What is CBG

What is CBG? Is Cannabigerol The Next Big Cannabinoid?

This article has been reviewed and approved for accuracy by Dr. Jeffrey Holman, a certified orthopaedic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience and dedication for helping patients with holistic treatments.

CBG, which stands for cannabigerol, is a non-euphoric cannabinoid found in both cannabis and hemp plants, which does not get you high like THC and has a wide range of benefits. Widely regarded as the “stem cell” cannabinoid for its unique ability to mutate into THC, CBD, and CBC, CBG is the target of a lot of research and many believe it will be the next big cannabinoid (the new CBD). 

When was Cannabigerol (CBG) discovered?

CBG was discovered and isolated in 1964, the same year as THC by the same team of researchers, led by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam. Many regard CBG as the “stem cell” cannabinoid, because it is “the direct precursor of the cannabinoids CBD, THC, and CBC,” and when combined with the right synthase in a plant it will mutate into other cannabinoids. 

While normally CBG appears in relatively low concentrations in most cultivars of cannabis and hemp, because it will mutate into THC, CBD, or CBC, a genetic mechanism has been identified in some hemp varietals which makes them CBG-rich. That genetic mechanism has been selectively bred for by some hemp cultivators allowing the creation of “the first pure CBG Type 4” plants on the market which means plants have a cannabinoid profile that “is 99.5 percent CBG.” Those plants are still legally hemp, as their resulting THC is below 0.3%. Since CBG is converted into THC, CBD, and CBC as plants grow, there tend to be higher amounts of CBG in younger hemp plants.

Is CBG legal?

Yes, as long as it isn’t derived from non-hemp cannabis plants. Internationally, CBG does not appear on the list of schedules in the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 (most likely because it would not be discovered for another three years), which means it is exempt from international drug control as well as domestic control in the US. A major reason many observers feel that CBG will be “the next CBD” is because of this greater legal access, but also because CBG has a wide range of beneficial effects, just like CBD. 

What is the benefits of CBG

Is CBG just in Cannabis?

Surprisingly, no. Or maybe? The South African plant Helichrysum umbraculigerum has been found to be “a major producer of CBG” as well as its chemical precursor CBGa. While a 1979 study did find the presence of CBG in Helichrysum, more recent research from 2018, which likely used more accurate testing methods, did not confirm the presence of CBG or CBGa in it. Further research will be needed to clarify CBG’s presence in Helichrysum. The potential presence of CBG in a non-cannabis plant is further evidence that it may be even more legal than CBD, especially if it is not sourced from cannabis. 

Potential Benefits of CBG

Just like CBD, CBG has a wide range of benefits, which include improving cognitive functioning, reducing the inflammation from extreme exercise, helping manage daily temporary stress, and improving the quality of sleep. Like CBD, CBG interacts with more than just the body’s endocannabinoid system. Specifically, CBG seems to have some interesting impacts on the body’s 5-HT1A receptor, which explains its benefits for mental health. 

What else is CBG good for?

CBG has a lot of interesting and unique properties which give it a lot of different ways to improve your daily life and functioning. CBG can be good for everything from helping you wake up and start your day, to improving focus on your work during the day, helping you get an appetite for dinner and assistance with falling asleep at night. Like we learned in our blog on the endocannabinoid system since the endocannabinoid system is not just in humans, but in all animals with a central nervous system, that means CBG isn’t just good for humans, but for your pets too.  

It is found in Ojai Energetics’ 100% USDA organic certified, water-soluble, Full-spectrum CBD products, and CBG is known to improve cognitive function, reduce inflammation from extreme exercise, help manage daily temporary stress, and improve the quality of sleep.

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