The Cannabis sativa plant is surprisingly complicated. It contains over 100 active compounds that we are still working to understand. The main substances under study are cannabinoids and terpenes1 2. The most well-known and studied of the cannabinoids are THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and (CBD) cannabidiol.
The familiar psychotropic “high” that we associate with cannabis comes mostly from THC. It affects our senses and thought processes by stimulating the endocannabinoid receptors in our body. CBD, on the other hand, is the famous non-intoxicating component of Cannabis. It does not get you high and provides a wide range of therapeutic effects such as easing pain, inflammation, vomiting, nausea, and anxiety, as well as repairing and protecting nerve tissue from damage.
Another common, but lesser known, cannabinoid is cannabigerol (CBG). It’s just beginning to gain attention in the research community. The safety profile of CBG has not been assessed in humans, but evidence up to this point shows that CBG appears to be non-intoxicating. In mice, it does not cause typical behaviours of intoxication that are seen with THC3.
Learn More: A Medical Introduction to CBD
What is CBG?
CBG is considered the “parent” to the major cannabinoids. The cannabis plant produces CBG first and then converts it into THC, CBD and another cannabinoid called CBC4.
While CBG is usually a minor component of cannabis (less than 10%), it has been found in some hemp strains with proportions up to 94%5.
What Can CBG Be Used For?
Even though CBG was first discovered in the 1960s6, the majority of cannabis research has focused on THC and CBD. But as cannabis medicine has grown, and with the intoxicating effects of THC limiting its potential, researchers are expanding their scope into the non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBG.
While research on CBG is still in its infancy, there is a range of evidence from animal studies that suggest CBG may have a therapeutic role as an anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour agent, appetite stimulant and anti-bacterial. It may one day be developed into a treatment for a variety of diseases and conditions.
Effects of CBG With the Strongest Evidence
Several studies have shown that CBG exhibits anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, meaning it reduces swelling in nerves and other tissues to ease pain, repair damage and protect nerves from further damage. These effects have been shown in studies of live animals and isolated tissues7 8 9 10 11 12. For example, CBG reduced the symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)13 and showed nerve-protecting properties in models of Huntington’s Disease14, Parkinson’s Disease15 and multiple sclerosis (MS)16 17.
Effects of CBG With Moderate Evidence
CBG also seems to have anti-tumour effects on certain types of cancer cells. Next to CBD, CBG was the second most potent cannabinoid to inhibit tumours in a human breast cancer cell line18. CBG also hampered colon cancer progression and inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells19. It also shows significant antitumor activity against skin cancer cells in mice20.
Effects of CBG With Limited Evidence
CBG and CBG-rich cannabis extracts have been shown to stimulate feeding in rats21 22. This may provide a new treatment option for cachexia (wasting syndrome) which is often associated with cancer, HIV and other chronic illness, as well as eating disorders.
CBG has also exhibited anti-bacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause a number of serious and difficult to treat infections23. It has also shown potential to treat glaucoma24 25, psoriasis26, and pain27 28.
Summary
Cannabigerol appears to be a non-intoxicating component of cannabis and is the “parent compound” that gets converted into THC and CBD. Early research suggests that CBG has therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties. Further research, including more animal and human studies, are required to establish that CBG is safe and effective for a variety of conditions and diseases.
References
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