CBG, or Cannabigerol, is a less common cannabinoid present in small amounts within the cannabis plant. It was first discovered in the 1960s however in recent history has become recognized for its wealth of potential health benefits. CBG has been found to be related to THC and CBD much like that of a “stem cell” or mother, as many cannabinoids are formed from this compound1. The positive health benefits of CBG may include the characteristics of the cannabinoids that it forms, including THC, CBD and CBC, and therefore may actually out-perform our recent obsession and success with CBD within the health and wellness industry. Here is an overview of CBG, it’s effects and health benefits, and accessibility within Canada and the U.S.

A quickie review: cannabinoids are compounds found only within the cannabis plant that interact with receptors throughout our body, brain and nervous system causing specific and distinct effects ranging from euphoria to anxiety to light-headedness, to relaxation.3 This is called the Endocannabinoid system and naturally occurs within the human body. More than 100 cannabinoids have been discovered, of which Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are the most prevalent in the majority of cannabis strains available today. This trend is changing with legalization and as we increase our knowledge of healing properties of the lesser known cannabinoids such as CBG. Also, as breeders and cultivars expand their focus from high THC strains to include that of the less prevalent cannabinoids we will see an increase of scientific and experiential knowledge of the many potentially positive effects of CBG.

CBG has a similar effect to CBD where it inhibits the high created from THC. If you consume cannabis solely for the purpose of getting high, you may not want to go for a strain with CBG in it, however if you are looking at the medicinal properties and benefits of CBG you will be impressed. The issue with a lot of the research being done on CBG is that it has not been tested on humans. Most research was done on rats and in test tubes and not within the complex environment of a human body. However, this is how the scientific process goes, and gives us clues as to how a compound would behave within humans. Further studies are required within humans to properly assess the beneficial properties of CBG.18

Preliminary studies suggest CBG may have applications in many different systems including those for pain control and anaesthesia6, for bladder spasms in Multiple Sclerosis patients7, as antibiotics8, even as far as the realm of mental health for anxiety and depression9. CBG may treat illnesses such as Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s due to its neural-protective properties.11 It has shown to be promising effects for the treatment of fungus and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.4, 10 An application of CBG may be for treating Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis as a study in 2013 showed it had an anti-inflammatory effect in mice with colitis.5 Other studies support evidence that CBG may help treat illnesses such as psoriasis12, high blood pressure13, and an array of different cancers such as carcinomas, breast, prostate, stomach, bone and colorectal.14,15,16,17

Despite the fact that CBG has the potential to out-perform its other cannabinoid relatives, major barriers exist to acquiring and studying the compound further is accessibility. Firstly, it is only found in very low concentrations in most cannabis flower on the markets today. Most of the recreational and black market focuses on higher THC yielding plants, which results in lower concentrations of the less common cannabinoids such as CBG. There is a movement toward high CBD genetics which increases the availability of the less common cannabinoids, however it is limited and more concentrated in the United States as compared to Canada. When I searched for products with significant amounts of CBG on the legal market in Canada there were only two or three options to choose from. On the black/grey markets within the U.S. and Canada, it seems there is more variety and availability, but being illegal and not necessarily as rigorously tested and quality assured, you take the same gamble buying high CBG flower or seeds as you would with any unverifiable product and source from such markets.

Not only is CBG found in low concentrations, but common extraction methods are too expensive for the small yield in your average cannabis plant. Researchers have however, discovered a way to synthesize large amounts of cannabinoids including CBG with relatively lost cost by utilizing yeast and E. Coli.20 As legalization allows further access and experimentation on cannabinoids it seems that the sky's the limit with what it can do and we are only just now finding ways to prove its efficacy. The future of cannabis gets brighter and brighter as we continue to discover all of it’s wonderful and sometimes magical compounds such as CBG which seems to have quite promising and vast health benefits. I would Marry Mary Jane.

the “mother of all cannabinoids” and how it can help you

By Holly Westall

CBG, or Cannabigerol, is a less common cannabinoid present in small amounts within the cannabis plant. It was first discovered in the 1960s however in recent history has become recognized for its wealth of potential health benefits. CBG has been found to be related to THC and CBD much like that of a “stem cell” or mother, as many cannabinoids are formed from this compound1. The positive health benefits of CBG may include the characteristics of the cannabinoids that it forms, including THC, CBD and CBC, and therefore may actually out-perform our recent obsession and success with CBD within the health and wellness industry. Here is an overview of CBG, it’s effects and health benefits, and accessibility within Canada and the U.S.

