CBG and CBG9: From protostar to white dwarf
- The first star in space: what is CBG?
- What are the effects of CBG?
- A new body in our galaxy: What is CBG9?
- Effects of CBG9
- Galaxies CBG and CBG9 products
- Conclusion: he who waits will see the comet
The first star in space: what is CBG?
CBG, or cannabigerol, is a compound found naturally in the cannabis plant. It can be considered the progenitor of the stars, as CBG or CBGA (cannabigerol acid) is the precursor of other known cannabinoids.
As the plant matures, CBGA is converted by heat, time and enzymes into:
- THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid),
- CBDA (cannabidiol acid),
- and CBCA (cannabichromenic acid),
and subsequent decarboxylation converts these acidic forms into the cannabinoids CBG, THC, CBC and CBD.
Only about 1% of CBG is found in the adult plant, so it is a relatively rare cannabinoid. Higher concentrations are found in young plants or in specially bred strains of cannabis.
What are the effects of CBG?
CBG binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and can indirectly increase levels of anandamide, the so-called bliss molecule. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid that plays a role in the regulation of mood, sleep, appetite and pain. Just as cosmic forces shape and maintain cosmic order, anandamide influences our physiological functions and contributes to our sense of well-being.
In one small study, patients used cannabis products high in CBG to reduce anxiety, depression and insomnia.
Although CBG interacts with receptors in the endocannabinoid system in a different way than CBD, it seems that it could, like CBD, alleviate pain and inflammation.
And as research suggests, the potential of CBG is much greater. Preclinical studies show that CBG can reduce intraocular pressure and that it also has effects:
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anticancer
- Neuroprotective
- dermatological (help with acne, eczema)
- appetite-enhancing
- reducing bladder contractions (positive effect of CBG on urinary tract problems)
After this list, you might think that you can just load a rocket full of CBG on a flight to Jupiter and the whole crew will be in perfect health and great spirits, but it is important to remember that the Space Lab will have to conduct many more clinical studies to confirm the above effects. For now, we remain on the theoretical and testing plane.
A new body in our galaxy: What is CBG9?
While astrobotanists have a fairly clear idea and sufficient information about CBG and its representation in the cannabis plant, the same cannot be said about the newly discovered cannabinoid CBG9.
CBG9 is a derivative of CBG and with the use of advanced technology it can also reportedly be detected directly in the cannabis plant, but this report has not yet been confirmed by the International Space Station. CBG9 can be considered as a compound derived from CBG. The two cannabinoids have slightly different chemical structures.
We have no information on how CBG9 interacts with other cosmic bodies. All we know is that, unlike other cannabinoids, it doesn't crystallise, so it may be less prone to degradation and have a longer shelf life, which is particularly useful when you're exploring galaxies with an unknown return date.
Because CBG9 does not form crystals, it is easier to process and may have higher bioavailability due to its liquid, non-crystallised form. Incidentally, CB9, a cannabidiol derivative, has the same property - it also tends not to crystallise.
Effects of CBG9
The effects of CBG9, as with CBG and other cannabinoids, are thought to be based on interaction with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. The ECS is a complex system of cellular signalling that tries to keep our body in balance, even when there are fluctuations in the Earth's gravity. However, whether, how and with what intensity CBG9 acts on receptors in the ECS remains hidden.
Experience tells us that derivatives usually have a similar type of effect to their parent (i.e. "original") compounds, the precursors, and have a higher potency. As an example, consider CBD and its derivative H4CBD, which is presented as an 'enhanced' form of cannabidiol. Based on this hypothesis, it is likely that the effects of CBG9 will be similar to those of CBG but more intense, unfortunately we know about as much about CBG9 as we do about cosmic neutrinos. We have to accept that research on new cannabinoids is in its infancy.
Galaxies CBG and CBG9 products
When it comes to CBG products, explorers have had their pick of the litter for some time now, so you can easily find these products on planet Earth:
- CBG oils
- CBG capsules
- CBG gummies
- CBG crystals (isolate)
- CBG vapes
- CBG liquids
- Nano CBG
- Tea with CBG
- CBG flowers
What about CBG9? Until recently, CBG9 products were as rare as neutron stars, but the intergalactic void is slowly filling up. CBG9 vapes, gummies and CBG9 flowers from various cannabis strains currently dominate the market. The advantage of flowers is that they also contain other cannabinoids such as CBD, terpenes and other compounds from the cannabis plant that work in synergy.
Conclusion: he who waits will see the comet
CBG is found in small amounts in the cannabis plant and preclinical studies show that it could help with pain relief, inflammation, anxiety or glaucoma (lowering intraocular pressure). Its anti-cancer activity is also being investigated. It is considered a 'parent cannabinoid' because the acidic form (CBGA) gives rise to other known cannabinoids such as CBD, THC and CBC.
If you were expecting detailed information about the fascinating effects of CBG9, you may be a little disappointed after reading the article. Unfortunately, even the Space Science Laboratory itself does not have reliable information on how this cannabinoid works. We only know that it is a derivative of CBG (cannabigerol) and that there is a slight difference in the molecular structure of CBG and CBG9.
Some astrochemists claim that CBG9 can be extracted directly from the cannabis plant, others refute this and claim that it is produced exclusively in the laboratory from other available precursors. Be that as it may, we still have a long way to go before we know the nature and potential of this cannabinoid. Whether CBG9 will break through and earn its place in the sun is still in the stars.
Author: Michaela Mádlová
Photo: Shutterstock
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