What Is CBG Flower Good For?

Introduction

Have you heard of CBG? It’s a phytocannabionid compound in hemp flower gaining tons of attention. While it hasn’t stolen the limelight from CBD flower quite yet, its unique properties are catching the eye of people hip to the world of hemp.

This quick read breaks down the underrated cannabinoid and goes over the benefits of CBG flower that will stir your interest.

What is CBG Flower?

Similar to CBD, CBG is non-toxic and non-intoxicating, which means it won’t make you high or intoxicated. CBG (cannabigerol) is one of the many different compounds in hemp flower, called phytocannabinoids, responsible for its beneficial effects.

It is often called “the mother cannabinoid” and can be thought as a kind of building block.

This is because it’s the first cannabinoid hemp produces, from which all other cannabinoids are then derived, including CBD and THC.

However, by the time hemp plants reach maturity CBG accounts for less than 1% of the total phytocannabinoid content in hemp flower. Some breeders are crafting strains naturally high in CBG, but these genetic strains are still extremely rare.

CBG Flower vs CBG Oil

Extractors do isolate CBG oil from flower, however, its low availability in mature plants and the high cost of machinery and expertise makes CBG oil very expensive to produce. Compared to CBD oil, it takes about twenty times the hemp flower to produce a similar amount of CBG oil.

Another way that producers bring us CBG flower is by harvesting a hemp flower crop early, before CBG converts to other phytocannabinoids. This makes smoking or vaping the most affordable way to enjoy the benefits of CBG hemp flower.

Five Benefits of Smoking CBG Flower

Take a look at these 5 unique benefits of smoking CBG flower to see if it’s something you’d like to try.

CBG Stimulates Appetite

Having trouble with a lack of appetite? CBG flower may stimulate your taste buds. Scientists tested CBG on rats to explore its effects on appetite. They found that CBG more than doubled total food intake and increased the number of meals consumed. Rats given the highest doses not only at more, but also ate more frequently.

However, the amount of time they spent eating a meal didn’t last any longer than normal. Researchers think this effect could be beneficial for people with eating disorders and lack of appetite.

CBG Reduces Eye Pressure

Eyes are funny things. They have fluids running through them to maintain healthy pressure and to feed them nutrients. If eye pressure is off it feels painful, and this is what Glaucoma sufferers experience.

An animal study on cats with glaucoma found that CBG reduced eye pressure and increased the healthy flow of fluids (aqueous humor outflow). Next time your eyes are feeling like they’re about to burst from stress, sensitivity, or inflammation, try to some CBG flower!

CBG Benefits the Brain

Scientists studying the effect of CBG on mice in an experimental model of Huntington’s Disease discovered it is incredibly beneficial to the brain. Neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington’s Disease causes nerve cells to break down in the brain.

They found that CBD to be, “extremely active as neuroprotectant in mice intoxicated with 3NP, improving motor deficits and preserving striatal neurons against toxicity.”

They also reported that CBG exerted a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect against the toxicity of 3NP, a chemical used to simulate the destructive effect that occurs in a brain afflicted with Huntington’s Disease.

CBG and Stomach Issues

Studies on CBG and conditions afflicting the GI tract indicate great therapeutic potential. Researchers studied CBG’s anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties in mouse models of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and colon cancer and found that –

“CBG reduced nitric oxide production and iNOS protein expression, attenuated murine colitis, and reduced colon weight/length ratio.”

“CBG demonstrated a high capacity for tumor volume reduction, induction of apoptosis, interaction with cell survival, growth pathways, an angiogenesis inhibition.”

While it’s not a cure by any means, these early studies show that CBG has properties which have a beneficial effect in the stomach and GI tract, especially for the colon.

CBG and Stress Relief

CBG binds with cannabinoid receptors similarly to CBD, helping to support healthy functioning of the endocannabinoid system. This may improve mood, relieve pain, muscle tension, and reduce stress.

However, CBD is known to exert a powerful sedative-like effect that encourages rest and sleep, which may cause drowsiness or fatigue in some people. CBG, however, is interesting because it provides a similar stress-relieving effect without a significant sedative or drowsy side effect, a property that is backed by scientific studies on animals.

Is CBG Flower Good?

Good is certainly relative, but the beneficial effects CBG flower do appear to make it something worth giving a try. While smoking anything isn’t exactly the healthiest activity, CBG flower is non-intoxicating and doesn’t have any known negative side effects.

And if smoking is too much for you, you can always look for alternatives at reliable stores like MrHempFlower.com or at your nearest dispensaries.