What is CBG?

November 05, 2020

Cannabigerol, usually referred to as CBG, is one of the many chemical compounds found in cannabis and hemp plants. These compounds are called cannabinoids.

CBG isn’t as well-known as CBD and THC, two other cannabinoids that are prevalent in the plants. There is also less research available on CBG than CBD. But that’s changing: emerging studies offer promising research on the health benefits of CBG. This includes treatments for glaucoma, Huntington’s Disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Interested in CBD products? Check out our wide array of award winning oils, pre-rolls and capsules.

Interested in how CBG is related to treating these conditions? Keep reading.

How does CBG affect our bodies?

CBG is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, which means it won’t make you feel high.

CBG interacts with the same cannabinoid receptors in the human body as CBD. In high doses, CBG is believed to actually counteract the intoxicating effect of THC. This means it can reduce the anxiety or paranoia that some people experience when using high-THC products.

CBG also has its own unique health benefits, which is why many people are calling CBG “the new CBD.”

What are the health benefits of CBG?

There are multiple studies that show CBG as a promising treatment for a number of conditions. While these studies are encouraging, they are yet to be proven in clinical trials. With that said, scientists are hopeful about the potential health benefits of CBG.

CBG might treat glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that can lead to blindness. A 1990 study on cats found that CBG reduces intraocular pressure, which can help with the treatment of glaucoma. Another more recent study concluded that CBG has the potential to treat glaucoma, and should be investigated further.

CBG might be anti-bacterial

A 2020 study tested CBG’s antibacterial properties against the bacteria Vibrio harveyi and found that CBG effectively combatted the formation of bacteria. Research also shows that CBG may be able to combat MRSA bacteria which is responsible for staph infections.

CBG might increase your appetite

A 2016 study done on rats found that CBG more than doubled the rats’ normal food intake. This might mean that CBG could help people who need to put on weight, such as people who have HIV/AIDS.

CBG might help inflammatory bowel disease and colitis

A 2013 study done on mice found that CBG significantly reduced the effects of lab-induced colitis. While there haven’t been many studies done since, anecdotal experiences seem to indicate that CBG reduces abdominal, joint, and other pains associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

CBG might fight cancer

This review article from 2009 indicates that CBG might be the second most potent cannabinoid, after CBD, for reducing tumor growth. This 2014 study — which also found that CBG reduces tumor growth — recommends that CBG is studied for cancer prevention and cures. A 2016 study found that CBG might also help with the pain associated with cancer.

CBG might treat neurodegenerative diseases

One 2015 study done on mice concluded that CBG might be able to treat Huntington’s disease. This cannabinoid might offer other neuroprotective properties since it seems to be able to normalize the expression of abnormal genes linked to brain degeneration.

CBG might reduce inflammation

As mentioned earlier, CBG demonstrates major anti-inflammatory properties for inflammatory bowel disease. This 2018 paper also shows that CBG might significantly reduce inflammation caused by eczema and psoriasis.

Does CBG have side effects?

There are no recorded side effects for CBG on humans.

Since CBG hasn’t seemed to have any negative effects on rats, it’s possible that this may be the case with humans. However, not enough research has been done on this to reach any conclusions.

For this reason, we don’t recommend CBG is used by anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.

Does CBG interact with other medications?

Not enough research has been done to know how CBG interacts with other medications. If you are taking medication and plan on using CBG, it’s a good idea to talk to a health advisor first. And make sure you know the ingredients in your products.

How do I take CBG?

CBG can be found in less than one percent of most cannabis strains. This means that while CBG is present in most cannabis products, it isn’t in great quantities. At the moment, breeders are experimenting with genetic manipulation to increase the levels of CBG in cannabis plants.

What does this mean if you want to take CBG?

Finding CBG-only products can be difficult, not to mention costly. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products contain small amounts of CBG and other cannabinoids.

Because cannabinoids are believed to work best when they are all taken together, we recommend using full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products like ours. Take a look at our product line, which includes oils, capsules, and CBD pre-rolls.