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What is CBG?
Learn what CBG is, how it works, and what symptoms for which it is best used.
There are so many different cannabinoids. We could potentially talk about a new one very other day for almost an entire year. By the end of that year, more may have been discovered. Most strains contain large quantities of THC or CBD, which is why they’re talked about so frequently. Some cannabinoids only appear in small percentages, if any at all. These are called minor cannabinoids. Today we’re looking at another minor cannabinoid called cannabigerol.
What is Cannabigerol?
CBG is short for cannabigerol. It is non-intoxicating and is sometimes referred to as the mother cannabinoid. This is because it’s one of the first to develop.
It starts out as all cannabinoids do, in their initial acid form, so it begins as CBGA. Then, during the plant’s growth process, it evolves into one of three of the major cannabinoids initial acid forms, THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), and CBCA (cannabichromenic acid). CBGA is rapidly transformed into mostly THCA or CBDA. That’s why most strains have such low CBG content.
Medical Benefits of CBG
The medical benefits of cannabigerol mirror a lot of the same benefits as some of the other major cannabinoids.
It’s been found to work in reducing inflammation throughout the body, and specifically in the gut, helping patients with bowel disorders. It can contribute to the reduction of interocular pressure, making it hopeful for patients with glaucoma.
More Medical Benefits of CBG
It provides neuroprotection, is antibacterial, and shows hope as being a tool in fighting cancer by blocking certain receptors known to cause the growth of cancer cells. It has also been found to cause hyperphagia, the medical term for excessive hunger.
This could make CBG a good choice for patients suffering from lack of appetite.
Unique to CBG is how well it inhibits muscle contractions in the bladder, so it might prove useful for patients with dysfunctional bladder symptoms.
With so many medicinal benefits, the interest and demand from patients has been growing. Since it’s typically only found in small quantities, the best way to find a high concentration of CBG is usually in an isolate form. If you’re interested in CBG, talk to one of our Patient Care Associates about what CBG products are available. There may even be strains of cannabis flower with solid amounts of CBG.