Cannabigerol Explained
While most people are increasingly familiar with cannabis and its compounds tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), their effects and uses, there are still much consumers and scientists are discovering about the applications of these substances. In this article you will find the explanations you have been searching for regarding the cannabinoid called cannabigerol (CBG). This compound is different than it’s better known counterparts, and worth a solid look when considering its unique health benefits and applications. Continue reading this article for more information.
Where is Cannabigerol (CBG) Grown?
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid increasingly abundant the lower the THC and higher CBD is within any cannabis strain. While it has a presence in all cannabis strains the the most abundant supplies come from non-psychoactive strains such as Hemp. In layman terms, the less it gets you high, the higher the potency of CBG to be found in this particular strain. Typically CBG is found to be most potent in younger, underdeveloped plants as opposed to fully mature ones.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
Endogenous Cannabinoids, or Endocannabinoids, react in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system, first identified in the early 1990s by THC researchers, is a complex cell-signaling system found within everyone’s body, whether or not you use cannabis. This system changes as we age, allowing different cannabinoids to react differently throughout their lifetime. While scientists, researchers, and experts continue their work to fully understand the ECS and its abilities, limitations, and boundaries, we do have solid evidence reporting several responses typical of the ECS. We are certain that the ECS plays a role in regulating a range of functions and processes. These include, sleep, mood, appetite, memory, reproduction and fertility, pain, and cell recovery, to name a few. The three core components of your ECS are endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. The endocannabinoids are produced within your body, and two key endocannabinoids have been identified and are called anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglyerold (2-AG). In general, they assist in internal body functions and are produced at levels depending on how much you need them. Receptors are wehre the endocannabinoids bind in order to signal your ECS to take action, and are found throughout your body. In the central nervous system they are called CB-1, and in your peripheral nervous system, specifically your immune cells, they are called CB-2 receptors. The effects of endocannabinois vary dependent upon the location of the receptor and endocannabinoid. For instance, an endocannabinoid targeting a CB-1 receptor in a spinal nerve may relieve pain, while one binding to a CB-2 receptor in your immune cells may help ease inflammation. Lastly are the enzymes. These assist in the breakdown and expulsion of ednocannabinoids after they’ve expended their function. The fatty acid amide hydrolase breaks down AEA, while the monoacylglycerol acid lipase breaks down 2-AG.
Potential Benefits of CBG & Cannbinoids
While it is a complex and still somewhat unknown system of the body, research has been well documented in linking ECS to a variety of common internal system functions. These include functions that contribute to many internal system environments such as:
Inflammation & Other Immune System Responses
Cardiovascular System Function
Bone Remodeling & Growth
Reproductive System Function
Sleep & Relaxation
Muscle Formation
Skin & Nerve Function
Stress
Appetite & Digestion
Metabolism
Chronic Pain
Mood & Mental State
Learning & Memory
Motor Control
Liver Function
In laymans terms when you body is experiencing pain from something like an injury or fever, your ECS will kick into play helping your body correct into an ideal internal operation. It is a common belief among cannbinoid researchers and experts that maintaining this internal homeostasis is the primary role of the ECS.
How is Cannabigerol (CBG) Produced?
Young cannabis plants begin to produce CBG in high volumes. As the plants mature the CBG converts into either THC or CBD, greatly reducing the potency of CBG within the individual plan. In recent years, many cannabis farmers have experimented with cross-breeding and genetically manipulating cannabis plants to produce more CBG, protecting their bottom lines. After young, highly potent CBG cannabis plants are harvested they undergo an extraction process to separate cannabinoids. It is during this elaborate process that purifies the resulting product, drawing out the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant. The next step requires advanced technology and in the case of our top quality CBD/CBG products, technical equipment. The CO2 is extracted and purified resulting in a high purity CBG concentrate. At this step the process is complete. The CBG concentrate that remains is then stored away from direct sunlight, at a temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, thus preserving the potency until ready to be packaged and shipped.
Measuring the Potency of CBG
What makes Natural Blüm different from other products is our high standards for superfluid, processing, and concentration. Tested in the same way CBDs and THCs are tested for potency, the testing apparatus used by Natural Blüm are of the highest standards. Our standard protocol utilizes an Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) machine which measures the potency in all our flower, edibles, and extracts. This HPLC remains to be our preferred instrument due to it’s advanced technology and accuracy in reporting potency results. The HPLC accurately and precisely tests both CBGA and CBG without exposing it to heat which may break down the cannabinoid precursors, thus minimizing the skewing of potency information.