Cannabigerol CBG for short, is one of more than 100 cannabinoids found within hemp and cannabis plants. This cannabinoid is considered to be a minor cannabinoid by many individuals due to its lack of concentration in many cultivars available today, unlike Darwin CBD vape, which can contain a greater amount of CBD through various concentrations. The existence of this cannabinoid, however, is very far from minor in importance. In fact, this cannabinoid is often defined as being the “Stem Cell of Cannabinoids" as it plays an originating and vital role in the development of other cannabinoid lines.
CBG first develops as CBGa and is the chemical precursor to the other various cannabinoid lines found in hemp and cannabis, including that of THC. Within the hemp market, CBG is a rising star.
This is due to the fact that it is believed to have various uses and, like CBD, does not offer psychoactive or intoxicating effects. Also similar to CBD, CBG is not as prevalent as other cannabinoids in the plant; however, due to its rising popularity, a few chemovars have come to market that offer significantly higher concentrations of CBG content compared to most.
Because CBGa acts as the precursor to other cannabinoid lines, by the time cannabis sativa and hemp plants are harvested, much of the CBGa content has developed into other cannabinoids leaving just a minimal concentration of this cannabinoid in many cultivars.
Due to its scarcity, this cannabinoid is sometimes considered the Rolls-Royce of cannabinoids. You would completely understand this reference if you have ever been in the market to purchase cannabigerol CBG isolate. The cost of manufacturing CBG is significantly higher than that of other cannabinoid products due to its rarity.
On average, it is estimated that in most strains of hemp and cannabis plants, CBG cannabigerol is only found in concentrations of 1% or less. To give you an idea of just how minimal that is, on average most cannabis plants in legal medical and recreational markets contain between 25 and 30% THC. In hemp plants commonly cultivated for their CBD and form of CBG content, CBD is typically found in concentrations of 15 to 20% and sometimes more.
You can genetically modify crops to have more CBG by crossbreeding various cannabis plant varieties. For this reason, this cannabinoid is of great interest to cannabis plant research companies that are actively studying multiple ways to produce cultivars that will produce a higher concentration of this cannabinoid line.
In order to extract CBG, plants must be harvested at an immature and young age as this is when they contain the highest concentrations of this cannabinoid line. Destroying a premature crop is not only devastating.
It is also very costly compared to the profits that could be made if grown to maturity and utilized for other cannabinoid content. This is why it is essential that breeders and researchers work with genetic lines in order to help increase the natural CBG content in fully mature plants.
Many times Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol are compared to each other for their various similarities. Both of these cannabinoids are considered to be non-intoxicating and do not produce psychoactive effects on their own. These cannabinoids are also thought to reduce the psychoactive and intoxicating effects of cannabinoids such as THC.
Like most of the cannabinoid lines within the cannabis strains and hemp plants, CBG works with the body's endogenous cannabinoid system, also known as the ECS or endocannabinoid system. CBD and CBD Isolate work with the endocannabinoid system, just in a different manner. You can learn more about CBD isolate? from our blog post.
CBD does not directly bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors found throughout the body's endocannabinoid system, instead of working through other receptors that signal changes within the ECS. CBG, however, does bind directly to the CB1 and CB2 receptors within the ECS, which leads many researchers to believe that CBG and CBD may be utilized more efficiently by our bodies in comparison to CBD, making it of great interest to researchers. Other common differences between these two cannabinoid receptors are their prevalence within hemp and cannabis strains cultivars and their affordability, as mentioned above.
It is doubtful that CBG cannabigerol would make you fail a drug test like CBD. This is because drug screenings do not look for CBD or CBG metabolites. However, if you consume a full spectrum CBG product containing trace amounts of THC or CBD oils, there is a risk that if utilized regularly, a build-up of THC from the product could occur, leading to a failed drug screening. If you are worried about using CBG products because of potential drug screenings, it is essential that you only consume a form of CBG isolate-based products which have had all other cannabinoids removed, including THC.
Speaking of consuming CBG, how exactly does one reap the benefits and effects of Cannabigerol? Let's take a closer look!
Like CBD and THC products, there are a wide variety of ways in which you can utilize CBG. While the benefits of CBG in the UK are not allowed to be stated, so we won't be able to say anything about the benefits of CBG. However, products may not be as common as CBD oil UK products; many believe this may not always be the case as research progresses. CBG is very versatile and can be utilized in many different ways.
