These days, it’s safe to say that pretty much everyone knows about CBD, even if they don’t use any CBD products. What many people might not know about, however, is a “new” cannabinoid that’s recently grown in popularity. While CBG, or cannabigerol, has technically been around for quite some time, it’s only now starting to take the spotlight in many pharmacological studies as well as cause a positive stir in the CBD industry. But what exactly is CBG and how can you use it for your own unique needs? Read on to find out.
What is CBG?
The cannabis plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids, but CBD, or cannabidiol, and THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, are the most abundant and talked about. Most consumers may not realize that CBG was first discovered in 1964, and was dubbed “the mother of all cannabinoids.” In its acidic form, it’s known as CBGA, or cannabigerolic acid, it is the foundation to lots of other minor and major cannabinoids. In fact, CBGA is the precursor to tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCA, cannabidiolic acid, or CBDA, and cannabichromenic acid, or CBCA. Since CBGA is the first cannabinoid to develop in hemp plants, growers have a short window to harvest the plants if they want to create products with higher CBGA levels. In order for this to be accomplished, they need to wait six to eight weeks into the plant’s flowering cycle, as CBGA levels will peak just before the plant breaks it down into the other cannabinoids.
How is CBG Extracted?
When the cannabis plant grows and develops, enzymes break CBGA down into the three cannabinoids mentioned above. And by the time the plant is harvested, CBGA has almost been fully transformed into THCA, CBDA, and CBCA. If there’s any CBGA left over in the plant after it’s been harvested, it can be decarboxylated, or heated, and turned into CBG so that it can be extracted along with the rest of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients. In a fully mature cannabis plant, CBD and THC can be found in high concentrations. Conversely, CBG is found only in trace amounts of less than one percent by dry weight. To give some comparison, plants that yield CBD-rich strains contain CBD levels of up to 25 percent, and plants with THC-rich strains can contain THC levels of up to 30 percent. In an effort to obtain higher levels of CBG in plants, some breeders have taken to crossbreeding plants that have higher concentrations of the cannabinoid. In fact, there are some hemp plants that can contain over 90% CBG because of crossbreeding and genetic manipulation. Researchers say that this comes about because some plants have a malfunctioning gene that stops CBG from being converted to THC.
How Does CBG Work?
Just like CBD and THC, CBG also works with the body’s endocannabinoid system, or ECS. For those who may not know, the ECS works to bring the body back into, and hold it in, a state of balance, or homeostasis. In fact. It helps to regulate many important systems like the reproductive system, immune system, and digestive system, among others. The ECS contains cannabinoid receptors that are located throughout the body. Typically, CB1 receptors are found in the brain and nervous system, while the CB2 receptors are primarily found in the immune system.
Just like CBD and THC, CBG also binds to these receptors to help boost the effects of the neurotransmitter, anandamide, or AEA, which is also known as the “bliss molecule.” Researchers have found that when CBG binds to the CB1 receptor, it brings about an increase in AEA levels in the nervous system. But, CBG can also bind to the CB2 receptors in the immune system and gastrointestinal system. However, researchers aren’t quite sure whether the CBG acts with or against the CB2 receptor in those systems. Interestingly, scientists also found that CBG can positively influence adrenoceptors. This means that it can help control the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline in the central nervous system. Both noradrenaline and adrenaline are two of the main neurotransmitters in the sympathetic nervous system.
Does CBG Make You Feel High?
CBG does not have psychoactive properties and it will not make you feel high. Similar to CBD in that way, cannabigerol works with the endocannabinoid system in a way that doesn't create feelings of euphoria ordirectly change your psychological or behavioral state.
What’s the Difference Between CBG and CBD?
CBG and CBD have many things in common. For example, the two cannabinoids do not contain any intoxicating effects, unlike THC, which can cause a euphoric “high” sensation when taken in large quantities. Along with CBD, CBG also plays a part in the entourage effect when used in full- or broad spectrum products. What this means is that, much like CBD, it will also work synergistically with other cannabinoids to boost up their positive effects while lowering their negative ones.
As mentioned before, in the hemp plant CBD and CBG are different in their concentrations. When the cannabis plant grows, CBGA is the main cannabinoid that’s present before it naturally breaks down into CBDA, THCA, and CBCA. And, while CBD-rich strains can contain up to 25 percent CBD, CBG levels in the plant typically stay at or below one percent after it's been broken down into these other cannabinoids. CBG, afterall, is mainly the precursor to CBD, THC, and CBC.
