CBG or cannabigerol has found wide acceptance among cannabis users. Especially the existing ones who have been using other cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Those trying out CBD or THC are being introduced to CBG, and they see faster recovery without any side effects. CBG has shown properties to cure some of the rarest diseases. And this has grabbed the interest of researchers, investors, and producers. However, it’s too early to say that CBG will cure cancer 100 percent. But any contribution to this critical disease will help the medical science community. Not only cancer, but CBG has shown to be more effective than CBD and THC against a host of diseases. This also includes stress and anxiety.
CBG and CBD have many similar properties but they are different on many fronts. However, this article will mostly revolve around CBD and its effect on different types of cancers. What does the research say and how the future holds for those trying to understand CBG.
Let’s break it down.
Are You Familiar with CBG?
In terms of its chemical structure in a cannabis flower, CBG is like a big brother to CBD and THC. They both originate from CBG, which is found in less than 1 percent concentration in a cannabis flower. As per researchers, when a cannabis flower is developed, it only creates CBG. However, the process continues and CBG further creates hundreds of chemical compounds, terpenes, and flavonoids. Those who focus on the production of THC and CBD generally produce a wholesome flower, while those into the thriving CBG business are now trying to find ways to stop cannabis flower growth at the CBG level only.
This could help them get a higher concentration of CBG in a flower, even though the research is still at an early stage. Just like CBD and THC, CBG is also a non-psychoactive compound, which is found in abundance in a hemp plant during its early stage. The compound impacts our psychological system to produce remarkable results while enhancing concentration and curing critical diseases.
CBG’s Role Against Superbugs
CBG has been found to wipe out drug-resistant bacteria, also called superbugs, which are most commonly found in hospitals. Though the research was carried to assess the effects of all major cannabinoids against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA, only CBG was found to be fully effective. CBG killed MRSA microbes, persister cells and biofilms of MRSA, showing high resistance against the most common hospital superbugs. These superbugs are resistant to antibiotics but CBG, even during animal studies, cured MRSA in rats. CBG showed almost the same efficacy as vancomycin, a potent and last-mile defence drug against superbugs.
The critics, however, say it’s too early to call it a panacea against superbugs before it’s fully assessed from a safety standpoint. With resistance to antibiotics becoming increasingly common in humans, researchers are pinning high hopes on CBG. The failure in establishing its efficacy could lead to deaths due to routine infections. There’s been negligible research in antibiotic drugs in the past thirty years, and CBG could show us the way.
CBG and Its Effect On Cancer
CBG, along with another cannabis compound called CBC (cannabichromene), has shown tremendous anti-tumor properties when they were tested on gastrointestinal cancer cells. Just like other cannabinoids, CBC is also found naturally in cannabis plants and holds a host of positive therapeutic properties such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic. It is, however, found mostly in younger cannabis plants.
During research conducted by Cannabics Pharmaceuticals in Israel, it was found that both CBC and CBG induced a higher concentration of necrosis in cancer-causing cells. The experts also asserted that there may be a correlation between the TPSA (topological polar surface Area) value of CBG and CBC, and their ability to produce anti-tumor activity in patients suffering from cancer. The specific amount of TSPA in CBG and CBC helps them penetrate the cancer-causing cell membrane. “CBG is gaining a lot of interest as of late by the scientific community due to its potential therapeutic properties.
The recent preliminary findings from our research team illustrate how purified cannabinoids can potentially yield antitumor activity and enable us to examine the entourage effect of botanical extracts versus the purified compounds. We are excited by these preliminary findings and plan to perform additional experiments in the near future to further support them,” said Dr. Yaakov Waksman, Cannabidiol Research head, Cannabics Pharmaceuticals. Now the research is on to find more such unexplored properties of CBG. Another study by the same company on stomach and bone cancer cell lines confirmed that CBG can produce a higher necrotic effect than its acidic form (CBGA).
How Does CBG Work, and Its Benefits?
Unlike CBD and THC, CBG is less concentrated. But it combines with our body’s endocannabinoid system, which comprises two receptors — CB1 and CB2. These two receptors control all kinds of physical sensations, your mental state, and pain response. CBG gels well with these receptors and brings in psychological changes in our body. These receptors are found in our brain, nervous system, and immune system.
Since CBG is still not a fully explored cannabinoid, all the information regarding its usage is not based on scientific observation but anecdotal evidence. Some scientific claims are there but those are also based on small-scale experiments. As per the initial research, CBG has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The compound has proved to be effective against Huntington’s disease. If appetite deficiency is a problem you face, CBG can be a sure-shot solution as it’s a great appetite stimulant.
The Verdict On CBG!
There’s no doubt that CBG holds some really amazing and unique properties against tumor-causing cells. This is partly the reason that it has become one of the favorites cannabinoids for so many producers and investors. However, nothing can be taken to a mega commercial scale without large-scale studies and research to back the claims. The time is right for the US federal government, drug regulator FDA and the cannabis industry stakeholders to draw a roadmap for its future success.
