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What is CBG?

Matt March 13, 2023 0

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Closeup of a cannabis plant with an outline of CBG's chemical structure superimposed in the centre

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What is CBG? | A South African Guide

You’ve probably heard of CBD — but what about CBG? Recent trends in the cannabinoid market have led to an increase in CBG consumption. But what is CBG exactly, and should you try it? Read on to find out more.

Some Essential CBG Info

Cannabigerol (abbreviated to CBG) is one of the numerous cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It’s often called the “mother of all cannabinoids” because, when it’s in an acidic form, you can break it down to form other, better-known cannabinoids used in products such as CBD oil.

Don’t worry, though — CBG isn’t very potent, and taking it doesn’t mean you’re taking any of the other cannabinoids it can produce.

What is CBG in Weed?

You might assume that as “the mother of all cannabinoids,” CBG is a dominant compound in cannabis. It’s actually quite the opposite though — CBG is a minor cannabinoid. This means that cannabis plants contain less of it than other cannabinoids (like CBD or THC), and it’s not present in all strains of cannabis.

Does CBG Make You High?

As with CBD, consumption of CBG doesn’t result in the ‘high’ that many people associate with cannabis. In fact, this specific high only comes from the consumption of THC, which has strong psychoactive properties.

Even though it doesn’t make you high, CBG still interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system to achieve certain effects. Increasingly, professionals have been investigating these effects and the possible uses of CBG in the world of natural medicine.

CBG Health Benefits

Research into the health benefits of CBG is a relatively new endeavour, and much more is still required to verify and better understand CBG’s therapeutic value. However, academic studies have already highlighted several possible benefits of CBG in treating various medical issues.

Neurological Disorders

Scientists have found that CBG has neuroprotective potential. This quality means it can be used to lessen some of the effects of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Examples of such disorders include Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.

CBG and Weight Loss

A common side-effect of CBG consumption is an increase in appetite. This increase is not as intense as the infamous THC-induced ‘munchies’. However, medical professionals have used CBG to combat weight loss in patients — specifically, those with HIV or cancer, whose conditions or treatments can severely reduce their appetite.

Inflammation and Bacteria

CBG can also help reduce inflammation and fight bacteria. This ability makes it helpful in treating inflammatory disorders like IDB (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and bacterial infections — many of which are resistant to antibiotics.

Next Step: Taking CBG

Now that you know the basics about CBG, you can decide whether you want to try it out. If you do, let’s dive into all the information you’ll need to ensure your CBG experience is a great one.

The ‘Entourage Effect’

So, how do you get the most out of your cannabis consumption? Many people believe you can achieve this through the ‘entourage effect’.

This phenomenon revolves around the consumption of cannabinoids in a pure form (as isolates). Some people believe this method is less effective than consumption alongside other naturally-occurring components of cannabis plants. These include various other cannabinoids alongside terpenes and flavonoids (chemicals that enrich both scent and flavour).

More studies are needed to provide a conclusive answer about the validity of this theory. However, certain research has shown that full-spectrum consumption of a cannabinoid can increase the compound’s potential physical and psychological benefits. This can result in a more satisfactory and effective experience overall.

Where to Get CBG?

The entourage effect theory is super handy when it comes to trying out CBG because, while CBG isolates do exist, they’re less readily available than CBD products. CBG stores also generally have a smaller range of goods, making it more difficult for you to find the item you want.

So, if you want to make your life easier, you can simply buy a full-spectrum CBD product that already contains a percentage of CBG. Popular full-spectrum products are ‘entourage effect’ gummies and oils — like this combination of CBD and CBG oil.

How to Take Cannabinoid Products for the First Time

Taking cannabinoid products for the first time can be a daunting process. But there’s no need to worry because we have a collection of tips and tricks to help you every step of the way.

Dosages and Ingredients

As a rule of thumb, you should always start with a low dosage when taking cannabinoid products. This precaution allows you to see how your body reacts to them and keep an eye out for any side effects. Once you feel comfortable with the dosage you’ve been taking, you can slowly start to increase it over a few weeks.

You should also always double-check the ingredients of each product you use so that you know exactly what you’re taking and how much. This is especially important when it comes to full-spectrum products because they contain a variety of ingredients which, in some cases, can include small amounts of THC.

Consulting a Doctor

It is always wise to speak to your doctor before starting any new treatments — even natural ones like CBG. This is especially important if you’re already using other medications that can potentially interact with CBG in a harmful way.

If this is the case, your doctor will be able to advise you about whether it’s safe for you to consume CBG, and, as we all know, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Final Thoughts on What is CBG

CBG is an up-and-coming product in the world of cannabis. Although there is not that much research on it yet, several studies have highlighted its exciting potential health benefits.

You can be a connoisseur of cannabinoids or a person suffering from ailments that you think could be improved by CBG. You could even just be a person wanting to test out the entourage effect. Either way, CBG usage is definitely something worth looking into.