CBGa & CBDa: Dynamic Duo for Bone Health & Beyond

Recently published medical research on bone health has uncovered yet another benefit of the combined synergistic actions of CBG and CBD. CBD has repeatedly revealed the ability to positively activate our ECS system, enabling it to address imbalances and deficiencies that come with age and disease. Studies continue to research the use of minimally processed CBD flowers (forms containing CBDa & CBGa) to battle viral load (infection) & proliferation (symptoms) of Covid 19. The newest scientific research on the combination of these same two cannabinoid’s shows exciting promise around bone loss & healing, immune response, MRSA, cancers, IBS/IBD, and neurological/mental health!

The presentation of CBG and CBD is expressed in two ways: first there are the acid forms CBGa and CBDa which are the precursors of CBD and CBG. The acid forms connect to enzymes rather than receptor sites. Secondly, there are CBG and CBD, the cannabinoids that result when CBGa & CBDa are transformed by the body’s own metabolism or by outside forces such as heat, botanical extraction methods and/or time. These plug directly into the CB1 and CB2 receptors with proven results.

Synergy Wellness products contain both acid and non-acid forms. Our products are created from raw flowers and thoughtfully processed to preserve the synergy that comes from retaining as much cannabinoidal variety as possible - this creates the ‘entourage effect’ where we believe therapeutic action is amplified.

Bone Health

A new study, published in 2023, details how CBD and CBG improve essential bone health by supporting strength (density) and healing. The study explores how these two compounds play a central role in bone formation and the regulation of bone cell growth. The ECS (endocannabinoid system) regulates and monitors both bone cell activity and bone remodeling. Endogenous cannabinoid ligands and receptors are seen in the regulation of bone mass and in the management of bone diseases, like osteoporosis. In study CBGa and CBDa were observed to increase the number of osteoblasts (cells that form bone tissue) per bone surface area, and which also induce the proliferation of bone lining cells. This promoted faster healing of fractures and increased bone density and strength in mice. Reduced pain during bone mending was also noted, this is significant in that NSAIDS (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) can slow bone repair by inhibiting the inflammatory phase of the healing process. These findings suggest that age-related bone weakness, osteoporosis and brittle bone conditions can be ameliorated, and bone fractures can heal faster and more effectively using CBG and CBD.

Immune Support

Supporting our immune system is the reason we take vitamin supplements and now we know cannabinoids also play a part in boosting our immunity.  The coronavirus pandemic led to important discoveries about the immune-supporting function of cannabinoids. In July 2020, researchers at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada published a paper on preventive treatments using CBD in the treatment of SARS Covid-19. Their research showed CBD could be used to combat Covid by modulating levels of ACE2 receptors: these receptors are found in vulnerable gateway tissue: lungs, kidney, liver, they act as entry portals for virus’ to gain access to cells - CBD blocked ACE2 receptor sites at a 70% percent success rate - radically reducing the possibility of infection.

 In 2021 Oregon State University published results of tests using two cannabis compounds: CDGa - cannabigerolic acid and CBDa - cannabidiolic acid which were found to have potential to fight coronavirus. In laboratory tests these two compounds bound to the virus’ spike proteins and blocked a step that the pathogen uses to infect cells.

Brain Health

CBD and CBG play an overlapping role in brain health, using unique receptor pathways they produce a strong anti-inflammatory response to  protect brain cells, reducing anxiety and overstimulation. Potential for treating Alzeimers and other neurodegenerative conditions comes as research in mice shows CBG exerting a complex action involving blocking 5HT1A , a serotonin receptor, while stimulating TRPV1 & 2 receptors which led to significantly enhanced learning and memory faculties.  CBG and CBD act collaboratively and elicit bold responses, as an anti-anxiety medication the combination is recommended for panic attacks.

Appetite Stimulant and Microbiome Support

Often THC is an effective appetite stimulant but the psychoactive component can be difficult for some. Research shows positive results for CBG and CBD improving appetite and research with IBD sufferers has shown corresponding reduction in digestive pain and inflammation.

