With the treasure trove of the cannabis plant, each day is full of a new cannabinoid discovery. You’re probably familiar with a bunch of 3 letter acronyms such as CBD, THC, and CBG.
But what is this new 4 letter acronym cannabinoid? It’s not new at all; it’s actually considered the beginning of all cannabinoids. And we’re here to give you the full rundown.
Main Keypoints:
- CBGA is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid.
- It’s a natural compound produced by the cannabis plant.
- CBGA is the acidic form of CBG, serving as the parent compound to most cannabinoids.
- Research suggests that CBGA can help with diabetes and metabolic diseases.
- CBGA is legal as long as the product has less than 0.3% THC.
- Products containing CBGA are available online and in stores.
What is CBGA All About?
Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) plays a crucial role in providing some of the things we love most about cannabis, and here’s why:
Cannabis plants produce all of their cannabinoids in acid form. These acids undergo decarboxylation with time and heat, which converts them to their more active counterparts. tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) converts to THC, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) to CBD, and Cannabichromene acid (CBCA) to CBC.
However, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) doesn’t behave like other cannabinoid acids, which convert directly into a final component like CBD, CBC, CBN, or THC. Instead, CBGA is what hemp plants use to synthesize other cannabinoid acids.
When CBGA is decarboxylated (or heated), it acts as a parent cannabinoid acid and breaks down into some of the more common cannabinoids in an acidic form, such as CBDA and THCA.
In conclusion, if CBG is considered the mother cannabinoid, CBGA is the grandaddy where everything begins, and researchers believe it has some fantastic health benefits. More on that later in the blog.
Where Does CBGA Come From?
CBGA is produced in the young cannabis plant allowing it to maximize energy directed toward the flower; CBGA protects the plant and helps keep it in good health.
Because it converts to other cannabinoids as the plant grows, it has to be extracted from young cannabis plants, which you can imagine how costly and unpractical that is.
But, with the rise of CBG-rich hemp strains, technology (being our hero and savior) found ways to give us cannabis extracts with some natural CBGA in them, like CBG oil.
How Is CBGA Different From CBG?
CBGA acts as a parent compound to CBG; think about it this way, it is the starting point for most cannabinoids, including CBG. However, it’s not an active compound; it doesn’t interact with our bodies the way CBG does.
They have a slightly different molecular structure; CBG doesn’t include a carboxyl group.
The health benefits of CBGA and CBG may seem similar; they’re both non-psychoactive, and both possess anti-inflammatory qualities, there’s still very little medical research, but CBGA research shows that it has many benefits of its own.
Where To Buy Products With CBGA In Them?
Generally, you’d find cannabis products in stores and online. However, products with CBGA might be scarce in the market; not many brands include it in their ingredients as it’s expensive and hard to come by.
We’ll let you in on a little industry secret and save you the trip to the store and hours of search. One great way to get CBGA is in a PCR oil. PCR oils are la creme de la creme of oils, known for their whole plant experience; it’s almost like getting the raw plant but more refined.
Biowellness uses a full spectrum distillate oil, Aka PCR oil. Not only did we add 2000mg full spectrum PCR oil with natural CBG-A, but we topped it off with another 1000mg CBG extract. 100% made with organic hemp and MCT oil. Nothing but nature squeezed into a 30 ml bottle.
Try our organically made CBG Oil with a total of 3000mg of Cannabinoids.
Other PCR oils that have CBGA you may be interested in:
What Are The Potential Therapeutic Benefits Of CBGA?
It’s a non-psychoactive compound known as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. It has beneficial effects on the central nervous system, the immune system, and the gastrointestinal system.
Here are some of the many health benefits it has to offer:
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant benefits
Research (1) shows that CBG reduced inflammation and reduced the creation of oxidizing agents in the intestine. Moreover, it reduced nitric oxide production, which is a chemical that researchers believe cbga plays a role in the development of inflammation-related diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Another research (2) supports CBGA’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The researchers suggest that it could act as a neuroprotectant, defending nerve cells from harmful oxidative stress.
Potential Benefits for Diabetes
Another possible benefit involves diabetic patients. Research (3) found that CBG and CBGA, CBD, and CBDA may effectively target and reduce aldose reductase activity. Aldose reductase is an enzyme believed to be largely responsible for diabetic complications.
Metabolic Disorders
Furthermore, a research team discovered that it might also help patients with other metabolic disorders. (4) researchers looked at CBGA’s role in activating receptors, called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), responsible for regulating metabolism.
