Cannabigerol (CBG) is a phyto-cannabinoid found in significant amounts in the Cannabis sativa plant. The role of cannabinoids such as CBG is to enhance the body's natural endocannabinoids, which have been discovered to have important neuromodulatory effects on the human body and provide relief from various ailments.
There are currently sixteen (16) recognized cannabinoids, all found in the Cannabis sativa plant. The cannabinoid CBD is the most commonly found cannabinoid in cannabis, followed by CBG. It was originally discovered as a naturally occuring constituent of hemp in 1915, but has since been synthesized and isolated for therapeutic use.
What is CBG Isolate ?
CBG Isolate is an organic compound that has been processed from plant materials to remove all traces of solvents. It is an odorless and colorless crystalline powder that is completely free of toxins and contaminants. In addition to being TOTALLY natural, it is a legal food supplement in all fifty (50) states under the authority of the FDA. It is widely recognized as the gold standard for research purity.
How Does it Work?
CBG acts on the receptors inside the body to produce pharmacological effects that are similar to morphine. When administered via injection, it can lead to analgesia (reduced sensation of pain), reduced inflammation, reduced anxiety, and increased appetite. However, when taken orally, the effects may be delayed.
Due to its structural similarities to the opiate receptor, CBG has the potential to bind to and activate the opiate receptor sites, which may lead to severe adverse effects, especially in those with an opioid addiction.
Is It Legal?
Legal distinctions regarding the medical use of marijuana vary from state to state. In most places, however, marijuana is still considered to be a dangerous drug and most physicians refuse to give their patients prescriptions for it. With all the confusion surrounding medical marijuana, it is best to find a reputable cannabis clinic in your area that can help you get a prescription for CBG.
The Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana
The general public often becomes confused between hemp and marijuana. While both are cannabis plants, they are notably different. The cannabis plant species known as hemp comes from China and Europe, while marijuana grows naturally in the Americas.
Hemp has a number of unique qualities that make it valuable. It has a wide range of uses, from textiles to paper, while also having the ability to grow easily and rapidly. In addition, hemp contains less THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) than most marijuana varieties, making it less likely to cause intoxication or addiction. For these reasons, hemp is highly valued globally and throughout history.
Which Type of Cannabis Should You Try?
There are three (3) different types of cannabis that you should try, depending on your needs. First of all, you should try high-CBD flowers, because they contain less THC and are, therefore, less likely to cause intoxication or addiction. Secondly, you should try high-THC varieties, since THC can produce desirable effects when administered in small amounts (e.g., 10 mg or less), as long as you don't have too much (e.g., greater than 10 mg). Last but not least, you should try hybrid flowers, which are a combination of the two (2) above, to benefit from their synergistic effects.
If you're looking for psychoactive effects, then go for high-THC varieties or CBD-dominant hybrid flowers, since they can lead to THC intoxication, which is often referred to as "the green rush." The advantage of these varieties is that they allow you to get high without having to smoke or vape your daily dose of cannabis, which can be harmful to your health.
Health Benefits
There is significant evidence that suggests that cannabinoids can have a positive effect on numerous human health issues. Many people use marijuana to treat their pain, sleep disorders, and spasms, and there are also ongoing studies that show promise in the treatment of cancer and other neurological disorders. As a result of their pharmacological effects, cannabinoids are also useful in supporting the immune system and reducing inflammation.
Analgaesic
Although the precise mechanism by which cannabinoids produce their effects is unknown, there is evidence that they may inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX-2), which is responsible for the formation of prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins affect both pain and inflammation in the body and are, therefore, valuable in treating both, as well as in disease prevention. One example of a prostaglandin is PGE1, which is commonly found in breast cancer cells and promotes cell division and growth. When administered to laboratory animals with breast cancer, cannabinoids have been shown to significantly slow the growth of these tumors. The administration of cannabinoids also improved the animal's overall health and prolonged their life, compared to animals who had not been administered cannabinoids. Based on this evidence, it is reasonable to assume that cannabinoids may be effective in treating breast cancer in humans as well.
Analgesic
The analgesic effect of cannabinoids is largely due to their effect on the nervous system, specifically on the pain-signaling nerve endings in the body. Nerves carry sensory information from the body to the spinal cord and brain. When that information is transmitted via nerve impulses, it leads to a feeling of pain or discomfort. In other words, when nerve endings in the body are stimulated, they send signals to the brain that lead to the feeling of pain. Therefore, when we speak of analgesia, we are referring to the reduction of pain that occurs as a result of the stimulation of those same nerve endings. It is well-established that when cannabinoid receptors inside the body are activated by CBD or other cannabinoids, they have a soothing effect on the nervous system and produce analgesia.
Antianxiety And Anti-Depressive Effects
Marijuana in general, and CBD in particular, dramatically decrease anxiety and depression, due to their effect on the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is an important chemical in the body that aids in the regulation of anxiety and depression. By increasing the amount of GABA available in the brain, CBD and other cannabinoids have been shown to reduce the experience of anxiety and depression in animals and humans. Furthermore, pre-clinical studies are promising in suggesting that cannabinoids have the potential to be more effective and safer antidepressants than existing drugs on the market.
Appetite Stimulation And Antipsychotic Effects
Marijuana has long been known to be a natural appetite stimulant and is often used as a self-medication for patients with low appetite caused by illness or malnutrition. Furthermore, there is evidence that THC may be useful in the treatment of schizophrenia, since it can bind to and activate cannabinoid receptors inside the brain, which have been shown to counteract the adverse effects of dopamine, another important brain chemical which is involved in the regulation of emotion and cognition. When dopamine levels are balanced by cannabinoids, it is possible to inhibit the harmful effects of psychosis. This is one of the reasons why people with schizophrenia frequently use marijuana or CBD in combination with antipsychotic medication, in order to reduce their well-known psychosis-induced hallucinations and delusions. Furthermore, when coupled with antipsychotic drugs, THC can also be used to treat insomnia and improve the quality of sleep for people with schizophrenia. This is why some patients with insomnia and schizophrenia use cannabis to improve their sleep, reduce their anxiety, and suppress their delusions. The result is often a significant decrease in the rate of relapse and an increase in the length of remission for these people. Interestingly, some individuals with bipolar disorder have also found that cannabis significantly reduces their manic, manicured nails, which is often the result of the mood stabilizing effects of the plant on the disorder.
Therapeutic Potential
Marijuana as a whole and its cannabinoids in particular have a long history of use and show great promise as a treatment for a variety of ailments. While it is always important to remember that this is an organic substance and should not be taken if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, the overall evidence strongly suggests that it is good for you.