Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may still be getting the limelight as powerful healers. Still, another worthy alternative, or better yet, a wonderful supplement to CBD- and THC-based products, is gaining some traction in the wellness industry: cannabigerol (CBG).
This article takes a closer look at CBG, its potential benefits, and how to use it.
Understanding Cannabigerol
Cannabigerol is a type of cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. It is a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. This means you won’t experience any high when consuming CBG products like the ones from Hemponix.
However, it’s unlike any cannabinoid form. CBG is actually referred to as the “Mother of All Cannabinoids,” since it is the acidic “parent” molecule of other cannabinoids such as CBD and THC. This means CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids can’t exist without CBG.
Young cannabis plants have higher concentrations of CBG. As the plant matures, a group of enzymes breaks down the cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) to produce CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids. Any leftover CBGA is then turned into CBG. Because most CBGA are already converted to other cannabinoids, fully developed cannabis plants have lower concentrations of CBG.
Due to the difficulty of getting CBG, CBG-based products are rare and tend to be more expensive than THC- and CBD-based products.
Potential Uses And Benefits Of CBG
Like other cannabinoids, CBG also has strong healing potential and excellent therapeutic effects. Unfortunately, human studies are limited and will require more research to prove their efficiency.
That said, some promising studies are showing what CBG can do and how it can help certain medical conditions.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is a chronic inflammation of the bowel that can’t be cured. CBG may be able to ease this condition that affects millions of people across the world.
A study shows that CBG can help reduce bowel inflammation by encouraging the production of nitric oxide. Also, it is shown to help reduce the formation of reactive oxygen species in the intestines, providing relief from IBD.
- Skincare
CBG is known to have strong antibacterial properties that help protect your skin. It is said to heal inflammation, irritation, acne breakouts, and other skin problems at the cellular level, making the skin healthier and more nourished.
- Glaucoma
An animal study revealed that CBG might have therapeutic potential for treating glaucomas. The researchers used CBG on cats with glaucoma and saw a reduction in eye pressure. CBG has also helped increase aqueous humor outflow. This is the fluid that the eye makes to help keep eye pressure steady and give the eye the nutrients it needs.
- Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s disease is a rare, inherited condition that stops parts of your brain from working properly due to the breakdown of nerve cells. This condition worsens gradually over time and can be fatal after about 20 years.
In a study, CBG and other cannabinoids were looked at to see if they could protect brain nerve cells from the damage caused by Huntington’s disease. The result shows that CBG acted as a powerful neuroprotectant while also helping improve motor deficits due to the disease.
- Mood And Mental Health
Like CBD, CBG is also said to be a powerful regulator of mental health. CBG has been proven to help ease symptoms of anxiety. It helps promote muscle relaxation and can promote dopamine production, which is your “feel-good” hormone.
- Cancer Prevention And Treatment
CBG also showed promising results in fighting colon cancer cells. Researchers found that CBG could block receptors that let cancer cells grow, which stopped the cancer cells from growing. Although more research is required, researchers suggest that CBG can be a potential cure and treatment for colon cancer.
How To Use CBG?
While CBG products are relatively rare and more expensive than other cannabinoid products, they are becoming more common than ever. Here are some of the most common forms of CBG products you can find today:
- CBG Oil: This form is the most potent and effective product you can find. It is often consumed under the tongue or mixed in your food or drink.
- CBG Supplements: You can find CBG pills that you can easily add to your daily supplement regimen.
- Topical CBG: This is available in ointments, salve, gels, and lotion that can be applied externally to the affected area.
Takeaway
In light of the potential benefits and uses it offers, cannabigerol is seeing increased attention from producers, researchers, and consumers. That said, what we know about this increasingly popular cannabinoid is still pretty limited and requires more research to fully understand its healing capabilities and any potential side effects.
As always, check in with your healthcare provider before using any CBG products, especially if you have an underlying health condition or are taking any medications.
