In this article we want to refer to CBG, the root of cannabinoids, its difference with CBD and finally inform you about our CBG research project aimed at developing products to treat lung-related diseases.
What is CBG?
CBG is one of the least studied cannabinoids due to its low presence in the cannabis plant (around 1%), it does not have a psychoactive or psychotropic effect. And, in general, it is also non-toxic and has no side effects on our bodies.
CBG is one of more than 100 known cannabinoids. In fact, it is the first one to appear in the plant and, therefore, all other cannabinoids are derived from it. These include THC, CBD, CBC and Cannabinol or CBN.
All cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant are derived from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is the acid form of CBG. As the plant matures, CBGA is converted by enzymes in the plant into three main cannabinoid precursors:
- Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)
- Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)
- Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA)
CBD and THC are not found as such in the plant. To convert CBDA and THCA into CBD and THC respectively, we must heat the material so that a chemical process known as decarboxylation occurs, which involves the loss of a CO2 molecule.
As with CBD, CBG is a new revolution in the therapeutic use of cannabis. Moreover, some of its medicinal properties, all of them non-psychoactive, are already known. For example, its anti-inflammatory power and its pain-relieving effects.
Differences between CBG and CBD
Although both substances are cannabinoids, the main difference between them is that they come from different compounds within the cannabis plant. That is, although they are both derived from CBGA, their chemical structures and their concentration in the strains are totally different.
According to the Harvard School of Health, CBG, like CBD, is not a toxic cannabinoid. Compared to the existing scientific literature on CBD, CBG is superior in the following areas: appetite regulation, increased concentration, intestinal disorders and ADHD symptoms.
On the organoleptic differences between CBG and CBD, the CBD flower is more potent and sophisticated, while the CBG flower has a more discreet aroma and looks less showy.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that both CBD and CBG have a neuroprotective effect. However, CBG does this by stimulating the production of proteins called BDNFs, while CBD acts by raising levels of anandamide, a neuroprotectant that modulates CB1 receptors. Therefore, although they are different in many ways, CBD and CBG could be a great combination if consumed together.
Erbocanoby, a CBG-based research project in Tenerife, Spain, to boost treatments to cure lung diseases
Our project consists of extracting CBG and making non-crystallised distillate for use in different products such as creams, oils or electronic cigarettes. The non-crystallised distillate is 100% natural so it can be placed directly on the e-cigarette machine, the effect will help to combat respiratory diseases.
How will we achieve this?
In Tenerife, Spain, through our company Erbocanoby, we have a large cultivation of different medicinal plants: plantain, lemon balm, mugwort annua, and moringa.
These plants are pulverized and this powder will be sent to Switzerland to our laboratory where we will make an ethanol extraction, the resulting product is the crude extract, which is then cleaned with a distillate and a clean concentrate will be made from each plant.
The result will be the product that we will use to help lung diseases, high eye pressure problems, breathing problems and can be used in different forms, topical use (creams), in oil format and vaping with the electronic cigarette.
This project is under development, we will soon give you more details on its progress.