What is CBG?

You may have recently heard some talk about CBG hemp products or maybe this is completely new information for you. Either way, I am excited to talk about it today and share what we have learned through a review of the available research.

CBG is one of the minor cannabinoids found in hemp, meaning it is found in the plant at low concentrations. Most people who think of hemp/cannabis and focus mainly on CBD and THC. What is usually left out of the conversation are the many other compounds that are identified as cannabinoids. There are actually 120+ cannabinoids found in cannabis/hemp but we are currently only able to measure a few of these.

Minor cannabinoids? What are those?

Quantifiable minor cannabinoids include, CBG, CBC, CBN, CBL, CBT, THCV, CBDV and CBCV. The cannabinoids that are becoming more available on the hemp market are CBG, CBN, CBC and THCV (still very rare). These minor cannabinoids all have unique and profound effects on our physiology which can ultimately help us to improve our wellness. We are very excited to release our all new 2:1 CBG oil formulations for all of you to try!

How can CBG help?

We have been getting amazing reviews after only a few short weeks of releasing these new CBG products. Our customers have been reporting that our new formula is helping improve sleep, elevate mood, relieve stress and reduce inflammation.

Will CBG get you “high”?

CBG is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid and will not cause any “high” or intoxicating effects. It actually has quite the opposite effect. In one study CBG was found to be a potential neuroprotectant which means that neurons are actually preserved and resist oxidative stress by CBG.

THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid that is responsible for the “high” of cannabis. When you choose a THC-FREE formulation you can rest assured that it will NOT trigger a positive drug test result.

Full spectrum formulas on the other hand, do have a trace amount of THC present (up to 0.3% THC allowed by the 2018 Farm Bill). However, this small amount of THC is akin to the alcohol present in a non-alcoholic beer and is therefore not intoxicating. There are some additional benefits of full spectrum formulations, including a full array of terpenes, fats, chlorophyll and many other plant compounds that work together in the famous “entourage effect”. We understand that everyone is different, we offer both THC-FREE and Full spectrum options of all of our CBG oils!

What makes CBG unique? And how is it different than CBD?

CBG is nicknamed the “Mother of all Cannabinoids” because all other cannabinoids were once CBGA before being converted into other cannabinoids. Without CBG there is no THC, CBD or any other cannabinoid at all. There are enzymatic pathways in the plant that convert CBGA into CBD or THC and so fourth. You can think of CBG as a that additional source of balance and relief when your typical CBD intake is not cutting it.

The Endocannabinoid System

Each one of us have an endocannbinoid system (ECS) within our bodies. The ECS is a complex communication system responsible for many different bodily functions including pain, sleep and mood. Read more about the ECS and its functions in our “What is CBD?” blog. A patent application by GW pharmaceutical suggests CBG interacts with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS at the same time. This is very significant because CBD interacts with CB2 and THC interacts with CB1 receptors. Since CBG associates with both CB1 and CB2 receptors there are no intoxicating effects. There is however, a potential for unique benefits associated with the activation of CB1 receptors by CBG.

The list of therapeutic uses which were referenced in this patent application are astounding, here is the full list: “pain, neurodegenerative disease, ischemic disease, brain injury or damage, acquired brain injury, age related inflammatory or autoimmune disease, cachexia, nausea and vomiting, glaucoma, movement disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, allergy, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, renal ischemia and nephritis.”

As I continued to read the detailed information in the patent document, I also came across mention of CBG having some anti-depressant activity. The direct quote is from the above mentioned patent application is:

“Additionally the applicant’s co-pending patent application (US 60/813814) describes the antidepressant properties of cannabigerol. Compared with the vast knowledge available on THC or CBD, CBG’s properties are relatively unknown.”

CBG Reviews: First Reactions

The benefits of CBG have been more profound than I personally anticipated. My first impressions were that people just wanted to sell something different and that it was going to have minimal effects compared to CBD. I could not have been more wrong!

CBG proved to instantly have a more potent anti-anxiety and grounding effect on me personally. I felt a nice, calm, almost warming sensation through my body, and my mind settled down. My next thoughts were how excited we were to have access to this unique cannabinoid and share it with all of you! The first reviews of our new CBG formulations were a hit and it has instantly become a best-seller on our online store. We would like to share the following customer review with you for our High Strength THC-Free 2:1 CBG Oil :

“With a pandemic, quarantine & work stress my anxiety was at an all time high, and this has helped me immensely! It’s the only thing I’ve tried that has given me a good nights sleep, which is so crucial at times like this!  Highly recommend!”

– Jessica

CBG and beyond…

The reality of CBG and all cannabinoids in general is there is a great need for more research to be done. This is a fantastic opportunity for discovery, innovation and healing. We are in the R&D stages of formulating with CBN isolate as well as Functional Flavors made with CO2 extracts of some amazing botanicals that target and boost effects.

We are blessed and grateful to be on the forefront of the hemp industry offering you ground-breaking products to improve your wellness. Please reach out to us via email if you have additional questions or concerns. Thank you for supporting our small Vermont family business!

If you read this entire blog… here is a special gift just for you!!

Use discount code: ILOVEREADING to get 40% off your order today!

(*NOTE: Offer not valid for meditation tools or hemp gear*)

Blessings and Health,

Andrew

Co-Founder