What is CBG? The Ultimate Guide to Cannabigerol

With a rise in popularity of cannabinoids it's no wonder there’s another type that’s popping up. A 2021 survey from Hemp Industry Daily found that an unprecedented 43% of hemp farmers set aside some of their fields for CBG-hemp. If farmers are catching on to the popularity of CBG, then it's only a matter of time before consumers start seeing this new cannabinoid everywhere. Be ahead of the curve and understand what CBG is before the boom. 

Cannabigerol (or CBG) is a type of cannabinoid that is similar to cannabidiol (CBD) but often seen as the “mother of all” cannabinoids. It’s termed such because all cannabinoids come from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and then become CBD and THC after conversion. So essentially every cannabinoid starts as CBG and is often then converted from that point. 

CBG is considered a minor cannabinoid as it makes up a much smaller percentage of the cannabinoids in the hemp plant. In contrast, CBD is considered a major cannabinoid as it makes up a much larger proportion of the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. However, just because it makes up a smaller percentage of the cannabinoids, that doesn't mean it is less effective or not as “good” as CBD.

Source : endoca

No, CBG does not get you high. Similar to CBD, CBG is considered a non-psychoactive cannabinoid so it will not give you any of the high-like feelings often associated with a high THC-based cannabinoid. 

It’s interesting to note that CBG was actually only discovered in 1964 by scientists researching the missing link in the production of THC. The observance of CBG proved to be the exact missing link needed to further cannabinoid-based research. 

Because CBG makes up a smaller percentage of cannabinoids it is usually obtained from younger cannabis plants. Younger plants contain higher amounts of CBG, but this changes as they mature. Often these plants will contain much higher percentages of CBD and THC. Through CBGA, CBG is turned into the CBD and THC that is seen in much of the cannabis-based market. 

We can liken this to the intensive process used to extract extra-virgin olive oil. While this is a simplified version of a complex chemical process, it helps to illuminate the difficulty associated with obtaining a very minute by-product. 

The lower concentrations and potential availability make CBG less popular compared to CBD and THC products. While there is demand for the product, it is difficult for many brands to create their own offering without having a working knowledge of the process. 

Source: https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/ 

As a newer cannabinoid offering, CBG presents an opportunity for a cleaner approach to extraction. CBG cannot be extracted without specific equipment and quality standards. As it is more intensive to pull, this has limited overall consumption. However, we have seen a recent increase in research suggesting the therapeutic benefits of CBG use.

A 2021 study reported a reduction in cell growth (breast, prostate, and colorectal carcinoma among others) after administering CBG. Moreover, they found that CBG was effective in destroying therapy-resistant glioblastoma cells. This may seem overly scientific, but these resistant glioblastoma cells are the root of cancer development and have proven tricky for researchers to understand. Glioblastoma is an aggressive cancer with a short survival rate that has not been lengthened for some time despite additional research.

However, another study from 2021 further supports this use of CBG for glioblastoma. CBG has largely been used to prevent the progression of carcinomas, but this foray into glioblastoma use may be something to keep an eye on in the future. Researchers were able to use CBG  to inhibit glioblastoma invasion. This suggests that CBG may be a potential treatment path for glioblastoma and perhaps other aggressive types of cancer as well. 

CBG has become a popular choice for its therapeutic benefits toward inflammation. In fact, a 2021 study found that novel CBG derivatives possessed anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in mice. One of those CBG derivatives also proved effective for diet-induced obesity. 

A recent 2022 study also found CBG to be a strong potential for topical use on the skin. It was suggested that CBG may even be more effective, especially in improvement of skin redness and water loss on skin. 

The National Eye Institute classifies glaucoma as a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness due to nerve damage in the optic nerve. Early treatment is crucial to avoid permanent vision loss due to the pressure that is put on the optic nerve. 