A quickie review: cannabinoids are compounds found only within the cannabis plant that interact with receptors throughout our body, brain and nervous system causing specific and distinct effects ranging from euphoria to anxiety to light-headedness, to relaxation.3 This is called the Endocannabinoid system and naturally occurs within the human body. More than 100 cannabinoids have been discovered, of which Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are the most prevalent in the majority of cannabis strains available today. This trend is changing with legalization and as we increase our knowledge of healing properties of the lesser known cannabinoids such as CBG. Also, as breeders and cultivars expand their focus from high THC strains to include that of the less prevalent cannabinoids we will see an increase of scientific and experiential knowledge of the many potentially positive effects of CBG.

CBG has a similar effect to CBD where it inhibits the high created from THC. If you consume cannabis solely for the purpose of getting high, you may not want to go for a strain with CBG in it, however if you are looking at the medicinal properties and benefits of CBG you will be impressed. The issue with a lot of the research being done on CBG is that it has not been tested on humans. Most research was done on rats and in test tubes and not within the complex environment of a human body. However, this is how the scientific process goes, and gives us clues as to how a compound would behave within humans. Further studies are required within humans to properly assess the beneficial properties of CBG.18

Preliminary studies suggest CBG may have applications in many different systems including those for pain control and anaesthesia6, for bladder spasms in Multiple Sclerosis patients7, as antibiotics8, even as far as the realm of mental health for anxiety and depression9. CBG may treat illnesses such as Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s due to its neural-protective properties.11 It has shown to be promising effects for the treatment of fungus and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.4, 10 An application of CBG may be for treating Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis as a study in 2013 showed it had an anti-inflammatory effect in mice with colitis.5 Other studies support evidence that CBG may help treat illnesses such as psoriasis12, high blood pressure13, and an array of different cancers such as carcinomas, breast, prostate, stomach, bone and colorectal.14,15,16,17

Despite the fact that CBG has the potential to out-perform its other cannabinoid relatives, major barriers exist to acquiring and studying the compound further is accessibility. Firstly, it is only found in very low concentrations in most cannabis flower on the markets today. Most of the recreational and black market focuses on higher THC yielding plants, which results in lower concentrations of the less common cannabinoids such as CBG. There is a movement toward high CBD genetics which increases the availability of the less common cannabinoids, however it is limited and more concentrated in the United States as compared to Canada. When I searched for products with significant amounts of CBG on the legal market in Canada there were only two or three options to choose from. On the black/grey markets within the U.S. and Canada, it seems there is more variety and availability, but being illegal and not necessarily as rigorously tested and quality assured, you take the same gamble buying high CBG flowers or seeds as you would with any unverifiable product and source from such markets.

Not only is CBG found in low concentrations, but common extraction methods are too expensive for the small yield in your average cannabis plant. Researchers have however, discovered a way to synthesize large amounts of cannabinoids including CBG with relatively lost cost by utilizing yeast and E. Coli.20 As legalization allows further access and experimentation on cannabinoids it seems that the sky's the limit with what it can do and we are only just now finding ways to prove its efficacy. The future of cannabis gets brighter and brighter as we continue to discover all of it’s wonderful and sometimes magical compounds such as CBG which seems to have quite promising and vast health benefits. I would Marry Mary Jane.

