What is CBG Oil?

CBG, more formally known as Cannabigerol, is the latest cannabinoid to storm the cannabis supplement market. The question is what makes this cannabinoid so attractive to consumers now and how it differs from the long-standing front runner – CBD.

CBG, CBD and THC are just three of hundreds of chemical compounds found within the cannabis plant family. CBD and THC are certainly the two most talked about cannabinoids especially since CBD took off in popularity as a health food supplement over the past few years. Just as other vitamins, minerals & multivitamins are taken by people in Ireland each day, CBG oil supplements are now on the rise as a source of daily nutrients.

THC on the other hand is often talked about due to its negative effects as this is the cannabinoid present in ‘weed’ and causes a ‘high’ in the user. This ‘high’ however only occurs when THC is present in large amounts. If it is present in small or trace amounts as it often does in CBD products, then an intoxicating high is not possible.

CBD or cannabidiol hit the food supplement market with a bang a few years ago as much anecdotal evidence was cited by users regarding various health benefits they experienced. Since then, research has slowly increased on a small scale with more and more trials undertaken to uncover the true health potential of CBD oil & its effects.

What is the ECS (Endocannabinoid System)?

All of the above cannabinoids act upon the body’s endocannabinoid system, also referred to in short as the ECS. The ECS is a nerve cell signalling system made up of receptors, endocannabinoids and enzymes. It works to regulate the internal stability of the body which when stable is referred to as homeostasis.

Cannabinoids from the hemp plant act just like the natural endocannabinoids made in our bodies to bind to receptors and send signals around the body to the places that need them. So, CBD and CBG alike work as neurotransmitters in your ECS to regulate your internal environment and achieve homeostasis.

What is CBG Oil & why it is important for my Diet?

Now, let’s get back to the latest cannabinoid on the market – CBG. CBG, just like CBD, is a non-toxic chemical compound, so it doesn’t cause the ‘high’ commonly associated with recreational cannabis use and THC.

Limited research on Cannabigerol suggests that it binds to the same receptors in the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) as CBD does but there is one important difference. CBG acts directly in response to the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 in the brain whereas CBD experiences a more indirect interaction.

Further research is needed to determine the actual potential of CBG in the health food supplement market however this may take some time. Just as the popularity of CBD oil and other cannabidiol products spurred the interest in conducting research trials, the public interest in CBG oil will do the same.

CBG can be added to carrier oils like hemp seed oil or MCT oil just like CBD. CBG oil is the same as CBD oil in all aspects except the main cannabinoid present is Cannabigerol (CBG) rather than Cannabidiol (CBD). It undergoes absorption by the body through the gums under the tongue and then into the blood.

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Why is there little research on CBG oil?

A major fact hinders the progression of CBG research, and that fact is that a very small amount of CBG is found in each individual hemp plant strain. That’s right, CBG occurs in a much smaller ratio in hemp strains than CBD does.

For example, a hemp strain may have a CBD content of 20% in comparison to a mere 1% content of CBG. This means in order to conduct a significant amount of research, then significant amounts of CBG need to be produced.

For now, those looking to add CBG oil to their food diet will have to rely on mainly anecdotal evidence found online or by word of mouth. From this information, it is suggested that CBG shows benefits towards mental clarity and increased focus.

Can I take CBG oil supplements with other medications?

There is not enough research to suggest that CBG oil will positively or negatively affect other medications taken by the user, so it is best to be careful. Firstly, you can always talk to your doctor and ask for advice regarding the use of cannabis food supplements in conjunction with prescription medications.

Some doctors are quite open to talking about natural health supplements like CBD and CBG oil, but others steer clear due to blurred legislation around the association of cannabis food supplements with use as a medicinal product. However, it is always best to ask.

The general rule of thumb in the CBD / CBG community is to take such hemp supplements at least two hours before or two hours after any other medication. This gives optimum time for both the CBG oil to work independently and the medication to take full effect also. This guideline eliminates the risk of either additive interfering with the other while your body metabolizes them.

CBG as a Food Supplement in Ireland

Like CBD oil, CBG oil is also classed as a food supplement. This means that no health claims can be made about CBG and it should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet.

Where can I buy CBG Oil?

CBG oil is not the easiest cannabis extract supplement to find. It is still in the early stage of its popularity on the holistic supplement stage but there are some CBD stores in Ireland that already have CBG featured in their range.

Dr. Hemp Me is one Irish CBD brand that saw the future potential of this cannabinoid variation early on and has stocked CBG oil for some time now. So far only CBG oil is available to buy from their online store but if demands increase you could find more forms of CBG products hitting their shelves.

Does CBG Oil contain CBD too?

It depends on the CBD oil product you purchase but some do contain a level of CBD content. Dr. Hemp Me for example offer a 1:1 formula of CBG and CBD. This means that you get an equal concentration of both in the oil formula and the potential benefits of both also. Other CBG oils available on the Irish food supplement market contain just the CBG cannabinoid in their oil so the choice is completely up to you.