Beyond Cannabidiol – CBG and CBN

What are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are chemical substances found in all varieties of cannabis. They interact either indirectly or directly in the body and brain and are found in varying concentrations depending upon the plant.

Most people are familiar with THC. This cannabinoid is responsible for the euphoric effects or “high” users get when consuming edibles or smoking pot. THC has also been shown to have a wide range of therapeutic benefits, which is why there is such a strong push to legalize medical marijuana. 

CBD (cannabidiol) is the second prominent cannabinoid in cannabis, and it is also thought to provide many of these same physical and mental benefits but without the high—thus its popularity.

But here’s the kicker – THC and CBD are just two of the chemicals present in cannabis. There are actually over 100 naturally-occurring cannabinoids in the plant. Technically, this means at least 98 other cannabinoids exist that are just waiting to be explored.

Because of legal issues, it’s been challenging to research these additional compounds in past years. But as cannabis legalization has progressed, access is improving, so scientists can actually study the plants now.

Not surprisingly, the new findings are often remarkable, and two of the most recent up-and-coming cannabinoids – CBN and CBG – are making headlines.

CBN

CBN stands for cannabinol. This fascinating cannabinoid is in the early research stages, so it’s essential to understand that most of the information available is still preliminary or based on anecdotal evidence.

We know that CBN is a metabolite of THC formed when Tetrahydrocannabinol is exposed to oxygen or heated. So, it’s often found in aged cannabis. It’s not particularly abundant. In fact, most cannabis strains contain less than one percent CBN. To obtain a therapeutic amount, the plant needs to age, and that takes time. For this reason, CBN is usually not cheap.

The good news is it seems only a small amount is needed to be effective.

What is CBN Good For?

Again, since research is still in the very early stages, we can only rely on animal studies and anecdotal evidence to illustrate CBN’s effects. However, initial findings suggest that one of the primary benefits of taking CBN is to improve sleep.

There is conflicting evidence as to whether CBN is mind-altering or not. Some studies suggest that, like CBD, the compound is not psychoactive, while other findings indicate it has mild psychoactive properties. Either way, it appears that cannabinol may work as a powerful sedative that could help users fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer.

Because of its potential as a solution for insomnia, some CBD brands have begun creating nighttime CBD tinctures formulated with CBN.

Other research suggests that CBN may work as an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, and appetite stimulant.

CBG

CBG stands for Cannabigerol. Discovered in the 1960s, it’s the cannabinoid that all the other cannabinoids originate from, so it’s been dubbed the “stem cell cannabinoid.” It’s non-psychoactive and won’t get you high. In fact, the presence of CBG in marijuana can keep users from getting too stoned. If you’ve previously had a bad experience with weed, it’s possible it did not contain enough CBG to moderate the trippy effects.

While CBG is present in all cannabis varieties, it is found in the highest concentrations in young plants. But it’s not easy to find on the market. That’s because extracting it requires harvesting the plants at their earliest stages of growth.

This is also the reason why CBG is relatively costly. It takes thousands of pounds of cannabis to create even a small amount of CBG isolate, and Its scarcity renders it around five times more expensive than CBD. However, some growers have begun to focus solely on cannabigerol as interest has increased in the compound.

What is CBG Good For?

GBG has only recently begun to hit the market, gaining popularity for its potential antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. But preliminary research suggests that it may have other benefits as well:

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A 2013 animal study indicates that CBG may reduce inflammation associated with IBD.
• Cancer: In 2014, a study was conducted which concluded that CBG might reduce colon cancer growth in rats.
• Bladder Dysfunction: A tudy in 2015 concluded that CBG is the cannabinoid showing the most promise in the potential treatment of bladder dysfunction.
• Glaucoma: CBG may be why medical cannabis is so effective in treating glaucoma, a study suggests.

Other research has focused on the possibility of CBG as a future treatment for neurodegenerative conditions like Huntington’s disease and drug-resistant Staph infections or MRSA. Anecdotally, it is thought to relieve pain, stimulate the appetite, and have mood-lifting properties.

Closing Thoughts

As cannabis research progresses, we will likely learn more fascinating things about cannabinoids and how they work in the human body. But it’s important to realize that your mileage will vary with these products. Although our current knowledge of CBN and CBG is highly promising, you should still proceed with caution when trying any new products.

Many of the listed benefits need to be backed by solid research before cannabinoids can safely be used to treat any diseases or conditions. If you are already taking medications, these compounds could potentially interfere with their effectiveness, so it’s wise to talk to your health care professional first.

As with any cannabis products, you will want to start slow and work your way up with CBN or CBG, carefully noting any changes (good or bad) until you find a brand and dosage that works with your body.

Editor’s Note:

Full-spectrum CBD products contain trace amounts of many cannabinoids found in hemp. Sometimes, you will see additional cannabinoids listed on the certificates of analysis (COA’s), often without much fanfare. Other brands have created specific formulations containing CBN or CBG in varying amounts. We’ve listed some of the best CBD oils containing CBG or CBN below.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article and the products promoted within it are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.