Cannabigerol (CBG)

CBG, also known as cannabigerol, is an active compound in cannabis that is mostly known for its anti-bacterial effects.

However, very recent research has found that, whilst not traditionally thought to be very prevalent within most cannabis strains, it is likely to be the “template” or “stem cell” for both THC and CBD. This means that both THC and CBD start out as CBG.

CBG has also been found to inhibit the uptake of GABA, this causes a feeling of relaxation that is normally associated with CBD. These findings have spurred new ongoing research into the cannabinoid, meaning it may have even larger implications:

– A 2015 study revealed that CBG can be neuroprotective in models of Huntington’s Disease. In test animal models, research indicated that CBG improved motor skill deficiencies significantly and preserved neurons against toxicity.

– A Spanish study suggested that CBG can protect from Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord). Cannabigerol is perhaps most widely recognised as an anti-inflammatory cannabinoid.

– In 2014, a study was conducted into the effect of CBG on cancer. The study revealed that cannabigerol can prevent the progression of cancer cells formed in the colon. “In vivo, CBG inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors as well as chemically-induced colon carcinogenesis.”

Official Research Reports

Neuroprotective Properties of Cannabigerol in Huntington’s Disease: Studies in R6/2 Mice and 3-Nitropropionate-lesioned Mice. (Valdeolivas S, Navarrete C, Cantarero I, Bellido ML, Muñoz E, Sagredo O, 2015)

Colon carcinogenesis is inhibited by the TRPM8 antagonist cannabigerol, a Cannabis-derived non-psychotropic cannabinoid. (Borrelli F, Pagano E, Romano B, Panzera S, Maiello F, Coppola D, De Petrocellis L, Buono L, Orlando P, Izzo AA, 2014)

A Cannabigerol Derivative Suppresses Immune Responses and Protects Mice from Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (Francisco J. Carrillo-Salinas, Carmen Navarrete, Miriam Mecha, Ana Feliú, Juan A. Collado, Irene Cantarero, María L. Bellido, 2014)