The cannabis industry has gained a lot of popularity post its legalization in some countries. After much study and use of cannabidiol (CBD) in different industries, people are aware that CBD heals many health ailments without causing euphoria, unlike THC, its cannabinoid. But other than these two cannabinoids, the marijuana plant has another minor cannabinoid called cannabigerol (CBG). In this article, we will be discussing CBG oil, how it communicates with the body, and the various benefits it provides.
Before we begin with understanding CBG, let’s first understand a few terms.
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
Our body has ECS that consists of two cannabinoid receptors spread throughout the body that are involved with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions. The elements that attach to these receptors denote cannabinoids. The body creates its cannabinoids called endocannabinoids that work together with the receptors for the proper regulation of the various physiological processes like hunger, mood, and pain. Marijuana also has several cannabinoids that bind with the ECS receptors to manage a healthy mental and physical balance. Read ahead to understand how the various phytocannabinoids interact with the ECS.
Understanding CBG
So, what is CBG? Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid seen in small quantities below 1 percent in the cannabis plant. CBG has similar effects as cbd in canada and doesn’t cause any “high” on consumption.
How is CBG made?
Cannabigerol acid (CBGA) is the acidulous kind of cannabigerol seen in cannabis plants. The plants produce more than a hundred different cannabinoid acids, of which THCA and CBDA are in the largest volume. CBGA is the primary compound used by the plant enzymes to produce cannabinoid acids.
When these cannabinoid acids are aged, dried, and heated, they undergo a process called decarboxylation, which converts the acidic form into neutral cannabinoids. Mostly cannabigerol acid is broken down directly into either THC or CBD. For higher yields, cannabis experts secure CBG in the form of cannabigerol oil, during the budding phase, as they are at the highest concentration during this phase.You can also learn more about CBD creams.
CBG oil and the ECS
Like other phytocannabinoids, CBG also impacts the body by associating with the ECS. CBG has a similar chemical composition as the endocannabinoids, which binds with the ECS receptors. Journals state that CBG combines with ECS to improve the physiological process and overall health. Cannabigerol can additionally enhance the anandamide levels by restraining the generation of enzymes that break down anandamide, thus ensuring the ECS effectiveness.
Benefits of CBG Oil
The above pointers state some of the vital information of cannabigerol and its mechanism that takes place in the body. Now, let’s talk about the health benefits of CBG. Many clinical studies show promising benefits of cannabigerol.
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May treat glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye ailment that can impair the optical nerve leading to loss of vision. The front of our eyes has a clear fluid that flows out through the pupil and enters the bloodstream through the eye’s drainage system. When the drainage system gets jammed, the liquid starts accumulating in the eye, creating an elevated eye pressure and permanent blindness.
According to a Pubmed abstract, CBG might assist in the aqueous drainage, therefore decreasing the eye pressure and, thus, aid in healing glaucoma.
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Soothe Digestive Disorders
Digestive issues, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterize as the prolonged inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, like colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Anecdotal and scientific analysis implies that cannabigerol can improve the conditions in IBD patients. According to a 2013 research conducted in mice induced with colitis, scientists observed that CBG could reduce the effects of colitis. Thus, cannabigerol can help soothe the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome.
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Antitumor activity
Reports state that CBG can effectively inhibit the increase in the number of tumors in cancer patients. As per the Archives of Pharmacal Research, amongst all cannabinoids, CBG showed the highest antitumor activity against the cancer cells. This non-psychoactive supplement can also hinder the development of intestinal cancer and breast hematoma.
Patients subjected to chemotherapy go through a lot of pain and experience a lack of appetite. As per the 2016 abstract, cannabigerol can stimulate hunger and increase meal frequency in patients. Cannabigerol is also known for its analgesic qualities. A 2008 review says that cannabigerol has more potent analgesic properties than THC.
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Can Protect Brain Functions
The most popular potential benefit of CBG is its neuroprotection. A 2015 experiment done on rodents shows that CBG combined with other phytocannabinoids might be effective in treating brain degenerative diseases like Huntington’s Disease. The same neuroprotective nature of cannabigerol is advantageous in people with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Anti-anxiety traits
Anxiety is a psychiatric disorder that can affect a person’s cognitive skills, relationships, and problem-solving abilities. As per a review, CBG can provide relief to the symptoms related to these disorders like a panic attack, fear, stress, and increased heartbeat. CBG enhances the anandamide levels in the brain, alleviating anxiety.
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Can Improve Skin Conditions
CBG can help in treating many skin conditions like dry skin, itchiness, and skin cancer. As stated in a 2016 Journal, the applying cannabinoids on the skin has several results. CBG helps increase the secretion of sebum from the sebaceous glands, which helps treat dry skin syndrome. Thus, the anti-inflammatory traits of cannabigerol can play an essential role in treating certain skin conditions.
Conclusion
Cannabigerol can be a possible remedy for the above-mentioned health conditions. When consumed in small doses, it might not cause any toxic effects. But since there is not sufficient research on CBG yet, one should always tread carefully when taking CBG oil. Genetic engineers are researching creating a cannabis plant with only CBG, which might be available in the future. Very soon, the world might see large scale commercial use of CBG oil.