Anti-Tumor

CBD has been studied far greater than CBG and its anti-cancer properties are documented. Interest in CBG and its combined use with CBD has spiked with published research showing that CBG and CBD caused apoptosis (cell death) in colon cancer cells in mice.

The interest in CBD and CBG is reflected in ongoing research and the sphere of influence of these cannabinoids continues to grow.

New studies on the antibacterial properties of CBG and CBD showed positive results with methicillin-resistant MRSA staph infections.

In psychiatric medicine Dr Bonnie Goldstein is developing therapies for bi-polar conditions and autism which utilize CBG and CBD.

Following the science, Synergy Wellness offers doctor-formulated full spectrum CBDa/CBGa capsules which we recommend as a supplement to promote bone health, for mood & neurological applications, to address inflammatory conditions and provide support against viral infections including coronavirus and variants.

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Early Adopters - How Much Impact has Cannabis had on Human Health and Culture?

We don’t know what happened to humans around 60,000 years ago, but from that time onward archeology has revealed the accelerated development of a tool-making culture whose technological aptitude led to artistic expression, pottery, jewelry and building. Hemp was being used during the Neolithic period, recently hemp rope dating to 29,500 B.C was recovered from an archeological site in Czechoslovakia. This prehistoric human period is the subject of a new paper, co-written by Dr John Partland and Geoffrey Guy that argues our association with cannabinoids is so ancient that our ECS receptor sites evolved to better accommodate phytocannabinoids.

The authors’ hypothesis is that plant cannabinoids interacting with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS) act as a “proto-medicine” improving the fitness of the receptor and that the body made evolutionary changes to strengthen the ligand-receptor association. Cannabinoids gave humans the advantage of enhanced vision, acuity, perception and cerebral stimulation and provided a rich dietary source of essential fatty acids. These benefits may have given our ancestors the impetus to make these significant technological and cultural advances. Certainly, the ancient association with cannabis and hemp has many implications for early culture and the health of populations. The early Neolithic period is characterized by hunter-gatherer societies, gathering hemp eventually led to hemp cultivation which archeology shows us was widespread in the ancient world. Medical texts from China, Egypt and India place cannabis medicine firmly established by 3000 BC, accounting for thousands of years of human cannabis interaction.

A new book by Chris Bennet ‘Cannabis: Lost Sacrament of the Ancient World’ starts where prehistory gives way to the ancient world and the rise of monotheism. Bennett focuses on the Old Testament which includes references of cannabis being used in anointing oil, healing salves and fumigation rituals. He cites the important archeological discovery of both frankincense and cannabis resin on a Judahite altar at Tel Abad in Israel. This discovery renewed interest concerning the use of cannabis in ancient rituals and led to a reevaluation of Old Testament texts which presented conflicting evidence of both orthodox religious cannabis use and condemnation from religious conservatism which denounced cannabis as a degenerate foreign indulgence.

These are thought-provoking ideas that add to our musings on the long association of humans and cannabis and the way that cannabis has been culturally embraced and abandoned throughout history. One thing is definite, humans were early adopters of cannabis, and it has shown extraordinary staying power in human history as a resource for medicine, fiber and food.

Not Feeling It ? What to do if your cannabinoid medication stops working

Medications taken over long periods of time often stop working effectively. This is as true in pharmaceutical medicine and in herbal modalities. If you notice that a medication is not performing as usual the first thing to investigate is your dosage. Increasing dosage of cannabinoid medications should be by small increments, for example if your daily dose is 10mg, try adding 2-4mg. Keep adding incrementally until the desired effect is achieved.

When increasing dosage isn’t successful, the next step is to try a decreased dosage. At this point, it is worth considering a cleansing reset; stop taking cannabinoids for 48 hours to reset the EndoCannabinoid System (ECS). Although this isn’t long enough to remove all cannabinoid traces, it is long enough for the ECS to get to a baseline with only endocannabinoids ( the cannabinoids we make in our bodies) in play.

