What is CBG, and why should I care?

CBD and THC may be the most studied and talked-about cannabinoids, but did you know that there are over 100 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant? All of these cannabinoids support our endocannabinoid system, but they don’t all produce the same effects. CBG is one cannabinoid that, like CBD, doesn’t make you feel “high” — but it does have powerful therapeutic properties. 

The Benefits of CBG

While all cannabinoids are known to help fight inflammation, according to Dr. Sulak at healer.com, CBG has actually been shown to be more powerful than THC when it comes to inhibiting the enzymes that produce inflammatory molecules — meaning that it has the potential to be even more effective for relieving pain and other inflammatory conditions. 

• CBG is a powerful vasodilator and can reduce intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma. 
• CBG has powerful neuroprotective effects and may be able to help fight Huntington’s Disease, as shown in a study conducted on mice in 2015. 
• CBG may be beneficial for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, as shown in a study done on mice in 2013.  
• CBG may help fight cancer by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. One study done on mice in 2014 showed CBG blocking the receptors that can contribute to the growth of cancer cells.
• CBG has powerful antibacterial properties, showing “potent activity against a variety of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.” 
• CBG may be helpful for bladder dysfunction; a 2015 study showed that CBG was effective for reducing muscle contractions in the bladder. 
• CBG may be able to help reduce the intoxicating effects of THC, making it a valuable tool for patients.

How CBG works 

Unlike the cannabinoids THC (that primarily binds to CB1 receptors in the brain and central nervous system) and CBD (which slows the breakdown of our body’s own endocannabinoids by blocking the enzyme FAAH), CBG loosely engages with both CB1 and CB2 receptors in our endocannabinoid system, as well as stimulating TRPV1, TRPA1, and a2-adrenergic receptors. 

Where to find CBG 

CBG is a “minor cannabinoid,” meaning that it is usually found in very small quantities in cannabis plants. This is because CBG is formed from CBGA during plant development, and CBGA is the precursor to all major cannabinoids. 

This means that the more THC or CBD a plant is bred to have, the less CBG it will contain. Because of this, it can take thousands of pounds of cannabis biomass to produce a small amount of CBG. Most breeders have been focused on producing plants high in THC and CBD since that’s what the market has been seeking, but as new research about CBG emerges and demand increases, more effort is being made to breed plants with high CBG concentrations. It’s important to note that this is no simple task; plants must be harvested earlier than usual, and other cannabinoids are sacrificed in this process. This makes CBG-rich products even more expensive than most other cannabis products on the market. 

If you’re looking for trustworthy CBG, we recommend visiting our friends Hari Om Hemp, who just released their own CBG oil. Their products are all created from hemp that has been sun grown and extracted with CO2 to create a safe and pure product that has been thoroughly lab-tested.