What is the CBG Cannabinoid?

Close up of cannabis CBG flower buds on a light pink background.

With so many three-letter acronyms swirling around the cannabis industry, it can be hard to keep up with all of the new cannabinoids that seem to be popping up every other month.

The latest cannabinoid to get the cannabis community chattering about is CBG (or cannabigerol). Even though CBG has only recently gotten some mainstream buzz, CBG has actually been cultivated in cannabis for thousands of years. But because marijuana has been prohibited in the United States for the better part of a century, this has stunted a lot of cannabis research and has also left people with a lot of questions about “alternative” cannabinoids such as CBG.

That’s why we’re here to talk about the CBG cannabinoid, what CBG does, how CBG makes you feel, as well as some benefits to CBG that may differ from other cannabinoids that you may be more familiar with like CBD, delta 9 THC, and delta 8 THC.

 

What is CBG?

CBG (cannabigerol) is one of many chemical compounds found in the cannabis and hemp plants called cannabinoids. CBG is sometimes referred to as the “mother of all cannabinoids” because its acidic form, CBGA (cannabigerolic acid), is the chemical compound from which all other cannabinoids are born.

Cannabinoids can be broken up into two classes: minor cannabinoids and major cannabinoids. For example, some major cannabinoids include delta 9 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) as they’re found in large quantities inside marijuana. Cannabinoids like CBG, however, are considered minor cannabinoids because they are only found in trace amounts inside the marijuana plant.

But don’t let the name fool you; just because a cannabinoid is considered “minor” doesn’t mean that they are minor in importance. Even though CBG is only found in very small amounts, it’s been found to be extremely useful in cannabis products such as full spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD, delta 8, and delta 9 THC.

Another unique trait of CBG is that it’s more commonly found in young marijuana buds rather than in older marijuana buds or in aged or dried marijuana. Since CBG is the precursor for other cannabinoids, it’s produced in higher concentrations while the marijuana buds are still young. Some people even call CBG an “early phase” cannabinoid, as it’s much easier to harvest and cultivate while marijuana buds are still in their earliest phases.

Once CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) is exposed to prolonged periods of light and heat, it begins to chemically change into THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid). Just like CBGA is to CBG, both THCA and CBDA are the acidic precursors to the major cannabinoids THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).

 

How Do Cannabinoids Work?

Before we can understand what the CBG cannabinoid is, we first must understand exactly what cannabinoids are, how they work, and how they interact with the human body.

There are two different types of cannabinoids: phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids. The difference between them is simple: phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids found in nature (sometimes called plant-based cannabinoids), and endocannabinoids are cannabinoids produced naturally by the human body. The cannabinoids we’re most familiar with are phytocannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, etc.) which are found in both the cannabis and hemp plants.

The human body contains a naturally-occurring system called the endocannabinoid system (or the ECS). The endocannabinoid system contains two different types of cannabinoid receptors: CB1 (or cannabinoid receptors type 1), which exist in the nervous system, and CB2 (or cannabinoid receptors type 2), which exist in the immune system.

Phytocannabinoids can enter our system in two different ways: from smoking weed or from ingesting cannabis-infused foods or drinks. When we smoke weed, the cannabinoids are first inhaled through our lungs, then absorbed through our bloodstream, and finally carried to the brain, where they’re distributed to the cannabinoid receptors throughout the body.

However, when we eat edibles, the cannabinoids are first digested through the stomach, then metabolized by the liver, and finally dispersed through the bloodstream, where they’re then distributed to our different cannabinoid receptors. (Fun fact: This is why edibles take so much longer to kick in than smoking!) Once the cannabinoids have reached your cannabinoid receptors, they begin to interact and produce the physical and mental feelings and effects we’ve come to associate with cannabis.

While THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the most well-known cannabinoids found in weed, as cannabis continues to legalize in more states across the United States, cannabinoid scientists and researchers have been able to identify more than 100 unique cannabinoids found inside the cannabis and hemp plants. And as research continues to grow, there may be even more to discover! Years of murky cannabis legality have stunted cannabis research until now, but with ongoing cannabis legality, innovations, and discoveries in cannabis science, more cannabinoids are sure to be discovered.

 

What is CBG Oil?

CBG oil is a concentrated extract version of CBG. Many cannabinoids come in oil form: it’s how we take dabs, smoke vapes, and mix tinctures. Since CBG is a minor cannabinoid, you’re unlikely to find pure CBG oil at this point, so if you’re looking for how to take CBG oil, you won’t find much. However, CBG is present in many other full spectrum cannabis products, such as our full spectrum delta 9 gummies.

 

What is CBG Flower?

CBG flower is CBG in raw bud form. Again, since CBG is considered a minor cannabinoid and is only found in trace amounts in the cannabis plant, you’re unlikely to find cannabis flower that only features CBG. However, most delta 9 buds already have CBG in them since CBG is found naturally in the cannabis plant anyway. So when you smoke regular weed, you’re likely already smoking CBG in addition to THC.

 

What are the Effects of CBG?

Although THC is the most famous cannabinoid in the cannabis world, humans have been using CBG for health and wellness purposes for thousands of years. Historically, humans have been no strangers to liberally using the cannabis plant; it’s only been in relatively recent history that the cannabis and hemp plants have been so socially stigmatized and legally vilified.

