Cannabis and allied products are being adopted all across America like hotcakes. Thanks to the passing of the Farm Bill, 2018, in the US, we now have a cannabis industry that’s estimated to be worth around $75 billion in the next decade. Cannabis-based CBD is the clear frontrunner when it comes to popularity. This cannabis-based phytocannabinoid is so popular — majorly due to the health benefits it promises — that you may find it everywhere. When we say everywhere, we literally mean everywhere — offline stores, over-the-counter shops, dispensaries, and online. But are there any safety issues of using CBG, let’s find out.
CBD, via its so-called miraculous healing properties, has proved its worth, and it seems no other cannabinoid can ever match its stature. But hold on, there seems to be another kid in the block. Yes, you guessed it right — cannabigerol (CBG). How good is CBG when it comes to health benefits? Is it another ‘CBD’ that has the potential to open the door for the treatment of various ailments? In this article, we are discussing exactly that. Apart from telling you about its positive effects, we are also going to warn you about some safety issues — if any — associated with CBG.
Let’s break it down for you!
All you need to know about CBG and its safety issues
When people hear the word ‘CBG’, that’s what they ask first — “What exactly is CBG, we know a little bit about CBD but no clue about what CBG is”. So first let’s try to understand what CBG is? Though CBD (cannabidiol) is the most famous and widely used cannabinoid right now, CBG (cannabigerol) could be the next big thing after its sister compound i.e. cannabidiol or CBD.
Moreover, their combination makes them even more potent. 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. If you are thinking about incorporating CBG in your life, you must know about its disadvantages too.
Why so much interest in CBG?
CBG or cannabigerol holds various pharmacological properties, says research. The limited available research on CBG has shown that it could potentially help with colitis, neurodegeneration and even cancer. Though admittedly, doctors say it’s a pretty new cannabinoid and research is limited, especially due to its low presence in cannabis flower, it is the precursor to other cannabinoids. CBGA (A stands for acidic form) when broken down becomes the basis of the formation of other molecules, which means THC, CBD, CBC, and many other cannabinoids are formed from CBG only. CBG also has strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The compound has proved to be effective against Huntington’s disease. If appetite deficiency is a problem you are facing consistently, try CBG. It’s a great appetite stimulant. Users who have benefitted by using CBG products are pretty confident it could open new frontiers for the medical science community.
How are CBG and CBD different?
CBG was first discovered in the 1960s. But, research mostly focused on CBD and THC. As scientists began to understand cannabis and its medicinal properties, they also tried to explore CBG. Upon understanding its chemical properties, they found its therapeutic properties. Now CBD and CBG are the same but different. In the above paras, we read that CBG helps make CBD, and they hold many similar healing properties. However, they are also different cannabinoids that serve different purposes. Another similarity is their ability to not cause intoxication like THC.
They both can’t alter the mind to cause ‘high’ like THC. They, however, hold the power to cure several mental health issues like depression and anxiety. CBG can also counteract the intoxication effects of THC, which means if you consume cannabis, you can use CBG isolate to counter-balance its intoxicating effects. While CBD increases your hunger, it may not necessarily happen if you consume, let’s say, CBD or THC oils or pills.
What are the safety issues with CBG?
There’s a reason that CBG is believed to be another CBD. Because, so far, based on small-scale studies, it’s found to be safe and non-toxic. As per experts, CBG binds with non-cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which reduces blood pressure. Now, this could be dangerous if you take it in while already on blood pressure-related medications. Like CBD, it can also interact with most common medications like antibiotics, immunosuppressants, pain medications, and cholesterol drugs. CBG has also shown promise when it comes to treating glaucoma.
CBG activates endocannabinoid (ECS) receptors in the eye, reducing the effects of intraocular pressure. It has especially proven effective against MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a life-threatening bacterial infection. CBG also comprises GAGA uptake, which relaxes your muscles and reduces stress. CBG can also help with inflammatory bowel disease and colitis. Patients suffering from cramping, diarrhea, appetite, nausea, and vomiting can benefit from using CBG-based products. As far as its side-effects, it’s still out of the FDA-approved cannabis-based drug list, so you’ll take it at your own risk. That makes it a tricky one to be used without a medical expert’s constant. You must also do basic research on product quality, authenticity, and reliability.
FDA’s stand on CBG
The FDA’s stand on CBG is not clear. To date, the US food and drug agency has only approved one cannabis-derived and three cannabis-related drug products. The first one is Epidiolex, which contains purified CBD and is used against seizures arising out of Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes. The other two are Marinol and Syndros for therapeutic uses, including the treatment of anorexia in AIDS patients. The fourth FDA-approved cannabis-based drug is Cesamet, which comprises active nabilone, and has a THC type of chemical structure. These products, however, can be purchased only after a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. However, there’s no particular CBG product that’s been approved by the FDA. As the US federal government reconsiders its position on cannabis, especially considering neighboring Canada and Mexico’s aggressive stance, the day is not far when CBG also receives the nod from the federal drug agency.
