Before we dive into the story of the Mother Cannabinoid, cannabigerol (CBG), we need to go back in time a little bit for a history lesson.
Researchers in the 1940s made an amazing discovery when they identified compounds in the Cannabis sativa (hemp) plant that they labeled cannabinoids. They quickly realized these were special and later research uncovered the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which we’ll explain a little more in depth in just a moment.
Unfortunately, research has been slowed by legal considerations affecting hemp which has been heavily regulated and controlled by government bodies.
Hemp was traditionally found and cultivated in Europe and Asia. It has remained a staple for centuries, if not millennia, due to its fast-growing, multi-purpose nature as it is a treasure trove of phytochemicals and a rich source of plant fibers. From remedies to building materials, the hemp plant has been an important resource for many cultures throughout human history around the world.
In modern times, we’re just beginning to unpack the power of full spectrum hemp and all the goodness that lies within.
Since that research in the 1940s was conducted, most attention has been paid to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) due to their abundance in various strains of the Cannabis sativa plant.
THC first gained notoriety in the U.S. for its psychoactive effects and is now moving towards greater acceptance for its potential benefits as a medicinal therapy. CBD has enjoyed a recent rise to fame since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill and stamp of safety approval from bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO).
What many people may not know is that hemp contains more than 500 components with over 100 cannabinoids having been identified so far.
And one of those cannabinoids that we’re especially excited about is the one we’ve nicknamed the Mother Cannabinoid, CBG.
Before explaining more about her, let’s do a quick review of cannabinoids and the ECS so we can properly appreciate CBG.
A Brief Primer: Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System
As we’ve mentioned, CBG, CBD and THC are three of over a hundred different cannabinoids that are found in full spectrum hemp. Cannabinoids are compounds, or chemical substances that we find in nature.
The power of cannabinoids wasn’t first apparent until research into the effects of THC revealed molecules in our bodies that are similar to the cannabinoids we find in hemp. These were labeled endocannabinoids, where “endo” means inner.
So far, experts have identified a handful of endocannabinoids two of which are:
- anandamide (AEA)
- 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)
The discovery of endocannabinoids was just one component of an entire system – the endogenous cannabinoid system, endocannabinoid system for short, or just ECS if you’re feeling friendly.
There are two other important parts of the ECS.
First are the cannabinoid receptors known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are mainly found in the central nervous system and CB2 receptors are usually found in the peripheral nervous system. Cannabinoids and endocannabinoids alike attach to these receptors to produce different effects on the body, the full extent of which researchers are still looking into.
The last important component of the ECS are enzymes, something produced by our bodies, that act like a disposal system for endocannabinoids and cannabinoids that have performed their job. These enzymes will break them down into a form that our bodies can safely metabolize and remove.
So now that you’ve had a brief primer, or perhaps just a refresher, on cannabinoids and the ECS, let’s get back to chatting about CBG.
Mother Has Arrived
CBG starts its life cycle within the hemp plant as cannabigerolic acid or CBG-A, and this is the precursor of not just CBG, but also CBD and THC.
To put it simply, without CBG there is no CBD or THC.
Through exposure to heat and UV lighting, CBG-A undergoes a process called decarboxylation whereby it can be neutralized into CBG, but enzymes in the plant can also turn it into CBD-A or THC-A. These acids eventually become neutralized as well through a similar process, resulting in the CBD and THC we already know about.
Whether you consider it a process of giving birth or liken it to puberty, it’s a marked change in the compounds of the hemp plant that affect what we’re later able to extract after harvest.
Interestingly, it has been noted that plant varieties lower in THC will see higher CBD and CBG percentages. For those of us interested in CBD products, that’s a good thing.
However, even though plants rich in CBD will contain some amount of CBG, the content is pretty low. In fact, a CBD dominant strain that will produce approximately 92 percent CBD will only have a yield of around two percent CBG. Read more about CBD vs CBG.
I’m sure you feel the same way we do when we look at those numbers. They’re not so great if we’re looking to unlock the potential of CBG. And it’s exactly why we’ve made an effort to cultivate CBG dominant strains.
At Head & Heal, we’re excited to be on the forefront of cultivating CBG dominant strains that produce up to 94 percent CBG, which we can extract for use in our blends, specifically our Focus CBG oil.
