What is CBG and the potential health benefits of CBG

What is CBG?

Cannabigerol (CBG) is the first non-psychoactive cannabinoid formed in the cannabis plant. This cannabinoid is essential to the formation of THC and CBD, two of the most common cannabinoids. As the plant develops, the CBG is transformed into THC, CBD and other lesser cannabinoids. Hence, CBG is usually found in minimal amounts.

CBG is the precursor from which all other cannabinoids are synthesized, which is why it’s often referred to as the “mother” or “stem cell” of cannabinoids.

What are the health benefits of CBG?

While the research conducted on CBG is still in its infancy, the potential health benefits of CBG could be extensive.

Broadly speaking, the medicinal properties of CBG could be similar to those of CBD. Different scientific studies, like the one published in the British Journal of Pharmacology (Taming THC: Potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects), indicate that CBG lowers pain, reduces the inflammation caused by some disorders like Crohn’s disease, is a major sleep-inducer and has anti-depressive properties.

Likewise, CBG could inhibit the growth of cancer cells and seems to contribute to slowing down the progression of colon cancer. Furthermore, CBG might be a powerful ally in treating glaucoma, since it seems to lower intraocular pressure.

According to some researches, some of the medicinal properties of CBG could be:

“… Furthermore, CBG has more potent analgesic, anti-erythema and lipooxygenase blocking activity than THC”.

Anti-inflammatory

“…CBG attenuated murine colitis, reduced nitric oxide production in macrophages (effect being modulated by the CB2 receptor) and reduced ROS formation in intestinal epithelial cells. CBG could be considered for clinical experimentation in IBD patients”.

Neuroprotectant For The Brain

“CBG was extremely active as neuroprotectant in mice intoxicated with 3-nitropropionate (3NP), improving motor deficits and preserving striatal neurons against 3NP toxicity…”.

“(CBG) interacts with specific targets involved in carcinogenesis…”. CBG hampers colon cancer progression in vivo and selectively inhibits the growth of CRC cells, an effect shared by other TRPM8 antagonists. CBG should be considered translationally in CRC prevention and cure.

"cannabigerol and related cannabinoids may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of glaucoma."

ANTIBACTERIAL CBG has shown its capacity to combat bacteria that are resistant to common antibiotics.

"Cannabinoids such as CBG promote the reproduction of keratinocyte. Keratinocytes are important in the body as it is responsible for the production of keratin in the skin"

Stimulate Appetite

…”we demonstrate for the first time that CBG elicits hyperphagia, by reducing latency to feed and increasing meal frequency, without producing negative neuromotor side effects. Investigation of the therapeutic potential of CBG for conditions such as cachexia and other disorders of eating and body weight regulation is thus warranted”.