By Billee Sharp

Cannabigerol, CBG, was one of the earliest cannabinoid discoveries, Raphael Mecholam first identified it in 1964 as one of the minor cannabinoids, as CBG represents just 1% or less of the whole cannabinoid profile.

As research progressed further it became apparent that of the hundred or so cannabinoids present in the average hemp plant, every single one was derived directly from CBGa, the so-called “mother” or precursor of THC, CBD,CBN, THCV etc. By the time a cannabis plant is mature and ready to harvest only a tiny percentage of CBG is left in the plant. This is probably why both interest and research in CBG started slowly, as there was so little actual material available.

However cannabis counselors, therapists and doctors have been so impressed with CBG’s performance at low dosages that this has promoted the development of high-CBG strains of cannabis.

The effectiveness of CBG at low dosages is a component that really helps with affordability and also has the great advantage of less volume ingested for those with digestive issues.

Coupled with this enhanced effectivity at low dosages are CBG’s many attributes: pre-clinical trials have yielded positive results for CBG as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective and antibacterial, also a non-psychoactive appetite stimulant and a treatment for glaucoma.

As an anti-inflammatory, a 2013 pre-clinical trial showed that CBG reduced bowel inflammation in mice. This research proved to have further implications for CBG as treatment for autoimmune disorder inflammation.

In 2014 an anti-tumor colon cancer study tested CBG on mice. CBG was seen promoting apoptosis in colon cancer cells and inhibiting colon tumors from developing.

In terms of neuroprotective qualities, CBG relieves both inflammation in the brain and oxidative stress. Promising results with Altzheimer’s sufferers has been recognised.

MSRA, the notorious staph infection which has become immune to many antibiotics, has been eradicated successfully with CBG’s powerful anti-bacterial action.

THC is the usual cannabinoid treatment for appetite stimulation, but the associated psychoactive high makes it unusable for some. A 2017 pre-clinical trial on rats used CBG to stimulate appetite; both the amount of meals taken and the sizes of meals were seen to increase substantially.

CBG reduces intraocular inflammation which is the most damaging symptom of glaucoma, this anti-inflammatory action in the eye also relieves pressure and pain in macular degenerative conditions.

Recent studies in Canada and Oregon on immune support showed that CBGa combined with CBDa blocked the Sars Covid-19 virus from penetrating cells. The immunoprotective value of this combination is another appreciable aspect of CBG’s impressive profile.

The non-psychoactivity of CBG makes it a widely applicable cannabis panacea. Yet if psychoactivity is desired, CBG will not block THC from the CB1 receptor site, unlike CBD which inhibits THC. Therefore, CBG and THC can be taken together and retain their unique attributes. This can be helpful if THC is needed to treat chronic pain or tumors.

In the developing field of cannabis medicine we are witnessing the emergence of CBG, another cannabinoid with immense therapeutic value for health.