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The benefits of CBG

Although evading the level of hype and headlines enjoyed by CBD, the cannabinoid CBG also has much to offer as experts Klaas Heres and Geoffrey Soulsby explain.

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Cannabigerol or CBG is a non-psychotropic (it will not make you feel high) cannabinoid found in both hemp and cannabis.

It is known as the “mother of all cannabinoids” or the “stem cell“ of the plant, as it is the precursor or base molecule that other cannabinoids form from, including CBD, CBC, and THC.

At around one per cent by volume, it is the third most prevalent cannabinoid after THC and CBD and in the adolescent plant is found in its acidic, inactive form “CBGa”.

Because most of the CBG is used to create the other major cannabinoids during the growth cycle, however, the volume in the adult plant can drop to almost zero making CBG isolate prohibitively expensive in the past.

But a new cannabis strain named “Panakeia” has been developed with a CBG content of 18 per cent with zero THC, making it much more affordable for manufacturers to roll out new products.

CBG binds to both CB1 and CB2 as well as GPR55 (CB3) receptors and has many benefits, some of which can be seen below:

Antibacterial

CBG has strong antibacterial properties, particularly when fighting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. MRSA is a staph infection resistant to methicillin and other common types of antibiotics making it a particularly threatening or even fatal bacterial infection. A 2008 study found CBG showed promise for treating MRSA as an antibacterial agent.

Anti-cancer

CBG in laboratory studies has been shown to inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells. A review article in 2009 showed that CBG slows tumour growth. Another study from 2014 reported that CBG inhibited tumour growth in colon cancer. A study from 2016 concluded that preclinical data strongly support the notion that non-psychoactive plant-derived cannabinoids, including CBG can act as direct inhibitors of tumour progression as well as enhancing the activity of first-line therapies, another reporting that CBG inhibited tumour growth in colon cancer, and a 2006 study noted CBG in may help with breast cancer.

Anxiety and sleep disorders

CBG is a GABA inhibitor and when used in conjunction with CBD enables the body’s muscles to relax, leading to stress relief and a sensation of calm in both body and mind. CBG can also be a substitute for THC in the treatment of certain types of autism in children where THC because of its psychoactive properties cannot be used or those carrying the AKT1 gene (approximately one per cent of the population) where THC use can induce psychosis.

Appetite stimulant

In 2016, it was shown to be an appetite stimulant in rodents, which could help patients undergoing chemotherapy maintain or increase body mass.

Glaucoma and relieving intraocular pressure

CBD on its own does not help, but in combination with CBG is showing great promise. A study from 1990 found that cannabigerol and related cannabinoids may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of glaucoma.

Inflammatory bowel disease and colitis

A study from 2013 used CBG in the treatment of colitis seeing very positive results concluding that CBG reduced the effect of colitis. According to the study patients with IBS have been experiencing successful management of abdominal pain, joint pain, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, poor appetite, weight loss, and nausea with the use of cannabis.

Neurodegenerative diseases

A 2015 study found that CBG, alone or in combination with other cannabinoids or therapies could be a potential treatment of “neurodegenerative diseases,” such as ALS, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. “CBG” normalized expression of abnormal genes linked to brain degeneration, showing that it is a strong neuroprotective compound.

Skin inflammation

A 2007 study looked at CBG’s ability to treat eczema and psoriasis and may help reduce the inflammation caused by IBD.

CBG is available now in the UK as a food supplement. Please seek medical advice before adding CBG or any other cannabinoid to your daily health regimen.

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