What Is CBG? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Many of us have already heard of CBD, cannabidiol, hemp extract and so on. If you’ve been following this particular market, you might also have heard about something called CBG. But before you jump on the bandwagon and try it out, it’s important to read up on this substance so you can make an informed decision.

Let’s dig deeper and explore CBG.

What Is CBG?

CBG stands for cannabigerol. It is one of the various chemical compounds that are present in the cannabis plant. While CBD is the best-known of the compounds, people have now shifted to looking at the potential advantages of using CBG.

One can look at CBG as being a precursor to the other forms of cannabinoids. CBG-A is the acidic form of this substance. When we break it down, we get CBC, CBG, THC and CBD. 

Why Is CBG Not Common Yet? 

Some refer to CBG as the “stem cell” or “mother cannabinoid of the plant.” This is because CBG is the first cannabinoid to form when processing the cannabis plant. The cannabigerol acid forms first, with the CBG emerging when the decarboxylation process starts. 

However, the CBG only appears within a very short window. This makes it rarer and more difficult to extract than the more common CBD. What's more, the hemp plant's genetics has only 1 percent CBG, while 20 percent of it is CBD. As the cannabis plant matures, it begins converting CBG to other types of cannabinoids. 

Since they must work harder to get the same amount of CBG, many companies might feel like it’s not worth the time or effort. The process is complicated and intricate, which is why the compound is expensive. 

The Difference Between CBG and CBD

The natural question that arises is whether CBG and CBD are different. While both are fairly safe to take, and interact in a similar fashion in the human body, there are some definite differences. These substances are expected to have different functions and results. Therefore, it’s best to understand these before you start using CBG. 

The most significant difference between the two is the amount of research on each substance. One can find a lot of research on CBD, its various effects and several reliable platforms for buying it. We can’t say the same for CBG, though it is becoming quite popular in its own right. 

The product range for CBG items will be quite limited compared to the CBD market. With CBG being a relatively new substance, manufacturers haven’t had the time to make many items with this ingredient.

Many of the top cannabis-related names might also be hesitant about offering CBG until more research is conducted. This is why you can buy creams, CBD oils and gummies infused with CBD, but CBG is mostly available only in an oil form (for now). 

How Does CBG Work?

So, what’s so special about CBG? Well, for starters, it’s not as concentrated as CBD. This makes it preferable for some. To understand this better, let’s look briefly at the endocannabinoid system. 

The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is a complex network that helps to send signals within our bodies. The ECS has a major influence over the other systems inside us. There are endocannabinoids produced by our own body, but they can only control the CB1 receptor or the CB2 receptor.

CBG works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system. This is similar to the way CBD works, but with a significant difference: CBG takes control of both the CB1 and the CB2 receptors. This means that it's better able to send signals through the body. 

Even with this exciting information, it’s important to remember that we don’t yet know how CBG interacts with our bodies. There’s a lot to learn about the ECS itself, so we can’t definitely say whether the overall effects of CBG will be desirable or not.

Are There Any Side Effects of CBG?

When someone makes use of a CBD-infused or CBG product, they’re hoping to get some benefit out of it. While CBG is still a relatively new offering, so far, the research seems to point toward many benefits. 

CBG doesn't have any worrisome side effects as long as you take it in the normal, recommended doses. As with any substance, though, if you overuse it, the side effects might be unpleasant. However, it will probably take a lot of CBG to have a major negative effect. While you should always be careful when measuring out your intake of CBG, there’s no need to worry much if there’s a slight increase at times. 

The research on this substance is limited. That’s why any potential side effects have no reliable basis for now. On the bright side, it seems as though CBG is tolerated quite easily by the average user. It also has a low toxicity level and a lack of worrying side effects. 

Does CBG Interfere With Anything?

Again, the current lack of research gives us pause when it comes to using CBG. Many of us are on some sort of medication or undergoing treatment and want to be sure not to take anything that might interfere with them.

We simply don’t know the effects yet, so watching and waiting might be the best idea for the time being. One good way to find whether CBG is safe to take with your current medication is to ask your doctor about it. If there’s even the smallest risk, a knowledgeable physician should be able to tell you. 

There’s also not much research on how CBG may react to any over-the-counter medication you’re taking. These include anything from vitamins and supplements to birth-control pills. If you have to take some of these OTC treatments regularly, it might be best to hold off on the CBG until there’s more information on this substance. 

Staying away from CBG is especially recommended if you take any sort of medication with a grapefruit warning. This is a warning that’s included on medication such as antihistamines, antibiotics, antimicrobials, blood thinners, antiepileptic drugs and immunosuppressants. The list is quite long, so ask your doctor if you're currently taking anything with a grapefruit warning. 

At the moment, we can only assume that CBG will interact with these medications in the same way CBD does. The latter affects how the body metabolizes such medications. Until we know for sure, we need to keep double-checking and be extra careful. 

How to Choose Your CBG Wisely

If you’re ready to get your CBG products and start trying them out, make sure you go through the process properly. It can be challenging to find decent, genuine CBG oil, but it’s possible. You’ll have to do a fair bit of legwork to get the high-quality stuff, though.

Here are a few steps to start you off.

Go for broad-spectrum CBD 

Broad-spectrum CBD should include CBG in its ingredients. At Penguin CBD, we make sure that it's present in our CBD oil formula.

In general, it's much easier to find broad-spectrum products than just the CBG options. If you’re a beginner, this could be your first step toward trying CBG. 

If you do decide to go down this road, though, check with your trusted family doctor to make sure it’s safe. Even if you’re not taking any sort of medication now, there might be an underlying condition that won’t mix well with the CBG or CBD. 

Check the testing

Whether you’re searching for CBG or CBD products, always conduct a check for third-party testing. You should be able to view the results of such tests fairly easily and conveniently. Reliable companies put the lab results directly on their website or send them to potential customers through email. That way, it will become easier to choose a reputable brand. 

Read the information online

Many brands have testimonials from their customers on their official website. However, this really doesn’t say much. Anyone can make their own reviews and testimonials to make it seem like they’ve got hundreds of satisfied customers. 

Besides the official website, you have the whole internet to check for testimonials, feedback, reviews and ratings. If you want to look into it further, consider joining some relevant groups on social media, though you should always treat information on social media with a healthy degree of skepticism. Of course, if you can’t find any information on a company outside of its own website, that should be a red flag. 

How to Use CBG Oil

If you’re thinking about adding CBG oil to your routine, it can be useful to consider how it can accommodate your daily routine. You can integrate the oil in several ways, according to your preference. Some people might also notice more benefits of the CBG oil when it’s applied at a certain time. When you have the bottle in your hand, you can start experimenting. 

See what works for you—after a shower, while winding down in the evening or simply whenever you get a minute to yourself. Whatever you decide, make sure to start slow and increase the use only when you feel ready.

The package should have some recommendations for use; take care not to stray too far from these guidelines. If you’re taking the oil orally, hold the drops in your mouth for some time to ensure the maximum possible absorption. 

The Future

There’s no doubt that the cannabis plant is amazing and versatile. Just when you think we’ve extracted all that we possibly could from the stems and leaves, another substance comes along. Granted, we still don't know much about CBG and what it does; however, the future seems bright for this cannabinoid. 

All those facts, processes and precautions regarding CBG might seem a tad overwhelming. However, this is for your own safety, so stay alert and updated! Using CBG might be a great practice. Just stick with the known brands and double-check for authentic reviews. That way, you’ll hopefully get to enjoy your CBG and reap the benefits without any worries.