CBG | What in the Cannabinoid?

What in the Cannabinoid is CBG?

By now you have probably seen CBD products almost everywhere you look. This is wonderful, but CBD is just one compound or “cannabinoid” that can be found in any full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD product. In this blog I will try to cover the potential benefits of CBG to help you find what product will suit you best. So why don’t we get started?

With the rise in popularity of CBD being used, the more you know the better. With that being said, welcome to the wonderful world of CBG. CBG is only one of the many cannabinoids that are present in the hemp plant and you may have already had some. CBG is present, in amounts generally 1% or less, in both broad spectrum and full spectrum cbd oils. The reason for this is because of the entourage effect, with more variety of the naturally occurring cannabinoids that are taken in the better the effect. The reason being is that these compounds compliment each other and build atop each other creating an all around better effect. 

So what can CBG do? While there is no clear cut answer, there are plenty of studies that can give us an idea. Until more testing is completed nobody can say that these effects are definitive. In providing this information, we are hopefully giving you the information you need to make an informed decision on what might help you specifically in what you are looking for.

1. Possibly acts as an anti-inflammatory.1 This study tested multiple cannabinoids for their effectiveness in treating psoriasis. The information they found supports their hypothesis that these cannabinoids, including CBG, can help reduce inflammation and hold potential in the treatment of psoriasis. 
2. Shows promise as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington’s Disease (HD).2 “Our results open new research avenues for the use of CBG, alone or in combination with other phytocannabinoids or therapies, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as HD.” This may not mean that it has been approved, but it is showing promise and that is a great news.
3. May relieve ocular pressure and potentially a therapeutic treatment for glaucoma.3 This study shows that use of CBG lowered intraocular pressure in rats and in cats. This is a promising result for its use in glaucoma, since glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve due to abnormally high intraocular pressure. But don’t take my word on it, “These results suggest that cannabigerol and related cannabinoids may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of glaucoma.”
4. Shows benefits for colitis and promis for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).4 In this study they found that in mice with colitis showed a decrease in nitric oxide production and diminished the effects of the colitis. This shows a positive future for CBG as a possible therapeutic treatment for both colitis and IBS.
5. Potential for fighting Cancer.5 6 7 Multiple studies have concurred that CBG may reduce cancer growth. In their testing these separate studies showed a reduction in certain types of cancer cell growth. So far in the studies provided they have found positive results for colon cancer and breast cancer. As stated, “the preclinical data strongly support the notion that non-psychoactive plant-derived CBs* can act as direct inhibitors of tumor progression as well as enhance the activity of first-line therapies."

*CBs stands for cannabinoids, including CBD and CBG

1 Wilkinson, J. D., & Williamson, E. M. (2007, February). Cannabinoids inhibit human keratinocyte proliferation through a non-CB1/CB2 mechanism and have a potential therapeutic value in the treatment of psoriasis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17157480

2 Valdeolivas, S. L., Navarrete, C. L., Cantarero, I. L., Bellido, M. L., Muñoz, E. L., & Sagredo, O. L. (2015, January). Neuroprotective properties of cannabigerol in Huntington's disease: studies in R6/2 mice and 3-nitropropionate-lesioned mice. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25252936

3 Colasanti, B. K. (1990). A comparison of the ocular and central effects of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabigerol. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1965836

4 Borrelli, F., Fasolino, I., Romano, B., Capasso, R., Maiello, F., Coppola, D., … Izzo, A. A. (2013, May 1). Beneficial effect of the non-psychotropic plant cannabinoid cannabigerol on experimental inflammatory bowel disease. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23415610

5 McAllister, S. D., Soroceanu, L., & Desprez, P.-Y. (2015, June). The Antitumor Activity of Plant-Derived Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4470774/

6 Borrelli, F., Pagano, E., Romano, B., Panzera, S., Maiello, F., Coppola, D., … Izzo, A. A. (2014, December). Colon carcinogenesis is inhibited by the TRPM8 antagonist cannabigerol, a Cannabis-derived non-psychotropic cannabinoid. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25269802