Cannabis plants such as hemp and marijuana contain many health-boosting chemical compounds. Perhaps the most well known of these is a group of chemical compounds called cannabinoids. The two most popular cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). However, in this article we will discuss how a third cannabinoid called cannabigerol (CBG) may improve your mental health.

What Is CBG? 

Cannabigerol or CBG is a cannabinoid that is found in small amounts within the hemp plant. It is sometimes called the mother of all cannabinoids. The reason for this is cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is the precursor molecule for all other cannabinoids. Cannabigerolic acid is simply the acidic form of CBG.

Young hemp plants contain a higher percentage of CBG than older hemp plants. As young hemp plants grow and develop, much of the CBG is converted into THC and CBD. On average, mature hemp plants contain 1% of CBG compared to 25-30% of THC and 20-25% of CBD. As CBG is so rare, products that contain this particular cannabinoid are usually expensive.

How CBG Impacts Physical and Mental Health

Medical research shows that CBG may have a significant positive impact on physical and mental health. In fact, CBG is confirmed to have antibacterial properties. A number of animal studies conducted from 2013 to 2020 show that CBG may help in the treatment of issues such as glaucoma, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic pain, colon cancer, and Huntington’s disease. It also helped to alleviate symptoms associated with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Animal studies that use CBG in the treatment of Huntington’s disease were particularly promising. Huntington’s disease is a rare illness that results in the break down of the nerve cells in the brain. This can contribute to the development of a host of mental health issues such as cognitive decline and psychiatric disorders. However, the researchers discovered that CBG acted as a neuroprotectants and protected nerve cells from Huntington’s disease.

People who would like to add CBG to their diet typically do so in the form of CBG oil or CBG gummies. These products may be purchased in a health store or ordered online from a trusted source. Drops of CBG oil may be consumed orally and CBG gummies may be eaten as candy. Most people start with a low dose and gradually increase it over time until they begin to feel the beneficial effects.

Many medical and mental health professionals are excited about the therapeutic use case for CBG. However, It should be noted that more research is needed to fully explore the effects of CBG on humans. An increasing number of people have reported that CBG has helped them to overcome serious health issues such as anxiety, depression, and pain. If you are interested in adding CBG to your diet, please speak with your doctor.

CBG vs THC and CBD

CBG and THC both have health boosting properties. However, THC can make alter a person’s mind, making him feel intoxicated and high. As THC can impair an individual’s ability to make smart decisions, consuming the compound when driving or operating heavy machinery can lead to serious or fatal mistakes. THC is also addictive. This is why some people who use marijuana get addicted to it over time.

Unlike THC, CBG and CBD do not make people feel intoxicated or high. These compounds are not addictive and they do not alter a person’s state of mind or inhibit their ability to think clearly. CBG and CBD act on the body’s endocannabinoid system. Studies show that both CBG and CBD promote better physical and mental health.

Another important fact about CBG and CBD is that these compounds are able to counteract the mind altering abilities of THC. Research has shown that CBG will activate the CB1 receptor within the nervous system in a very similar way to CBD. When the CB1 receptor is activated, it helps to reduce psycho-activity. This means when an individual consumes a large amount of cannabis with high quantities of CBD and CBG, he or she will reduce the likelihood of intoxication. 

While there are many similarities between CBG and CBD, there are also important differences that need to be considered. One of the main differences is the fact that CBD has a lower affinity for cannabinoid receptors in the body and will generally interact with the endocannabinoid system in an indirect manner. In contrast CBG will interact directly with the CB1 and CB2 receptors within the brain. Hence people who take CBG oil to improve their health may feel better faster that people who take CBD oil.