What is CBG?
Cannabigerol (CBG) has gained the title in scientific circles of the “mother of all cannabinoids,” because it is the parent cannabinoid of THC, CBD, and CBC. Most cannabis strains only contain less than 1% of CBG in its cannabinoid content, thus CBG is present in very low quantities in most cannabis plants and is classified as a minor cannabinoid.
CBG also affects the CB1 and the CB2 receptors, which are part of the ECS, which manages the appetite, the mood and the perception of pain. However, due to such low concentrations in fully developed cannabis plants, CBG-rich strains are produced in a way that has recently drawn attention to CBG.
What is CBC?
Another non-psychoactive cannabinoid is cannabichromene (CBC), more often than not, finds itself in greater abundance than CBG. The difference is that while CBG works with the vagal system, CBC works with other parts but not directly with CB1 or CB2 receptors. It manages TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors instead, which are responsible for pain and inflammation. This poses an interesting opportunity for CBC management to deal with inflammation, skin health, and chronic pain.
CBC vs CBG: What Are the Key Differences?
In this section, let us briefly compare some of the key characteristic features of CBG and CBC.
Production and Role in the Cannabis Plant
CBG comes over as the parent of the cannabinoid biosynthetic process. Early in vegetation, CBG-A (or cannabigerolic acid) transforms into numerous other subtypes of Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Cannabichromene as the plant ages. So, by the time marijuana is fully grown and harvested, there would be traces of CBG left in cannabis. Hence, the reason why CBG is often called the “mother” cannabinoid.
The opposite is true for CBC; it is sustained through later growth stages and is also abundant among specific strains. СBG-A is the source for СBC-A, which undergoes decarboxylation to become СBC.
Interaction with the Endocannabinoid System
- CBG actually binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBG engagement with receptors can influence a wide range of the human body components, from pain modulation, emotional balance and inflammatory processes. This ionotropic binding enables CBG to offer a potential chance of relief for some effects such as chronic bite, anxiety, and issues from digestion.
- Unlike other cannabinoids that attach to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, Cannabichromene (CBC) works through the TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors, which are linked to pain and inflammation. The way that CBC primarily interacts suggests that it might be most effective with diseases that involve inflammation or, more neatly, with dermatological applications.
Therapeutic Benefits
CBG has demonstrated efficacy in treating several diseases, one of which is:- Glaucoma: Judicious use of CBG may help curb elevated intraocular pressure.
- Neuroprotective Properties: It may have anticonvulsant activity and protect neuronal cells from senescence and cell death, which can be beneficial in cases of Huntington’s disease.
- Digestive Health: CBG exhibits anti-inflammatory activities in the gut. Thus, it can be useful in treating ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
- Appetite Stimulation: Evidence of CBG stimulating appetite is promising and can be advantageous for patients lacking hunger.
- Skin Health: Due to the fact that CBC may have anti-inflammatory as well as antimicrobial characteristics, it may help in the treatment of acne and other skin disorders.
- Pain and Inflammation: The targeted pain and inflammation can also alleviate arthritis through the interaction of CBC with TRPV1 receptors.
- Antidepressant Properties: CBC can possibly have a positive effect on mood, but more study is required in this area.
- Neurogenesis: CBC can possibly reactivate growth of new brain cells which is yet not fully understood in case of human health.
Availability and Popularity
CBG has been the toughest cannabinoid to manufacture on a commercial level because it's found only in small quantities in most cannabis varieties. The market has grown for CBG-dominant strains and extracts, and they appear easier to obtain now. Hence, CBG is dispersing further in the market.
CBC is received more easily but still is not as frequent as THC and CBD. It is present in various cannabis breeds, and its shares are going up in the markets selling skin and hair products and oils containing the cannabinoid.
Do CBG and CBC Have ComplimentaryBenefits?
Most CBG and CBC possess basic, elegant properties for therapeutic rationale. But cannabinoids can also be mixed and matched, and it’s often the case that they work better together – the ‘entourage effect.’ Therefore, perhaps pairing CBG and CBC with other cannabinoids, such as CBD or THC, would enhance the efficacy of their benefits.
For example, the anti-inflammatory effects of CBC and CBG would be useful for individuals with chronic pain and other conditions that develop inflammation. Furthermore, the neuroprotective and anti-depressive capabilities of both cannabinoids’ may be of benefit towards mental health and neurological health as a whole.
How Does CBG Compare to CBD?
CBG is now frequently regarded as the precursor for other cannabinoids while CBD is among the phytocannabinoids that are well studied with regard to its calming and potentially curative properties.
Even though CBG could be superior when it comes to treating pain and inflammation, it is like CBD, which is usually sought for its anti-anxiety and anti-seizure properties.
CBD vs CBG vs CBC vs CBN vs THC: What's the Difference?
THC is the principal psychoactive component of cannabis. So, the high experienced when consuming marijuana is due to THC.
Alternatively, CBD, CBC, CBG, and CBN are included within the class of nonpsychotropic substances. Because of this distinguishing feature, they can be used for clinical purposes without THC's drawback of intoxicating effects.
- CBD oil can be useful for relieving anxiety, neurological problems, heart disease, other health conditions, and some pain as well.
- CBC has also garnered interest for its applications against swelling (inflammation), pain, depression among many other applications.
- CBD and CBG may be useful for chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep.
- CBN may have the potential to modulate the immune system and possess analgesic properties. The effects of CBN also have applications for sleep, pain, and increasing appetite.
Conclusion
CBG has a direct action towards CB1 and CB2 receptors, which facilitates the relief of pain and promotes gut and brain health. This is in contrast to CBC’s function of inhibiting receptors to reduce inflammation and promote skin health and, therefore, is best for treating skin and other inflammatory disorders.
In the course of ongoing research, CBG and CBC cannabinoids may become active participants in the formulation of cannabinoid-based therapies for disorders of various origins.