High CBG and CBD cannabis seed varieties
It's no secret that CBD is taking the cannabis world by storm. This non-psychoactive compound has become popular due to its therapeutic effects, but also for standing as the battering ram that is opening the door to legalization. However, CBD is not the only compound in the plant that possesses these properties.
So far, both THC and CBD are the cannabinoids that have been the focus of interest among scientists and consumers, but there are other lesser-known cannabinoids, such as CBG, that are beginning to garner a lot of attention.
Preclinical studies suggest that CBG may share many beneficial characteristics with CBD, as both have antioxidant, neuroprotective and analgesic properties. When combined, CBD and CBG may offer unique and powerful therapeutic effects still yet to be discovered
Why is it such an unknown cannabinoid?
CBG generally appears in very low concentrations in vast majority of mature cannabis flowers. While CBDa and THCa are found in quantities as high as 20% of the flower’s composition by weight, in well matured cannabis flowers CBG it is virtually non existent. In flowers harvested a bit earlier than we typically might like, up to 1-5% CBG might be present. That means that growers need 20 times more biomass, harvested from premature plants, in order to obtain the same amount of CBG as a typical yield of CBDa or THCa.
Harvesting premature plants and flowers results in a higher CBG yield, but not much more. This puts growers in a quandary, as a premature harvest to justify extracting a moderate amount of CBG sacrifices other potential compounds. And with the high demand for CBD and THC, most growers are unwilling to harvest their plants so early and forgo other cannabinoids in favor of CBG.
However, the selection efforts of seed banks such as Seedstockers have resulted cannabis flowers which stop cannabinoid synethsis at CBG, allowing for relatively huge volumes of CBG to be harvestd from well matured plants which give fantastic yields. These plants are not yet very common in seed catalogs, but they are highly sought after and they are being actively cultivated on a relatively large scale as concentrates, isolates, and distillates of CBG have become increasingly interesting for medicinal investigation. Also, because of the scarcity of the compound in large quantities as high purity concentration, it is particularly profitable for large scale cultivators seeking a legal means of production.
Although studies on its benefits are still quite limited, current findings point to CBG as the next major player in cannabis treatments. However, researchers have yet to determine its safety and possible long-term side effects, as well as the risk of drug interactions. This is in large part due to the scarcity of product for research.
What is CBG?
CBG stands for cannabigerol, one of more than 120 cannabinoids found in cannabis. It was first isolated in 1964, when Israeli chemist Raphael Mechoulam discovered the missing link that explained cannabinoid biosynthesis: cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the chemical precursor of all known cannabinoids.
It is known as "the mother of all cannabinoids" because as the cannabis plant matures, enzymes convert CBG into the three primary acidic cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA).
Because CBG is converted to all of these other acidic cannabinoids, fully mature plants contain only low concentrations of CBG. CBG begins as CBGA, and through decarboxylation, CBGA loses its acid group and is converted to CBG, before it is later synthesized into THCa, CBDa, CBCa, or a few other cannabinoids such as THCVa.
Research suggests that CBG has a partial affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors. THC also produces its psychoactive effects through interactions with these receptors; but CBG has been observed to act as a buffer to this psychoactivity and may even alleviate the feelings of anxiety or paranoia that sometimes accompany the consumption of high levels of THC.
CBG can also stimulate other receptors through other pathways. For example, it has demonstrated a strong ability to increase anandamide, commonly known as the "bliss molecule," an endogenous cannabinoid that helps regulate a wide range of bodily functions, including appetite, sleep, mood, or the immune system.
Research on CBG is still at a preclinical stage, but available studies suggest that it holds considerable therapeutic promise. Its analgesic properties may surpass those of THC without the psychoactive effect; and there is also evidence to suggest that CBG may offer anti-cancer, anti-depressant and anti-bacterial qualities.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, a cannabinoid found in high concentrations in cannabis plants. CBD was first isolated in the early 1940s, but it was not until the 1970s that it attracted the interest of scientists for its anti-convulsant properties.
Since then, research has confirmed that CBD offers a useful treatment for severe forms of childhood epilepsy, as well as boasting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic, anti-nausea and sedative properties.
In recent years, CBD has become the focus of attention due to the variety of therapeutic benefits it offers and for being legal around the world. In addition, CBD may help mitigate some of the less desirable characteristics of THC, such as anxiety, paranoia, and impaired cognitive function.
Research also suggests that CBD combined with THC generally provides more significant therapeutic benefits than either cannabinoid alone, a phenomenon known as the 'entourage effect'. It should be noted that scientists are just beginning to understand the full implications of this interaction, but this seminal research article by Dr. Ethan Russo will help you understand it.
CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system through a variety of physiological pathways. Unlike CBG, CBD has very little affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors. This lack of affinity for CB1 is the reason why CBD has also lacks psychoactive effects.
However, it also binds to several other receptors where the endocannabinoid system is involved in the regulation of neurotransmission at different levels, such as serotonin and vanilloid receptors among others. Unfortunately, its mechanisms of action in the body are not yet fully understood.
Differences between CBD and CBG
CBG is a compound in the cannabis plant that is very similar to CBD in its effects. Both cannabinoids are considered non-psychoactive, unlike THC, and both interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. However, there are some important differences between them.
CBG and CBD have very similar but slightly different molecular structures. Molecular structure refers to the number and arrangement of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen atoms that make up a cannabinoid. This means that CBD and CBG have different three-dimensional shapes and therefore bind to cannabinoid receptors in different ways, acting in the body in disparate ways. The molecular structure of a cannabinoid also helps determine the bioavailability of the cannabinoid and its degree of water solubility – this said, CBG like other cannabinoids benefits greatly from a lipid transport system for absorption in the human body.
For example, unlike CBD, CBG is known for its potential digestion-stimulating qualities, so it can increase appetite, whereas CBD does not have that effect. On the other hand, CBD can also be used to treat and calm the nervous system, although CBG does not appear to have these benefits.
Experts believe that CBG may also help with glaucoma. CBD cannot relieve glaucoma and patients were dependent on THC to treat the symptoms of this disease. CBG as an alternative treatment could provide a natural remedy without high levels of THC.
CBG may also have bacteria-fighting capabilities, which could be useful for drug-resistant bacteria. For example, one type of staph infection cannot be treated with antibiotics. But CBG has shown promise in fighting this and other agents that have built defenses against traditional drugs.
Finally, CBG has also shown great promise in fighting cancer, the area where most research has been conducted and which seems to cement the future of cannabigerol in a pharmacological setting.
In addition, CBG may help those undergoing chemotherapy because of its appetite stimulation. But, while several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of CBG, more research is needed to fully understand the possibilities of this compound.
Benefits of using CBG and CBD together
As we have discussed, neuroscientists and cannabis experts have introduced a concept where all cannabinoids work synergistically to amplify each other's benefits and mitigate potentially unwanted side effects. And the best example of the 'entourage effect' is the relationship between CBD and THC. CBD can reduce the psychoactivity of THC, resulting in a less potent high and a reduced risk of becoming anxious or paranoid. THC, in turn, can enhance the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of CBD, as well as add its own positive effects. When it comes to CBD and CBG, they can also amplify their individual analgesic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. However, they balance each other out in some cases, such as nausea and vomiting. It should also be noted that cannabis plants possess terpenes in addition to cannabinoids. Terpenes are aromatic molecules that provide the distinctive fragrances and flavors of cannabis. These molecules can modulate the action of cannabinoids, adding their character to the effect profile.
CBD vs CBG: secondary effects
CBD and CBG also have similar side effects. Although they do not trigger anxiety and paranoia in high doses, nor can you suffer a lethal overdose from them, they can cause various mild reactions such as tiredness, diarrhea, dry mouth or changes in appetite. At the moment it is known that CBD can interact with a wide range of pharmaceutical substances by interacting with the liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing those drugs. However not much is known about how CBG interacts with other drugs, as well as vitamins or supplements.
CBD and CBG are legal?
In Europe there is no supranational law regulating the production or consumption of CBD or CBG, so both substances are subject to the interpretation of international conventions and the domestic legislation of each country. For example, being a substance that is not controlled, cannabis with CBD is legal in Spain as long as it does not contain more than 0.2% of THC, the permitted level of this substance in industrial hemp crops. Although in other countries such as Switzerland and Italy this percentage rises to a threshold of 0.6%-1% THC. In fact, the European Parliament has pronounced itself in favor of increasing the permitted level of THC for hemp. It would avoid many problems for growers who, for environmental or genetic reasons, accidentally see the THC level of their plantations increase and end up becoming illegal.
How much THC is found in High CBD seeds?
In seed banks such as Seedstockers you can find different cannabis strains with high CBD (above 10%) and low THC (below 0.5%). You’ll also find balanced genetics that offer a CBD:THC ratio of 1:1, for those who want to enjoy the benefits of the 'entourage effect' in its maximum expression. At Seedstockers you can find seeds with high CBG and low THC, as is the case of our CBG Zerodue, which offers a new experience in the world of cannabis as it is a genetic with an incredibly high percentage of CBG, up to 10%, and very low in THC, below 0.2%, which makes this cannabis legal in almost all over the world. This is a percentage of CBG that until now has been almost impossible to achieve in commercial cannabis strains; a ratio only restricted to genetic laboratories that have managed to block some steps of the cannabinoid biosynthetic pathway, preventing the formation of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component, while increasing the accumulation of cannabigerol (CBG), which was previously found in a residual amount. With these genetics we begin a brief review of the most outstanding characteristics of these varieties that we make available to all growers.