Many people have found CBG to have uplifting and energizing effects, but let’s take a look at some of the research surrounding this lesser-known cannabinoid.
What the Research Says About CBG
As a cannabinoid, CBG has been researched for its ability to bind with the special receptors in our ECS that both CBD and THC are known to have effects on. As we highlighted earlier, two of these receptors have been discovered so far, CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors. CBG was found to interact most with CB2 receptors, and further research was recommended on this front.
Overall, we can say that scientists and medical professionals are as excited about CBG and its potential benefits as we are. Here are just a couple of examples that show its promise.
CBG and other cannabinoids have been explored for their ability to support ocular health. Specifically, how effective they are in lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) and their corresponding neuroprotective actions. It was found that in this way CBG may promote long-term ocular health.
As well, CBG has been recommended for clinical trials in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This was after medical researchers found that its interaction with CB2 receptors in the ECS produced favorable effects that may promote normal homeostasis and overall gut health.
Lastly of note here is that CBG, just like CBD, is non-psychotropic. This means it doesn’t alter your thinking or motor skills and doesn’t create any brain fog or issues while carrying out your daily activities.
Getting the CBG You Want in Your CBD Products
Getting the CBG You Want in Your CBD Products
Not all products are created equal and, because of this, not all will contain the CBG that you may be looking for.
At Head & Heal, we’re big believers in full spectrum products because of a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. This is the idea that cannabinoids are most effective when they work with other compounds, such as fellow cannabinoids. Our full spectrum CBD oil options, including CBN oil for sleep, and our Focus CBG are going to offer you these synergistic benefits.
We’re able to achieve this high level of quality and make sure the CBG you want is present in your product through growing and hand harvesting our own plants. From seed to bottle, Head & Heal is there.
We grow a number of USDA-certified organic hemp varieties using sustainable and regenerative farming practices. Being farmer-owned and farmer-grown means we can reliably focus on preserving the integrity of our plants, while seeking different cannabinoid and terpene profiles that create the best end result. It also means we avoid harmful pesticides and chemicals that might otherwise make their way into a final product.
With Head & Heal, you can be sure that you are receiving a high-quality end product that is free of impurities and includes the dosage you need to achieve the benefits you’re looking for. This isn’t just limited to our oils of course, but includes our other CBD products like capsules, lotions, balms and more.
But in a largely unregulated market, how can you trust what companies like us are telling you?
The simple answer is to look at the lab reports.
At Head & Heal, we love transparency, and you are free to look at our lab reports at any time. And if those confusing reports are a bit hard to understand, don’t worry. We’ve also explained how to read them.
We’re dedicated to delivering the best CBD products we can so you can relax, buy with confidence and enjoy the benefits that many others already know about. To learn more about that, and discussing CBG and other topics, consider joining our private Facebook group.
What Our Customers Are Saying
Lastly, we think it’s important to reflect on what our customers are saying about our CBG oil. While we’ve tested it on ourselves and our friends and family have taken it, hearing from you is vital to helping us improve our products and learn more about CBG.
Here’s what some of our customers said regarding CBG oil:
“This was my first experience with CBG, I shared it with my fiancé, and we've already reordered! This stuff is amazing! I use it in the morning, and it gives me a boost of energy. It makes my body and mind feel a little more alert and positive…Mornings are usually a struggle for us, but this is a life saver! We've cut down on our caffeine intake. It's perfect for before work!” -Audrey L.
“I'm very happy with this product. The CBG oil delivers an overall soft peaceful focused feeling. I've been using it daily morning and evening time when I like to be creative and noticed a general improvement in my mood and an added ease to completing things. I highly recommend it.” -Dagmara L.
“I have been taking Focus CBG Oil for 3 weeks now and am loving the results. Over the past few weeks, I have noticed my mental clarity progressively improving. Another benefit is that my overall mood first thing in the morning is more bright and uplifting. As a Project Manager, my day starts early with back-to-back meetings. Many days it was a struggle to effectively do my job in the morning due to brain fog and sleepiness. Now, I find myself raring to go as soon as my workday starts. Focus CBG Oil has far surpassed my expectations and has made a wonderful addition to my self-care routine.” -Sara G.
Anything to add? Please get in touch with us! We would love to hear from you.
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