There are studies which show that small cannabinoid doses, often referred to as ‘microdoses’, can be very effective. The best method is to start with a dose lower than your last effective dose and keep daily notes on the effects felt. Again incrementally increase or decrease the dose if needed.

When experimenting with dosage isn’t getting the right results, the next step is to change the strain of cannabis used in your medication. Cannabinoid medications have a big advantage when effective delivery has declined, this is because cannabinoids can be delivered by many different compounds, and these are called terpenes.

Terpenes exist in many plants, lavender and citrus are good examples, characterized by their powerful aromas they work synergistically in the body with the ECS. In the body, each terpene acts differently and elicits unique responses.

In addition, Cannabinoid medication can be restored to effectiveness by changing the type of terpene delivery. This means finding a new cannabis strain which contains the desired cannabinoid, say CBD, but, has a different terpene profile from the medication that has stopped working.

Terpenes have a synergistic action with cannabinoids which is known as the ‘entourage effect’. This operates when the cannabinoids are in a broad spectrum form with the terpenes intact. Terpenes interact with different receptors than cannabinoids, with the notable exception of Beta- Caryophyllene, a terpene with affinity for CB2 receptors, allowing it to act as a cannabinoid in the ECS.

Finding an alternative CBD-rich strain with a different terpene profile is a process of learning and discovery for the individual and relies on access to properly researched medical cannabis products.

Synergy Wellness is one of the few medical cannabis companies that make a range of cannabinoid-specific products with different terpene profiles. Taking CBD-rich medication as an example - Synergy offers five distinct CBD-rich strains to choose from. There are approximately 200 terpenes in most cannabis strains, the most abundantly present across strains in Myrcene, which has a relaxing effect, works well for anxiety relief and is useful as a sleep aid. Two of the CBD-rich strains Synergy uses have Myrcene as the dominant terpene, the Remedy strain and Valentine X. If either of those strains are no longer working well we would recommend either AC/DC which has Limonene as the dominant terpene or Ringo’s Gift with Linalool as the dominant terpene.

Choosing a new strain doesn’t have to be a guessing game , by knowing what qualities to expect from different strains it is possible to find the right fit. Staying with the CBD-rich strain choices, advising on a change from a Myrcene dominant strain to Limonene or Linalool would depend on exactly what was needed. Linalool is the terpene in Lavender and associated with calmness, relaxation, pain relief and trouble sleeping. Limonene on the other hand, has the zest of citrus fruit, it is stimulating and uplifting, good for alleviating depressive states, lack of energy and pain relief.

One of Synergy’s members, who has been using our products for over ten years and has had amazing success managing the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. Now in her 70s, Leenie is active, walking several miles a day and is far from debilitated by her condition. Leenie has kept scrupulous notes on the strains and dosages that work for her. After more than a decade of treating herself with cannabinoid medications she recommends keeping several different strains on hand and rotating them to prevent any one becoming less effective through overuse.

This is a strategy for long-term use and Leenie developed her rotating strain program because she found that when using a single strain over time it inevitably declined in efficacy. Another strategy Leeny has adopted is changing her cannabinoid ratios to treat particular symptoms. For example, when she knows a cold weather front is approaching her area she adds THC to her CBD dosage and this staves off the painful body aches that start when there is a drop in temperature or barometric pressure.

Cannabinoid medications have a very wide range of applications and can be used for short-term issues, as well as ongoing or chronic conditions. We recommend having a second alternative CBD-rich product on hand if you are taking CBD daily, so if you do begin to feel lessening of effect you can switch to another strain. The product we most often recommend is #160 CBD Medley , made from four distinct CBD-rich strains: AC/DC, Valentine X, Therapy A and Electra. This blend adds Bisabolol to the mix; a rare terpene, also found in Chamomile and recommended for mood modulation, anti-anxiety and anti-aging.

Our bodies will always strive to create the endocannabinoids the ECS needs to function. Phytocannabinoids will always be a viable source of the cannabinoids our bodies need to maintain healthy balance.

Cannabinoid-based medications can maintain therapeutic value in long term use and trying out new strains and ratios of cannabinoid gives more options and potential benefits.