Is CBG Really Expensive?
Jul 29th 2020
The world of cannabis is ever-evolving. Just when you thought you’ve mastered everything about cannabinol (CBD), another cannabidiol takes centerstage: CBG. CBG, short for Cannabigerol, has been gaining momentum in recent years. Several studies have found it to be promising. But one of the things that have really made an impression on hemp enthusiasts is how CBG has this reputation of being fancy and expensive.
So, is this notion true, and if it is, is it justifiable? We’re taking a deeper dive into cannabigerol to help you understand better.
What is CBG?
With the explosive popularity of CBD, scientists and producers are also starting to explore the other 100+ cannabinoids, this includes CBG. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant.
CBG is said to have a unique feature of vast therapeutic potential, making it a subject of great interest for researchers and consumers alike. Present at low levels or usually less than 1% in most cannabis strains, CBG is considered a minor cannabinoid that is non-psychotropic.
The cannabis plants produce cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the precursor to the three main cannabinoid lines: tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA).
In the 1960s, researchers first discovered CBG. It is the predecessor from which all other cannabinoids are created, which is why it’s often referred to as the “mother of cannabinoids.”
Why is CBG so expensive?
Cannabigerol is one of the most expensive cannabinoids to produce. It comes with an intricate and quite engrossing process.
As mentioned, CBG is usually present at low levels in most cannabis strains. That’s a minute percentage, especially compared to the hemp strains that contain 20% CBD in the crop, which has been common in the hemp industry today.
Therefore, to create small amounts of CBG isolate, thousands of pounds of biomass are needed. So if the CBG content of the same crop is only 1%, you need to extract 20 times the amount of biomass to get the same amount of CBG out.
Additionally, when it comes to producing CBG, you either give up your entire crop to process and produce pure CBG prior to the conversion into other cannabinoids or wait until it’s time to harvest the hemp plant, which may mean that there’s very little left to extract.
Is it better than CBD?
In some cases, you may have found how CBG is being pitted against CBD. If you want to know which one is better, then you can never get a definite answer. Both cannabinoids possess unique features and potential benefits, and we should give them credits for that.Moreover, CBD and CBG are both non-psychoactive, so using either of them won’t bring you any “high”. The main difference between CBD and CBG is that they come from different compounds within the cannabis plant and may also serve separate purposes. They are chemically different due to their different physicochemical properties and interactions with the endocannabinoid system.
CBD is known to have a relatively low affinity for cannabinoid receptors and acts mostly through indirect interactions with the endocannabinoid system. While CBG is thought to elicit directly through interaction with the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
Furthermore, the psychoactive cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC also produces its psychoactive effects though interactions with these receptors; CBG has been observed to work as a buffer to THC’s psychoactivity.
Is CBG worth your money?
Truthfully, the only person who can answer this is you, yourself. Research is relatively sparse when it comes to any possible benefits of CBG. However, there are early studies linking CBG to potential therapeutic uses.
You can find some studies below:
- A 2013 study conducted on mice suggests that CBG may reduce the inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
- A study published in 2008 suggests that CBG might be effective in treating glaucoma. because it reduces intraocular pressure.
- A 2008 study suggests that CBG may be able to kill bacteria.
- A 2016 study on rats suggested that CBG may stimulate the appetite.
Nonetheless, it’s still imperative that you do your part in learning more about CBG. All trends aside, what matters most is finding the right organic alternatives to improve your health and wellness.
If you are ready to experience CBG, check out the Complete Hemp CBG products.