Researchers from the University of British Columbia conducted a study in 2018 using eye drops with CBGA to potentially treat glaucoma patients. This formulation was able to reach the optic nerve and was well absorbed. In most cases, eye drops are poorly absorbed when attempting to treat glaucoma. However, this research also proved that there are still some strides to be made in the manufacturing of CBG based eye drops. 

A similar study found that CBG eye drops actually produced more fluid from the eye by two to three times the normal rate. The production of fluid acts as a pressure release and reduces the pressure on the optic nerve. 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease refers to chronic inflammation in the digestive tract and includes conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These conditions are often painful and burdensome for patients to live with. A few studies have strengthened the use of CBG in IBD-like conditions. 

A 2020 study examined the effects of CBG on inflammation from colitis. They found that orally administered CBG reduced colonic inflammation. Aside from inflammation, in 2013 researchers found that CBG was effective in preventing colitis-associated damage. 

The role of antibiotics in medicine is long standing, but there are still new developments made even today. In a 2020 study, researchers found that CBG had antibacterial activity against the often drug-resistant MRSA. CBG prevented bacteria from forming biofilms, which are the microorganisms that attach to themselves and even surfaces making them resistant to antibiotics at times. 

Yes. As it stands, CBG is completely legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. As long as a hemp-based product contains less than 0.3% THC, then it is legal to sell, consume, and possess. You should always check the label on any CBG products to ensure that you are getting the adequate dose and that there is no THC (if you are looking for products without THC in them). 

There isn’t a definitive answer because there are different testing methods and amounts of cannabinoid compounds found in the body. However, this is why you should understand the product you are taking/using to determine if it is truly a THC free product. This shouldn’t frighten you away from CBG use, but it highlights the growing understanding of how cannabinoids show up in tests. If you’re concerned about failing a drug test, you should not take anything so as to potentially interfere with the outcome. This can also be further discussed with your doctor. 

Much of this is based on the dose of CBG in your system. A higher dose of CBG will stay in the system longer than a lower dose. This is all based on how dose is metabolized; a lower dose is metabolized quicker than a higher dose. 

However, Discover Magazine states that CBG typically stays in your system for 24-48 hours. But again, this is based on your individual metabolism and the dose you take. Your doctor can better determine the dose and how long CBG may typically stay in your system. 

Again, a lower dose of CBG may be a safer option to start with to see how your body tolerates it. Once you’re more accustomed to how you react to CBG, then you can either keep the same dose or up the dose. In an oil formulation, CBG oil can be administered via a dropper on the tongue for ~ 30 seconds. Some users say using 1-2 times per day is a sufficient amount. 

The basic rule for all new additions to the system is to start small and then gradually increase the dose from there. You should also consider personal factors such as weight and medical history before making any decision. Your doctor can best explain and tailor the right dose of CBG based on your health. It’s always highly recommended that patients seek personal medical advice before taking anything new. 

This often depends on absorption, but it may take 1-2 hours to experience the full effects of CBG. You should always make note of how you feel so as to eliminate any possible side effects before changing doses or deciding if CBG is the right choice. 

As the new hotshot cannabinoid in town, CBG offers a new take on the traditional knowledge of CBD. We are now beginning to evaluate the role of cannabinoids in quality of life and medical ailments alike. Research suggests that the combination of CBG and CBD may have an “entourage effect.” This means that they work more effectively in tandem to balance each other out. 

For example, our CBG oil comes in two strengths of concentration, each in a 1 oz (30 mL) bottle. This CBG oil terpene blend is also at  a 1:1 CBD to CBG ratio. 

• 1000 CBD + 1000 CBG
• 2000 CBD + 2000 CBG

This allows consumers the power of choice to go with a lower concentration of CBD and CBG or a higher concentration. All of this depends on frequency of use and overall tolerance. Again, always start small, monitor how you feel, and then change the dose depending on that. 

When choosing any new product, be it CBG or CBD, you should always discuss pros and cons with your doctor and make informed decisions based on your own health. As CBG becomes a growing cannabinoid option for many, always keep your own health conditions in mind before making any quick purchases.