Exploring CBGa: The Mother of All Phyto Cannabinoids

what is cbga

Cannabis is an amazing source of curative medicine; it is also a complex plant as it contains over 480 different chemical compounds. About 113 of them are referred to as cannabinoids and are susceptive to the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant.

The effect of cannabinoids is similar to chemicals that are produced by the body and this suggests why cannabinoids can be used to treat several ailments in the body. They are substances found in cannabis that interreact with the cannabinoid receptors in our body to have certain effects. We have two major cannabinoid receptors in the human body, CB1 which deals with the nervous system and CB2 which is associated with inflammation. The human body has been making its own cannabinoids known as endocannabinoids while plant-based cannabinoids are referred to as phytocannabinoids and their duty is mainly to help regulate a number of functions in the human body. However, partly due to relatively young age of the 'legal' cannabis industry only a handful of phytocannabinoids have been fully studied and while these cannabinoids have done so much, recent studies are showing that we haven't even scratched the surface!

The most popular cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with the former being recognized for its health properties while the latter is known for its psychoactive effects (ability to make users high), although numerous studies being conducted are showing there may be more to THC than euphoria.

While these two cannabinoids are by far the two most popular ones recent studies is showing that there has been an unsung hero the world hasn't paid attention to this whole time! A cannabinoid that has so much to offer but only few talk about it and even less know of its existence! This cannabinoid is the cannabigerolic acid (CBGa), widely considered to be the mother of all phytocannabinoids because without it available within the cannabis plant, there wouldn’t be other cannabinoids.

What Is CBGa?

The Cannabigerolic acid (CBGa) is referred to as the mother of all cannabinoids due to the fact that there is a need for some level of CBGa to be available before other cannabinoids could exist. CBGa is referred to as the mother of all cannabinoids because it not only morphs into the CBG form but also into all other acidic forms of cannabinoids that can also morph into their none acidic forms. Invariably this means that every other cannabinoid is formed from CBGa one way or the other. It is essential to and serves as the basis for the formation of other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBCa, THCa, CBDa, and many others. CBGa can be converted to CBG but typically converts into THC and CBD.

The Cannabigerolic acid (CBGa) is formed as a result of the interaction of olive tolic acid geranyl pyrophosphate as a means of protecting the cannabis plant and allowing it to direct its energy towards the flower.

Cannabinoids are mainly in two forms, acids that are present in raw cannabis and non-acids which is visible in heated cannabis. This is why we have CBG, THC, CBD on one hand and CBGa, THCa and CBDa on the other with the only difference being the application of heat. This means that CBGa is the acidic form of CBG.

Benefits of CBGa

There are some prospective benefits to the use of CBGa as more and more studies are beginning to attest to the fact that it has a whole lot in store to offer mankind, chief among which is its potent healing properties. However, for now it's advisable that consumers tread with caution and be wary of new substance use without proper medical approval.

CBGa has been shown in studies to be useful for the treatment of complications arising from cardiovascular disease in diabetics.
Reports have also shown that CBGa triggers the release of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) which help in the amelioration of metabolic disorders.
CBGa is now recognized to be responsible for not only slowing down the growth of cancer cells, killing the colon cancer cells and also neutralizing polyps which if left unchecked could develop into carcinomas.
A study carried out by researchers has shown that CBGa could be useful for the cure of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As shown in the study, CBGa was able to reduce the effects of colitis on the intestine allowing it to be recommended for possible use in the future.
It is also been suggested that CBGa not only helps but is quite effective in pain relief, treating skin conditions, stimulating new brain cells, relieve stress and anxiety.
In order to be able to digest enough amounts of CBGa, hemp in its raw form has to be consumed.This is important because as time goes on and the cannabis becomes more and more exposed to heat, it begins to change form and thus reduce the CBGa content.

On a final note, It is important to keep in mind that there hasn’t been enough research carried out on the advantages and hazards of CBGa consumption and the legality of CBGa is still unclear and complex. So pending when enough research will be carried out on the subject its advisable to tread with caution but be that as it may I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited. CBG has the potential to offer so much and the world hasn't quite seen anything like it, kinda like Patrick Mahomes or Lebron in his time.