromodulatory Effects Induced by Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol in Rat Hypo-E22 Cells and Isolated Hypothalamus.” Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), MDPI, 13 Jan. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7022242/.
3Valdeolivas S;Navarrete C;Cantarero I;Bellido ML;Muñoz E;Sagredo O; “Neuroprotective Properties of Cannabigerol in Huntington’s Disease: Studies in R6/2 Mice and 3-Nitropropionate-Lesioned Mice.” Neurotherapeutics : the Journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25252936/.
4Echeverry C;Prunell G;Narbondo C;de Medina VS;Nadal X;Reyes-Parada M;Scorza C; “A Comparative in Vitro Study of the Neuroprotective Effect Induced by Cannabidiol, Cannabigerol, and Their Respective Acid Forms: Relevance of the 5-HT 1A Receptors.” Neurotoxicity Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32886342/.
5Cascio MG;Gauson LA;Stevenson LA;Ross RA;Pertwee RG; “Evidence That the Plant Cannabinoid Cannabigerol Is a Highly Potent alpha2-Adrenoceptor Agonist and Moderately Potent 5HT1A Receptor Antagonist.” British Journal of Pharmacology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20002104/.
Sources Continued
6D;, Tank AW;Lee Wong. “Peripheral and Central Effects of Circulating Catecholamines.” Comprehensive Physiology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25589262/.
7El-Alfy, Abir T, et al. “Antidepressant-like Effect of delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Other Cannabinoids Isolated from Cannabis Sativa L.” Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2010, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2866040/.
8Borrelli F;Pagano E;Romano B;Panzera S;Maiello F;Coppola D;De Petrocellis L;Buono L;Orlando P;Izzo AA; “Colon Carcinogenesis Is Inhibited by the TRPM8 Antagonist Cannabigerol, a Cannabis-Derived Non-Psychotropic Cannabinoid.” Carcinogenesis, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25269802/.
9Brierley DI;Samuels J;Duncan M;Whalley BJ;Williams CM; “Cannabigerol Is a Novel, Well-Tolerated Appetite Stimulant in Pre-Satiated Rats.” Psychopharmacology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27503475/.
10Tambaro, Simone, and Marco Bortolato. “Cannabinoid-Related Agents in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives.” Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Apr. 2012, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3691841/.
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