Cannabidiol, meet cannabigerol. Well, actually it’s more likely that cannabidiol would introduce us all to cannabigerol (or, even not that, as you’ll see below). Perhaps while swimming through the internet, going about your day, you stumbled upon a “CBG” product and took some pause and thought, “who’s to blame for that typo?” Well, we’re here to inform you “CBG” is a very real thing. You’re likely asking now, “what is CBG oil?” So, let’s get down to it.
Difference between CBD and CBG
First of all, like CBD, you may wonder if CBG is some new-fangled thing. You may still continue wondering why CBD is so popular. And, now, you’re likely wondering, will CBG ever get this popular? These are all valid questions, and it’s one of the reasons why we love writing for you on our blog. To list a few key similarities, you may be surprised (or not) to learn that both CBD and CBG are non-psychoactive. This opens the door significantly wider for new studies to ensue since legal barriers are likely less.
To not keep you waiting any longer, it’s not new. In fact, here’s a great breakdown:
- CBG is the initial form of CBD, THC, and CBC (or cannabichromene, (yes, there’s more))
- CBG is a member of a group of cannabinoids that includes CBGA (cannabigerolic acid)
- The enzymes in a young marijuana plant turn CBGA into CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), or CBCA (cannabichromene acid)
- These acids then break down into CBD, CBC, or THC
Benefits of CBG oil
To keep it short and sweet, you’ll find a lot of the same reported benefits in both CBD and CBG. However, there are some CBG-specific studies out there that we’re more than happy to refer you to. The studies are as follows, however, you should note that many of these are in their preliminary stages, and were often conducted in non-human subjects:
- In a 2015 study that also studied CBD and THC, CBG was found to be the most effective in addressing bladder dysfunction.
- A 1990 study found that CBG can lower glaucoma-related pressure in the eyes.
- Another study found that it has neuroprotective properties, meaning that it may limit the effects of neurodegenerative diseases, like Huntington’s.
- Further studies found benefits for addressing appetite issues, warding off risks and symptoms of IBD and colon cancer, as well as having general anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties like CBD.
What’s to come for CBG oil
Like many substances with varying degrees of legality, CBG is still being studied, as is CBD. Since CBD and CBG are both non-psychoactive, however, there are greater opportunities for studies to ensue as we’ve discussed prior. If you’d like to read the latest from NCBI about CBG’s promise, check this out.
Much like CBD oil, it’s important for you to consult your physician before adding CBG into your regimen. He or she knows your “rap sheet,” so to speak, better than anyone, and, therefore, is the first person you should consult. It’s also wise to ensure that all discussions related to your health and wellness are conducted with a professional. You may be interested in discussing the following with your physician or the physician of a loved one if he or she is your care:
- CBD for ADHD
- CBD for Endometriosis
- CBD for Epilepsy
- CBD for Pain
- And CBD for Pregnancy, to name a few
Of course, many other resources can be found in our CBD Information Guide and throughout our blog.
