CBD and now… CBG?

120. Does this number mean anything to you? It's the number of cannabinoids present in cannabis. Among them, we find CBG or cannabigerol. This molecule has a particularity: it is recognized as a "mother" cannabinoid. This means that it is at the origin of the appearance of other derived molecules, most of which are well-known to the general public. Think of CBD, THC, and the more confidential CBN and CBC.

If CBG is also observed and considered promising, it is because it has the ability to simultaneously activate CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Concretely, this means that CBG could potentially hold the benefits of all other cannabinoids combined.

CBG has already been studied in the past: it was discovered in the 1960s during research carried out by Yechiel Gaoni and Raphael Mechoulam. The conclusions revealed a hypothetical effectiveness on a list of conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases, glaucoma, and Huntington's disease. CBG could also have an inhibitory effect on tumor growth. The molecule would promote bone development and has gained a reputation for slowing down bacterial proliferation or even killing them.

It is therefore not surprising that specialized companies have taken a close interest in this molecule. This is the case of the Italian-Dutch company Enecta which, after five years of Research & Development, has managed to produce its own variety of CBG. Named Enectarol, it presents promising ratios: in this case, 5.5% CBG and less than 0.1% THC.

Jacopo Paolini is CEO of Enecta. In an interview with HempToday, he welcomes the addition of Enectarol to the European catalog and condemns the lack of variety offered by the market, it is true, under pressure from the European Union: "There is a lack of real hemp flower strains for cannabinoids in Europe, as most catalog varieties are spin-offs of fiber strains. New genetics for the industry are evolving at an incredible pace, but the common EU catalog does not reflect this evolution. The lack of new varieties is a sensitive point for the European hemp industry."

Last year, the European Commission already included CBG in the European Union's Cosmetic Ingredient Database (Cosing). The Commission had then declared that the solution could be safely used for health and beauty consumption.

Proponents of the molecule are clear: CBG has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that support the endocannabinoid system in its role of maintaining healthy skin function.

CBD and CBG are similar… and different at the same time

CBG and CBD have already been the subject of comparative studies demonstrating a large number of similarities. Firstly, their observed non-psychotropic effects and their ability to reduce anxiety. Research has also revealed differences, which can be complementary in some respects.

CBG already stands out from all other cannabinoids due to its unique chemical composition and molecular structure. It is the starting point for the birth of other cannabinoids and their biosynthesis, which makes it essential for the composition of other molecules. Its particularity goes even further than that.

CBG binds differently to the receptors of the endocannabinoid system. While CBD interacts only with the CB2 receptor (found in the immune system), CBG acts at the level of the CB1 receptor (located in the brain) in addition to CB2.

Cannabigerol is extremely difficult to isolate because it is present in tiny amounts in the hemp plant, unlike CBD.

Finally, it seems that CBG has a direct responsibility for the feeling of hunger that can be felt when consuming cannabis-based products. This opens up prospects for the treatment of appetite disorders that affect a large number of people.