Let's take a closer look at some of the ways in which consumers are utilizing this often underestimated cannabinoid.
Like many other cannabinoids, you can vape CBG. There are many reasons in why people would want to vaporize this cannabinoid as well. In order to vape CBG, however, the first step is locating a vape liquid that is highly concentrated with this cannabinoid. While you can find THC and vape juice with CBD in abundance within legal markets, CBG vape juices aren't quite as popular.
That doesn't, however, mean that they do not exist. The important thing is to remember while you can find CBG oil, it is different than CBG vape juice and should never be vaporized. If you like to vape and are curious about the effects of CBG, a CBG vape pen may be the perfect product to try! It is important to note that CBG has a very low boiling point; therefore, it should always be vaporized at lower temperatures to ensure that you do not simply cook off the CBG content in your vape juice or CBG vape liquid.
Cannabis strains and hemp-derived tinctures and oils are among the oldest forms of consuming the constituents found within these plant species. For this reason, one of the most abundant CBG-rich products you will find on the market today is CBG tinctures and CBG oils.
Like other tinctures and oils, these products have been formulated to be ingested and are typically a combination of CBG isolate or distillate combined with carrier oils.
In some instances, CBG tinctures or CBG oils may also have other cannabinoids along with a variety of different essential oils within their ingredient list. You can find CBG tinctures and oils in a wide variety of strengths as well as flavours.
The topical application of cannabinoids is becoming more popular with every passing year. Today you can find a wide variety of skincare, beauty, and over-the-counter cannabinoid-based topical products.
These products are preferred by many as they allow you to utilize the product in the specific area in which you desire rather than consuming it in an ingestible form in which it is distributed throughout the body.
Like other tissues and organs within our anatomy, our body's endocannabinoid system has cannabinoid receptors within our largest organ, the skin. When applied topically, cannabinoids such as CBG work in these products by binding to and activating receptors within the ECS. Topical CBG products come in various forms, including salves, lotions, creams, oils, and more.
Isolate is one of the most popular forms of CBD utilized in manufacturing CBD products on the market today. When it comes to the utilization of CBG, many manufacturers of CBG products utilize CBG isolate. Many consumers also prefer to utilize CBG isolate compared to other ways to consume this cannabinoid.
CBG isolate, like the isolate of other cannabinoids, can be added to virtually anything. You can add it to tea, coffee, your favourite foods, or to your favourite topical products such as lotions or creams. CBG isolate is one of the purest forms of CBG as it has gone through an isolation process in which all other compounds, phytonutrients, and cannabinoids have been removed.
CBG edibles are another popular form of consumption for CBG products. The products are foods or beverages that have been infused with CBG. CBG oils or CBG isolate are often added to the recipes upon their creation. Many people choose CBG edibles as they are a convenient and discrete way to consume this remarkable cannabinoid.
Dabbing is a popular form of inhalation for cannabinoid-based products, if you are looking to buy THC vape oil (which is illegal in UK). Remeber anything with more then 1mg of THC in a encolsed container is classified as illegal in UK according to UK gov.
You can also find CBG in concentrate form. These extracts are utilized in various rigs and pens to vaporize and inhale the cannabinoid content.
As you can see, Cannabigerol or CBG, is a very versatile and intriguing cannabinoid. Hopefully, as research expands surrounding this cannabinoid, it will become more understood and embraced by consumers globally for all it offers. Additionally, as the demand for CBG increases, it is likely that we will begin to see unique ways in which new strains rich in CBG can be developed!
This article is authored by Dr Casey Abrahamsmen. Dr Abrahamsmen is a board certified physician with over 13 years of experience in internal medicine and pain management. He practises Palliative care at a hospital in Venezuela and is a strong advocative for CBD and believes CBD has a major role to play towards healthy non addictive pain management habits. You can read more about Dr Abrahamsmen here.
This article was peer-reviewed by Dr M Mansoor Siddique (PhD). Dr Siddique has over eight years of experience working with CBD and CBD products.
Disclaimer: All of our products are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. It is recommended to check with doctor before starting a new dietary supplement program. All CBD products sold have less than 0.2% THC content and abide by both EU an UK law.