By the year 2016, most people that have become familiar with cannabis have also heard of THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, and CBD which is also known by its scientific name cannabidiol. But what many people do not know is that there are a handful of similar effects, and compounds found in cannabis.
A cannabinoid that is not as well known called cannabigerol (CBG) is not as present in large quantities like THC and CBD but it is still effective and important for a number of reasons.
What are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are naturally occurring that are found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are not totally, but partly responsible for the wide variety and array of psychoactive and medicinal effects that cannabis is known to provide.
There are a vast number of known cannabinoids, and scientists are still in the process of discovering more as their studies continue to reveal the the complex structure of the molecules of the cannabis plant.
Cannabinoids react and interact with human physiology through a system known as the endocannabinoid system or ECS. This system is made up of receptors that function to regulate human health and promote homeostasis throughout the entire body. The endocannabinoid system has two main receptors, these are known as CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptor latches on primarily to the nervous system and the brain, while the CB2 receptor interacts heavily with the human immune system. The cannabis plant is dependent upon cannabinoids to bind to these receptors to produce the wide array of potential benefits and effects. Each of the cannabinoids hold unique effects and characteristics of their own that are worth knowing about in order to maximize the desired effects from medicating with cannabis.
What is CBG?
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a cannabinoid that is non-psychoactive that plays an important role in the biochemistry of the cannabis plant. CBG acts as a chemical precursor to other cannabinoids such as CBD and THC.
This conversion takes place 6-8 weeks in what is known as the flowering cycle. CBG is present only in trace amounts in most cannabis strains, although there are some hemp strains are specifically cultivated to generate higher yields of this cannabinoid. CBG displays a variety of potential health benefits including working as a neuroprotectant , having antioxidant properties, aiding with skin ailments as an antifungal and antibacterial agent, appetite stimulation,and inflammation reduction.
How does CBG work?
CBG interacts with both CB2 and CB1 receptors, it acts as an inhibitor to he psychoactive effects of THC.
CBG is also presumed to boost anandamide. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid that increases dopamine levels naturally. It also regulates various health functions such as mood, sleep, and appetite. Gamma-Aminobutyric acid or “GABA” uptake in the brain may be obstructed by CBG, which could make this cannabinoid a possible anti-worry agent as well as a muscle relaxant. CBG may also block serotonin receptors that show potential antidepressant qualities.
CBG is a key constituent in the medicinal benefits that cannabis and cannabinoids can provide. As cannabis research continues to thrive on into the future, CBG could emerge as the most therapeutic and diverse cannabinoids that will offer a vast range of possible remedies. It is important that before you try CBG for any reason that you consult with a knowledgeable patient consultant