References:

1)Yukihiro S., Masahiro Y., Itsuo N., & Tatsuo Y., Biosynthesis of cannabinoid acids, Phytochemistry,

Volume 14, Issue 10, 1975, Pages 2189-2192, ISSN 0031-9422, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)91096-3. Accessed via: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031942200910963

2) https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/what-is-cbg-vs-cbd

3)honestmarijuana.com/cbg/

4)McMaster University. (2020, February 26). Researchers uncover hidden antibiotic potential of cannabis: May serve as a lead for new drug development. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 1, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200226131325.htm

5)Leinwand, K. L., Gerich, M. E., Hoffenberg, E. J., & Collins, C. B. (2017). Manipulation of the Endocannabinoid System in Colitis: A Comprehensive Review. Inflammatory bowel diseases, 23(2), 192–199. https://doi.org/10.1097/MIB.0000000000001004

6) Cascio M.G., Gauson L.A., Stevenson L.A., Ross R.A., & Pertwee R.G. (2010). Evidence that the plant cannabinoid cannabigerol is a highly potent alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist and moderately potent 5HT1A receptor antagonist. Br J Pharmacol 159: 129–141.

7)Tyagi, P., Tyagi, V., Yoshimura, N., & Chancellor, M. (2010). Functional role of cannabinoid receptors in urinary bladder. Indian journal of urology : IJU : journal of the Urological Society of India, 26(1), 26–35. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-1591.60440

8) ElSohly H.N., Turner C.E., Clark A.M., & ElSohly M.A. (1982). Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of certain cannabichromene and cannabigerol related compounds. J Pharm Sci 71: 1319–1323.

9) Banerjee S.P., Snyder S.H., & Mechoulam R. (1975). Cannabinoids: influence on neurotransmitter uptake in rat brain synaptosomes. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 194: 74–81.

10) Appendino G., Gibbons S., Giana A., Pagani A., Grassi G., Stavri M. et al. (2008). Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure-activity study. J Nat Prod 71: 1427–1430.

11) Valdeolivas S, Navarrete C, Cantarero I, Bellido ML, Muñoz E, Sagredo O. Neuroprotective properties of cannabigerol in Huntington's disease: studies in R6/2 mice and 3-nitropropionate-lesioned mice. Neurotherapeutics. 2015 Jan;12(1):185-99. doi: 10.1007/s13311-014-0304-z. PMID: 25252936; PMCID: PMC4322067.

12) Wilkinson J.D., & Williamson E.M. (2007). Cannabinoids inhibit human keratinocyte proliferation through a non-CB1/CB2 mechanism and have a potential therapeutic value in the treatment of psoriasis. J Dermatol Sci 45: 87–92.

13) Maor Y., Gallily R., & Mechoulam R. (2006). The relevance of the steric factor in the biological activity of CBD derivaties-a tool in identifying novel molecular target for cannabinoids. In: Symposium on the Cannabinoids. International Cannabinoid Research Society: Tihany, Hungary, p. 1.

14) Baek S.H., Kim Y.O., Kwag J.S., Choi K.E., Jung W.Y., & Han D.S. (1998). Boron trifluoride etherate on silica-A modified Lewis acid reagent (VII). Antitumor activity of cannabigerol against human oral epitheloid carcinoma cells. Arch Pharm Res 21: 353–356.

15) Ligresti A., Moriello A.S., Starowicz K., Matias I., Pisanti S., De Petrocellis L. et al. (2006). Antitumor activity of plant cannabinoids with emphasis on the effect of cannabidiol on human breast carcinoma. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 318: 1375–1387.

16) De Petrocellis L., & Di Marzo V. (2010). Non-CB1, non-CB2 receptors for endocannabinoids, plant cannabinoids, and synthetic cannabimimetics: focus on G-protein-coupled receptors and transient receptor potential channels. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 5: 103–121.

17) https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/study-suggests-cbg-more-effective-than-cbga-on-stomach-bone-cancer/

18) Russo E. B. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology Themed Issue: Cannabinoids in Biology and Medicine Part I. 2011 Jan; 163: 1344–1364. DOI:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x www.brjpharmacol.org

19) Musty R., & Deyo R. (2006). A cannabigerol extract alters behavioral despair in an animal model of depression. Proceedings June 26; Symposium on the Cannabinoids. International Cannabinoid Research Society: Tihany, p. 32.

20) Reiter, M. (2019). Complete biosynthesis of cannabinoids and their unnatural analogues in yeast. Nature. 567. 10.1038/s41586-019-0978-9