The digestive process may be negatively affected by a variety of issues along the digestive tract. 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 in and along the digestive tract. An example of this is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). According to recent research findings, CBG, or cannabigerol in full, has shown a lot of potential. In particular, this compound may be beneficial to aiding in digestion and dealing with various digestive issues. While more research is still needed to support this claim, preliminary findings are quite promising. This article will discuss CBG and IBS, and what research says about this.
What Is CBG?
Cannabigerol, or CBG, is one of the many active compounds in cannabis plants. However, this specific compound is mainly in hemp cannabis plants. While CBG is thought to have a variety of physiological effects when you consume it, remember, it does not lead to psychoactive effects. CBD and THC have, up until recently, been the most popular cannabis compounds. However, the growing interest in CBG is propelling 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 be broken down into other cannabinoids.
CBG is in purely CBG products or the form of full-spectrum CBD products.
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
IBS is a medical condition that causes stomach pain, decreased GI motility, and digestive distress. Although the medical community has not identified the root cause of IBS symptoms, recent research indicates two potential factors.
A study by Dr. Ethan Russo suggests that IBS and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) may be caused by Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CED). According to his study, chronic inflammation and IBS symptoms appear when the body is unable to produce endogenous cannabinoids. Other studies indicate a bacterial overgrowth of the small intestinal tract (SIBO) as the potential cause of IBS and other related digestive health conditions. In both cases, the inflammatory response of the body increases when there is a lack of Endocannabinoids.
Symptoms Of IBS
Symptoms vary from mild to severe, yet the majority of IBS sufferers experience:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Irregular Bowel Movements
- Increased Diarrhea or Constipation
- Gas and Bloating
- Food Intolerances and Sensitivities
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder)
- Chronic Fatigue
- Insomnia and Difficulty Sleeping.
- Depression and anxiety
- Headache and Backache
Causes Of IBS
Most researchers agree that IBS is linked to chronic stress, gut flora imbalances, and low digestive enzymes in the digestive tract. Although Dr. Ethan Russo agrees that IBS is most likely related to chronic stress and gut flora, he suggests a deeper connection to the endocannabinoid system. He found that the body is unable to manage stress levels when it does not create enough endogenous cannabinoids such as anandamide and 2-AG. This inability to produce a necessary amount of endocannabinoids may cause the symptoms of IBS.
Your body’s GI tract may be telling you that you need more rest, balanced nutrition, and stress-relieving activities to get things back to normal. These may include activities such as walking, exercise, meditation, and supplementing with phytocannabinoids like CBD or CBG.
CBG and IBS
Research 1
In this study, researchers at the University of Naples Federico II found that CBG showed an ability to regulate GI motility in animal studies of mice afflicted with chemically induced hypermotility. Additionally, CBG showed a curative and protective mechanism for Colitis within the GI tract.
Research 2
The study showed an antibacterial effect from CBG and CBC. In the study, both CBG and CBC were highly effective at fighting MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which is highly damaging to the body.
“All five major cannabinoids (cannabidiol (1b), cannabichromene (2), cannabigerol (3b), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (4b), and cannabinol (5)) showed potent activity against a variety of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains of current clinical relevance.”
How Can CBG Help with IBS?
- The Endocannabinoid system helps restore this balance by deactivating this overactive inflammation targeting the intestinal lining. While this Endocannabinoid system action has assistance from endocannabinoids that the body produces naturally, phytocannabinoids, such as CBG, from cannabis plants may also help facilitate this process. This is especially important in individuals that suffer from cannabinoid deficiency.
- Given the above CBG effect on intestinal inflammation, the compound has a lot of potential when it comes to managing IBS. However, additional research is still in need to demonstrate how CBG and IBS work to create this effect and whether the same can work in human beings.
- In addition to relieving intestinal inflammation, CBG may also help relieve any pain or discomfort through its analgesic properties. This might make it a great option for stomach aches as well.
Conclusion
From the above, it is clear to see just how powerful CBG could be when it comes to managing digestive issues as well as a variety of other conditions.
However, if you want to get the full benefits of using this supplement, you need to take high-quality products. CBG products come in the form of pure CBD products or as part of full-spectrum CBD products.
Pure CBG products have a higher concentration of CBG and are from younger hemp plants. Younger hemp plants naturally have a higher CBG concentration.
However, by choosing full-spectrum CBD products as your main source of CBG, you also get to benefit from the entourage effect. This simply means that you get to enjoy the full effect of all the beneficial compounds found in cannabis plants. According to the theory behind the entourage effect, cannabinoids work together to create a greater overall effect on users.
