You’ve heard of CBD, THC, HHC, and more. Now, it’s time to make way for the newest cannabinoid in town. Yes, we mean CBG. CBG is similar to other cannabinoids and is considered a parent cannabinoid to CBD and THC.
The cannabinoid craze is at its all-time high, and brands have been coming out with cannabinoid products nonstop. That being said, CBG is still new and hasn’t yet reached the same hype as CBD. Still, it’s getting there.
Brands are slowly launching products like CBG oil, gummies, and more. However, before you start taking anything, it’s important to see what CBG is and how you should take it.
Lucky for you, you have us. We’ll cover everything CBG, from dosage and the things you should look out for. But first, let’s start with a simple intro to CBG.
What is CBG?
CBG stands for Cannabigerol. It’s a cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. CBG is the precursor compound for CBC, CBD, and THC. As such, its quantity is higher in young hemp plants. However, as time passes, it breaks down into CBC, CBD, and THC. That means CBG isn’t that common in mature plants.
Benefits Of CBG
CBG is similar to CBD. As such, it is potentially as beneficial as CBD oil and other CBD products. CBG extract can potentially treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), neurological diseases, and bacterial infections.
- Neuroprotective Properties
CBG has neuroprotective properties that can help treat neurological disorders. These disorders include Huntington’s Disease (HD), Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and more.
A 2014 study investigated CBG’s neuroprotective properties in mice with HD. The study saw that CBG worked by utilizing synergistic mechanisms to reduce the severity of the disorder. Additionally, the CBG oil would work better with cannabinoids that are more responsive to the endocannabinoid receptors.
Cannabigerol can also help with reducing the severity of Parkinson’s disease. However, current evidence shows it can also do that by treating neuroinflammation. So, if something other than inflammation drives the disease’s progression, taking CBG may not be as effective.
- Relief From Gastrointestinal Issues
CBG also helps with gastrointestinal issues like colitis. Colitis is an inflammatory disease that mostly affects the colon. Since CBG can get rid of inflammation, it can treat any damage caused by colitis.
Additionally, it can help with increasing the appetite and reducing weight loss. Of course, these effects were more apparent in cases with chemotherapy-induced weight loss. However, consuming CBG may also help with weight loss caused by other disorders by stimulating appetite.
Unfortunately, CBG products don’t seem to have any effects on vomiting. CBG interacts with CBD in this case. CBD can help prevent nausea. Drug interaction between the two may cancel those effects.
- Antibacterial Properties
Studies have shown that CBG can help with bacterial infections too. It’s effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Studies in 2020 and 2021 have shown that CBG works against pathogens. It halts their growth and kills the preformed colonies.
- Pain And Inflammation Relief
Cannabinoids are known for their analgesic properties. However, CBG doesn’t interact that well with cannabinoid receptors. Still, there are theories that CBG can help with pain relief because they can interact with other pain receptors. We need more studies for definitive proof of CBG’s pain relief capabilities.
CBG reduces inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory factors and reducing oxidative stress. A 2021 publication on the inflammatory effects of CBD and CBG showed that both cannabinoids have similar effects on inflammation.
- Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is an amalgam of multiple conditions. These conditions include insulin insensitivity, hypertension, obesity, and more. Rosiglitazone is a common drug prescribed to increase insulin sensitivity and break down fat tissue.
Studies have shown that CBG has similar effects to this medication. Theoretically, patients suffering from metabolic syndrome could consume CBG to get some relief from their symptoms.
- Anti-Tumor Properties
CBG can be used as an appetite stimulant in patients going through chemotherapy. However, that’s not all it’s good for. Inflammation is a prominent marker of cancer. It’s one of the steps necessary for a cancer cell’s proliferation.
CBG also displays apoptotic properties in tumor cells. That means it destroys cancer cells. A 2021 publication talked about using CBG as a treatment for glioblastomas. Glioblastomas are brain tumors and are one of the most aggressive cancer tumors.
Studies have shown that CBG inhibits glioblastoma proliferation and destroys tumors. It was also effective against therapy-resistant cancer cells. These anti-cancer properties, combined with its lack of cytotoxicity, make it a potential cancer treatment.
- Relief From Anxiety and Depression
We couldn’t find any formal studies saying CBG helps with anxiety or depression. However, a survey studied CG use in public and its effectiveness. The 2022 survey concluded that people were using CBD supplements for insomnia, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. It also noted that these people reported getting better after using these supplements.
How Can I Take CBG?
When it comes to products containing CBG, you have multiple options. You can smoke CBG through CBG vapes and pre-rolls. Alternatively, you can go for CBG gummies or oil if you want something more discreet. You can also get CBG creams or slaves for topical application.
If you can’t find CBG-dominant products, opt for CBD products with full or broad-spectrum extracts. These products have all the cannabinoids and act together to produce an entourage effect.
Consumption Methods
There are four methods for consuming CBG. These are oral, sublingual, inhalation, and topical. For oral, you have gummies or other edibles. Alternatively, you can add CBG oil to your food.
Sub-lingual consumption refers to placing the CBG oil below your tongue. For inhalation, you can smoke or vape CBG. Topical application refers to rubbing the CBG product into your skin.
Effect Onset for CBG
Effect onset refers to the time it takes for you to feel the effects of CBG. It’s different for everyone and depends on the CBG dosage, your body, and whether you ate anything before taking CBG.
