Cannabigerol (CBG) – Think Cannalogue
Cannabinoids are a class of compounds that are found in the Cannabis plant. These compounds are responsible for the plant’s medical properties. The cannabis plant has been used for millennia for a variety of medical ailments. Ancient healers identified that extracts from the cannabis plant are both safe and effective. Doctors and scientists have yet to uncover the full medical applications from the cannabis plant. Cannalogue’s platform provides cutting-edge findings that demystifies cannabinoids based on the newest evidence available.
The two most well-known cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis and is responsible for the “high” associated with the use of cannabis. CBD is non-psychoactive and will not get you “high.” Cannabidiol is known for its therapeutic benefits in pain, epilepsy, anxiety and sleep disorders. Cannabidiol in combination with low, moderate, and high-dose THC can have numerous medical applications. When prescribed by an experienced healthcare practitioner, cannabinoids can be safe and effective in numerous diseases and disorders including breakthrough symptoms. However, caution is advised as cannabinoids are known to have drug-drug interactions and if taking medications or over the age of 50 it’s best to speak with your healthcare practitioner or get a referral (Canada-wide) through Cannalogue.
There are over 100 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, including CBG (Cannabigerol), CBC (Cannabichromene), CBN (Cannabinol), and THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin), and each of them has its own unique properties and potential medical applications. Naturally-occurring cannabinoid neurotransmitters interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system using G-protein coupled receptors CB1 and CB2. Cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body are involved in regulating a wide-range of physiological processes such as appetite, mood, energy and immune function. The endocannabinoid system helps to regulate the body’s homeostasis with these naturally-occurring cannabinoid neurotransmitters. Plant-derived cannabinoids called phytocannabinoids are fat-soluble and when metabolized interact with cannabinoid receptors to produce a variety of physiological processes and medical applications.
What is CBG?
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It is a minor cannabinoid, meaning it is present in much smaller amounts than compounds like THC and CBD. Cannabigerol has a similar structure to CBD. The main difference at the molecular level is CBG has an open cyclohexylene ring compared to CBD. However this subtle difference produces different properties without any psychoactive effects.
Cannabigerol has been found to have a number of potential therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anxiolytic, anti-nauseant and anti-depressant effects1 although much more research is needed. Cannabigerol may have an effect in neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases or disorders of the nervous system. Cannabigerol is known to have anti-oxidant properties by reducing cell death and turnover. To what extent and degree remains to be determined. Cannabigerol also affects pro-inflammatory cytokines where early studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Clearly it is a phytocannabinoid that has remarkable medical properties where there are more questions than answers at present.
Is CBG safe?
CBG is considered to be safe, with no known toxicity levels or adverse effects reported. However, as with any substance, individual reactions may vary and it’s always best to consult with a healthcare practitioner before using it.
Can I get high from CBG?
CBG is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, which means that it does not produce the “high” typically associated with THC, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis. THC is responsible for the majority of the psychoactive effects of cannabis, but CBG does not have the same binding affinity to the CB1 receptors in the brain that are responsible for the psychoactive effects. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will get “high” from using CBG alone. It’s worth noting that CBG can be found in some strains of cannabis that contain higher levels of THC and other psychoactive cannabinoids, so if you consume such strains, it could lead to some psychoactive effects. Basically, CBG alone is not psychoactive.
Can CBG interact with medications?
CBG, like other cannabinoids, may interact with certain medications. It’s not clear how CBG specifically interacts with medications, as there is limited research on the subject. However, it’s known that CBG, like other cannabinoids, can inhibit or induce the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver, which are responsible for breaking down many medications. This means that if you are taking medications that interact with the P450 enzyme system, there may be an increased risk of drug-drug interaction when using CBG.
Is CBG safe for seniors?
There is limited research on the safety of CBG specifically for seniors, and more research is needed to fully understand the potential risks and benefits. However, it’s important to note that as we age, our body’s ability to metabolize medication may change, and seniors may be more sensitive to the effects of medications including CBG. It’s always a good idea to be cautious when taking any new supplement or medication, especially if you are over the age of 50. If you’re not sure, let Cannalogue help you.
How do I consume CBG?
Decarboxylation is required to make cannabinoids bioavailable for absorption into the body. Decarboxylation requires heat, ultraviolet light or other means. Orally ingested CBG is known to have limited bioavailability1. This means it is poorly absorbed from the digestive tract and is mostly wasted. Due to the decarboxylation requirements and the fat-solubility of CBG, although smoking or vapourizing is generally not advisable, it is necessary to maximize therapeutic levels of CBG. This also accelerates the time-to-onset to minutes when immediate relief may be required. When looking to maximize bioavailability, smoking CBG is superior to vapourization1. The effects of CBG may last for several hours where CBG has been detected in the bloodstream for 5-10 hours after use.
Where do I find CBG-predominant dried flower?
Cannabinoids from the Cannabis sativa plant generally have less than 10% CBG content. Innovation has uncovered new methods to grow cannabis plants with much higher CBG content with little-to-no THC or CBD. Some Health Canada authorized providers on Cannalogue provide CBG-predominant strains in a dried flower format.
Not sure between CBD and CBG?
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-Cannalogue MD
Cannabigerol (CBG) – Think Cannalogue
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This article was written and edited by Cannalogue MD. Music and video by Oridon Innovations.
1 Jastrzab, A., et al. The Origin and Biomedical Relevance of Cannabigerol. Int. J. Mol Sci. 2022. 23:792