The Seven Year Itch

In Dec 2019, Jack Woodhouse illuminated Why CBG Flowers Could Become the Trendiest Bud of 2020.

CBG BACKGROUND—

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD-rich hemp flower has gone mainstream. Available in nearly all 50 states, its popularity has revealed a huge demand by the public for non-psychoactive cannabinoids and relief.  

“But fast on the coattails of CBD is a lesser-known but equally interesting cannabinoid known as CBG. As the precursor to all other cannabinoids, CBGa has been rightfully dubbed the “Mother of Cannabinoids”. Its ability to synthesize all known cannabinoids makes it of interest to researchers and consumers alike. 

“CBG strains have a naturally lower THC content than CBD-rich varieties. 

“As CBG is synthesized into other cannabinoids including THC, strains high in CBG are generally very low in other cannabinoids. That means high-CBG strains are consistent in producing less than 0.3% total THC, which is now the limit under the recently-released USDA rules for growing hemp.”

CBG BASICS—

WHAT IS CBG?

CBG strains offer potent aromas combined with smooth flavor from their rich trichomes. Specifically, 

“Cannabigerol is considered a minor cannabinoid because its presence in cannabis is usually in very low levels – typically less than 1 percent. It does have an important role as a precursor to other cannabinoids, and thus, CBGA has been rightfully dubbed the “Mother of Cannabinoids”. Its ability to synthesize major cannabinoids has pushed into the limelight for researchers, investors, and consumers alike.

“CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) is a direct line to three main cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA). Once exposed to heat or light in process known as decarboxylation, THCA, CBDA, and CBCA will shed their carboxyl acid group and become THC, CBD, and CBC, respectively. When it comes to CBGA though, certain enzymes break it down and it is immediately converted to THCA, CBDA, or CBCA. This is why more THC means less CBG, because of the unique way these compounds interact and are synthesized.

“Because of this, plants that do covert to CBG will have their highest cannabigerol content early in the flowering stage. In most cultivars, if left to fully mature, almost all CBG will be converted into other cannabinoids. However, as mentioned above, some hemp strains naturally produce high amounts of CBG rather than CBD or THC.”

CBG PERSONAL EXPERIENCE—

I began to have The Seven Year Itch in 2017. I was diagnosed with Multiple  Sclerosis in 2010 and went through the traditional course of symptomatic medications to keep the debilitating symptoms in check.

And I took a major, front-line DMARD to combat the actual progression and disability of my M.S. chronic disease with the potential to be progressively as debilitating as the numerous, varied side effects from the harsh medications you take to treat it.

That’s when I experienced The Seven Year Itch and dedicated to cannabis therapy full-time. I needed to make a change in my medication regimen because I was up to 25 medications per day! Additionally, I didn’t feel like my symptoms were much better, just barely riding the line between feeling good and feeling worse.

So when Florida Medical Marijuana became legal for treatment of M.S. effective January 2017, I was already mentally on board with using cannabis products rather than my traditional pharmaceutical treatments. I made the physical jump to cannabis wholeheartedly in February 2017 with Dr. Michelle Beasley in my corner. 

Through the process of trial and error, I discovered that CBG worked wonders for my body. It helped me on a daily basis to combat fatigue, muscle spasticity, and neuropathy while helping me on a long-term, yearly basis by beefing up my immune system and helping me conquer everything from depression my kidney infections last spring.

After my kidney surgery, CBG became the rock star in my healing process over THC for combatting both chronic and acute pain and reducing inflammation. The incredible boost to my mood and overall mental state aided my post-surgical recovery even more than I anticipated.

CBG BENEFITS—

Cannabis research has found it to be antidepressive, neuroprotectant, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. It’s also believed to help treat gastrointestinal disorders and vision disorders, such as glaucoma:

“A 2008 study found CBG to be beneficial in the treatment of MRSA due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Its neuroprotective properties may help people with Huntington’s disease, while further research has looked into its potential to treat bladder dysfunction. A more recent study has found CBG to be effective for increasing appetite.

“CBG is also being used as a safe and effective antidepressant and its effects mimic those of SSRI medications. It’s also believed that CBG can boost production of the endocannabinoid Anandamide, which naturally increases dopamine levels as well as regulates various functions such as sleep, mood, and appetite.

“When consumed, CBG produces body relaxation, a boost in energy, and improved focus.”

Increased appetite, similar to that of THC, is reported by some people. But for me, that food craving drives me to more natural ingredient, non-processed, fresh food –and not junk food.

CBG has many potential medicinal benefits. Research has found it to be neuroprotectant, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. It’s also believed to help treat gastrointestinal disorders, vision and might also have a positive effect on cancer like leukemia in vitro.

CBG RESEARCH: ANTIBIOTIC—

  1. Antibacterial & Antifungal = My Doxycycline, Ciprofloxain, Cefdnir, Sulfamethoxazole, Levoflaxacin stopped; CBG doses of >2.0mg added to successfully combat and rectify my gastrointestinal imbalance, or dysbiosis, and malabsorption
  2. Gastrointestinal disorders, or dysbiosis = My malabsorption resolved and vitamin supplementation stopped

“A 2008 study found CBG to be beneficial in the treatment of MRSA due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Its neuroprotective properties may help people with Huntington’s disease, while further research has looked into its potential to treat bladder dysfunction. A more recent study has found CBG to be effective for increasing appetite.

“CBG is also being used as a safe and effective antidepressant and its effects mimic those of SSRI medications.

