CBG is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid that deserves more attention.
At this point, anyone familiar with the compounds within cannabis knows about the famed cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). But there is another cannabinoid that is just as important and far less well known. Cannabigerol (CBG) is an exceptional cannabinoid that has been researched for its various medical benefits.
Currently, CBG is not scheduled by Convention of Psychotropic Substances. The first stage of cannabigerol is cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). CBGA is the very first stage in development for every cannabinoid. This primary cannabinoid turns into CBG when heated to a particular temperature which allows the CO2 molecule to escape.
Like CBD, CBG is found in plants more closely identified as hemp. Less of this compound is found in plants bred for high-THC levels. In fact, by the time most strains of cannabis are completely cultivated they have less than 1% trace amounts of CBG. This cannabinoid is classified as a CB1 antagonist. This means that it can cut that sometimes anxiety-inducing high that THC can produce. The compound also binds to the CB2 receptor but it has not yet been attributed as an antagonist or agonist in that regard.
When it comes to brain chemistry this cannabinoid does more than respond to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. This cannabinoid can also inhibit the uptake of GABA in the brain. When GABA is inhibited it can reduce anxiety and muscle tension. In the May 2013 issue of Biological Psychology an Italian study was published that showed some amazing effects of CBG. This study showed that the anti-inflammatory properties of the cannabinoid can have a positive effect on patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Cannabigerol has also shown to release ocular pressure and drain fluid from the eye. This makes it ideal for patients with glaucoma.
CBG is prominent in the early budding stages of flowering. For this reason it isn’t prominent in many indoor strains. Recent developments have shown that this cannabinoid is prominent in the hemp plant. This has allowed breeders to create genetics with more prominent levels of the cannabinoid.
Strains High In CBG:
