CBG for Pain: How Does it Work?
Did you know that the minor cannabinoid CBG can be a natural and effective pain reliever?
Almost everyone experiences occasional aches and pains from headaches, exercise, stress, or feeling under the weather.
But, a shockingly large portion of the population suffers from chronic, persistent pain. According to the CDC, it’s over 20% of people. Even more alarming, 7.4% have chronic pain that interferes with their work and daily life.
This type of pain is one of the most prevalent reasons adults seek medical care. Chronic pain is associated with opioid dependence, decreased quality of life, and/or poor mental health.
Many patients with ongoing pain rely heavily on other pain-relievers such as NSAIDs. Though they don’t have a high risk of dependency, long-term and high-dose NSAID use can harm the GI tract, stomach, and kidneys while increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and formation of blood clots.
The serious impact of chronic pain on individuals and public health highlights the urgent need for safe, non-habit-forming pain remedies with fewer short- and long-term side effects.
For some people with chronic pain, CBG (cannabigerol) might be the answer.
If you want to know more, you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ll cover how CBG works and how it can help manage pain in comparison to THC, how to take it, and any of its potential side effects.
What is CBG, and How Does it Work?
All the cannabinoids in hemp plants come from cannabigerol (CBG).
Cannabinoids, including CBG, are unique chemical compounds in cannabis plants that help activate many functions in the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS uses cannabinoid receptors in the immune and nervous system to process cannabinoids and maintain bodily homeostasis.
The unique way in which CBG interacts with the CB1 (nervous system) and CB2 (immune system) cannabinoid receptors is responsible for CBG’s effectiveness with relieving pain and causing fewer psychoactive effects.
Inflammation and pain are immune and nervous system functions triggered by many different things. Some pain and inflammation stem from musculoskeletal, ligament, or nerve damage, while others come from muscle tension or autoimmune disorders.
When something goes awry in the body, the immune system uses neurotransmitters to communicate pain signals. Meanwhile, specialized nerves called nociceptors receive and transmit those signals along the spinal cord to the brain.
‘Analgesic’ is another way to say ‘pain reliever.’ While some analgesics are anti-inflammatory, reducing inflammation from injury, tissue stress/damage, or an overactive immune system, A second class of analgesics is called antinociceptives, which modifies signaling to reduce pain perception.
Alongside the natural terpenes and flavonoids from hemp plants, CBG seems to work as both an anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive, giving it a broad range of potential benefits in regards to managing pain.
How CBG Can Help Manage Pain
There are several different means by which CBG can potentially reduce pain and inflammation.
For instance, it can cross the blood-brain barrier and act on certain neurotransmitters, TRP (receptor) channels, and sensory neurons in a way that holds a lot of potential benefits for pain relief.
In another example, CBG can activate receptors associated with gastrointestinal inflammation, thereby helping to reduce colon inflammation and lessen the effects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Lastly, CBG could potentially treat pain related to muscle spasticity by regulating the neurotransmitter GABA.
In other words, CBG’s relationship with the nervous system and immune system has the potential to change how the brain communicates with the body to calm inflammation, muscle spasticity, and the intensity of the sensation of pain.
In some studies, phytocannabinoid mixtures containing CBG have actually been more effective than aspirin and other synthetic pharmaceuticals in managing pain.
Is CBG More Effective than THC for Treating Pain?
THC is another cannabinoid that is becoming well-known for its therapeutic potential. In fact, some studies have found THC to be up to twenty times as potent as aspirin as an anti-inflammatory and twice as potent as hydrocortisone.
So, how does CBG compare to THC as a potential analgesic?
One study suggests that, by itself, CBG is a more potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic than THC. In other research, CBG seemed to outperform THC at inhibiting GABA uptake to manage muscle pain.
How to Take CBG for Pain
Even though CBG may be a stronger pain reliever than THC by itself, cannabinoids typically work better when combined. The most effective way to take CBG, then, could be by pairing it with other cannabinoids like CBD.
Supplement types range from oils and topicals to gummies and capsules. Regardless of which type of supplement you choose, be sure to weigh the pros and cons of the different levels of CBG concentrations:
- Isolate: contains no other cannabinoids besides CBG, so the effects may be slightly more predictable. One drawback is the scarcity of CBG in most mature cannabis plants, so isolating it is expensive and translates to higher costs to the consumer. Another downside is its therapeutic effects will likely be weaker without benefiting from the entourage effect of combining it with any other cannabinoid.
