CBG (cannabigerol), is often referred to as the “mother” of all cannabinoids.
This is because it is the starting point for most cannabinoids within the cannabis plant.
CBG turns into CBD, THC, CBC, CBN, and more.
It is among the small group of cannabinoids that naturally occur in large amounts in the cannabis plant. However, the plant must be harvested early in the growing process before the CBG has a chance to convert into other cannabinoids
In this article, we will go over what CBG flower is, how it feels, and more.
CBG Flower: What is it?
When you see CBG flower, this refers to any marijuana or hemp flower that has high levels of cannabigerol.
The flower of the cannabis plant has the highest amount of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytonutrients (in other words, all the good stuff).
Because of this, the flower is what is traditionally used in most cannabis products, or on its own once it’s been properly cured.
CBG flower looks like any other cannabis flower you might encounter, it just has higher levels of CBG than other cannabinoids.
The 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and its products, requires all hemp flower to have less than 0.3% THC by weight. So, anything that fits within those parameters is called hemp, and any flower that has higher than 0.3% THC is considered marijuana.
CBG Flower: How Is It Made?
Like any other kind of cannabis flower, CBG is a byproduct of the cannabis plant. The flower is known as the ‘aerial parts’ of the plant.
When cannabis plants are young, whether they are legally considered hemp or marijuana, all have high CBGa (cannabigerolic acid) levels.
The CBGa degrades to CBG, then so on and so forth to all other cannabinoids. Again, CBG is referred to as the ‘mother of all cannabinoids’ because it is the initial molecule that converts to three major cannabinoids: CBD (cannabidiol), THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and CBC (cannabichromene).
As the cannabis plant ages, the CBGa gradually degrades into the other cannabinoids found in the plant. So CBG is a foundational cannabinoid within the cannabis plant.
This process is quite complex and miraculous, as nature is very intelligent!
However, to simplify the process, there are specific enzymes that break down the CBG into CBDa or THCa, and also CBCa. During the growing process, heat and light turn these compounds into their final form: CBD, THC, and CBC.
To put it simply, CBG flower is a cannabis flower that has been harvested before the plant reaches full maturity. The young flower has high levels of CBG, if it is left to mature, the CBG will turn into other cannabinoids.
CBG Flower: What Does It Feel Like?
This cannabinoid is not technically psychoactive, so it doesn’t cause intoxication or a high even when taken in large amounts.
People use CBG to feel energized. It is a similar experience to drinking a few cups of coffee (perhaps less anxious and jittery, though.) CBG may also help with concentration and focus.
Furthermore, CBG is a popular choice for students and athletes who are looking for focus and endurance.
In addition to feeling energized, many users report feeling calm and mellow. This may seem counterintuitive, but not everything that energizes us needs to make us feel anxious.
This is why many people add CBD to their coffee in the morning, to get the energy boost they are looking for without feeling too anxious.
Taking CBG flower can give you the calm yet energetic boost you are looking for.
Conversely, on the opposite end, some users report feeling very mellow and calm, to the point of using it as a sleep aid.
That being said, CBG is an excellent example of how cannabinoids can interact differently with everyone depending on our individual physiology.
Are There Strains High in CBG?
If you want to get technical, all strains of cannabis are high in CBG before they reach maturity. The harvesting of any young marijuana or hemp plant will result in a flower high in CBG.
Keeping this in mind, there are a few strains that have been bred to have higher levels of CBG than others.
Some strains high in CBG include:
- Jack Frost
- Sour G
- John Snow
- White CBG
Is CBG Synthetic?
CBG is an entirely natural cannabinoid. It appears in young cannabis plants first as CBGa, then becomes CBG through a process called decarboxylation.
Companies are not likely to synthesize or isomerize this cannabis cannabinoid due to its abundance in cannabis plants. Thankfully, there is no real way to cut corners and save money in production by extracting it in a shady way. The most common and most effective extraction method is supercritical CO2, which is the same process often used to extract THC, CBD, and delta 8.
CBG Flower: Is It Legal?
Like many cannabinoids on the market currently, CBG remains in a grey area regarding legality. It is not a scheduled compound, so federally it is unregulated on its own, and legal in all 50 states.
Since it is largely unregulated and remains in a legal gray area, your safest bet is to stay within the guidelines set forth by the 2018 Farm Bill. This means that where the CBG is sourced from matters. If the CBG comes from marijuana plants (high THC plants) and not from hemp plants, it’s safe to assume it is not legal.
For more information on the difference between these two kinds of cannabis plants see this article: Marijuana vs Hemp: What’s The Difference?
Marijuana is currently still a Scheduled I drug, which means that marijuana and its derivatives are federally illegal. Now it gets more complicated because each state can make its own laws.
CBG flower from hemp plants is considered legal throughout all 50 states. If it is derived from marijuana plants, it is technically illegal.
- CBG Flower: Effects
While it most likely won’t get you high, users report positive feelings, relaxation, improved mood, increased concentration, focus, and higher energy levels.
People also report feeling pain relief, as well as a combination of focus and relaxation.
Sounds nice right?
- CBG & Mood
Studies have shown that CBG actually activates anandamide receptors, which boosts dopamine levels.
An example of a naturally occurring cannabinoid is anandamide. It is found in the human body and experts believed it is closely linked to mood. It is sometimes referred to as the “bliss molecule.”
This is possibly why CBG can boost mood, cause relaxation, and increase focus.