“It’s also believed that CBG can boost production of the endocannabinoid Anandamide, which naturally increases dopamine levels as well as regulates various functions such as sleep, mood, and appetite.”

CBG RESEARCH: DEPRESSION—

  1. Antidepressant/mood = My Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, need for multi-session psychotherapy stopped
  2. Anti-anxiety = My Xanax, Effexor stopped
  3. Cognitive abilities = Mine were quantitatively measured and have exponentially increased = Aricept, Exelon stopped

A 2015 study, which examined both humans and rats, found that high levels of anandamide contributed to mood enhancement and fear reduction, such as I experienced. 

“When the enzymes that break down anandamide were inhibited, that led to a decrease in fear and anxiety when threats were perceived. This is another way that CBG can be used for depression.”

“Another area of interest is the role of CBD in mental health and the treatment of clinical depression. Researchers have discovered that CBG can inhibit uptake of GABA and serotonin in the brain, which can lead to increased levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain. Decreased levels both GABA and serotonin have been linked to depression, making CBG a promising option when it comes to treating this disorder.

“What’s also interesting is that when in comes to GABA, CBG is said to inhibit uptake more effectively than other cannabinoids, namely CBD and THC. This is noteworthy because, just like CBD, Cannabigerol is also non-psychoactive and has no intoxicating effects whatsoever. It can be a mild, alternative mood enhancer.”

CBG PERSONAL STORY—

With the guidance and cooperation of my main three doctors, neurologist, primary care physician, cannabis physician. 

I use a high ratio of CBD with as much THC as uncomfortable or need to use.

I optimize my use of cannabis to work with balance in my body lifestyle and situation using the “NODE Assessment” —or Need, Onset, Duration, Effects.

Then I determine the method of delivery route and the delivery form product. CBD/CBG WITH THC BALANCE: this combination also works as an anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antipsychotic, anti-anxiety, antiemetic, neuroprotectant, and bronchodilator.

It changes gene expression, removes beta-amyloid plaques from brain, helps liver disorders, and stopped my antibiotic-resistant infections. It stimulates neurogenesis or the creation of new brain cells and repairs of damaged brain cells in mmammals.

It’s amazing. CBGA was discovered in the 1960s by Raphael Mechoulam and Israeli professor. CBGA is called the “Mother of Cannabinoids” because of its innate ability to synthesize all known cannabinoids. CBGA contains molecules THCA, CBDA, CBCA.

CBG DAILY SUPPLEMENTATION PERSONAL RESULTS CONTINUED—

  1. Boost production of ANANDAMIDE, THE BLISS MOLECULE, by naturally increasing dopamine levels = My Lexapro decreased, Wellbutrin stopped
  2. Increases levels of neurotransmitters in brain and regulating sleep, appetite, and mood = My Lexapro decreased, Wellbutrin stopped
  3. Decreases fear and “Fight or Flight Response” and anxiety = My Cymbalta, Xanax, Effexor stopped
  4. Neuroprotectant = My Multiple Sclerosis DMARD Rebif stopped
  5. Anti-inflammatory = My DMARDs Methotrexate, Celebrex, Otezla, Corticosteroids stopped
  6. Increases my appetite but not Munchies,for Good Food = My weight loss; My vitamins, binge snacking,  Zofran/Compazine stopped 
  7. Bladder dysfunction = My Sanctura and Myrbetiq stopped 
  8. Glaucoma and peripheral vision impairment = My field of vision, or visual field improved
  9. Antioxidant = My skin, hair, nail health improved
  10. I also look for strains and products with terpene profiles including Geraniol, Caryophyllene, and Alpha-pinene and Beta-pinene.
  11. Limonene is great for daytime energy and focus, fighting fatigue, while Myrcene and Linalool are amazing terpenes for night time relaxation and sedation.

*See my article “How to Make a Cannabis Quilt” for more specifics on terpenes.

CBG ISOLATE—

In closing, let’s examine the basics covered in CBD Tester’s Everything You Need To Know About CBG Isolate from February 19, 2020:

“As the name implies, this CBG Isolate is made by completely isolating the cannabidiol from all the other plant matter and compounds. That means all other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and inactive compounds like plant waxes are stripped from the extract, leaving only CBD. The final product is a fine white powder that has over 91% – 99% CBG.

“To make isolate, the CBG must be extracted from the plant – and there are numerous ways to do this. The industry gold standard and consumer favorite is CO2 extraction.

“A more cost-efficient but equally effective method is with an ethanol extraction involving application of the solvent ethanol directly to the hemp plant in order to extract the cannabinoids. Ethanol extraction is an FDA-approved method.”

Isolate can be used just like whole cannabis containing CBG to make anything that you desire to have CBG in it – edibles, topicals, tinctures, softgels, for example. 

If you personally experience a “Seven Year Itch” of your own, heavy CBG with your THC —or CBG alone can help you scratch it. Pay attention to your cannabis chemovar profile. Keep a log of what CBG-dominant products work for you. Write down the effects of the cannabis and notably, the CBG content. And look for patterns. Let the scratching begin!

CBG REFERENCES:

¹Why Could CBG Flowers Become the Trendiest Bud of 2020?

²CBG Can Inhibit Uptake of GABA and Serotonin

³CBG May Be A Leading Defense Against Drug-Resistant Superbugs, Excerpt

Using CBG To Treat Clinical Depression, Excerpt

 

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