By Luke Sumpter


CBG: Questions & Answers

Is CBG Legal?
Cannabigerol is not scheduled by the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. As a result, CBG and its derivatives, such as oils, tinctures, and crystals, are completely legal to buy and consume in most countries.
Can I Buy CBG Online?
Yes, CBG can be purchased online, although the cannabinoid is new on the market. The most effective CBG products are full-spectrum extracts containing a complete range of cannabinoids and terpenes. CBD products made with full-spectrum hemp extracts might contain small amounts of CBG as well.
Does CBG Get You High?
No, CBG does not make you high. Conversely, the cannabinoid is thought to balance the possible side effects of THC, such as paranoia. To be safe, you should always purchase CBG (or CBD) products from a provider that guarantees THC levels below the legal limit.
Does CBG Show Up on a Drug Test?
To date, no drug tests identify levels of CBD or CBG in the body. However, THC screenings might test positive for cannabinoids in general. In rare cases, these unreliable test results might lead to further complications.

Have you ever taken a closer look at a cannabis flower? If so, you probably noticed a bunch of shiny crystals. These minute structures are known as trichomes, and they hold much of the chemical complexity of the cannabis plant.

We all know about THC and CBD at this point. But, trichomes produce over 100 different chemicals belonging to the cannabinoid family. Cannabis scientists are currently unveiling the properties of these constituents, and a few of them stand out as particularly impressive.

Among them is a molecule known as cannabigerol (CBG). Aside from potentially benefitting humans, CBG plays a foundational role in the formation of THC, CBD, and other key players within the cannabis plant.

Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about this fascinating chemical. Discover how it’s created in cannabis, what effects it offers, and how it compares to the better-known cannabinoid CBD.

CBG

What Is CBG (Cannabigerol)?

CBG belongs to the cannabinoid family, and plays an interesting role both inside and outside of the cannabis plant.

Pioneering cannabis scientist Dr Raphael Mechoulam isolated CBG from cannabis in 1964, the same year he isolated THC. However, unlike THC, CBG produces no psychotropic effects in humans.

THC produces a high because of the way it interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a body-wide network of receptors that internally produced cannabinoids (aka anandamide and 2-AG) bind to. Given its molecular similarity to internal cannabinoids, THC latches on to CB1 receptors in the brain, giving way to a “high”.

CBG, on the other hand, is thought to bind to the traditional cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 with low affinity. However, it binds to receptors of the “expanded endocannabinoid system” with much higher efficacy, including vanilloid receptors involved in nervous system signalling.

Within the herb, CBG serves as the chemical precursor to other cannabinoids that we know and love. More specifically, it’s the acidic form of CBG—CBGA—that’s responsible for the existence of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. As such, CBGA (and CBG itself) has earned the title of the “mother cannabinoid”.

Biosynthesis of CBG

To understand how CBG is created in cannabis, we have to understand the basics of biosynthesis. Cannabinoid biosynthesis occurs within the trichome glands. “Bio” refers to life, and “synthesis” hints at the creation of something. This complex-sounding word simply boils down to how something—in this case a cannabinoid—comes to be.

There are several biosynthetic pathways utilised in the cannabis plant to produce different cannabinoids. One of these starts with our mother cannabinoid, CBGA (cannabigerolic acid).

Following the creation of CBGA, plant enzymes act on the molecule. These proteins work to catalyse a reaction that transforms the chemical into other cannabinoid acids, including THCA and CBDA.

It takes a specific enzyme to convert CBG into a corresponding molecule. When acted upon by the enzyme THCA synthase, CBGA converts to THCA. When CBDA synthase drives the reaction, the mother cannabinoid turns into CBDA.

It’s only when THCA and CBDA are exposed to sufficient heat that they lose the “A” in their title and turn into their activated (or “decarboxylated”) versions, THC and CBD. The same goes for CBGA's conversion into CBG.

Currently, CBG only occurs in very small quantities within most cannabis varieties. However, researchers have developed chemovars (chemical varieties) that express 100% of their cannabinoid profile as CBG. The results of these breeding programmes prove that high-CBG strains will soon become a popular feature on the cannabis market.

BIOSYNTHESIS CREATES THE ACID FORMS OF THE PRIMARY CANNABINOIDS

Where Does CBG Come From?

Now you know that THC and CBD ultimately stem from CBGA. But, where does the mother cannabinoid itself come from?

As with most things in plants, the process starts with sunlight. Cannabis plants harness the power of photosynthesis to convert light energy into simple carbohydrate sugars that serve as an energy source. These units of energy allow the plant to conduct basic physiological processes, including metabolic functions.

Plants then use the coenzyme acetyl-CoA to kickstart a long and complex process involving a chain of chemical reactions that we won’t bore you with here. At the end of this process, cannabis plants possess two key molecules: geranyl pyrophosphate (just remember this as “GP”) and olivetolic acid (“OA”).

Once these two molecules form and become available, most of the work is done. All it takes is a reaction between these two chemicals to form CBGA, which then goes on to lay the foundation for the other important cannabinoids mentioned above.

Why Use CBG?

But why should we care about CBG at all? We already have THC to take care of the psychotropic side of things, and CBD does a good job of offering the benefits of cannabis without getting us high.

These are great points, but we need to remember that almost every cannabinoid brings something unique to the table. CBG produces effects that are exclusive to the way it works in the body. It interacts with receptors inside and outside of the endocannabinoid system to create effects that THC and CBD aren’t capable of.

Research into CBG remains quite preliminary. Certainly, we can’t take the current evidence as proof that the molecule produces specific outcomes. We need to wait for controlled human trials before we can provide a true assessment of what CBG can do.

