By now most people are familiar with the two most popular cannabinoids found in cannabis plants: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). The easiest way to remember both has always been, THC gets you high, CBD doesn’t. But recently, a new cannabinoid is gaining popularity for its increasingly positive medicinal benefits, CBG.
CBG (cannabigerol) has often been referred to as “the mother of cannabinoids” and has a ton of non-psychoactive therapeutic. In younger plants, CBG is more dominant but as the plant matures, and enzymes break down CBGA it is then converted to other cannabinoids, including our favorites, THC and CBD. This explains why CBG is rare in most cannabis causing breeders to now find new ways to enhance CBG levels in mature plants through different crossbreeding techniques.
CBD or CBG, what works best?
CBD and CBG are both non-psychoactive cannabinoids, meaning they don’t produce a “high”. CBD has traditionally been one of the most researched cannabinoids for its medicinal/therapeutic uses. There is a ton of evidence to show that CBD has been promising in helping treat conditions such as, chronic pain conditions, neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders, hypertension, nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, digestive health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s Disease.
CBG research is in its infancy stage, but a lot of early research has shown promising signs for helping with similar treatments as CBD. It has also shown a host of new benefits as it is known to have high antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. Additionally, it has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties without the “high” that THC has and has shown a lot of anticancer promise as it can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Differently than CBD, CBG actually binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the body, possibly leading to better treatment of cognitive, immune, and nervous system conditions.
Promising CBG Benefits
As mentioned above, CBG’s key specialties include reducing inflammation and oxidative stress–which is defined as an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Oxidative stress is theorized to contribute to aging and has been suggested to lead to a vast number of diseases over time, including diabetes, cancer, inflammatory conditions, high blood pressure, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Neurodegenerative diseases are a huge category of over 600 neurologic disorders, with approximately 50 million Americans affected each year, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Some of the most-prevalent conditions are Alzheimer’s and other dementias, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, and multiple sclerosis. All neurodegenerative diseases are caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, which leads to problems with movement and/or mental function. In recent studies, different cannabinoids, most notably CBG, have proven effective in offering neuroprotection, restoring cell antioxidant defense, improving motor deficits, and alleviating symptoms.
How to Take CBG and What Products Are Best
The list goes on when it comes to potential benefits people may experience from CBG. Like other cannabinoids, the most positive effects have been seen when multiple cannabinoids are taken together creating an entourage effect. Most cannabis flowers and full spectrum CBD or THC oils will contain trace amounts of CBG. But, to receive a more concentrated dose of CBG or other specific rare cannabinoids, it is advisable to turn to specially prepared products.
At our shop, we have a range of different products with higher levels of CBG combined with other cannabinoids. Whether you are looking for tinctures, oral sprays, topicals, extracts, or flower, brands like Fairwinds, Polite, Heylo, and Walden (just to name a few) will have you covered!