Just when you think you haven't seen enough CBD products on the market, there's another hemp-based compound that's popping up everywhere—CBG or cannabigerol.
It's touted as a "new" cannabinoid, but it's not technically new. It's considered a minor cannabinoid because it's found in cannabis plants in much lower quantities than the main cannabinoids, THC and CBD, so research surrounding this compound is still fairly new—but that hasn't stopped the hemp industry innovators from exploring its potential uses.
This article explores what CBG feels like, what people are using it for, and where you can find quality CBG products for yourself.
How Is CBG Different From CBD And THC?
- CBG is more abundant in young cannabis plants—THC and CBD are more abundant in mature cannabis plants as CBGa eventually converts into THCa, CBDa, and other cannabinoids.
- CBG is non-psychotropic like CBD. THC is the main psychotropic compound in marijuana plants.
- CBD and CBG are psychoactive, which means they may alter your mood (coffee and chocolate are psychoactive too). Most people experience a sense of contentment and relaxation.
- CBD has a low affinity to bind with CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBG can directly interact with these receptors similar to THC.
- CBG may block the hyperactivity of THC that causes intoxication (high) associated with marijuana use by binding to the CB1 receptor.
Cannabigerol (CBG) is psychoactive but it's non-psychotropic, which means it may change one's mood but it won't alter one's perception that leads to intoxication as THC does.
CBGa is often called the "parent cannabinoid," as it's the precursor molecule to the better-known cannabinoids, THC, and CBD. To understand the differences between these cannabinoids, we're looking at their molecular structures and how their unique shapes interact with the endocannabinoid system receptors and other receptor sites in the body.
As the precursor cannabinoid to THC and CBD, you can expect a lot of similarities in their actions. CBG interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to exert its effects, just like CBD and THC.
CBD's molecular shape doesn't allow it to bind very well to cannabinoid receptors, whereas CBG is shown to act on these receptors, although it affects them significantly less than THC, which is why most people don't experience intoxication when taking CBG.
The Effects Of CBG & What It May Feel Like
Here Are 5 Suggested Benefits Of CBG Based On Limited Clinical Include:
- CBG may support focus and concentration [1]
- CBG may help to encourage a healthy appetite [2]
- CBG may support a healthy stress response [3]
- CBG may support normal inflammatory response [4]
- CBG may support comfort from tired muscles [5]
The most common feelings associated with CBG use are a sense of calm and general well-being, better focus, and concentration, and relief from minor muscle discomfort, which is all very similar to CBD.
Cannabinoids are interesting active compounds as they tend to affect individuals differently based on their genetics, stress levels, and lifestyle. This is because its main interaction occurs in the endocannabinoid system, which is tasted with maintaining internal balance (homeostasis).
The ECS uses a system of transmitters (endogenous cannabinoids), receptors (CB1 and CB2), and enzymes to relay messages throughout the body to ensure vital organs and systems are in a Goldilock's zone to keep functioning at their best. As you can expect, everyone's level of balance will be different, even from one day to the next, CBG may produce different effects depending on your state of equilibrium.
The form in which you take CBG can also change how it makes you feel.
For example, CBG oils and CBG gummies for sale can take much longer to kick in compared to smoking a vape, but they can have long-lasting effects on focus and concentration, which is why it's become many people's new favorite productivity tool for work and studying.
A clinical study conducted on mice found that CBG may have neuroprotective properties that support brain cells' ability to regenerate [6]. Hopefully, this leads to more research on its potential for brain health.
Overlap Of CBD And CBG Effects
Based on the current research on both CBD and CBG, there are very similar overlapping effects including, supporting a healthy immune response, healthy stress levels and supporting mild discomfort.
People Turn to CBD and CBG to Manage Their Stress
When we let our stress levels get out of hand, we never enter the restorative rest-and-digest mode, leading us susceptible to illness.
CBG and CBD have been shown to have effects on GABA levels in the brain, which is the neurotransmitter that counteracts the effects of the stress hormone, cortisol [7, 8].
People Take CBD and CBG To Support Healthy Inflammation Levels
The endocannabinoid system helps to regulate the immune response. A healthy ECS ensures that immune cells don't linger longer than they need to and end up causing more harm than good to the affected tissues.
CBD and CBG have been suggested to support the ECS' ability to moderate hyperactive inflammatory activity by reducing the number of marker cells that the body releases that trigger inflammation [4].
People Turn To CBD and CBG To Recover Tired Muscles
While there are no FDA-approved cannabis-based products that are used to address pain, many people swear by their CBD and CBG oils to address their chronic and acute pain as a natural alternative to some medications [9].