- Broad-Spectrum: Broad-spectrum CBG contains other hemp compounds, like CBD, likely providing stronger pain relief. Some, but not all, broad-spectrum CBG products contain THC for even more potency. This allows you to control whether or not you are taking in THC with your CBG products.
- Full-Spectrum: CBG products with all the naturally-occurring compounds in cannabis do have some level of THC, which isn’t for everyone. But the advantage of full-spectrum CBG is that it’s thought to have the strongest activity in potentially managing pain and other conditions.
Once you decide how concentrated you want your CBG, you can choose between the following options:
CBG Tincture Oils
If your discomfort levels fluctuate day-to-day, CBG tincture oils are the perfect way to adjust your dose using a dropper for precise measurements. You can also choose whether to mix the CBG into food or a beverage or administer it directly under the tongue, which can speed up the onset of pain relief.
CBG Gummies
If you prefer a little more flavor with your supplements, gummies are a sweet, discreet, and convenient way to bring your CBG on the go.
CBG Capsules
Capsules and softgels are another inconspicuous way to have your CBG on-hand and take as needed.
CBG Topicals
Many individuals have pain that is localized to specific parts of the body, such as muscles, joints, feet, back, neck, or abdomen. Topicals let the user apply CBG to the skin so it can absorb quickly for direct relief.
Potential Side Effects of Using CBG
Especially for individuals who take too much CBG at once, there is a chance of unpleasant side effects, though we need more clinical studies to confirm and fully explore what those are..
CBG is not psychoactive and won’t make users high, but it may lead to mild symptoms like upset stomach, dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, and changes in appetite. In most cases, people have been able to mitigate these side effects by finding the right dose for them and observing healthy daily habits, even if that means one or two lifestyle changes.
Another issue that can increase the chance of unexpected side effects is questionable quality control. Shopping with a company that does not test or monitor the quality of their products, means you may end up with ingredients you didn’t intend on taking.
It’s absolutely imperative to get your CBG from a trustworthy and transparent source that uses third-party lab testing to guarantee each product’s contents.
Tips for Using CBG for Pain Management
Here are the proper steps you should take when attempting to address pain problems using CBG:
Understand the limitations.
Early findings seem encouraging regarding CBG’s therapeutic potential, but there is not yet enough scientific evidence from clinical studies to definitively attribute any pain relieving or other therapeutic effects solely to CBG. Before trying it, understand that CBG is not yet an approved treatment for any conditions, even though there are some strong indications for its benefits.
Know whether CBG isn’t for you.
Don’t combine CBG with certain medications, namely those with a grapefruit warning, which includes some pain medications, blood thinners, and mood medications. Don’t take CBG while pregnant, breastfeeding, or preparing to undergo surgery. Minors should also not take CBG.
Run it by your doctor.
Like with any new medication or supplement, consult your physician before starting CBG. An expert who knows your health history and current treatment plan can help you understand whether CBG is right for you and avoid any problematic drug interactions along the way.
Shop smart.
Look into your cannabinoid supplement provider’s CBG and CBD lab test results. For your safety, check the label, and make sure you can trust the labeling to accurately and honestly disclose all ingredients.
Pay attention to dosage.
For many individuals, CBG is effective at modest doses. While the potency can vary from person to person, especially when introducing other cannabinoids, the onset of effects can be more rapid when taking CBG sublingually. As a general rule, start with a low dose and slowly increase with time if needed. If you begin to have side effects, decrease your dose.
FAQs About CBG for Pain Relief
Is CBG good for nerve pain?
Due to possible antinociceptive qualities, CBG might help some people manage nerve pain.
Is CBG anti-inflammatory?
Yes, CBG appears to help reduce inflammation.
Is CBG a muscle relaxer?
While it’s not considered a muscle relaxer in the same way a pharmaceutical muscle relaxer is, CBG seems to have a muscle relaxant effect.
Is CBG good for joint pain?
Yes, CBG may help relieve joint pain.
Does CBG help with arthritis?
Yes, CBG could help reduce pain and inflammation in arthritis.
Have you ever tried any natural pain remedies?
Those suffering from chronic pain are all too familiar with the frustration of finding relief that gets you up and moving without serious side effects or dependency. That’s one of the reasons why cannabinoids like CBG have become so popular.
Science is just starting to uncover CBG’s powerful therapeutic potential, but we’re optimistic about what the future holds in proving CBG can help in a myriad of healthy ways.
If you’re excited to see whether CBG is the relief you’ve been searching for, shop affordable CBG products with Nature’s Legend and know you’re getting high-quality, lab-tested supplements in every order.
