By Noah Chen
While CBD is undeniably the most popular product made from hemp cannabinoids, it is far from the only one. Cannabigerol, known by the much easier to pronounce acronym, CBG, is another of the big six cannabinoids that come from the cannabis plant.
CBG is similar to CBD in that it is not psychoactive and has potential medicinal uses. It differs in the exact effects it has on the body. In fact, it seems you can link it to some of hemp’s most exciting features.
CBG is difficult to produce
The difference between calling a cannabis plant hemp or marijuana comes down to one thing — THC. Cannabis grown for marijuana has plants high in THC. Those grown as hemp do not. In fact, a hemp crop with over 0.3 percent THC in its plants is illegal. Farmers must destroy the entire crop.
You derive both THC and CBD from a compound called cannabigerolic acid, or CBGA. However much of the CBGA doesn’t become THC or CBD gets converted into CBG.
The process of turning CBGA into other cannabinoids happens relatively fast, making CBG hard to produce. Not only is it less present than both CBD and THC, but the plants need harvesting early – about six weeks into an eight-week flowering cycle – for higher yields of CBG.
Even though it shares a parent compound with THC, CBG is not psychoactive. It does, however, have a host of uses that make it a sought-after substance.
How does CBG work?
It works through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS works to maintain homeostasis in the body. For example, it regulates immune cell activity to limit inflammation.
Because it is quickly converted into other cannabinoids, it’s hard to harvest, and therefore study. Its exact potential is still uncertain. But, it seems as though it mimics the activity of other neurotransmitters produced by the body, thus activating the ECS.
The many uses of CBG
Labs around the world are currently testing CBG. Already, it looks like it might be effective in limiting the symptoms of many conditions. These are some of the most exciting potential uses:
- CBG may limit the inflammation caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Positive results appeared in a study conducted on mice.
- It greatly reduces pressure in the eye, potentially making it a good treatment for glaucoma.
- Of all the cannabinoids, CBG could be the most efficient in treating bladder dysfunctions.
- It did protect the brain cells of mice with Huntington’s disease in a study. This illness causes nerve cell degradation in the brain. Results mean CBG may be useful in treating other neurodegenerative conditions as well.
- It can act as an appetite stimulant.
Because there are so many potential uses for CBG, it has the cannabis industry understandably excited. Already, there are some suppliers selling seeds that appear to be high in CBG content.
Stay informed and become a better hemp farmer
From seed-to-sale, growing the right hemp to get the right product is important. It’s also challenging to know you’re making the right choices along the way. Arbor Vita8 can help. Our industry knowledge, facilities, and equipment knock out the competition. We’re here to support you through the entire process, from selecting the right seeds to harvesting and processing. We’re even able to help sell your final extract, whether it’s CBD, CBG, or something else. Contact us today to learn more.
