WHAT IS CBG?

We talked a little bit about cannabigerol (CBG) in one of our other blogs, when we were comparing CBG and CBD. But since CBG is gaining a lot of popularity, we decided to investigate into this very interesting and promising cannabinoid.

Cannabinoids

Hemp has been used to treat pain since 2900 BC. Its pharmacological effects derive from a large variety of cannabinoids. Although more than 100 different cannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis plants, clear physiological effects have been determined for only a few of them, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and CBG. While THC is an illicit drug, CBD and CBG are legal substances that have a variety of unique pharmacological properties. Over the past decade, substantial efforts have been made to develop cannabis strains that produce large amounts of CBD and CBG. Ideally, such plant varieties would have to produce very little (below 0.2%), if any, of THC to make their cultivation legal.

Cannabigerol

CBG is one of the many cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant. It is formed by the decarboxylation of cannabigerolic acid, the parent molecule from which other cannabinoids are synthesized. During plant growth, most CBG is converted into other cannabinoids, mainly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), leaving about 1% CBG in the plant.

How CBG is produced

As mentioned above, CBG is converted into other cannabinoids during plant growth. That is why it is derived from young cannabis plants, becausea they contain higher amounts of CBG than fully grown plants.

So what is it all about?

Since it is very difficult to produce CBG, not much research has been done yet. But there is a lot of different information about its potential benefits.
But the growing popularity of cannabinoid-containing supplements in human self-medication and the growing interest in these compounds in several preclinical and clinical studies is spurring researchers to study the bioactive properties of individual cannabinoids, including their antioxidant activities. In one study, scientists found that CBG and other cannabinoids exhibit antioxidant activity, manifesting in their ability to eliminate free radicals, protect against oxidation and reduce metal ions. Although the intensity of these activities for individual cannabinoids is not the same, it is generally comparable to that of vitamin E.

According to Hemptown USA, who has published some groundbreaking research based on CBG, the molecule is of great importance to all vertebrates because it rivals the potential of its peers cannabinoids and terpenes (the molecules that give cannabis its aroma and also possess medicinal qualities). Of the hundreds of unique chemicals produced by the herbal species Cannabis sativa L., none play a more important role than CBG. Numerous studies have been conducted over the past three decades, particularly in the primary areas of analgesia (pain relief), reduction of systemic inflammation, decreased anxiety and nausea, and anticancer research. Unfortunately, none of the studies have shown so many promising results that they can claim any of the above benefits.

Is CBG the most important cannabinoid?

Earlier in this blog, we stated that many of the other cannabinoids are developed from CBG. And that's what makes it so important and unique!

In a study by Meijer & Hammond (2005), we can see CBG as the direct precursor of the cannabinoids CBD, THC and CBC. Knowing this, we could say that CBG is the progenitor of all cannabinoids and plays a vital role in the CBD industry.