In clinical studies, these two compounds have been observed to interact at pain-receptor sites to stop the transmission of pain signals to the brain, which can help with relaxation and allow for faster healing [10].
The Takeaway: What Should CBG Feel Like?
The benefits of CBG are promising, but more pre-clinical and clinical research is needed to support many of its reported health benefits. Still, that hasn't stopped many people from trying CBG for themselves.
The most common report of what CBG feels like is that it's similar to CBD, but helps them to feel more focused and concentrated when studying, doing monotonous tasks, and doing creative work.
It's important to remember that cannabinoids can affect individuals differently, so use caution when shopping for CBG products and start your doses on the lower end before taking a full dose to help you avoid some of the potentially uncomfortable side effects.
FAQ
What Are The Differences Between CBG vs. CBD, And THC?
THC is the major psychoactive component present in marijuana plants. CBD and CBG are psychotropic, which means they can cause mood fluctuations (coffee and chocolate are psychoactive too). CBD binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors with modest affinity, making the majority of people feel satisfied and calm. CBG, like THC, can directly interact with these receptors by binding to the CB1 receptor. By binding to the CB1 receptor, CBG may reduce the hyperactivity of THC, which produces the intoxication (high) associated with marijuana use.
How Does CBG Feel Like?
CBG use is commonly connected with feelings of calm and general well-being, improved focus and attention, and relief from minor muscle soreness, all of which are quite comparable to CBD. Cannabinoids are fascinating active molecules because they impact people differently depending on heredity, stress levels, and lifestyle. This is due to the fact that its primary interaction occurs in the endocannabinoid system, which is associated with internal equilibrium (homeostasis).
What Are The Potential Side Effects of CBG?
CBG, like CBD, has been found to be well-tolerated in high dosages, but this does not rule out the possibility of side effects. Fortunately, CBD's side effects are minor and will diminish on their own when the body metabolizes the components. Some of the side effects of CBG use include diarrhea, tiredness, dry mouth, and appetite disturbances.
What Are The Best CBG Products?
Neurogan uses CBG hemp strains and our proprietary CO2 extraction technology to preserve as many naturally occurring phytochemicals as possible for a strong and well-balanced extract. CBG Focus Oil (2000MG), CBG Focus Gummy Squares (1350MG), CBG + CBD Balance Gummies (1350MG), and CBG Focus Oil 12000MG are some of our top CBG products.
Resources:
- di Giacomo, V., Chiavaroli, A., Orlando, G., Cataldi, A., Rapino, M., Di Valerio, V., ... & Ferrante, C. (2020). Neuroprotective and neuromodulatory effects induced by cannabidiol and cannabigerol in rat hypo-E22 cells and isolated hypothalamus. Antioxidants, 9(1), 71.
- Brierley, D. I., Samuels, J., Duncan, M., Whalley, B. J., & Williams, C. M. (2016). Cannabigerol is a novel, well-tolerated appetite stimulant in pre-satiated rats. Psychopharmacology, 233(19), 3603-3613.
- Bantick, R. A., Rabiner, E. A., Hirani, E., de Vries, M. H., Hume, S. P., & Grasby, P. M. (2004). Occupancy of agonist drugs at the 5-HT 1A receptor. Neuropsychopharmacology, 29(5), 847-859.
- Borrelli, F., Fasolino, I., Romano, B., Capasso, R., Maiello, F., Coppola, D., ... & Izzo, A. A. (2013). Beneficial effect of the non-psychotropic plant cannabinoid cannabigerol on experimental inflammatory bowel disease. Biochemical pharmacology, 85(9), 1306-1316.
- Valdeolivas, S., Navarrete, C., Cantarero, I., Bellido, M. L., Muñoz, E., & Sagredo, O. (2015).
- Russo, E. B. (2008). Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 4(1), 245.Neuroprotective properties of cannabigerol in Huntington’s disease: studies in R6/2 mice and 3-nitropropionate-lesioned mice. Neurotherapeutics, 12(1), 185-199.
- Jie, F., Yin, G., Yang, W., Yang, M., Gao, S., Lv, J., & Li, B. (2018). Stress in regulation of GABA amygdala system and relevance to neuropsychiatric diseases. Frontiers in neuroscience, 12, 562.
- Banerjee, S. P., Snyder, S. H., & Mechoulam, R. A. P. H. A. E. L. (1975). Cannabinoids: influence on neurotransmitter uptake in rat brain synaptosomes. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 194(1), 74-81.
- Webb, C. W., & Webb, S. M. (2014). Therapeutic benefits of cannabis: a patient survey. Hawai'i Journal of Medicine & Public Health, 73(4), 109.
- Russo, E. B. (2008). Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 4(1), 245.