When (PPARs) don’t function properly, it increases lipids, consequently causing people to develop diseases like diabetes and dyslipidemia (high cholesterol levels). This research shows that CBGA activated the PPAR receptors, stimulating lipid metabolism and reducing excess lipid accumulation.
Related Article: CBG for Anxiety: Does It Work?
What is CBDA and CBG-A in Comparison?
Both are acidic and non-active forms of CBD and CBG. CBDA and CBGA both have therapeutic effects but use different pathways and interact differently in the body.
Like CBD, you’d expect CBDA to make you feel relaxed and ease tension from the body, while CBGA, similar to CBG, would make you feel more focused and slightly energized.
What is CBGA In Weed?
All cannabis plants, marijuana, and hemp plants produce cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), it’s a dihydroxybenzoic acid that aids in programmed cell death within the plant’s leaves—helping to maximize the plant’s energy to produce both resin and seeds.
The trichomes produce chemicals such as cannabinoids and terpenes to help protect the plant from predators, mold, and microbes.
CBGA is formed when olivetolic acid and geranyl pyrophosphate, two organic compounds contained, in a cannabis plant, combine.
Then, different enzymes convert the CBGA cannabinoid into the acidic forms of the other cannabinoids. CBGA is converted to CBDA and THCA.
Lastly, continuous exposure to heat from the sun transforms these acidic forms into their active counterparts, CBD, THC, and CBG.
How Does CBGA Work? Explaining The Process
Like other cannabinoids, it’s thought that CBGA can exert influence on the human body by interacting with our endocannabinoid system, a vast network of chemical receptors found in our brains and bodies.
These receptors regulate brain activities such as mood, response to pain, and appetite, keeping us in balance.
The human body contains two central cannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors are found in the nervous system and brain, and CB2 receptors are located in the immune system and other areas.
Think of CBGA as a helping hand to these receptors, aiding in the flow of keeping the balance.
More research – 2018 vitro study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32886342/
How Does CBGA Make You Feel?
While the therapeutic effects of CBGA appear more on a molecular level, you can expect similar effects to CBG. Firstly, you wouldn’t feel intoxicated, as it’s not a psychoactive compound. You might also feel a slight boost of energy, mental sharpness (enhanced focus), and an overall mood improvement, and it may help increase your appetite.
Is CBGA Legal?
In short, yes, it’s legal, as long as it’s hemp-derived and contains less than 0.3% THC total dry weight.
The farm bill is the major contributor to this happy fact; the federal government legalized hemp and its cannabinoids as of 2018.
It’s always a good idea to check the laws for your state and the THC percentages of your product.
Final Thoughts
CBGA is rightfully the origin of all well-known cannabinoids. It’s a non-intoxicating compound that has great potential health benefits. Studies show that these natural compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help with metabolism and inflammation and boost your overall mood. Early studies suggest that it can also play a role in treating diabetes and metabolic disorders.
It may not be available in abundance on the market, but some CBG-rich hemp oils can include CBGA.
If you feel like you want to start exploring its benefits, try out our CBG oil and have it delivered to your door.
We also offer vegan CBG Gummies with a minor trace amount of CBGa, however, you get a high dose of CBG in each gummy, which makes them an all-time favorite among CBG lovers.
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LEGAL DISCLAIMER
By reading this legal information, you agree to release the author of any liability related to or arising from your use of this data. This post contains no legal advice. The legal status surrounding Full Spectrum CBD and Hemp-derived THC is new and constantly changing. We continuously work hard to do our best to give you the most updated information. We recommend checking your current state’s laws or federal hemp laws before purchasing any industrial hemp-derived products (CBD, THC). The data in this post is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or give any medical advice. Do your due diligence and seek your doctor’s advice, especially if you are in doubt or are currently taking any prescription medications. Safer than sorry is always a great idea when consuming new products.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The short answer is no; it’s not a psychoactive compound (it doesn’t produce a high). But everyone experiences cannabinoids slightly differently. If you’re using a full-spectrum product, you might feel a mild euphoric feeling that many confuse with being high.
Users report that it can be helpful with improved focus, a slight boost of energy, and overall mood. And early research shows that it can also help with metabolic diseases, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases.
When you consume CBGA, you can expect similar effects as CBG, such as increased energy and focus, and a slight boost of the overall mood, without feeling intoxicated.
It’s naturally produced in the young cannabis plant and later converts into the many cannabinoids. Because of that fact, it has to be extracted from young plants, which proved to be extremely expensive. Companies now found ways to extract oils rich with natural CBGA, making it more affordable and accessible.
