- Cannabis
-
by Denise Foster
Cannabigerol (CBG)
As more research into the cannabis plant is conducted, we are uncovering some remarkable findings. For example, one of the latest cannabinoids to exhibit beneficial effects is cannabigerol or CBG. Out of the hundreds of compounds found in cannabis plants, CBG is turning out to be one of the most important.
CBG is not psycho-impairing, and research into it is taking off at a rapid pace. Moreover, because it interacts with several receptors in the body, its potential medicinal uses are very promising.
Our eyes contain an abundance of endocannabinoid receptors, and CBG is particularly effective in treating glaucoma because it reduces intraocular pressure. It is also a potent vasodilator and has neuroprotective effects.
CBG was found to be effective in decreasing the inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease and colitis. CBG also has more potent anti-inflammatory effects than CBD. In addition, in binding directly with CB2 receptors, it is an effective analgesic.
Because CBG blocks serotonin receptors, it could be helpful in treating mood disorders. It has even been shown to balance male gonadotropins such as testosterone.
In a 2015 study, CBG was shown to protect neurons in mice with Huntington’s disease, a disorder characterized by nerve cell degeneration in the brain. In the skin, CBG can treat psoriasis by suppressing overactive skin cell production and inflammation.
Even more interesting is that CBG is showing great promise as a cancer fighter. CBG blocks the receptors that cause cancer cell growth. According to one study, it inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells in mice, therefore demonstrating a very exciting possibility as a cure for colorectal cancer.
As an antibiotic, CBG is a valuable antibacterial agent against MRSA, a type of bacteria that is already resistant to several classes of drugs.
Because CBG inhibits muscle contractions, it may be a potential treatment for preventing bladder dysfunction and other spasmodic GI disorders.
Finally, one of the most remarkable effects of CBG is its ability to stimulate bone growth. Our body’s own endocannabinoids—2-AG and anandamide—are found in bone tissue and are produced by osteoblasts (bone-building cells) and osteoclasts (bone-destroying cells). CB2 receptors are located on the surfaces of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. When CBG activates these receptors in osteoblasts, the stem cells in bone marrow are stimulated to grow into bone cells, reinforcing the bone matrix. This finding has immense potential for CBG to be used in preventing osteoporosis and rebuilding stronger bones after a fracture.
