Science and cannabis go hand-in-hand. Without scientific research, the millions of people around the world who are currently benefiting from this miracle plant would not be in a position to do so.
Ongoing research and development into the cannabis plant’s genetic composition, medical potency and basic plant biology is helping us understand exactly why Mother Nature put this medicinal powerhouse on our planet.
What are Cannabinoids?
A diverse group of chemical compounds occur naturally in the cannabis plant. These compounds also occur naturally in the human body and are known as ‘endocannabinoids’.
Miraculously, the human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is responsible for prompting various physiological actions. When a person consumes cannabis, the cannabinoids will interact with receptors in the body to produce a vast array of effects.
So far, 113 cannabinoids have been identified. [1] However, some researchers estimate there to be 560 cannabinoid compounds contained in the Cannabis genus of plants. [2]
Some other cannabinoids that scientists have discovered include:
- THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
- THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid)
- CBD (cannabidiol)
- CBDA (cannabidiolic acid)
- CBN (cannabinol)
- CBC (cannabichromene)
- CBL (cannabicyclol)
- CBV (cannabivarin)
- THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin)
- CBDV (cannabidivarin)
- CBCV (cannabichromevarin)
- CBGV (cannabigerovarin)
- CBGM (cannabigerol monomethyl ether)
- CBE (cannabielsoin)
- CBT (cannabicitran)
So, what is the CBG compound?
Now, pay attention, because we are going to talk about a cannabinoid that is not mentioned on the above list – cannabigerol. This cannabinoid is commonly known by its abbreviation – CBG. The non-acidic cannabinoid is produced when the CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) molecule is faced with heat.
Why should I try CBG?
The abundant health properties associated with this cannabinoid include:
- Analgesia
- Antibacterial
- Anti-convulsive
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-insomnia
- Appetite stimulant
- Anti-proliferative
- Antidepressant
- Brain cell stimulant
- Bone stimulant
What exactly does this mean, you ask? It means that CBG is suitable for treating epilepsy, chronic pain, glaucoma, insomnia, cancer, osteoporosis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, anorexia – the list goes on. [3]
Will CBG get me high?
Generally, cultivars that are bred for high THC content will contain low levels of CBG, which is a non-psychoactive cannabis compound. Since this cannabinoid is usually found in high-CBD strains, you’re not likely to get high when you consume CBG-rich cannabis.
Research is continuously taking place to ascertain precisely why this newly discovered cannabinoid should be included in people’s daily routine.
References:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3366283/ [2] https://www.cbdtesters.co/2018/04/17/the-cannabinoid-that-everyone-should-use/ [3] https://honestmarijuana.com/cbg/