How To Enhance the Effects of CBG
If you want to experience all that the hemp plant has to offer so that you can take advantage of CBG, CBD, and other cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients, then you should opt for full-spectrum or broad spectrum products. CBD isolate products contain only 99% pure CBD, and broad spectrum CBD products do not contain THC. Full spectrum products will enhance the effects of CBG by way of the entourage effect, where all the elements in the hemp plant work together synergistically, effectively boosting the positive properties of the individual parts.
How to Use CBG
Since CBG is not often found as a lone cannabinoid product, you'll likely be using CBG as part of a full spectrum or specially formulated CBD oil or other CBD product. There are CBD oils that ramp up the CBG content to higher ratio, even 1:1 equal parts CBD and CBG. You use it just as you would use any other CBD product.
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Oils: drop under the tongue and hold for 30-60 seconds before swallowing. Onset is usually within 30 minutes.
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Gummies: chew and savor the gummies to get as much CBD into your body as possible, first, through the capillaries in your mouth. Then swallow. Onset is usually within 60 minutes.
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Topical Cream: take a small amount and rub into clean, dry skin. Onset is usually within 30-60 minutes.
Possible Side Effects of Taking CBG
Any possible side effects of CBG are similar to those of CBD. While mild, it might be a good idea to pay attention and note if any of these symptoms come up while taking CBG:
- dry mouth
- reduced appetite
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- diarrhea
CBG is considered quite safe, but it's wise to be aware that most hemp extract products can interact with medications. It's best to speak with a medical professional about these concerns.
Is CBG Legal?
Yes, CBG is legal in all the ways that CBD is. As much of the legality regarding cannabinoids is connected to the plant they come from, as long as your CBG is harvested from hemp plants, there should be no legal problem in most states. Hemp is federally legal as long as the plants contain less than 0.3% THC.
How Can You Find a High-Quality CBG Oil?
When looking for a top-quality CBG oil, you should employ the same methods as you would when looking for a top-notch CBD oil. Just like with CBD oil, not all brands and products are created equal when it comes to CBG oil either. Therefore, if you’re shopping for a CBG product, like FAB CBD+CBG Oil, you need to take all the time necessary to deeply research both the product and the brand. Some things to look for in a high-quality CBG oil are so that you can avoid buying a low-quality product are:
- Where the brand sources its hemp- Reputable brands, like FAB CBD, source their clean and pure hemp from farms within the United States that use organic farming methods and practices.
- Independent Lab Testing- Reputable brands use a third-party lab to test all of their products for potency and purity. And since reputable brands like FAB CBD care deeply about being transparent with their customers, all of these reports will be published on the brand’s website where consumers can easily find them.
- Extraction Method- While there are many ways that extracts can be obtained from hemp, the industry preferred way is the CO2 extraction process. When this method is used, the extracts come out cleaner and more pure than they would with other methods. Additionally, the CO2 method also prevents cannabinoids from being further broken down during the extraction process.
Each specific cannabinoid has lots of amazing qualities that are linked to it, and CBG is no exception. If you’re looking to try something different and unique, then you may want to opt for FAB CBD’s newly crafted CBG oil. CBD+CBG Oil work together in a 1:1 ratio of CBD to CBG, and brings a new dimension to the meaning of full-spectrum products. The oil, which comes in a 2400mg potency per bottle in flavors of citrus and mint, is packed with botanical terpenes and bioactive cannabinoids that can evoke a powerful entourage effect.
Final Thoughts on CBG
Even though CBG isn’t quite as well-known as CBD and THC, it’s just as important as they are. CBG is the parent molecule to the over 100 different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. And just like CBD, it doesn’t contain any of the psychoactive properties that THC does when taken in large quantities. Thanks to the growing amount of research studies being performed on the cannabinoid and increased levels of interest in both consumers and the cannabis industry, chances are you’ll be seeing a lot more CBG products, like FAB CBD+CBG Oil, in the health and wellness space. When it comes to shopping for CBG products, always take the time to do your due diligence so that you can find the cleanest, most potent product from the most reputable brands. To ensure that you’re getting the purest product, you should only buy products from reputable brands that have clean hemp sources, are highly transparent, use the industry preferred CO2 extraction method, and who use an independent third-party lab to test all of their products for potency and purity.
