What Is CBG?

With cannabinoids continually making headlines, CBD and THC are always captivating for their distinct properties. But as the popularity of CBD continues, CBG, cannabigerol, a close compound of CBD and THC, is gradually getting known for its promising therapeutic potential.

Although CBG appears in lesser concentrations, it is the starting compound for younger cannabis plants. But as the plant ripens, the CBG compound diminishes through biosynthesis as the plant gives rise to CBD and THC.

In this blog, you’ll read about the potential benefits of CBG, its difference from CBD and THC as well as how it interacts with the cannabinoid receptors upon consumption. The blog also explores how to use CBG, ideal CBG products and how to incorporate them into your daily lifestyle.

Understanding CBG

Like CBD, CBG is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that naturally forms in the hemp plant. However, the CBG starts as a Cannabigerol Acid in the hemp plant. However, as the plant matures over time, different enzymes in the plant gradually convert the CBGA into THC, CBD, and multiple other cannabinoids.

Despite its lower concentrations, most farmers are now experimenting with genetic manipulation to produce more amounts of CBG. Others prefer harvesting the hemp plants in their lower life cycle.

When consumed, CBG interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the body to produce different effects that researchers are still exploring.

How CBG Interacts with the Body

The endocannabinoid system, which interacts with CBD, interacts the same way with CBG, sparking the effects across the different receptors in the body.

In the ECS system are the CB1 receptors in the brain and the central nervous system. The endocannabinoids also contain the CB2 receptors in the bones, immune system and reproductive system. So once ingested, the CBG interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, where it is believed they boost the functions of anandamide, a neurotransmitter in the brain.

The interaction then leads to various therapeutic effects across the body, including enhanced pleasure, appetite regulation and a boost in sleep quality.

When the CBD and CBG combine, they potentially produce an entourage of effect, which is believed to have more pronounced effects. When these are combined with terpenes and other cannabinoids, they give a much-enhanced entourage of effects better than they can deliver individually.

How to Know the Right CBG

Finding the right CBG depends on the quality of the product, the dosage, your body’s chemistry and the specific effects you intend to achieve, among other factors.

But here are some tips to help you find the correct CBG.

Understand Your Needs

Are you interested in specific wellness goals? You need to understand the intensity of your needs for you to get an ideal CBG product that matches your needs. If your goal is to manage stress or enhance relaxation, you must find a product tailored to your particular wellness goals.

For instance, for a balanced mood and an enhanced sense of calm, the CBG product must contain botanical ingredients known for increasing the activity of alpha brain waves and promoting calmness.

Confirm the Quality and Sourcing of the Product

As with any CBD product, your choice of CBG should be of high quality to guarantee its potency. You need a product free from pesticides and one that maintains good farming practices. This will mean the CBG will be free from heavy metals and any other hemp pollutants.

To confirm this, ensure the CBG you choose has a Certificate of Analysis. The COA is evidence of third-party lab tests that give evidence of the product's purity. This also tells you how much CBG concentration there is in the product.

Understand the Types of CBG

Like CBD, you can have full-spectrum CBG, broad-spectrum CBG and CBG Isolate, each of which you must understand. Full spectrum CBG features all cannabinoids and THC, guaranteeing an entourage effect. Broad-spectrum CBG contains all cannabinoids in it except for THC. CBG isolate is a pure CBG with no other cannabinoids. So, choose your preferred CBG type based on your expected results.

Consider the Dosage and Potency

CBG products vary in their potency, which means they have various dosages. Before picking any specific dosage, you should consider the available CBG concentration to ensure you don’t exceed the required dosage for your needed results. Most importantly, pay attention to the concentration when using CBG oils or tinctures because of their possible fast-acting effects.

Keep Track of Your Usage

It is essential to keep records of your dosage and the results from using the CBG content. This will be important in case you need to fine-tune the dosage for certain results. This is most important for anyone using CBG products for the first time.

Ideal CBG Products

Ideal CBG products are those that match your wellness preferences. Now that CBG is often found in formulations that contain CBD, here are some CBG products you can get:

CBG + CBD Oil Tinctures

This formulation is available in various concentrations to suit your needs. Like any other tinctures, the CBG and CBD mix is also taken sublingually with assured fast effects. Considering the quick onset of effects of the oil tinctures, you should consider starting with lower concentrations.

Most CBD + CBG tinctures are typically formulated with a CBD to CBG ratio of 2 to 1. So, the ideal ratio you can settle for is 500mg CBD to 250mg CBG.

CBG + CBD Capsules

Capsules offer the most preferable way for pre-measured CBG dosage consumption. These are especially better if you need a consistent dosage without using CBG tinctures.

Depending on the manufacturer, you can enhance this formulation with terpenes for its aromatic effects. Whether you take such capsules formulated with terpenes in the evening or morning, you can be assured of a sensory experience beyond the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids.

CBG + CBD Topicals

The CBD and CBG topical formulations are infused in creams, balms and lotions for your skincare routine. While these can be applied directly to the skin, before using them extensively on the skin, you should consider a path test.

This helps ensure you are not allergic to any ingredients in the topicals, especially if you have sensitive skin. To conduct a patch test, apply a small amount of CBD topicals to a small skin area and observe for any reactions. Even if your skin shows no reactions during the patch test, it's important to continuously monitor your body's overall response when using CBD topicals over an extended period.

How to Incorporate CBG into Your Daily Routines

When incorporating CBG into your normal life schedules, there are different things you should always consider for an effective CBG experience. Here are some practical tips you should follow to ensure your CBG consumption does not clash with your daily routines.

Feature it in Your Morning Routine

CBG can give a calming effect that guarantees a peaceful and mood-elevated morning. While you can take any CBG products that appeal to you, CBG tinctures are the best for the immediate effects. However, this depends on the activities you take every morning. If you don’t need immediate onset of CBG, you can take the CBG morning capsules or any other product.

Think of it as a Workday Support

CBG capsules are most convenient to take while going on your everyday tasks. You don’t need any preparations if you have the capsules premeasured and packed in advance. Take the capsules with water and get on with your busy schedule.

CBG tinctures are also convenient, but you must be careful about exceeding the required dosage to avoid its potential drowsy effects at higher dosages.

Incorporate in Your Exercise and Recovery

If you are always engaging in physical activities, CBG topicals may be your best aid for instant relief. The topicals are beneficial because they are good for local relief without affecting the entire body. For example, if you need help with muscle tension, apply the CBG + CBD topicals to the specific area for targeted support.

Consider it for Skincare Routine

Do you have dry, inflamed, or irritating skin? CBG topicals are the best for application on the skin, depending on any issues you need to address. The targeted benefit of the topicals makes it easy to focus on the specific areas for an effective solution for your skin’s well-being.

CBG is an interesting cannabinoid whose therapeutic benefits are gradually getting popular. Despite having almost distinct effects from CBD, ensure you understand the type and are confident of the sourcing before using any CBG product.