CBG, short for cannabigerol, is one of the phytocannabinoids of the cannabis plant. It’s an essential cannabinoid whose acidic form is the precursor to various other cannabinoids.
The cannabis plant contains hundreds of phytocannabinoids. The two most popular phytocannabinoids are CBD and THC. But in recent times, researchers have been wading into other cannabinoids.
Research on CBG is limited, but preliminary studies indicate that CBG exists in lower quantities in the cannabis plant and that it has various therapeutic advantages. Products that contain CBG are typically pricey.
CBG hasn’t been approved by the government as a medical product, but this cannabinoid has numerous pharmacological properties [1]. Many people have been seeking CBG products to improve their wellness.
How Is CBG Produced?
Generally, CBG exists in small percentages in the cannabis plant, and young cannabis plants typically have higher levels of CBG than mature cannabis plants.
As the demand for CBG-based products increases, more cannabis breeders are challenging themselves to come up with cannabis strains that deliver higher CBG levels.
CBG is prefaced by CBGA, an acidic form. The CBGA is typically exposed to heat or light where it condenses into CBG.
Rudimentary CBG extraction leads to a high level of contaminants. And so, if you’re shopping for CBG products, always go for top brands, as their extraction and processing standards are usually of high standards.
The Refreshing Benefits of CBG
CBG may be a minor constituent of the hemp plant, but it has diverse features that are therapeutically crucial. The following are some of the refreshing benefits of CBG.
1. Antibacterial Properties
Bacteria are notorious for causing medical conditions. And most bacteria develop a tolerance against standard drugs. CBG has been proven to have antibacterial properties [2]. You may ingest CBG in diverse forms to keep yourself free of bacteria.
2. Pain Relief
Pain may be experienced following different things: injuries, medical conditions, autoimmune disorders. But then pain usually denies you the ability to perform various normal functions. It makes you uncomfortable. CBG has been suggested to help with relieving pain [3].
3. Neuroprotection
Various stressors can diminish brain health, and once left unchecked, they can trigger various neurological disorders. CBG has been shown to have neuroprotective properties. You may incorporate CBG into your daily lifestyle to achieve a higher order of cognitive health.
4. Managing Nausea
Nausea is characterized by a constant or temporary urge to vomit. This condition can potentially deny you healthy nutrition, and its long-term effects are serious. CBG has been shown to help with eliminating nausea and restoring a normal appetite.
5. Minimizing Depression
Everyone knows what depression is like. It’s a persistent sadness accompanied by low moods. Once you’re depressed, it affects various facets of your life, and you typically start to exhibit odd behaviors at your workplace, at your home, and in other areas. CBG has been demonstrated to help with minimizing depression.
Is CBG Legal?
The last thing you want is to land into trouble after messing with CBG. But on the whole, you are less likely to experience any legal problems.
CBG exists in both the marijuana and hemp plants. Marijuana-derived CBG typically has higher levels of THC, a prohibited substance, and hemp-derived CBG typically has lower levels of THC.
When a drug test is performed, the phytocannabinoids like CBG and THC will come up. And so, if you ingest CBG that contains high THC levels, the THC content can put you in problems.
The extraction and sale of hemp products is legal. And so, to be on the safe side, make sure that you ingest only hemp-derived (and lab-tested) CBG products.
What Is the Difference Between CBG and CBD?
The acidic form of CBG is the prelude to various cannabinoids including CBD, and CBC. Research on CBG may be comparatively lesser than research on CBD, but one major similarity is that they both are non-psychoactive.
When you ingest CBG, like when you ingest CBD, you are not going to experience any euphoric effects that are characteristic of a mental high as would happen if you ingest THC.
One of the main differences between CBG and CBD comes down to how they interact with the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a complex biological system that regulates various body processes. CBD typically interacts indirectly with the ECS while CBG interacts directly with the ECS.
Another difference between CBG and CBD is that they occur in different percentages in the cannabis plant. CBD is typically available in a greater percentage than CBG. Also, younger cannabis plants seem to have greater amounts of CBG than older fully developed cannabis plants.
What Is the Difference Between CBG and THC?
While CBG doesn’t exhibit any psychotropic effects, THC on the other hand is notorious for inducing a body and mind-enveloping high that lingers on for quite a while.
