Most cannabis consumers are familiar with the different effects from THC and CBD.  But what they may not know is that all cannabinoids interact with our bodies in a unique way. With more and more new edibles on the market containing cannabinoids other than THC and CBD, consumers might wonder what a product is and how to use it.  In this post we’ll explore CBG edibles. We’ll look at what CBG is, how CBG edibles work, and what kinds of effects the consumer should expect.

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are molecules that interact with our endocannabinoid system.  (Endocannabinoid is short for endogenous cannabinoid system.  The word endogenous means that it is something naturally found inside our bodies.) 

Our endocannabinoid system (or ECS for short) regulates our internal homeostasis. That means it’s responsible for keeping us balanced and healthy. It does this by facilitating communication between our different body systems. It also manages digestion and metabolism, breathing and breath rate, emotions and cognitive performance, pain management, reproduction, and immune response.

While cannabinoids all interact with our ECS, they can come from three different places.  Some come from the cannabis plant.  These are called phytocannabinoids, or “plant cannabinoids”.  Phytocannabinoids grow to protect the plant from diseases and pests. While we still don’t have a lot of research on their effects on humans, it does seem that each cannabinoid has its own unique effects.

Some cannabinoids are naturally produced inside our bodies. These are called endocannabinoids, or “inside cannabinoids”.  Anandamide was the first endocannabinoid discovered, and was named after the Sanskrit word for “Joy, bliss, or delight”.  Cannabinoids can also be synthesized in a lab to be used in medical applications, such as Sativex or Epidiolex.

What is CBG?

CBG (Cannabigerol) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that forms the basis for other cannabinoids. Its acid form (CBG-A) is nicknamed the “mother” cannabinoid because it’s the building block for all the other cannabinoids.  (Remember that the acid form is a “raw” cannabinoid. It must be decarboxylated with UV light or heat to activate and affect our bodies and minds.)

As the cannabis plant grows, CBG-A forms in the trichomes. When the flower is mature enough, specific enzymes in the plant begin to break down the CBG-A. Then, the molecules are converted to another cannabinoid acid, like THC-A or CBD-A. In hemp plants, much of the CBG will be converted to CBD. In female cannabis plants, it is usually converted to THC.

For most cannabis cultivars, CBG-A is converted very quickly to either THC-A or CBD-A.  Because of this, chemovars with more THC or CBD generally have less CBG, and those with higher CBG amounts will have lower relative percentages of THC and CBD. 

To get higher yields of CBG, breeders experiment with genetic manipulation and cross-breeding plants. Scientists can also extract higher levels of CBG from budding plants. They do this by pinpointing the optimum extraction time, which is usually about six weeks into an eight-week flowering cycle.

How will CBG edibles affect me?

When people hear “non-intoxicating cannabinoid”, they often expect something like CBD. But each cannabinoid works with our body in a different way. CBG interacts with our ECS receptors in the same way that THC does, while CBD works to block our receptors. Because they use different mechanisms, the effects will be different.

While we’re still lacking research on the subject, CBG does seem to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, general mood-enhancing properties, and strong anti-anxiety effects. CBG may also protect your neurons from damage.

The effects of CBG edibles aren’t very pronounced. Instead, CBG works together with other cannabinoids to produce effects. It doesn’t get you “high”, or make you intoxicated. Rather, some users report that it helps them “tune in” a bit better, making it easier for them to pay attention and be more focused in the moment. Some consumers also report that CBG helps with gut issues, like Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS).

In a recent online survey of adult cannabis consumers, over 70% of respondents reported that a combination of CBD and CBG edibles improved their energy and thinking, their attention levels, and decreased their fatigue levels. Calmness and anxiety were improved in 63.2% and 58.6% of the respondents, respectively, while only 44.1% reported sleep improvements. No one reported any adverse effects. Of the respondents that reported pain, 57.6% reported improvements in their pain, with 51.2% being able to reduce or stop their pain medications. 70.8% of the respondents with ADHD, 83.3% of those with chronic fatigue, and 62.1% of those with IBS all reported improvements in their conditions.

Potential Therapeutic Effects of CBG Edibles

While we still need research to determine CBG’s full effects, some studies on the cannabinoid do exist. And those studies indicate that CBG might have strong therapeutic applications.

• CBG is a vasodilator and may be especially effective at treating glaucoma because it reduces pressure in the eyes. Endocannabinoid receptors are prevalent in eye structures, which is why eyes are so affected by CBG.
• In animal experiments on mice, CBG was effective in decreasing inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
• In a recent 2015 study, CBG was shown to protect neurons in mice with Huntington’s disease. Huntington’s disease is the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain.
• CBG might be useful in fighting cancer. CBG was shown to block the receptors that cause cancer cell growth. It was even shown to inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer cells in mice!
• Since the 1950s, topical formulations of cannabis have been effective in skin infections, but researchers at the time didn’t know why. European research shows evidence that CBG is an effective antibacterial agent, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains that are resistant to several classes of drugs.
• In a study that looked at the effects of five different cannabinoids on bladder contractions, CBG tested best at inhibiting muscle contractions. It could be a future tool in preventing bladder dysfunction disorders.