If you haven’t already heard of cannabigerol, you will soon enough. This non-psychoactive cannabinoid is the new star in the wellness world, for its apparently wide-ranging health benefits.
Understanding CBG Oil
First things first, CBG is non-psychoactive. That means it does not get you stoned or high. CBG is found entirely in cannabis plants, although usually only in small concentrations. That’s why CBG is considered a rare cannabinoid. It is extracted from cannabis and used for its wide range of purported health benefits.
CBG products, such as Simpleleaf.com, come in various forms, such as gummies, capsules, and oils, the most common form.
The Effects of Swallowing CBG Oil
When you swallow your CBG oil, it needs to work its way through the stomach and small intestines into the bloodstream. The onset of effects differs here, and it can take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel anything. The bioavailability is significantly different, too: depending on how efficiently your digestive system is working, only a portion of the compound will make its way into your bloodstream.
Potential Benefits
It has also been associated with several health benefits, although more research is still required:
- Pain and inflammation
- Neuroprotective Properties
- Bladder dysfunction
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)
- Arthritis
- Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Antibacterial Properties
- Appetite Stimulation
CBG Oil vs. Other Forms
CBG is consumed in many formats, such as gummies, capsules, and topicals, each one with its own method of delivery and rate of absorption. A gummy or capsule gives exactly the same dose every time you take it, but that has to travel through the digestive system to be effective so it leaves a bit to be desired when it comes to onset time for good pain relief. A topical, on the other hand, delivers the cannabinoids you’re seeking directly to the skin, providing localized relief.
Legal and Quality Considerations
Remember that CBG products should only be bought from hemp plants, and should contain less than 0.3 percent THC. Products should be analyzed by an independent lab for confirmed CBG content and purity. Always prefer high-quality, organic, sustainably grown hemp.
The Science Behind CBG
This is particularly intriguing because of its role as linear precursor to cannabinoids such as CBD and THC. As such, it occupies a one-of-a-kind place in the biochemistry of the cannabis flower, and that makes it worth further study, and perhaps an interesting candidate for new therapies. CBGA is the non-acidic version of the precursor CBG At the moment, CBG’s benefits are most often pursued in non-intoxicating form, away from the typical realm of cannabis.
Absorption and Bioavailability
As with any cannabinoid, you’ll need to figure out not only if your body will absorb the CBG oil but also if it will break it down at a rate and in a way that makes it work. Particularly after the CBG oil is swallowed, the liver will help to metabolize the compound – this is the ‘first-pass effect’, which takes incoming blood from the stomach or gut into the liver down a road that might not lead to the original destination. You might experience the benefits of CBG differently depending on how you take it. The second path travelling through the liver tends to excrete compounds like CBG or convert it into metabolites like THC or CBD. For this reason, placing the CBG oil under the tongue (sublingual administration) might help to avoid impairment from the first-pass effect, although this remains to be studied.
Dosage Guidelines
The problem when using CBG oil is that dosing has to be largely educated guesswork, since there are no established standards – and no one is the same when it comes to dosing levels! That said, people generally start small – say, 5-10 mgs per day – and then slowly adjust their dosage depending on what seems to be working for them. It also depends on the condition being considered: how does CBG compare to CBD for colitis treatment? A recent anecdotal report suggests that anyone experiencing chronic inflammation and pain might want to start with 3mg of added CBG for every 10 lbs. of body weight, then taper off as needed. If you experience anxiety and you want to use CBG to help, the doses might look very different.
- CBG and neuroprotection: Research also suggests that it may have neuroprotective qualities, so it could be effective as an adjunctive treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s.
- Intestinal health: CBG is sought for IBS, IBD and other gastrointestinal issues because of its anti-inflammatory ability.
- It could be practical in treating cancer: Findings from preliminary research indicate that CBG has properties that should limit the growth of some forms of cancer cells.
Side Effects and Safety
CBG appears to be well-tolerated by most people, but certain individuals might experience side-effects at higher doses, including mild dizziness, dry mouth and gastrointestinal discomfort. How CBG interacts with other medications is little known, and we also recommend following up with your doctor if you plan to combine it with other treatments.
CBG and the Endocannabinoid System
It affects the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, through the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. It is believed that this interaction with the CBRs is what may mediate at least some, if not all, of the therapeutic effects of CBG.
CBG in Comparison to CBD and THC
If you’re a scientist and chemical structures are your thing, then chemically speaking CBG is very similar in form to CBD and THC. CBG, for instance, will not get you high – in fact, some evidence suggests that CBG can act as an antagonist or counter to some of the high effects of THC. It also has a different affinity for the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) than CBD, which may lead to different therapeutic benefits.
Incorporating it into Wellness Routines
For those interested in incorporating CBG into their wellness routines, it’s important to start slowly and monitor the body’s response. It can be a part of a holistic approach to health, complementing other wellness practices and treatments. As with any supplement, it’s crucial to approach CBG use thoughtfully, considering dosage, potential side effects, and individual health needs.