Because harvested and dried cannabis or hemp material only contains trace amounts of cannabigerol (CBG), it is often considered to be a “minor” cannabinoid. But, when you start to take a closer look, a different picture begins to emerge.
Here’s a closer look at the origins of CBG and some of the ways its consumption may benefit you!
What Is Cannabigerol (CBG)?
First discovered in 1964 by Israeli researchers Yehiel Gaoni and Raphael Mechoulam, CBG plays a significant role in the biology of cannabis plants.
CBG is a non-psychoactive compound that comes from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is the chemical parent to some of the most well-known cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). If you think of cannabinoids as existing in a family tree, CBGA sits at the top, with tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), and CBG as its direct “descendants.”
Naturally occurring enzymes transform the CBGA into THCA, CBDA, and CBCA; heat, say from the sun or a flame, decarboxylates the CBGA, turning it into CBG. Because CBGA is converted into so many different molecules, there is relatively little CBG (less than 1% of the cannabinoid makeup) contained in the cannabis plant.
Generally speaking, if a cannabis strain contains higher amounts of THC and CBD, it will contain less CBG. But as more research is conducted on the potential therapeutic uses for cannabigerol, a high-CBG strain may just be what’s optimal for your needs.
Increasing the CBG content in cannabis strains and CBD oils may have some interesting benefits.
What Are the Benefits of CBG?
Like CBD and other cannabinoids, CBG works on the body’s endocannabinoid systemimpacting. However, unlike cannabinoids like THC, CBG has not been shown to be mind-altering or intoxicating, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
How to Use CBG
One of the best ways to reap its potential benefits is to use a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil.
A full-spectrum CBD oil will contain the cannabinoids and terpenes found in the whole plant, including THC. A broad-spectrum CBD oil will contain all the cannabinoids and terpenes except THC. This is an important distinction depending on where you live. The 2018 farm bill established that in order to pass federal regulations, a CBD oil product should contain 0.3% or less THC content. Many states have also based their legislation around this same number. If you live in a state that has legalized recreational cannabis, you can legally purchase and possess a full-spectrum CBD oil that has a THC concentration greater than 0.3%. However, if you live in a more restrictive state, you’ll want a broad-spectrum CBD oil. So, before you decide on which product to buy, be sure to understand the laws in your state..
Whether you go with a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum product, it’s fairly easy to figure out just how much CBG is in the final product. All you have to do is read the Certificate of Analysis (COA).
Most reputable brands third-party lab test their products to ensure that they meet purity and potency standards. The results of these lab tests, called Certificates of Analysis, should be easily accessible on the company’s website. The COA will tell you exactly which cannabinoids are present, and at what concentration. This information will help you narrow down your CBD oil product choice and help you determine if it has enough CBG to satisfy your goals.
Remember, when these cannabinoids are used together, they can increase the effectiveness of one another by way of the entourage effect. Not only will you be getting the benefits of CBG, but you’ll get the natural benefits of all hemp plant’s compounds working together.
More research is needed to understand how CBG works on its own and in concert with other cannabinoids but as things stand, CBG may be the helper of the future.