  • CBG and the Nervous System

CBG binds to vanilloid receptors, some of which play a role in transmitting pain signals within the central nervous system. The active component within chili peppers (capsaicin) targets the TRPV1 receptor and, in doing so, causes sensations of heat and pain. However, once it lights up this site, it leads to a desensitisation period and renders the receptors temporarily unable to detect further irritation.

CBG is thought to work in the same way, yet the cannabinoid does so without causing irritation in the first place. CBG may also exert soothing effects in a similar fashion, as it binds to the same receptor site[1].

Early research has also investigated CBG for its potential as a nervous system therapeutic. Research published within the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology shows that molecular relatives of CBG were able to soothe irritation[2] within components of the nervous system in mice.

The mother cannabinoid also appears to aid in relaxing the muscles. By stopping the reuptake of GABA, a relaxing neurotransmitter, CBG may help to relieve tension and tightness[3].

CBG

  • CBG and the Brain

Could CBG eventually be labelled as a nootropic cannabinoid? Maybe. Early mouse research has looked into CBG’s ability to improve mood[4]. As it interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, scientists are eager to see if CBG might be of benefit to those experiencing tension and shaky nerves.

A study within the journal Neurotherapeutics sought to determine the neuroprotective effects of CBG. Researchers tested the cannabinoid in an animal model of Huntington’s disease, a condition that affects mood, movement, and thinking. Overall, their findings[5] pave the way for future, more in-depth research on the subject.

  • CBG and the Digestive System

Recent discoveries surrounding the microbiome and gut health demonstrate the vital importance of the digestive system in human health.

Currently, IBS affects approximately 10–15% of the population in Europe and North America. The condition likely stems from immune dysfunction within the gut, and results in stomach pain, cramps, and bloating.

Research published in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology tested CBG[6] on the incurable disease in mice. Researchers noted reduced biomarkers associated with the condition, and reduced free radical production in gut cells.

  • CBG and the Musculoskeletal System

Going forward, CBG might also play a role in promoting bone health. Osteoporosis, or loss of bone density, occurs when cells that break down bone outcompete those that lay bone tissue down. It arises due to genetic factors, hormonal changes, and a lack of adequate stress in the form of exercise.

Early research has looked into whether CBG may support the process of bone healing, but we’re still some ways away from any real answers regarding CBG’s bone-health-promoting potential.

The Future of CBG

CBD managed to gain traction once scientists unveiled its mechanism and potential effects. From here, consumers were quick to take advantage of the cannabinoid, and many now rave about the effects they experience. CBG is likely to follow this trajectory. Early research appears promising, but we need comprehensive human studies to really reveal what the cannabinoid can do.

Many cannabis and hemp-derived products are emerging in the marketplace, from raw flower to oils, that offer high quantities of CBG. Looking toward the future, CBG will likely join the cannabinoid pantheon alongside CBD and THC.

Which Is Better: CBG or CBD

Neither CBD nor CBG is superior. Although they share similarities, they work in unique ways. CBD certainly has more scientific evidence and popularity behind it. However, as CBG continues to undergo more study and garner more mainstream attention, users will likely opt for the cannabinoid in addition to THC and CBD formulations.

CBG

CBG Based on current research, we know the following about CBG:

Low affinity for classic cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2)
Interfaces mainly with the expanded endocannabinoid system
Non-psychotropic
Precursor to other primary cannabinoids
Insignificant study on therapeutic potential
Not many options for the consumer (for now)

CBD

CBD has much more research behind it, and users can access the cannabinoid in many different forms:

Low affinity for CB1 and CB2
Non-psychotropic
Helps boost endocannabinoid levels in the body
Somewhat well-studied (compared to other cannabinoids)
Available in a diverse array of products, including cannabis and hemp flower, extracts, and edibles

Although different in several key ways, CBG and CBD could make a great pair when consumed together. By harnessing the qualities of both, consumers can support their well-being from multiple angles, even if we have yet to know what exactly CBG is capable of. This practice, which plays into the “entourage effect” theory, supports the idea that numerous cannabinoids are better than one when it comes to effects in humans.

Is CBG Safe?

Available studies claim that CBG is safe to use and well-tolerated[7] in animals. Unlike THC, CBG doesn’t pose any psychotropic side effects.

If you’re curious about experiencing the effects of CBG for yourself, check out the Royal Queen Seeds range of CBG oils and high-CBG cannabis strains.

CBG: An Expensive Cannabinoid

Extracting and isolating CBG from hemp and cannabis plants is an expensive process. This particular cannabinoid is found only in trace amounts, and it’s never been the focus of cannabis breeders over the years. Instead, THC and, more recently, CBD have been the two cannabinoids in the limelight.

The majority of cannabis strains contain less than 2% CBG, which means it takes a lot of mature flowers to isolate only a small amount of CBG. Otherwise, a producer could give up an entire THC/CBD crop, harvesting early to harness more CBG before its natural conversion into other compounds. In addition to its scarcity, CBG requires expensive equipment to extract, while breeding new CBG-dominant strains can take years, further increasing costs.

External Resources:
  1. Cannabis Pharmacology: The Usual Suspects and a Few Promising Leads - ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com
  2. A cannabigerol quinone alleviates neuroinflammation in a chronic model of multiple sclerosis - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Cannabis Pharmacology: The Usual Suspects and a Few Promising Leads - ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com
  4. Cannabis Pharmacology: The Usual Suspects and a Few Promising Leads - ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com
  5. Neuroprotective properties of cannabigerol in Huntington's disease: studies in R6/2 mice and 3-nitropropionate-lesioned mice - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Beneficial effect of the non-psychotropic plant cannabinoid cannabigerol on experimental inflammatory bowel disease - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. Cannabigerol is a novel, well-tolerated appetite stimulant in pre-satiated rats https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: