CBD (cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid from the cannabis plant. The human body has an endocannabinoid system that can absorb and receive cannabinoids; the body then uses these compounds to affect one’s health and achieve a healthy equilibrium.
One acre of hemp yields an average of 700 pounds of grain. This grain can then be pressed into around 22 gallons of CBD oil. (CBD is around 10% of the plant by volume). CBG (cannabigerol), on the other hand, is under 2% of the plant by volume – this means that an acre of hemp will produce under 4.4 gallons of CBG oil.
At this time, companies are eying CBG as the next big cannabinoid product for the market. The cannabinoid is being studied for its potential pharmacological properties and has not yet received any human clinical trials. There have been in-vitro and rat tested studies, and these have shown some indications that CBG may help with cancer, colitis, and neurodegeneration.
Studies for the CBG have not progressed rapidly as the minute amount of CBG that is found per plant has made it difficult to obtain enough of the compound to test and study.
Potential Benefits of CBD and CBG
We stress again that research on the potential pharmacological properties of CBD and CBG are currently underway. There are a number of claims made about the benefits of CBD and CBG, and many do not have studies behind them. For example, the F.D.A. recently warned a number of companies “about their ‘unsubstantiated claims’ that the plant extract treats a variety of conditions from pet anxiety and depression to cancer and opioid withdrawal.”
Some of the potential benefits of CBD include assisting with:
- Sleep
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Epilepsy
- Arthritis
- Joint Pain
Some of the potential benefits of CBG include assisting with:
- Increasing appetite
- Treating glaucoma
- Relieving intraocular pressure
- Contribute to GABA reuptake inhibition (which can lead to muscle relaxation, tension relief, and a sensation of calm)
- Inflammatory bowel disease and colitis
- Huntington’s and neurodegenerative diseases
- Fighting cancer cells
- Inflammation
In addition, it is thought that CBG has antibacterial properties, which could be used against MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus). MRSA is a threatening, and often fatal bacterial infection that is resistant to methicillin. (This means CBG could also be used as an antibacterial agent against other bacteria that are resistant to other traditional antibiotics as well.)