What is CBG? Uses, Benefits and Effects
If you have been keeping up with the times, you know what CBD and THC are. What you may not know about, but should, is CBG. This is just one more of the hundreds of compounds in a cannabis plant. More is being discovered about this exciting compound every day. Here are some quick facts about what is CBG?
What is CBG?
The first thing is first. What is CBG and why are you just now hearing about it. CBG stands for cannabigerol. It is a parent compound found in cannabis.
CBG starts out as CBGA – the acid version that converts into CBG. From this state, CBG then converts into THCA and CBDA among other compounds. It is the reason why some in the community refer to it as a cannabis stem cell.
Because most plants are cultivated for high CBD and THC levels, CBG levels are very low. By beginning to understand the benefits this compound has to offer, more research is being invested in.
What Are the Benefits of CBG?
Luckily, such organizations as NCBI have conducted studies utilizing CBG. They have evidence to suggest CBG offers a host of health benefits. The physiological benefits are similar to that of CBD. This is due in part to the fact that, according to NCBI, CB1 and CB2 receptors are affected by CBG.
There is evidence to suggest CBG can help with conditions such as:
- Colitis
- Neurodegeneration
- Cancer
This is based on information gleaned from a study from NCBI. The benefits are enhanced when utilized along with CBD or THC. This combined enhancement is what is known as the entourage effect.
A different study from NCBI from 2013 suggests it is possible to reduce inflammation. This was related specifically to inflammatory bowel disease. It was shown to have an effect on lab mice, and therefore may be beneficial to humans as well.
Yet one more study from NCBI in 2014 used rats to show the possibility of reducing the growth rates of cancer cells. This was related to rats with colon cancer. It makes it possible there may be a link between CBG and reducing colon cancer.
Enjoying the Benefits of CBG
You may enjoy the benefits of CBG rather easily. A number of different products are hitting the market. This includes everything from edibles to flowers to cartridges for an oil cartridge vape pen.
The method by which you utilize CBG will depend on what you are most comfortable with. Things like extracts can be added to food or drinks much the same way CBD is. This way, you can get the benefits you desire in a discreet manner.
For those looking to utilize CBG on the go, it is possible to find an oil vape pen. You can discreetly inhale the vapor with no scent, or a pleasing scent. This way, you can maintain your usage wherever you go.
What to be Careful of with CBG?
As mentioned above, CBG is not in plentiful supply. There are those in the industry seeking to find ways to produce more. This is accomplished through cross-breeding different plants. The idea is to generate more plants with higher levels of CBG that are not converted into other compounds.
In the meantime, non-regulation of the market can create problems. Some may inadvertently offer products without safety concerns addressed. Others may consciously attempt to take advantage of people. It is best to stick to products which have undergone third-party testing for purity and potency.
Keep in mind there are, as of yet, no official endorsements from the FDA of the efficacy of CBG. It is important to speak with your doctor before starting to use CBG. It is possible doing so without a conversation could cause problems. Interaction with medication is always a possibility.
The Future of CBG
While the research is ongoing, there is still a lot we do not know about CBG. More research will be conducted as more people, like you, get interested. The explosion in the marketplace is causing the necessary buzz to drive research.
Dosage calculations, as well as FDA endorsement, may be on the way. This will help us to know better about how much we should use and why. More of the scientific community is willing to identify the health benefits of CBG. This is due in large part to the easing of the stigma attached to cannabis. As THC is legalized in more places, more cannabis can be cultivated. This will also help us to discover more information.
We know about the possible health benefits CBG may offer. It is easy to see the potential for this compound. As the parent of so many other understood and beneficial compounds, it is likely we will discover more.
Take the time to do your research on any product you are thinking about taking. Talk with your doctor. As always, start with a low dosage and increase gradually until you find the dosage that works best for you.