- Focus & CBG
Some early studies have found that CBG is an adrenergic agonist. This means that CBG interacts with the adrenergic system.
The adrenergic system is responsible for neurostimulation. For example, coffee is an adrenergic agonist, it stimulates these receptors in the brain as well as the peripheral nervous system and produces a feeling of wakefulness and increased focus.
CBG isn’t remotely as strong as some coffees are when it comes to this effect, however, CBG is shown to have a significant impact on focus and enhancing productivity.
- Pain Relief & CBG
Dopamine and GABA are responsible for regulating how we experience and manage pain. CBG interacts with these chemicals in the brain which is why it’s thought to help with pain management.
CBG actually increases the amount of GABA available in the body. It is a GABA reuptake inhibitor. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the body. Increasing GABA can result in muscle relaxation, tension relief, and an overall feeling of calm and peace within the body and brain.
- Relaxation & CBG
Furthermore, some experts maintain that CBG inhibits GABA even more so than CBD and THC!
Again, GABA is a neurotransmitter that is linked to stress and anxiety. Thus, when GABA uptake is suppressed, the CNS (central nervous system) is limited when it comes to the signals it can send and receive. This leaves the user feeling calm and relaxed.
Moreover, this is potentially the reason why many users report feeling calm and relaxed when they take CBG.
CBG: How Does It Work?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) maintains homeostasis within our bodies. This is done through a series of signalers and receptors across many different bodily systems. Among these systems are the central nervous system (CNS), PNS (peripheral nervous system), and immune system.
Once CBG enters the bloodstream it attaches itself to CB1 and CB2 receptors (which are the two main receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). These receptors control the signals that are sent between and within connected bodily systems which allows CBG to create many different effects.
Can CBG Flower Get You High?
The simple answer is no. However, while CBG is not intoxicating, it does impact your mental state.
Not in the traditional sense that you will get stoned, but it has calming and focusing effects.
In other words, it’s not intoxicating. It will not produce a high.
However, some CBG strains have psychoactive doses of THC. That being said, always check the THC content in any cannabis flower you purchase. A general rule of thumb is that if it is over 1% of THC it can get you stoned.
In addition to checking the THC content, take it one step further and ask to see third-party lab test results.
CBG Flower: How To Use It?
You can use CBG flower how you would use any other flower. People prefer to smoke it either in a joint, blunt, bowl, bong, etc.
The process of heating the flower is also known as decarboxylation. This allows your body to absorb the cannabinoids into your bloodstream.
In addition, if you aren’t a smoker, no worries! There are many other ways to enjoy CBG flower.
You can use it to make edibles, topicals, and tinctures. As we mentioned earlier, in order to make the CBG bioavailable, it must be decarboxylated using heat.
If you have a vape that takes raw flower, you can vape CBG flower. These vapes heat the flower to a temperature that allows the cannabinoids to evaporate, but not burn. Dry herb vapes don’t burn the lungs as much and are gentler on the throat.
CBD VS CBG – Is There A Difference?
When it comes to the most well-known cannabinoids, CBD takes the cake. Many people wonder about the difference between CBD and CBG due to the similarity of their names.
Let’s clear a few things up first.
All CBD comes from CBG. As we mentioned earlier CBG comes from CBGa which is the mother of all cannabinoids.
As far as the effects go, many people report similar effects using CBG and CBD. Again, CBG can act as a sleep aid and as a relaxant. It also aids with pain relief and improvement of mood. CBD can also help with all of the above-listed ailments.
Both of these cannabinoids can offer an energy boost as well as a boost in concentration. When it comes to CBD, whether its effects are relaxing or stimulating has to do with how the product is formulated and if it is paired with other botanicals.
On a federal level, both CBD and CBG are legal. Provided of course that they are both sourced from industrial hemp and not THC marijuana.
Although, some states have restricted hemp production and products, so check with your local legislation to be safe.
Closing Thoughts
To summarize, CBG is the mother of all cannabinoids. It is the starting point or basis for all other cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Without CBG all other cannabinoids would cease to exist.
Since it is the foundation of all other cannabinoids, it is safe to assume it has many benefits and even offers a combination of effects found in other cannabis compounds.
For example, CBG helps with focus and relaxation, and CBD in certain doses can be stimulating or relaxing. CBG either increases focus or puts people into a deep state of relaxation.
Remember, it is important to note that cannabinoids affect each of us differently depending on our own anatomy and physiology.
When it comes to the medical benefits of CBG, there is not too much research. However, as we mentioned earlier, it is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that interacts with our endocannabinoid system which is responsible for a range of systems across the human body.
If you are interested in purchasing some CBG flower, check out your local laws around CBG. Also, make sure you are purchasing from a credible and transparent source that offers lab results.
Thanks for reading this article on CBG flower. Have you tried CBG Flower? Let us know!
References Used
- Cascio, M. G., Gauson, L. A., Stevenson, L. A., Ross, R. A., & Pertwee, R. G. (2010). Evidence that the plant cannabinoid cannabigerol is a highly potent α2‐adrenoceptor agonist and moderately potent 5HT1A receptor antagonist. British journal of pharmacology, 159(1), 129-141.
- Dawson, D. A., & Persad, C. P. (2021). Targeting the Endocannabinoid System in the Treatment of ADHD. Genet Mol Med, 3(1), 1-7.
- Teitelbaum, J. (2019). A hemp oil, CBD, and marijuana primer: powerful pain, insomnia, and anxiety-relieving tools. Altern. Ther. Health Med, 25, 21-23.
