What is CBG?

What is CBG?

If you’re a health and wellness enthusiast, chances are good you’ve already heard of CBD and THC. Maybe you’re already taking these substances — and experiencing better health as a result.

But have you ever taken cannabigerol, or CBG?

If not, you might be missing out. In this article we’ll be diving deep into what CBG is, what it does, and how you can include it in your daily routine. Here’s a short outline.

• What is CBG?
• What is CBG oil
• What is CBG good for?
• How to include CBG into your daily routine

What is CBG?

Let’s start off with the basics: what is CBG?

CBG is a cannabinoid, which just means it comes from the cannabis/hemp plant family.

CBG’s classification as a cannabinoid also means it can interact with your body’s endocannabinoid receptors (promoting inner balance and a great sense of wellbeing as it does!). [1]

Compared to CBD, CBG has a similar molecular weight and very similar molecular mass. And that means it has similar health properties, too, but more on those later. [2]

What is a CBG? And where it comes from

One more thing you should know about what is CBG: where CBG comes from. While pretty much any hemp or cannabis plant contains some CBG, only young plants contain appreciable amounts.

That’s because CBG is the “mother cannabinoid” from which all other cannabinoids are eventually formed!

What is CBG? And how it’s made

In decades past, finding a good source of CBG would’ve been pretty easy. All one would need to do is walk through a field of hemp, pick a few leaves, and start munching! Raw cannabis/hemp is an excellent source of CBG, CBGa, and CBDa.

In modern times, however, finding premium CBG is much harder. CBG producers have had to invent CBG-rich hemp strains and refine their extraction methods to cater to CBG. Extraction processes like fractional distillation and centrifugal partition chromatography have become popular ways to make the most of a hemp harvest’s CBG content. [3][4]

What is CBG oil?

Once you understand “what is CBG,” you’re well on your way to understanding CBG oil.

And what is CBG oil? It’s a tincture or oil whose active ingredient is CBG.

Most CBG oils are only about 1-3% CBG by weight — the rest of the oil is comprised of an inactive carrier oil like MCT oil or coconut oil. [5] But that tiny percentage actually provides more than enough CBG to activate your body’s endocannabinoid system and get you back into balance.

What is CBG oil? How do you use it?

CBG oil is used just like any other hemp/CBD oil might be. You simply place a few drops under your tongue, hold them there for a while, then ingest fully. CBG oil is best absorbed when you treat it like a true sublingual.

CBG oil dosing is similar, too. You can microdose throughout the day or take large doses all at once — depending on what your particular goals are. Many people like taking their CBG in the morning in order to make the most of its energizing effects.

What is CBG good for?

Onto our next question: what is CBG good for?

To put it super simply, CBG may offer powerful anti-inflammatory effects without the ‘high’ that comes with THC or other cannabinoids. CBG can’t cause euphoria because it simply can’t bind to the same neurological targets that THC does. Nope, CBG works behind the scenes to reduce the harmfulness of chronic stress and inflammation.

So…what is CBG good for? Below are some of the more sciencey highlights.

Better brain health

A 2018 study recently highlighted that CBG may reduce inflammation in the brain. It appears to do this by working through the brain’s PPAR receptors. Known as the ‘nuclear receptor,’ PPAR activation helps your genetic and epigenetic wiring get expressed in the best ways possible. [6]

Better relaxation

Other studies have found that CBG may boost your brain’s GABA levels. [7] GABA is one of the brain’s most important neurotransmitters; adequate levels of it help both your muscles and mind relax.

“Cannabigerol (CBG) exhibits GABA uptake inhibition to a greater extent than THC or CBD,” explains the above report. CBG’s interaction with GABA might be just the thing to help you keep calm and carry on.

GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps relax muscles and other structural substances. This softening also has mental benefits, so CBG’s effects on GABA may also mean good things for your mood.

Better gut health

CBG’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties mean it has the potential to improve gut health. Ancient cultures of the past actually used CBG — in the form of raw cannabis leaves — to ward off parasites! [8] CBG may also fight against the ‘bad’ bacteria that cause intestinal inflammation.

Improved mood

Thankfully for us, gut health doesn’t exist in isolation, which means that improving it can tangibly impact other aspects of your health and/or mood. Researchers call the gut a ‘second brain’ for a reason. CBG’s anti-microbial benefits may carry over to clearer thinking, less brain fog, and an improved mood. [9]

Reduced inflammation

Study after study has hinted that CBG may reduce inflammation in several areas of the body. [10] In addition to benefiting gut health, CBG’s anti-inflammatory properties may mean good things for your cognitive function, athletic recovery, sleep, hygiene, longevity, and more.

Improved muscle control

Another way CBG could benefit all you fitness enthusiasts out there. Its interaction with the GABA receptors we mentioned above means it could help your muscles relax and recover after a hard workout. [11] GABA activation might help your muscles rest when they need to — allowing you to push yourself to the max when the time comes!

CBG’s ability to affect the GABA neurotransmitter means it can also affect muscle control. So, if your muscles are tense, sore, or tired from workouts/other stress, CBG could help.

CBD vs. CBG

Both CBG and CBD activate your body’s endocannabinoid system, or ECS, without side effects like hunger or psychoactivity. ECS activation, in turn, means that both CBG and CBD have anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects.

But these cannabinoids have some differences, too.

CBG has more powerful antibacterial effects than CBD, which makes it especially promising as a cream or topical. A recent study affirmed that “CBG proved to be marvellous at tackling pathogenic bacteria.” [12]

CBG is also more stimulating than other cannabinoids. CBD, on the other hand, becomes sedating enough at high doses that many people use it as a sleep aid.

How to include CBG oil into your daily routine

At Cannovia we aim to produce ultra-premium, hemp-powered products crafted to help with calmness, comfort, energy, rest, and full-body balance.

When it comes to making the most of CBG, we specifically craft our WAKE UP CBD + CBG Drops to provide you with CBG’s energizing, awakening effects. WAKE UP blends CBD’s benefits with CBG’s ability to promote physical energy and mental alertness results in a hemp-powered duo crafted to support your general well-being and daily momentum.

FAQ

What is CBG?

CBG is a cannabinoid, which just means it comes from the cannabis/hemp plant family. CBG’s classification as a cannabinoid also means it can interact with your body’s endocannabinoid receptors.

Does CBG get you high?

CBG has no psychotropic effects, so it will not give you a high.

What is CBG Oil?

It’s a tincture or oil whose active ingredient is CBG. Most CBG oils are only about 1-3% CBG by weight — the rest of the oil is composed of an inactive carrier oil like MCT oil or coconut oil. CBG oil is used just like any other hemp/CBD oil might be.

What does CBG do?

To put it super simply, CBG may offer powerful anti-inflammatory effects without the ‘high’ that comes with THC or other cannabinoids. CBG can’t cause euphoria because it simply can’t bind to the same neurological targets that THC does.