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A Complete Guide on CBG Plants

In Health
September 23, 2021
A Complete Guide on CBG Plants

If you’ve tried everyone’s favorite cannabinoid, CBD, then you are well aware of its capacity to perform miracles. In fact, a 2019 poll found that one in seven adults uses CBD products.

Also known as cannabidiol, this non-psychoactive cannabinoid has risen to fame in recent years. It has the ability to cure insomnia, improve anxiety, relieve arthritis pain, and reduce the symptoms of depression.

Those who enjoy the benefits of CBD should not overlook the lesser-known, equally miraculous cannabinoid CBG. It is known as the mother of all cannabinoids.

Although CBG plants are more difficult to process, the benefits of natural CBG are well worth the effort.

CBD and CBG have many similarities as well as some stark differences. Both cannabinoids provide natural, therapeutic relief to many people who would otherwise experience a little more pain and a little less joy in their lives.

Keep reading to learn all about the properties, effects, and uses of CBG plants.

What Is CBG vs CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most common active ingredient found in the cannabis plant.

CBD is an essential component in cannabis, but it is also present in hemp plants. This is why it is possible to get CBD without any trace of THC, the cannabinoid the causes the feeling of being high.

CBD does not create any psychoactive effects, it is non-addictive, and it provides many health benefits.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is another cannabinoid found in both cannabis and hemp plants. It also provides health benefits without causing any psychoactive effects. CBG doesn’t possess a risk of abuse or addiction either.

The differences between CBG vs CBD are in their molecule structures, the way they are processed, and the health benefits they offer.

Molecular Structure

CBG is predominantly present in large amounts in young hemp plants. As the plant ages, the molecular structure of CBG changes, transforming the cannabinoid into other cannabinoids.

Once a plant reaches a certain maturity, the majority of its CBD has broken down into tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabichromene (CBC).

Processing Method

CBD extraction requires a method called CO2 extraction. It involves using a closed-loop extractor. This is the same type of method used to extract essential oils and create food additives.

CBG extraction uses a process called chromatography that involves using superfluid liquid solvents such as CO2 and ethanol. During this process, the hemp gets dissolved in a solution to release the cannabinoids and terpenes.

Health Benefits

CBD gained early notoriety for its use in treating childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Neither syndrome responds well to medication.

Studies showed that CBD could both reduce the frequency of seizures and stop them entirely in some cases. Now CBD is commonly used in the treatment of these illnesses.

In addition to epilepsy, CBD has been shown to improve the symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, inflammation, and arthritis.

Likewise, CBG is effective at combating chronic pain without the psychoactive effects of THC. Although CBG research is in its early stages, studies show that CBG has other therapeutic benefits as well.

CBG produces anti-inflammatory effects. It is able to alleviate inflammation, particularly in relation to colitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

It is also possible that CBG, like other cannabinoids, can boost appetite. This is extremely helpful for those who suffer from illnesses that cause appetite suppression.

Finally, CBG possesses antibacterial properties. Studies show it is capable of destroying pathogenic bacteria, or bacteria containing diseases. It has the potential to be helpful in combating antibiotic-resistant infections.

Which Is Better?

Of course, the big question everyone wants to know is which of the two cannabinoids is better. The thing about cannabinoids is, though, is that they are all incredibly beneficial. One isn’t empirically better than any other.

CBD and CBG interact differently with the endocannabinoid system. CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid receptors indirectly, CBG interacts directly with specific receptors. 

When it comes to deciding which cannabinoid is best suited to you, the best approach is to consider your personal needs and preferences.

How Does CBG Interact With the Body?

The body’s endocannabinoid system processes CBG, CBD, and all of the other cannabinoids present in cannabis and hemp.

The endocannabinoid system is a network of molecules and receptors. They are responsible for keeping our bodies feeling good even when our external environment is less than ideal.

Endocannabinoids are natural compounds the body produces. Once inside the body, CBG imitates those endocannabinoids and binds to both the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the brain and nervous system.

By binding with these receptors, CBG improves the operation of the neurotransmitter anandamide. Anandamide increases feelings of pleasure and motivation. It also alleviates pain and regulates sleep. 

Challenges of Growing CBG Plants

The challenge in growing plants for the purpose of extracting CBG is that CBG is only abundantly present in immature cannabis and hemp plants. As the plants mature, CBG metabolizes into other cannabinoids.

The amount of CBG found in mature plants is only about two percent. Therefore, processors of CBG have to make the call whether to process plants early, extracting the CBG but giving up the potential to harvest THC.

In addition, the process of extracting CBG requires highly expensive equipment. In fact, breeders have only recently figured out how to produce flowers with high CBG content.

How To Use CBG

There are as many ways to use CBG as there are for CBD. It is most common to use CBG tinctures under the tongue or as an isolate powder mixed into a beverage. Here’s how to use CBG isolate effectively.

Other consumers smoke CBG flower, or take it in capsule form.

Up Next

Now you know everything there is to know about CBG plants. Cannabigerol is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp that possesses health benefits like anti-inflammation and antibacterial properties.

CBG is more complicated to extract than CBD and is known as the mother of all cannabinoids. If you haven’t tried CBG yet, don’t wait!

If you enjoyed this article, check out “Five Reasons to Fall in Love With CBD Gummies” next.