Cannabigerol (CBG) is a cannabinoid, that is only produced at the initial stages of the cannabis seed’s growing cycle. It is an active compound in the cannabis plant and is mostly known for its potential health benefits.
The ‘Stem Cell’ of CBD
Modern studies has concluded that CBG should rightfully be considered the ‘stem cell’, or the precursor for all cannabinoids – including the two most well known ones, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD. This means that all cannabinoids including THC and CBD start out as CBG.
CBG: The Mother of All Cannabinoids
There are more than 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Besides CBD and THC, they are all found in moderately modest portions – most of these exhibit benefits in both the medical and the recreational fields.
Cannabigerol (CBG) comes from cannabigerolic acid (CBGa) – the acid precursor of the cannabinoid. Throughout the growth of the plant and with the aid of natural enzymes, CBGa will naturally and slowly transform itself into other acidic cannabinoids, such as cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa). These are the cannabinoids that are transformed into the famous CBD and THC when heated up.
CBG is non-psychoactive, so it won’t get you high. But its significance goes far beyond the concerns of psycho-activity. As researchers discover more about cannabinoids and other components within the cannabis plant, CBG is exhibiting itself as a potential therapeutic compound the same as CBD, which will most likely be used for human wellness purposes and sold either as medicine or as food supplements.
The Latest Development
As a result of CBG being naturally transformed into other cannabinoids during the plant’s growth process, only trace amounts of CBG remain when it comes to harvest; making it extremely challenging to extract CBG in large quantities or high concentrations. Most common strains like super lemon haze for example, will contain less than one percent (1%), going as low as one-tenth of one percent(0.1%) of CBG. Regardless, the trend has already begun to grow and breeders are now working hard to resolve this issue.
The study of CBG’s benefits will certainly continue, and as public interest grows, producers will be inspired to breed plants with higher concentrations of CBG. With the improvement in CBG cannabis plants, it will allow suppliers to launch new CBG products. This will open a full innovative possibility into the future of the cannabis industry. The future of medical cannabis appears to be positive, and both researchers and breeders appear to be particularly confident about a pure CBG cannabis plant.
Bottom line
Though CBD appears much more prominent than CBG, the fact is that there would not be CBD without CBG. That’s because CBG is actually the precursor to CBD, among all the other cannabinoids. As our understanding of cannabinoids continuous to grow, so will also our understanding of their uses and benefits. Although CBD is unquestionably the preference of many, CBG could very well become “The Next Big Phase” in the CBD Industry.
About Natalie Gray
Natalie Gray is a Biochemical Engineer. She works in the Research and Development team that focuses on the design and construction of unit processes. She is a recreational marijuana supporter and her love for organic chemistry brought her to medical cannabis. She grows her own flowers, working on different projects and study everything above and under cannabis roots.
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