Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is a cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. It is the precursor to other cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD. CBGA is not psychoactive, but it does have some potential therapeutic benefits. But how is it different from them?
We will explore the effects of CBGA on the body and mind. We will also discuss the potential therapeutic uses of this cannabinoid and how it might be helpful in certain medical conditions.
CBGA is a cannabinoid compound, the raw form of cannabigerol or CBG. CBGA has a structure similar to THCA and CBDA but does not convert to THC or CBD when exposed to heat or light. It has similarities with them both. However, as we have done more research, we know how much the human body can benefit from it. Let’s dive into it and see the different aspects of CBGA.
What Is CBGA?
CBGA is a cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. It is one of the many cannabinoids in cannabis. CBGA stands for cannabigerolic acid. This acid is what produces THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids when it breaks down.
CBGA is the precursor to THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. Most other cannabinoids start as CBGA and then change to other forms under different conditions. The enzymes in the plant can break down CBGA into these other cannabinoids.
It may also occur in heavy metals, heat, and even excessive chlorophyll production. Researchers consider CBGA a mild cannabinoid because it is not found in large quantities in cannabis plants.
How Is CBGA Made?
CBGA is present in small amounts in most cannabis strains, but it is more abundant in some strains than others. It is also possible to produce CBGA artificially in a laboratory. It is usually derived from young cannabis leaves that offer higher concentrations of CBG.
Some special breeds of the cannabis plant with higher concentrations are White, Jack Frost, and Super Glue. However, cannabis growers keep experimenting by cross-breeding to produce plants with much higher concentrations of CBGA.
As a cannabis plant grows, the CBGA converts to a more neutral form. This can be CBG, THC, and CBD bath bombs. The conversion usually takes place during exposure to UV rays or heat. While it is not as well-known as THC or CBD, it can offer potential benefits. Manufacturers produce CBG when they decarboxylate or heat cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). This process converts CBGA into THCA, which then gets transformed into THC.
Difference Between CBDA And CBGA
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. CBG works to fight inflammation, pain, and anxiety. Unlike its more popular counterpart, cannabidiol (CBD), CBG is not known to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. This means it will not give you the high you usually get with THC.
Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is the precursor to three other cannabinoids: cannabichromene acid (CBCA), cannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA), and tetrahydrocannabivarin acid (THCVA). Cannabigerol is also metabolized into delta-9 THC. These cannabinoids share a common molecular structure, allowing them to interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system.
While CBD and CBG are non-intoxicating, they each offer unique benefits. CBD for dogs can alleviate anxiety, improve sleep quality, and reduce inflammation. CBG, on the other hand, is effective in treating glaucoma, fighting bacteria, and reducing inflammation.
The other difference between CBDA and CBGA is that CBDA is the acidic form of CBD, while CBGA is the acidic form of CBG. You can find both CBDA and CBGA in the cannabis plant. However, CBGA is the precursor to three other cannabinoids, including THC.
How Does CBGA Make You Feel?
CBGA, or cannabigerol acid, is the parent molecule from which we can derive other cannabinoids. Cannabigerol is non-intoxicating and does not produce the “high” associated with THC. Some people report feeling more relaxed after taking CBGA. Others say it helps them focus and feel more alert.
Some users also report feeling less anxious and stressed after taking CBGA. Overall, the effects of CBGA seem to be positive and relatively mild. CBGA is not currently approved for any medical conditions. However, research is ongoing, and we are discovering many health benefits to its use.
CBGA Health Benefits
CBGA has some potential therapeutic benefits. For example, research showed that CBGA inhibits the growth of cancer cells in vitro. Additionally, CBGA has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Moreover, researchers believe that CBGA has various health benefits, including:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic condition that results in the inflammation of the bowels. This disease affects millions of people worldwide, and there is no known cure yet.
Although, some studies done on animals in 2013 have shown some positive effects of CBG on inflammation. Some experiments with mice showed a noticeable production of nitric oxide, which reduced the formation of reactive oxygen. This reduced the inflammation and prevented the unknown causes of the inflammation. Since then, researchers have made a case to start clinical testing of CBG as a treatment for IBD.
- Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s Disease is a degenerative disease that causes the destruction or breakdown of brain tissue. It is a genetic disease in which your brain starts to self-destruct gradually. You start losing control of your limbs, memories, and even the ability to speak. The cause of this disease is still unknown, and there is no known treatment. However, a 2015 study showed some neuroprotective properties of CBG. CBG acts as an agent preventing the cells from damage.