Thus, CBG is ideal for consumption even in a professional setting, because the last thing you want is to experience a mental high before your boss.
THC is available in large quantities in the cannabis plant, but CBG is not available in large quantities, and as a result, CBG products are generally pricier than THC products.
Can You Smoke CBG?
Cannabis products may be ingested in diverse ways, and one of them is by smoking. THC and CBD smokables have hit the market, but what about CBG?
CBG smokables are also available. Cannabis breeders have created high-CBG strains whose flower may be cured and smoked through a water pipe.
Most people who are into smoking CBG report various benefits including relaxation, energy raise, and stress reduction.
If you don’t like smoking CBG, you can also look for CBG-based vaping resources. Vape devices usually produce a soft vapor that won’t irritate your throat and lung.
When Can CBG Get You High?
If you consume standard CBG products, you won’t experience any psychotropic effects. However, if you ingest CBG products that contain substantial THC content, you’ll end up experiencing a mental high. The reason why your CBG products could contain more than the allowed THC content would be down to poor processing and lack of 3rd party lab tests.
Does CBG Show Up in a Drug Test?
If you operate in certain lines of work like healthcare, transportation, and biotech, you probably deal with regular drug tests.
CBG will show up in the drug tests, but then you have nothing to worry about, considering that hemp-derived CBG is legal.
If your job has zero-tolerance for federally prohibited compounds like THC, ensure that your CBG products don’t contain any THC.
Does CBG Have Any Side Effects?
You need to consume CBG in the proper dosage to avoid any side effects. However, if you exceed the dosage, you might experience side effects like increasing heartbeat and reducing blood pressure. But these side effects tend to fade away after a short while.
What’s the Proper CBG Dosage?
Getting the dosage right is a critical thing. The CBG dosage typically influences the results, and it also determines whether or not there’ll be side effects.
But there’s no standard dosage for everyone. Factors like age, sex, and health status play a role in determining the appropriate CBG dosage.
Generally, the typically CBG dosage goes from 5 milligrams to 25 milligrams. Some CBG products also come with dosage guidelines, and it’s critical to follow the guidelines.
How Long Does CBG Stay in Your System?
Your ingestion method, metabolism rate, and product type are some of the different factors that determine how long CBG may stay in your body.
After consumption of CBG, the effects linger for a while and then subside, but the CBG compounds can stick around in your system for up to a week.
The type of test materials can determine whether CBG will be detected or not. If your hair is tested for CBG, it can reveal CBG presence from distantly previous ingestion.
But if the test is performed on your blood or saliva, and it’s been more than a week since you ingested CBG, then no CBG may be detected.
Does Ingesting CBG with Other Medication Cause a Drug Interaction?
A drug interaction would occur when the CBG molecules react against cannabis molecules. Some drugs may react against CBG and some other drugs may not react against CBG. If you have a pre-existing health issue, and are on medication, and are still planning to take CBG, it’s recommended to visit a health professional to seek guidance.
Where To Buy CBG Products
Most of the cannabinoid-centric talk is around CBD and THC products, but if you’re looking to get information on CBG products, you might struggle a bit.
Thankfully, the CBG market is expanding by the day, and diverse CBG products (and resources) are getting launched. CBG may be bought from retail outlets and online stores.
We recommend that you buy CBG from a trusted online brand. But before buying, check their online reputation, and check to see whether their products are 3rd party lab tested.
The Takeaway: CBG Is a Valuable Cannabinoid
CBG is a minor phytocannabinoid of the cannabis plant. Legal CBG is typically extracted from the hemp plant, and it has diverse uses and benefits. CBG has no psychotropic effects, and some of its benefits include, relieving pain and inflammation, and aiding neuroprotection.
Sources:
- Nachnani, R., Raup-Konsavage, W. M., & Vrana, K. E. (2021). The Pharmacological Case for Cannabigerol. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 376(2), 204-212.
- Appendino, G., Gibbons, S., Giana, A., Pagani, A., Grassi, G., Stavri, M., … & Rahman, M. M. (2008). Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure− activity study. Journal of natural products, 71(8), 1427-1430.
- Russo, E. B. (2008). Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 4(1), 245.
