When we want to know the exact relation between CBG and digestion, we must know first what is digestion and the underlying process.
Digestion is a biological process. It plays an important role in helping the body get all the nutrients it needs from the food we eat. During digestion, food breaks down into its basic building blocks for the body to absorb. This is how we meet our nutritional and energy requirements.
A variety of issues along the digestive tract may affect this process. Such hindrances to the digestive process can lead to a situation where the body is unable to get all the nutrients it needs from the food we consume. Furthermore, digestive issues can also lead to pain and inflammation. And, this could be in and along the digestive tract. And can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
According to recent research findings, CBG has shown a lot of potential and it may be beneficial in aiding digestion and various issues. While more research is still needed to support this claim, preliminary findings are quite promising.
Read on below to find out more about the relation between CBG and digestion.
Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
To understand how CBG could help improve your digestive health, you need to understand how cannabinoids interact with your body’s digestive system.
Like all cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, CBG produces its many potential health benefits by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complicated system of receptors that are all over the body.
Made up of CB1 and CB2 receptors, ECS plays a major role in maintaining homeostasis in our bodies. CBG, just like CBD, acts as an agonist when interacting with CB1 receptors. This means that this active compound significantly inhibits the activation of these receptors. It can, thus, counter the psychoactive effect of THC. In fact, CBG, like CBD, does not have any psychoactive effects itself.
But, when it comes to CB2 receptors, we know that CBG acts as an antagonist. In fact, it may activate CB2 receptors in the same way CBD does. This could help create a variety of positive effects. Some of these effects may include acting as a potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic. It may even help to counter symptoms of depression and anxiety.
As you can see, CBG and CBD have several common effects on the body. However, it is not clear which compound is more effective than the other. What’s more, CBG might also help to improve digestion.
What Is CBG?
Cannabigerol, or CBG, is one of the many active compounds in cannabis plants. This specific compound is mainly found in hemp cannabis plants. CBG has a variety of physiological effects when consumed. However, it does not lead to psychoactive effects. CBD and THC have, up until recently, been the most popular cannabis compounds. And the growing interest in CBG has propelled this compound to similar popularity levels.
CBG is commonly known as the mother of other cannabinoids. This is because other cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, and CBC (cannabichromene), all come about as a result of the natural breakdown of CBG. In fact, younger cannabis plants normally have higher levels of CBG than older plants. This is because most of the compound is yet to break down into other cannabinoids.
CBG can be in purely CBG products or the form of full-spectrum CBD products.
The Potential Benefits of CBG on Digestion.
Now that you have a clear idea of what CBG is, let’s dive into CBG and digestion.
As previously mentioned, CBG interacts with the ECS to create homeostasis in the digestive system. There are preliminary research findings on this compound. And they suggest that this compound has shown potential in managing symptoms of various digestive issues like IBS and IBD.
In this study, researchers observed in mice that intestinal inflammation is in control by the ECS. During this study, researchers observed that intestinal inflammation is normally caused by an overactive immune response. This immune response can keep the gut free of harmful micro-organisms. And, without the right balance, this response may end up destroying the intestinal lining.
The ECS helps restore this balance by deactivating this overactive inflammation targeting the intestinal lining. While this ECS action activates by endocannabinoids produced in the body naturally. But, Phytocannabinoids, such as CBG, extracted from cannabis plants may also help facilitate this process. This is especially important in individuals that suffer from a cannabinoid deficiency.
Given the above CBG effect on intestinal inflammation, the compound is now having a lot of potentials when it comes to managing IBS. But, additional research is important to demonstrate how CBG works for this effect. Also, whether the same can replicate in human beings.
In addition to relieving intestinal inflammation, CBG may also help relieve any associate pain or discomfort through its analgesic properties. This might make it a great option for stomach aches as well.
Conclusion
Over the last few years, a lot is everywhere about THC and CBD. These are known as two of the most popular cannabinoids extracted from cannabis plants. Moreover, these two compounds only represent a small percentage of all cannabinoids.
CBG is one of the lesser-known cannabinoids that we extract from cannabis plants. This compound has been getting a lot of attention recently. Thanks to its many potential health benefits. Several research findings from a variety of recent animal studies have reported CBG’s great potential.
One of the main areas of research that scientists have focused on when it comes to this cannabinoid is CBG and digestion. It observes that CBG, through its interaction with the ECS, has the potential to improve gut health by countering intestinal inflammation. This has also led scientists to conclude that CBG may be useful in managing symptoms of IBS.
In addition to promoting digestion, CBG is also said to have the potential of targeting colon cancer. This at least according to existing research findings.
CBG may hold promise to its many potential benefits. And, it’s important to note that we need more research to support the above claims. Especially, when it comes to human subjects.
While the use of CBG is free of any side effects, we recommend that you consult your physician before you add it to your daily routine. This way you can get advice on any potential drug interactions.