Although it is not a cure, it did prolong the cell age, making it less prone to damage. It also improved motor functions while preserving the neurons against the 3-nitropropionic acid toxicity. Although researchers applied it to mice, they can still use it as a basis for extreme cases in improving their clinical studies.
- Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a medical condition in which the optic nerve connecting your eye to the brain becomes damaged. It is a chronic condition that can cause permanent eye damage if not treated promptly. Although, a recent study done on cats with glaucoma has shown some positive effects.
Glaucoma usually occurs when there is something wrong with the eye’s drainage system. This causes fluid buildup in the eye, and the increased pressure damages the optic nerve. CBG has shown some positive effects. Researchers have observed a reduction in the pressure in the aqueous humor. Furthermore, it has also shown some improvement in the nutrient delivery system and the fluid outflow in case of increased pressure.
- Diabetes And Heart Health
Diabetes and vascular diseases go hand in hand. Diabetes causes many other medical conditions as it advances and goes untreated. All diabetic patients must monitor their glucose levels to avoid adverse effects. Although, our bodies have a mechanism to regulate the amount of glucose and maintain our lipid profile. Therefore, it can also help prevent any cardiovascular disease related to diabetes and regulate lipid metabolism.
CBGA has shown some positive effects against diabetes and other metabolic disorders. However, CBGA is mild and does not show any real effects when used in mild concentrations. But if you use it regularly in controlled dosages, CBGA has shown some promising results inhibiting special enzymes like aldose reductase. Furthermore, it has a good safety profile and can modulate PPAR receptors. Hence, it can help regulate cellular metabolism and insulin production, a marvel for diabetic patients.
- Antibacterial Properties
Two years ago, a study was done where they treated patients with antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. This was when they got positive results for using CBGA against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is a common staph infection that evolves into a resistant form. Moreover, this is a highly contagious disease and can be fatal in some cases. CBGA has shown some promising results as it has some effective antibacterial properties.
- Fights Cancer Cell Growth
CBGA has also shown some remarkable results in fighting against colon cancer cells. Furthermore, CBGA has shown promising effects against early cancer cell growth and can cause early cancer cell death.
Therefore it can tamper with the cancer cell cycle and their growth. Researchers did a study in 2014 on some rats. They found that it can affect colon cancer cells. Hence, it can be a potential medicine to prevent cancer.
- May Help Control Epilepsy
Cannabinoid compounds like THC, CBD, and CBGA have shown some interesting results against some neurological disorders. It has now created a wide discussion among concerned circles in recent years. However, it is still not sure which of these compounds is more effective.
This happened when the FDA approved a CBD-based drug as a certified treatment against epilepsy. This has made researchers direct their attention toward this mystery class of compounds. CBGA has proved to be a vital drug when used as an anticonvulsant. Although it is still in the trial phases, animal studies have proved that CBGA can be a helpful chemical when used in certain cases of epilepsy. However, these CBGA effects are still under research.
Are There Any Side Effects Of CBGA?
Cannabigerolic acid is the raw form of CBGA and can then convert into tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and other cannabinoid compounds. Its neutral form, CBG, in clinical studies has shown promising results against pain, inflammation, neurological disorders, and cancer. It is usually a safe compound, but it is still necessary to learn about it.
Some recent research related to the side effects of CBGA has shown that it is not harmful if consumed in concentrations under 100 mg. However, there is still no definite research on its long-term usage.
A study did show some effects where prolonged consumption helped against the acne-causing bacteria. But this does not mean that CBGA is a verified drug against acne. Hence there is still a lot of research on the long-term effects of CBGA. It may lead us into another new class of miracle drugs or may give us some side effects that we have been oblivious about. You should consider giving your physician a visit before you decide to use any CBGA products.
To Sum Up: Does CBGA Have Major Benefits?
CBGA is a powerful compound in hemp plants that provides many benefits. It can help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and improve mental health. It may also help protect the brain from damage and improve cognitive function. Moreover, it has also shown some improvement in metabolic disorders.
We still need more research to confirm these effects. There is a lot of research regarding this chemical and its benefits to the human body. Though the studies are only conducted on mice models, the results are promising.
Moreover, CBGA is a promising option for those looking for natural relief from various conditions such as glaucoma, inflammatory diseases, and diabetes. It’s best to stay away from this cannabinoid if you are nursing or pregnant. Additionally, you should not take CBGA or any hemp-derived product if you are under medication. Moreover, you should always consult your physician or family medicine doctor before using any cannabinoid.
CBGA might finally clear the ambiguity that most people have about the use of what is cannabis plant and its derived products. The more mainstream spotlight this gets, the more benefits we can expect from this family of compounds.
