Chances are, if you're reading this, you're at least somewhat familiar with THC and CBD, the two most well-known cannabinoids. But there's another one out there that's gradually been gaining more and more attention in recent years: CBG. So what is CBG, and why should you care? Read on to find out.
What is CBG?
CBG, or cannabigerol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that's found in cannabis plants. Like THC and CBD, it interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, but CBG has its own unique effects that set it apart from the other two cannabinoids.
CBG is known as a "parent cannabinoid," because it's the precursor to both THC and CBD. That means that, during the early stages of a cannabis plant's growth cycle, CBG levels are higher than they are later on. Once the plant starts producing THC and CBD in larger quantities, CBG levels start to decline. For this reason, it can be tricky to find strains of cannabis that are high in CBG—but it's definitely possible.
What are the benefits of CBG?
CBG is said to have a wide range of potential therapeutic benefits, including being an antibacterial agent, an appetite stimulant, and even a treatment for certain types of cancer. However, human clinical trials are few and far between at this point, so much of the research that has been done on CBG is preclinical (aka in test tubes or on animals).
That being said, there is some promising preliminary evidence that CBG may help relieve pain, lower inflammation, protect nerve cells from damage, reduce anxiety, and slow the progression of Huntington's disease. Researchers are also investigating whether or not CBG could be effective in treating glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure (the pressure inside your eye).
The bottom line
At this point, we don't know everything there is to know about CBG—but what we do know looks promising. If you're interested in trying CBG for yourself, talk to your doctor or a qualified medical professional before doing anything else. They'll be able to advise you on whether or not taking CBG is right for you based on your individual health needs and circumstances.
Conclusion
CBG is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that shows promise as a treatment for a wide range of conditions—albeit mostly in preclinical studies at this point. If you think CBG might be right for you, talk to your doctor before taking it to make sure it won't interact with any medications you're currently taking.