Hemp Handbook: What is CBG?

Hemp and cannabis products today offer complex, highly-tailored customer experiences that go beyond traditional differentiations between indica and sativa. In the past, many products were full spectrum. In full spectrum cannabis products, every part of the cannabis plant is used. Every cannabinoid, the chemical compounds produced by cannabis plants, is present. 

These plants have typically been rich in CBD and THC, with the most focus of recent decades being on THC and since 2014, CBD. With the emergence of new hemp cultivars (strains) and plant genetics driving the focus on cannabinoids outside of THC and CBD from both cannabis and hemp plants, manufacturers like The Healing Rose can produce health-promoting products for diverse occasions, all without the intoxicating effects of high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBG, CBN, CBC, THCV, CBDV, etc. …what are they and what do they do?

With the science, regulation, and the myriad of acronyms in the cannabis industry, consumers have a lot of information to take in. That’s why we’ve created the Hemp Handbook, a straightforward guide to cannabis and hemp from The Healing Rose. In this series, we will cover terms and acronyms you need to know, major and minor cannabinoids, and how different compounds can affect you and your body.

Cannabigerol, or CBG, is the parent chemical from which all other cannabinoids form. Along with cannabidiol (CBD) and other minor cannabinoids, CBG forms the backbone of many restorative formulas at The Healing Rose.

What is CBG?

CBG is one of more than 100 identified cannabinoids that occur naturally in cannabis sativa and cannabis indica plants. A flower buds, spreads its leaves, and flowers. Inside, the plant is changing, too. Within a young cannabis plant, cannabinoid chemicals are first synthesized and accumulated as cannabinoid acids. 

Cannabigerolic acid forms early, and is the metabolic parent to Delta-9 THC and CBD. As a result, CBG is known colloquially as the mother of all cannabinoids. 

Because CBG synthesizes into other phytocannabinoids, traditionally there is very little CBG left in mature cannabis plants. Historically, a less than 1% concentration has been common in mature plants high in CBD and THC. However, this is changing, with CBG gaining in popularity and CBG rich cultivars, where CBG is the primary cannabinoid, are now being grown by hemp farmers. It is also common to see CBG percentages increase in THC-rich cannabis and CBD-rich hemp flowers due to the growing demand and interest in the cannabinoid.

How will cannabigerol make me feel?

When consumed, CBG has no psychoactive effects. You won’t experience any mental impairment or the high associated with THC. 

Studies have shown promise for the pharmacological use of cannabinoids to help support pain, anxiety, focus problems, mood, gut health conditions, and arthritis among other conditions. Medicinal use of CBG in particular is on the rise due to its non-psychotropic behavior and because the compound serves as an aid or augmenter for other cannabinoids. 

CBG binds with the body’s cannabinoid receptors, allowing for a synergistic process known as the entourage effect to take place. It also has unique benefits that are separate from the benefits of THC and CBD, making it a cannabinoid that is quickly growing in popularity.

What is the entourage effect?

By itself, CBG has very mild effects. But when combined with CBD, CBN, THC, and other compounds, CBG is thought to increase and amplify their beneficial effects. 

Cannabis consumers report experiencing the entourage effect both when using full spectrum cannabis products, and when consuming or applying products containing CBG.

At The Healing Rose, CBG is used in combination with other cannabinoids to enhance the effectiveness of our products. Through research and development, we found that CBG and CBD infused together make our popular Organic 1:1 CBG CBD Oils, which come in strengths of 1200mg & 2400mg, some of our best selling products.

Where can I find CBG products?

CBG is increasingly popular. On The Healing Rose store, explore topicals, tinctures, and extracts that take advantage of the unique properties of CBG, like our fan-favorite Organic Relax & Restore CBG+CBD Roll On Oil. Our Massage Oils, Tinctures, Bath soaks, Extracts, and Cocoa Melts take advantage of the spectrum-enhancing wellness properties of CBG, elevating restoration and relaxation, while reducing pain and inflammation.

The Healing Rose customers have been using CBG for years to help reduce anxiety, address minor aches, reduce inflammation, settle stomachs, and relax. We believe that using a certified organic CBG-rich extract that is high in other minor cannabinoids helps our products stand out from most others that use an isolated version of CBG. The synergy between CBG and CBD means CBG-infused oils and soaks can have a phenomenal effect with small doses, producing a powerful, full spectrum, and specialized effect.