It’s almost impossible to highlight the exact time. However, based on the mode of consumption, we can give you a rough estimate.
- Oral
Eating CBG edibles takes longer than other consumption methods. That’s because the product has to pass through your gastrointestinal tract before it enters your bloodstream. However, as a reward, the effects last longer.
Generally, it takes you forty to sixty minutes to feel anything. The effects last for around five to seven hours. The results are similar to CBD gummies.
- Sub-lingual
Sub-lingual is faster than oral consumption. You start feeling the effects in fifteen minutes. The oil gets absorbed through the sublingual tissue, and the results last for three to four hours.
- Inhalation
Vaping CBG is the fastest way to feel the effects. Unfortunately, it can also damage your lungs. Vaping is faster than sublingual application. You should start feeling the results in a few instants, and they’ll last for two hours or more.
- Topical Application
Topical application is usually for relief from dermatological conditions. It’ll take fifteen to twenty minutes before you feel anything. We can’t be sure of how long the effects will last.
CBG Dosage
Deciding on how much CBG to take is tricky, especially if you’ve never encountered CBG. Brands usually mention the standard dose on the packaging, so try to stick to that. If you’re new, try to dose CBG as low as possible.
Once you see how it affects you, you can increase the dosage. For how to take CBG oil dosage, stick to the measurements on the dropper. You can choose to dilute it with food.
Factors Affecting CBG Dosage
The effective CBG dosage is different for every person. That’s because your bodies are different. Additionally, you may be taking it for other purposes. A few of the factors affecting CBG dosage are:
- Age And Weight
Your age and weight go hand in hand regarding how much CBG you’ll need. As you get older, your fat percentage increases. As such, the higher your body weight, the higher your CBG dose.
After a certain point, your body starts losing its fat content. Thus, if you’re an older person, you may not need as much CBG. You should consult your doctor to set the optimal dosage based on weight.
- Cannabis Usage History
If you’ve been using CBG for a while, your body has probably gotten used to it. As such, you’ll need to increase the dosages to feel the effects properly.
- Metabolic Rate
Metabolic rate also affects the dosage you take. You’ll need higher doses to gain therapeutic benefits if you have a faster metabolism.
- Desired Benefits
If you want relief from insomnia, you’ll need higher doses. On the other hand, if you just want a little pain relief after your workout, you won’t need as much CBG. The same principle will apply to other desired benefits, too.
CBG Side Effects
Until now, there haven’t been any reports of major side effects from CBG products. If you stick to the recommended dosages, there should be no problems. If you take higher doses, you may experience the following:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
The effects will subside once the CBG exits your body. Please remember there haven’t been enough clinical studies on CBG to guarantee complete safety. Thus, if you feel like you’re having a serious adverse reaction, stop using CBG.
If you take prescription medications, ask your doctor before starting CBG. That’s because CBG can interact with other medicines. Additionally, avoid taking CBG if you’re pregnant. We don’t know how CBG and other cannabinoids can affect fetal development.
Moreover, most CBG products on the market are dietary supplements. The FDA doesn’t regulate any dietary supplements. Most brands are upfront about this. Thus, you take CBG at your own risk.
Is CBG Psychoactive?
CBG is similar to CBD. As such, it’s not psychoactive, either. You won’t experience euphoria after taking CBG gummies or oil. So, you can use CBG before driving and other things. Additionally, CBG won’t show up on any drug tests. In fact, it can cancel out THC’s intoxicating effects.
Is CBG Legal?
In 2018, the federal government passed the Farm Bill. According to this, hemp plants and their derivatives were legal for consumption. However, the total THC content must be below 0.3%.
Of course, state laws can be different. So if you’re planning to buy CBG products, check your state’s laws beforehand. There are also age limits. Depending on your location, you must be at least eight or twenty-one to consume CBG.
Difference Between CBD and CBG
CBD and CBG are both cannabinoids. However, CBG vs. CBD is the precursor. When the plant first grows, it’s high in CBG content. Afterward, as the plant ages, it converts into CBD and THC. Thus, it’s present in minimal amounts in mature hemp plants.
CBD affects your body by interacting with the endocannabinoid receptors and enzymes. However, CBG can’t do that. CBG can also interact with the enzymes in your body. Thus, it regulates them to produce the desired effects.
CBG products are rarer than CBD products, especially pure CBG oils. That’s because it makes up less than one percent of a mature hemp plant. Thus, it’s harder to extract and process. As such, you find them to be more expensive.
Difference Between CBG and THC
CBG is also a precursor for THC. However, it does not have any psychoactive effects. You won’t get intoxicated after using CBG products. Additionally, THC can interact with endocannabinoid receptors, while CBG can’t.
Summarizing CBG Dosing & About CBG
That’s all about CBG dosage. CBG is a natural compound, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any side effects. However, since CBG is so hard to extract, finding legit CBG products is harder than other hemp products.
As such, it’s important that you look for a good brand to purchase your CBG products from. Additionally, you should always look at the lab reports for your batch. If the brand doesn’t offer lab reports, try to avoid that brand.
If you’re new to CBG, start with the lowest potency and dosage. Once you get used to it, you can gradually increase the dosage till you’re comfortable. If you’re sick or use prescription medication, get a doctor’s advice before consuming CBG products.