While CBG has some of the same potential effects as other cannabinoids we’re familiar with, such as appetite stimulation, stress and/or anxiety relief, sleep aid, localized and/or chronic pain relief, and mood balance, CBG also has its own unique effects that make it such a coveted cannabinoid.

 

Does CBG Get You High?

No, CBG doesn’t get you high. Like CBD, CBG is non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t have any effects on your mental state. But if CBG doesn’t get you high, how does CBG make you feel? CBG on its own probably wouldn’t make you feel much of anything––however, when combined with other cannabinoids to create the entourage effect, CBG can amplify the effects of other cannabinoids that may affect your mental state.

 

CBG Benefits for the Brain

It’s important to remember that since cannabis has been so widely prohibited across the United States, the research into cannabinoids like CBG has not yet reached its full potential. That means that the majority of what we know about CBG is anecdotal user evidence. But based on research that has been done, like many other cannabinoids, CBG has shown to have neuroprotective properties, antibacterial properties, and anti-inflammatory properties, all of which are paramount for optimal brain health.

 

CBG Benefits for the Skin

Did you know that some cannabinoids can be used topically, too? The most popular cannabinoid used topically is CBD, usually added to products that advertise things like localized pain relief. But research suggests that CBG is another cannabinoid that can have positive effects on human skin, with evidence supporting CBG showing promise for healthy skin cells.

 

How Much CBG to Use

Since CBG is a minor cannabinoid, there are very few products out there that are pure CBG. Minor cannabinoids are much harder to extract, especially since most cannabinoids naturally extract together. Isolating one single cannabinoid is much more complex than offering cannabis products that are broad-spectrum or full spectrum.

This means you’re more likely to encounter CBG in products like broad spectrum CBD or full spectrum delta 8. CBG is one of the best cannabinoids to include if you want to experience the entourage effect, a natural phenomenon that occurs when multiple cannabinoids exist in one substance.

Cannabinoids love teamwork, meaning the more cannabinoids present in one product, the merrier! Each cannabinoid provides its own unique strengths, and CBG is a very important player when it comes to amping up a cannabis product.

 

CBG vs. CBD

CBG (cannabigerol) and CBD (cannabidiol). are similar in the sense that they are both non-psychoactive, meaning neither one of them will produce a high the way that delta 8 or delta 9 THC will. However, that doesn’t mean these cannabinoids are inherently the same. There are still some significant differences to note between CBG and CBD.

CBD is found in much larger quantities in the cannabis plant than CBG. CBD is considered a major cannabinoid as some strains of cannabis can contain up to approximately 25% CBD. However, as a minor cannabinoid, you’re unlikely to find any cannabis that contains more than approximately 1% CBG.

 

Does Delta 8 Have CBG?

Pure delta 8 does not have CBG as most delta 8 products have isolated delta 8 as the primary cannabinoid in the product. However, full spectrum delta 8 products are likely to have CBG as CBG is one of the more popular cannabinoids to be included in full spectrum cannabis products.

The differences between delta 8 and CBG are significant as they are typically used for different purposes. Although delta 8 THC isn’t as potent as delta 9 THC, delta 8 still has the potential to get its users very high. CBG is more like THC’s cheerleader; it helps to amp up THC’s performance to deliver a much better experience for the user.

Here at Delta Munchies, we offer full spectrum, hemp-derived gummies that highlight delta 9 along with 11 other cannabinoids, including CBG. So if you want to experience what CBG does for the entourage effect, you can enjoy them in our three delicious full spectrum delta 9 flavors:

  • Strawberry Shortcake. A nod to the ice cream truck favorite, our Strawberry Shortcake full spectrum delta 9 gummies are a sweet and creamy way to enjoy CBG alongside 11 other beneficial cannabinoids.
  • Blue Dream. Our Blue Dream full spectrum delta 9 gummies are reminiscent of the famous Blue Dream weed strain and will deliver a smooth and copasetic CBG cannabinoid experience.
  • Mango Crush. If you’re looking for a cannabis product that features CBG and is also delicious, look no further than our Mango Crush full spectrum delta 9 gummies.

While we don’t offer pure CBG products here at Delta Munchies, we’re proud of the effects CBG has in our full spectrum delta 9 gummies. We’ve carefully curated these gummies to be smooth yet potent, providing a full spectrum experience that highlights the strengths of each and every cannabinoid included (which is 10mg delta 9, 1mg CBN, 1mg CBG, 1mg CBD, plus traces of 8 additional cannabinoids: CBC, CBCa, CBGa, CBDa, THCV, THCva, D8, and THCa.) But don’t take our word for it! Bundle up and save some money while enjoying the benefits of full spectrum cannabis products.

 

Disclaimer: Delta Munchies is NOT providing any medical or legal cannabis advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the legality of cannabis or its potential effects of cannabis or any of its components, please reach out to a trusted medical or legal professional.

All statements made by Delta Munchies regarding delta 8, delta 9 THC, delta 10, HHC, CBN, CBG, CBD, and other cannabinoids have not been evaluated by the FDA. No entity at Delta Munchies is a medical professional, nor is Delta Munchies giving any medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the potential effects of cannabis, please reach out to a trusted medical professional. Delta Munchies fully adheres to the federal legal standards of hemp cultivation and distribution in the United States. For more information, visit our full disclaimer page.