The best High CBG feminized cannabis seeds
CBG Zerodue
The creation of CBG-rich strains such as Zerodue places its emphasis on plant genetics as the main factor in popularizing this cannabinoid, as the development of CBG seeds with a high cannabigerol yield would allow for less expensive purification processes to be applied. In fact, CBG is known to be the most expensive cannabinoid to produce due to its low concentration.
Thus CBG Zerodue consists of a cross between BCN Critical XXL and an Italian genetic used in research to form an indica-dominant hybrid with a yield of up to 10% CBG, with levels of 0.11% THC. This results in a feeling of physical relaxation without causing mental intoxication, making it an ideal marijuana strain for consumers who shy away from psychoactive effects.
In addition, CBG Zerodue shows its CBD Critical XXL ancestry in the form of fast flowering times and abundant yields. And with buds with an earthy, lemony floral aroma, accompanied by a very fruity flavor. Undoubtedly, it is a variety as new as revolutionary, that everyone should try.
The best High CBD feminized cannabis seeds
CBD Northern lights
One of the most iconic genetics also has a CBD-rich version available in the Seedstockers catalog, a strain that has been selected by our breeders to be easy to grow, high yielding, low THC and high CBD. It is very suitable for beginner growers, as it is very tolerant to the different problems that can arise in a garden. It is also a fast flowering genetic, 7-8 weeks in total, which puts on your table buds of spicy flavors with a very pleasant sweet background, with earthy and pine aromas that are marked by the high concentration of terpenes. Thanks to its low THC level below 0.5%, any user will be able to enjoy the organoleptic properties of one of the key genetics in the history of cannabis, but without psychoactive effects, while benefiting from the therapeutic properties of CBD.
CBD Critical XXL
Another one of those strains that has all the characteristics that most growers are looking for, as it is resistant, grows easily, has an amazing taste and offers consistent harvests. It comes from the union of the phenotype F12 of our BCN Critical XXL (a genetic fusion between Kritikal Bilbo, Critical + and Critical Mass selecting the best seeds of each of them) with a parental from the European certified hemp. The result is the most productive CBD-rich plant of our seed bank, with a taste characterized by pleasant tones of kush and pine, with a citrus aroma dominated by lemon. The CBD Critical XXL has high levels of CBD, reaching even 14%, but very low levels of THC (<0,5%) so it is perfect for being able to taste a marijuana of excellent quality but avoiding psychoactive highs.
The best High CBD autoflowering cannabis seeds
CBD Critical XXL Auto
The lovers of the seeds of varieties rich in cannabidiol can also count on an autoflowering version of the CBD Critical XXL, selected by the breeders of Seedstockers by crossing this feminized CBD Critical XXL with its counterpart BCN Critical XXL Auto, and thus obtaining the perfect combination for a strain without psychoactive effects, vigorous and with a lot of resistance. Above all fast, because it is ready to harvest, both indoors and outdoors, in a period of approximately 8 to 9 weeks, with a yield well above average. This variety can generate up to 13% of CBD, while THC barely reaches 0.5%, so it is a strain with little or no psychoactivity. All of this, accompanied by very characteristic herbal aromas and a very old-school Critical flavor. Undoubtedly an option to consider for those who want to get large amounts of CBD in a very short time.
CBD 1:1 Silver Lime Haze Auto
Finally, we also have at Seedstockers another highly recommended option: a CBD-rich feminized auto with a 1:1 ratio of CBD:THC, with 9% of each cannabinoid, a ratio that is currently the most popular choice among medical cannabis users. The CBD:THC ratio is important because it affects the body's chemical response through the aforementioned 'entourage effect'. But because they are antagonists, CBD can moderate the psychoactive nature of THC, producing a more functional and calming cannabis. The genetics come from crossing CBD Skunk Haze with Amnesia Auto. The 1:1 selection was stabilized, feminized and turned into an autoflowering strain that gives buds with very citrusy aromas and a pleasant lime/lemon flavor. Itt is fast enough (only 90 days of life cycle) for first-time growers to produce in a very short time a high quality harvest of CBD-rich cannabis, allowing access to this cannabinoid in a simple and effective way.
