A lesser-known cannabinoid called cannabigerol, while not present in large quantities in most strains. Furthermore, nonetheless worth learning about for a number of reasons.
How is CBG (cannabigerol) made?
Because it is present in low levels (usually less than 1%) in most cannabis strains, CBG is considered a minor cannabinoid. Cannabis plants produce cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the precursor to the three main cannabinoid lines: Tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA).
CBG-A is the chemical precursor of THCA, CBDA, and CBCA. Enzymes within cannabis turn CBGA into either THCA or CBDA, which can be subsequently decarboxylated (“activated”) by light or heat energy to create THC or CBD.
Specific enzymes in the plant break down CBGA and direct it toward one of the three lines. The plant exposes the acids to ultraviolet light or heat, transforming them into the cannabinoids we know as THC and CBD. In most strains, CBGA immediately converts into either THCA or CBDA. Therefore, higher THC levels mean lower CBG and CBD levels, and vice versa, due to how these compounds are synthesized.
To obtain higher yields of CBG, breeders are experimenting with genetic manipulation and crossbreeding of plants. For example, Subcool Seeds is crossing strains to produce higher CBG contents. Scientists can also extract higher levels of CBG from budding plants by pinpointing the optimum extraction time, about six weeks into an eight-week flowering cycle. A medicinal strain called Bediol is produced in this fashion by the Dutch company Bedrocan BV Medicinal Cannabis.
CBG’s potential medical benefits
The human body’s built-in endocannabinoid system (ECS) works to keep the body in its balanced state of homeostasis. While there are specific details about how cannabinoids work, in general the endocannabinoid system performs different functions specific to each area of the body. For example, at an injury site, the eCS can help regulate immune cells to limit inflammation.
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CBG acts on specific physiological systems and problems, showing promising results for medicinal use:
Endocannabinoid receptors are prevalent in eye structures, and researchers believe CBG is particularly effective in treating glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure. It serves as a powerful vasodilator and offers neuroprotective effects.
In animal experiments with mice, researchers found that CBG effectively reduced inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
A 2015 study showed that CBG protected neurons in mice with Huntington’s disease, which involves the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain.
CBG shows great promise as a cancer fighter. Specifically, researchers found that CBG blocked receptors responsible for cancer cell growth. In one study, it inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells in mice, slowing colon cancer progression. It also inhibited tumors and chemically induced colon carcinogenesis, suggesting an exciting potential for a cure for colorectal cancer.
Other Roles
- European research shows evidence that CBG is an effective antibacterial agent, particularly against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) microbial strains resistant to several classes of drugs. Since the 1950s, topical formulations of cannabis have been effective in skin infections, but researchers at the time were unaware of the plant’s chemical composition.
- In a very recent 2017 study, researchers showed that a form of CBG purified to remove delta-9 THC. This was a very effective appetite stimulant in rats. This may lead to a novel non-psychotropic therapeutic option for cachexia. This is a muscle wasting, and severe weight loss seen in late-stage cancer and other diseases.
- In a study that looked at the effects of five different cannabinoids on bladder contractions. The CBG tested best at inhibiting muscle contractions, so it may be a future tool in preventing bladder dysfunction disorders.
Scientists are excited about these initial results and are promoting future research with CBG alone. The CBG in combination with other cannabinoids and therapies for the treatment of multiple maladies. Because it is non-psychotropic, CBG has a promising wide range of potential applications. Not only for the problems mentioned above, but also as an analgesic, therapy for psoriasis, and as an antidepressant.
Also check out, “Extraction Techniques“