CBG Cannabinoid. What is it? Effects, Strains. CBG vs CBD
Today we continue exploring cannabinoids focusing on CBG
There is a variety of chemical compounds found in cannabis - cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids - that combined produce various effects on our bodies and minds.
Cannabinoids interact with the body’s receptors or the endocannabinoid system to produce various effects. Over 100 cannabinoids that we know of can be found in the cannabis plant, most common being THC which provides psychoactive active effect of marijuana, CBD - one of the most popular ones with promising medical benefits, CBN - the sleepy cannabinoid as it is often called, and many more. In this article we will focus on the up and coming one - CBG.
CBG or Cannabigerol is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the marijuana plant. It is not found in significant amounts in most of the strains but it is definitely worth taking a look at.
At an early stage of the plant’s growth, enzymes and compounds combine to create CBGa which later turns into CBG.
The cannabinoid or rather its early stage version CBGa is crucial to any cannabis and its “high” properties since CBG is the origin of all cannabinoids, including THC and CBD by a way of THCa and CBDa. As nature would have it, only trace amounts of CBGa actually turn into CBG but scientists have been able to synthesize it since 1964. The cannabinoid is also often derived from young plants which have a high concentration of it.
What does the cannabinoid CBG do? Effects and benefits
Unlike the extremely popular CBD, CBG requires a lot more studies but the ones conducted on animals already suggest that CBG may help with the following ailments:
Cancer. The cannabinoid has a potential to be used as an inhibitor and even a cure for various types of cancer.
Huntington’s disease. By protecting nerve cells of the brain and improving motor deficits.
Glaucoma. CBG may help maintain eye pressure and provides the eye with nutrition through an increase of aqueous humor flow.
Antibacterial. Including some drug resistant types.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.
CBG effects vs CBD
Both cannabinoids are very similar - they both can potentially counteract the high you get from THC making it more mellow, and both are non-psychoactive meaning they will not get you high on their own. However, their potential medical applications differ - CBG like THC has more of an effect on your body’s nervous system while CBD tends to affect the immune system.
CBG binds to both receptors of our endocannabinoid system - CB1 and CB2.
Will CBG get you stoned?
Being a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, CBG will not give you any buzz.
CBG legal status. Can I buy CBG online?
Since CBG is found in hemp which has been legalized through the Farm Bill of 2018, CBG can be legal throughout the US but only as long as it was derived from cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC, i.e. industrial hemp. CBG high strains are becoming more and more popular every year due to the numerous potential benefits.
Strains rich in CBG cannabinoid
The amount of CBG in a typical cannabis strain is usually low, but some strains may contain up to 10% of the cannabinoid. Strains that have a higher CBG content include the following:
Animal Cookies - heavy hitting indica leaning strain with a distinct sour and sweet flavor.
White CBG A rare high CBG hemp strain out of Oregon.
Ace of Spades A flavorful indica-dominant strain that often contains higher quantities of the THCV cannabinoid.
Fruit Punch a potent sativa created by crossing legendary strains like Skunk #1, Haze, and Northern Lights.
And of course, you can buy infused high CBG products - from topicals, tinctures, vape carts and CBG edibles like Wana Wyld Pear 1:1 CBG:THC gummies or Cheeba Chews Trifecta caramel chews offering a combo of CBG, CBD, and THC.
Health Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using cannabis, particularly if you have pre-existing conditions or are taking medication.