Cannabigerol (CBG) is just one of the many important cannabinoids found in cannabis. CBG doesn't have psychoactive properties, but it does offer several medicinal benefits that make it an excellent supplement to Full Spectrum CBD.
Full Spectrum CBG Oil can be difficult to find and purchase in Canada right now; we'll go over where you can buy it as well as what makes Full Spectrum CBG Oil different from other types of oils.
Many people are just starting to discover CBG oil, and many terms are being thrown around - Full Spectrum CBG oil, Pure CBG oil, CBG Isolate - but what are the differences?
To answer this, we need to understand what CBG is, what the Entourage Effect is, and how it works.
What is CBG? (cannabigerol)
CBG is just one cannabinoid found in cannabis plants (marijuana and hemp) with several medicinal and therapeutic benefits.
Dubbed "the mother of all cannabinoids," CBGA (the acid form of CBG) is the precursor to CBG, THC, CBD and CBC, other cannabinoids that can be found in cannabis.
CBG is not psychoactive, so it won't get you high like THC; because CBG harnesses the power of all of these other cannabinoid's potential, it is thought to have vast medical implications.
That being said, as it breaks down into these other cannabinoids, very little CBG is actually left after the process is complete. This makes extracting CBG from cannabis plants very costly; scientists are working on creating specific strains to grow much higher in CBG, though this will obviously take some time to perfect.
Because of this, you'll often find CBG oil as a blend with CBD oil to try and keep costs down, but also for another reason - to obtain the maximum benefits from the Entourage Effect.
What is the Entourage Effect?
The Entourage Effect is the theory that the cannabis plant's different cannabinoids and terpenes work together in synergy to produce a stronger effect than any one of them could by themselves.
The Entourage Effect was first described by Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli organic chemist from Hebrew University who has contributed greatly to our understanding of THC.
Mechoulam discovered that other molecules like CBD could help reduce some unwanted effects associated with THC, such as anxiety or paranoia.
Another example of the Entourage Effect at work is Myrcene, THC, and CBD. When Myrcene is combined with these two cannabinoids, it acts as a powerful neuroprotective agent and antioxidant - much more so than when Myrcene is used alone.
The Entourage Effect only works when there is more than one cannabinoid present, which is why Full Spectrum CBD oil is so much more effective than Isolate.
What is Full Spectrum CBG oil?
CBG on its own can't be Full Spectrum because you need other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids for it to be considered as such.
This is why CBG is commonly mixed in with Full Spectrum CBD oil to create Full Spectrum CBG oils, which are much more effective than just CBG alone because of the Entourage Effect.
Full Spectrum CBD oil contains various cannabinoids, including traces of THC, CBN, CBC, and more - all of which have their own therapeutic benefits.
What is Pure CBG oil?
Pure CBG oil is CBG Isolate mixed in with a carrier oil, commonly MCT oil or hemp seed oil - though you can use other carriers as well.
These types of CBG oils are not Full Spectrum, as it only contains one cannabinoid - CBG.
What is CBG Isolate?
CBG Isolate is similar to CBD Isolate powder and is refined and processed in much the same way. The end result is a 99.9% pure, white crystalline powder containing only CBG.
You can use CBG Isolate powder to make all sorts of products, including CBG gummies, custom CBG oils, topicals, etc.
Full Spectrum CBG oil vs Pure CBG oil
Full Spectrum CBG oils definitely have an advantage over pure CBG oils, as they contain all of the other cannabinoids in addition to just CBG and provides the Entourage Effect - Pure CBG oil does not.
There are plenty of reasons why one might choose to go with Pure CBG oil rather than Full Spectrum, however.
Maybe you want to experience just the effects of CBG and nothing else, or you don't want any THC, even the very minute amount in Full Spectrum CBD oil.
Another option is to buy Pure CBG oil and add only the cannabinoids and terpenes that you want - like CBN or different terpene blends. Whatever you choose, know that you have multiple options.
If you don't like the thought of CBG being mixed with other cannabinoids in Full Spectrum oil and prefer it pure rather than adulterated by other ingredients - go for the Pure option!
However, if your goal is to take advantage of the Entourage Effect and get all sorts of synergistic benefits from multiple cannabinoids at once - Full Spectrum CBG oil might be worth checking out.
What are the benefits of Full Spectrum CBG oil?
Because Full Spectrum CBG oil has the bonus of the other cannabinoids like CBD in them (which has been well researched for its medicinal properties), the list of potential benefits is a long one, including:
- Improved physical and mental wellbeing
- Relieves pain and inflammation
- Neuroprotective
- May increase appetite
- Elevated moods/ reduced depression or anxiety
- Reduced seizures in epileptic patients
- Helps with sleep
- Can help with tremors/MS symptoms
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraines
- May help fight cancer cells
This is just scratching the surface of CBG and other cannabinoid's potential. We have only limited studies on CBG so far; much more has been done on CBD and THC.
We are learning more every day about the powerful healing properties of cannabis, but more research is always needed.
Where to buy Full Spectrum CBG oil in Canada?
As of right now, there are only a few companies that are selling Full Spectrum CBG oil. You can check out the options for it and for pure CBG oil in this post here:
Final thoughts
CBG has many potential medical benefits, but even more so when mixed in with Full Spectrum CBD oil. Full Spectrum CBG oils are much more potent and provide you with the Entourage Effect than Pure CBG oil alone.
Have you tried any high-potency Pure or Full Spectrum CBG oils yet? What did you think about it? Share your experience!