CBG for Gut Health: Explained

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-intoxicating compound found in hemp and cannabis sativa plants. It is known as the "mother of all cannabinoids" because CBG is actually the precursor from which other cannabinoids develop. CBG is produced when cannabigerolic acid CBGA in young cannabis plants is converted to CBDA or THCA as they mature.

The plant type dictates if the CBG eventually changes to either CBD (found in hemp) or THC (found in marijuana). The conversion greatly limits the remaining CBG at harvest. So, what does this "mother" cannabinoid have to give? Let's dive in a bit more on how exactly it all functions in the body.

CBG interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS uses cannabinoid receptors and neurotransmitters to govern bodily functions like:

• Mood
• Pain
• Inflammation
• Appetite

 CBG interacts with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout your body. These CB receptors are a major factor in CBG impacting your system. CB1 receptors reside in the central nervous system, including the brain, while CB2 receptors mostly affect your immune system.

Many digestive problems revolve around inflammatory reactions, but CBG has the ability to impact many inflammatory responses. The compound blocks a brain-based 5HT1A receptor involved. This cannabinoid receptor deals with regulating serotonin in your body.

CBG can reduce inflammation in many areas of the body. It even holds the power to aid:

• Cognitive functioning
• Rest
• Healing
• Endurance

It works similarly to how those other well-known pain and anti-inflammatory medicines do. Researchers at the University Complutense of Madrid found in a 2015 study that CBG decreased nerve damage due to the cannabinoid’s capacity to combat oxidative stress. Both inflammation and oxidative stress have been shown to lead to many diseases that impact your ability to reason. A 2018 study echoed these earlier findings by pointing out the compound's impact on inflammation within the brain, seeming to activate through the brain’s PPAR receptors.

When the PPAR gets signaled, your genetic framework can fully function. Also, increased PPAR activation promotes fresh neurons in your brain, allowing your mind to make decisions with less delay. Evidence suggests CBG’s role in reducing intestinal inflammation in mice.

Studies also indicate improve gut health could be tied to easing various sources of discomfort. The same way traditional meds impact our systems, CBG can be the catalyst.

Pain signals go through CB1 and CB2 receptors to get to your brain. By reducing activity there, you essentially blunt pain signals. Beyond just affecting general signals, CBG has been specifically researched with gut-specific disorders. Let's discuss the conditions that keep popping up in relation to Cannabigerol.

Research shows that CBG impacts conditions that are not well studied or understood. This gives hope. Two of these, IBS and IBD, will be a focal point of discussion, affecting more than 1 in 10 people worldwide, and it might affect many people who don't seek diagnosis.

IBS should not be mixed up with another term "IBD," also impacted by CBG. IBD, known as inflammatory bowel disease, shares similar gut distress signs but more specific damage to the intestine. Studies suggest CBG shows usefulness.

A 2020 human pilot study paired up Cannabidiol (CBD) and CBG and resulted in participants' conditions getting better. Other tests focused on E. coli and other pathogens common in many ailments of the digestive tract and showed similar hope with CBG improving gut outcomes. For NuLeaf Naturals user, Cynthia M., the effects have become more than clear:

"CBG helps tremendously with my IBS issues. I take the CBG with a CBD capsule twice daily with food."

CBG flower and other products’ impact gives some control. Another customer who struggles with Irritable Bowel Syndrome daily was excited.

So it's helpful, at least a large amount of evidence points in this direction. But, how do you safely approach dosage? NuLeaf Naturals, supports beginning with around 30 mg a day, then tweaking it with need. Keep an open dialog with a medical professional if issues persist.

So let's consider other ways, when CBG goes against things we are familiar with. How do we weigh them up?

CBD shows helpful impact on overall balance and homeostasis within the ECS. However, some properties that are shown in CBG’s actions don’t occur at all with just CBD. While it is true that CBG, when added to CBD, seems to boost both outcomes, specific actions like appetite management are exclusive to CBG.

Ailments specifically from bacterial infections can benefit from CBG products. Problems such as vomiting that lead to a troubled gut get addressed best with CBD by itself. Using CBG or even CBG oil in this situation of overlap amplifies each compound's capabilities.

Using combinations to amplify good effects represents a trend seen throughout CBG research. It is similar to what people report when dealing with food that they struggle to eat; finding a combo really works. Sometimes just that extra touch lets them go on and be healthy eaters. Combining things amplifies.

CBG sits amongst a slew of major cannabinoids like CBN, CBC, and CBD. While the focus here centers around CBG’s gut health potential benefits, know the world has been considering this wider category. The research and use extends back, believe it or not, almost six centuries.

Consider for a moment Indian texts from as early as the 6th Century, BCE, written by physician Shushruta Samhita. They used forms of cannabis to promote digestion, even to settle symptoms of diarrhea. Modern history gives similar credit for cannabis, citing usage across places like ancient Egypt and China .

A recent study CBG showed that CBG was effective against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This strain proves resistant to so many modern medications, impacting those with ailments in any part of the body. When PPAR is activated, it leads to an increase in the number of new neuronal cells created in the hippocampus. So, ancient uses, traditional medicines, and then the science of dealing with something as aggressive and widespread as MRSA all find value.