At this point, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hadn’t heard of the many benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), but there’s a new kid on the block — CBD’s distant first-cousin, cannabigerol (CBG). They are both considered minor cannabinoids without psychoactive effects. While CBD is found abundantly in most strains of cannabis, high-CBG strains have to be bred.
CBG is formed during a process called decarboxylation. For this reason, many strains of cannabis have less than 1% CBG content by weight. To extract the highest concentration of CBG, specially-bred strains must be harvested within six weeks of their eight-week flowering cycle.
What Are the Benefits of CBG?
Though both CBD and CBG are not psychoactive or intoxicating, the ways they interact with the body are different. CBD doesn’t interact much with cannabinoid receptors, and its positive effects are mostly due to indirect interactions with the rest of the body. CBG targets your CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in your brain.
THC targets the same receptors in your brain. When CBG and THC are used together, CBG has been shown to reduce some of the negative effects brought on by high-THC strains — known as the entourage effect. Because CBG is a relatively new and underutilized cannabinoid, many of the applications are still being developed. However, CBG is quickly becoming well known for its medicinal and therapeutic benefits.
These benefits include:
- Appetite stimulation
- Helps combat bacterial infections
Relieving symptoms associated with:
- Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Glaucoma
- Incontinence
- Huntington’s disease
What Are the Core Differences Between CBG and CBD?
As mentioned above, CBG and CBD have different qualities. The core differences between CBG and CBG include:
- Appetite stimulation: Many people will remember a “munchies” moment and assume that all cannabinoids are created equally. One of the most significant differences between CBG and CBD is in their effects on appetite. CBG may give you the familiar feeling of wanting a snack, while CBD may have the opposite effect.
- Interaction with the body: The pharmacology of CBD and CBG is very different. CBD tends to activate the 5-HT1A receptor, whereas CBG acts as a blocker. In this way, we can understand CBD’s and CBG’s interaction with the body as opposites.
- Molecular structure: In simplest terms, CBG and CBD have different molecular make-ups.
Research into the medicinal benefits of cannabis is still in its relative infancy. For this reason, not much is known about CBD or CBG’s interactions with other medications and possible long-term side effects. If you are considering incorporating CBD or CBG concentrates into your holistic regimen, consult with a medical professional and read any labels on your regular medications.
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