CBG: Beyond THC and CBD
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What is CBG, the new cannabinoid
As we mentioned previously in the article “Cannabis: know its origin, its varieties and its main cannabinoids” , the cannabis plant has more than 500 organic elements, of which approximately 113 are considered cannabinoids. Among the best known are THC, CBD and CBG.
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non - psychotropic phytocannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. Although it is found in a very low proportion, it has aroused great interest in the scientific community due to its therapeutic potential and its possible effects on health.
It was discovered for the first time in 1964 by Gaoni and Raphael Mechoulam , but it was not until now that different studies and research on its therapeutic properties have begun.
If you do not know who Raphael Mechoulam is , the father of cannabis research, I encourage you to read the following article: “Meet Raphael Mechoulam and the Endocannabinoid System”
Where is it located?
CBG is produced in the early stages of development of the cannabis plant, which is why it is considered the stem cell of cannabis . During the growth cycle, an enzyme called cannabigerol acid synthase (CBGAS) converts an acidic precursor cannabinoid, known as cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) , into CBG. As the plant matures, CBG is converted into other cannabinoids such as THC, CBD , and cannabidiol acid (CBDA) through biochemical processes.
Due to its role as a precursor to other cannabinoids, the concentration of CBG in the cannabis plant typically decreases as the plant matures and is converted into other compounds. This means that finding cannabis strains with high concentrations of CBG can be a challenge, as it is usually harvested early in the plant's life cycle to maintain significant levels of CBG.
However, advances in breeding and biotechnology are allowing the development of cannabis strains with higher levels of CBG. In relation to this topic, it is worth mentioning that the UPV (Polytechnic University of Valencia) has developed, in collaboration with Hemp Trading, the first variety of cannabis with high medicinal potential.
According to the UPV news, the fruit of the research has achieved the elimination of THC and has increased the concentration of CBG above 15% (the usual is 0.1%-0.5%). The CEO of Hemp Trading has commented that “thanks to this development, CBG can be obtained massively, opening the door to large-scale production legally, as well as more tests to evaluate its medicinal properties.”
If you are interested in this news, you can click on the following link:
Therapeutic Properties & Studies of CBG
Before continuing, we would like to emphasize that CBG studies are in progress and that, although different properties of CBG have been found, there is still much to investigate.
In this section, you will be able to learn the properties of CBG and, in addition, we will show you various links to studies, where you will be able to see to what extent progress has been made.
1.
Anti-inflammatory
CBG has been shown in preclinical studies to have anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting its potential for treating inflammatory conditions such as arthritis .
In the following link you can see a study that concludes that CBG has the potential to reduce inflammation, pain and reduce obesity.
2.
Neuroprotective
CBG has been investigated for its potential neuroprotective effects, which could be beneficial in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's .
In the following study you will see how the results indicate that both CBD and CBG show promise for their possible antioxidant and neuroprotective effects.
If you are interested in this topic, we recommend that you read the article “Cannabis and Neurodegenerative Diseases”
3.
Analgesic
CBG has been shown to have analgesic effects in preclinical studies, suggesting its potential for pain relief .
We recommend you read the article “Cannabis and Chronic Pain: a new hope”
4.
Antimicrobial and antifungal
CBG has been found to have antimicrobial properties in laboratory studies, indicating that it could be effective against certain bacteria, microorganisms, and fungi .
The following study was commissioned by Enecta BV for a project called “Effects of cannabidiol and cannabigerol on neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying feeding behavior and energy balance” .
5.
Appetite stimulant:
Some studies have suggested that CBG may increase appetite, which could be beneficial for people suffering from loss of appetite due to medical conditions such as cancer or HIV/AIDS.
El siguiente estudio fue encargado por Enecta BV para un proyecto llamado “Efectos de cannabidiol y cannabigerol sobre los mecanismos neuroendocrinos subyacentes al comportamiento alimentario y al equilibrio energético”.
6.
Regulation of cell growth
CBG has been investigated for its ability to modulate cell growth in laboratory studies, suggesting its potential in cancer treatment.
We recommend you read the article “Oncological Pain and Cannabis: Treatment Perspectives”
7.
Anxiolytic Properties:
Various studies suggest that it could have potential as an antidepressant. More research is still needed.
Conclusion
Cannabigerol ( CBG) is a promising cannabinoid that has gained the attention of the scientific community due to its therapeutic potential.
Although found in lower concentrations than other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, CBG has shown a variety of interesting properties in preclinical studies, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, analgesic, antimicrobial, and appetite-stimulating effects . Additionally, its ability to modulate cell growth has been investigated , suggesting possible applications in cancer treatment.
Despite these promising findings, more clinical research in humans is needed to fully understand the effects of CBG and its potential for human health. However, this fascinating cannabinoid represents an expanding area of research that could have important implications for human well-being.
We encourage you to continue exploring and learning about CBG and other cannabinoids, as research in this field continues to evolve and reveal new discoveries that could benefit millions of people around the world. Don't hesitate to delve deeper into the topic and discover more about this exciting field of study!
You can download the article at the following link:
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