The Rising Star of CBG

By Billee Sharp

Cannabigerol, CBG, was one of the earliest cannabinoid discoveries, Raphael Mecholam first identified it in 1964 as one of the minor cannabinoids, as CBG represents just 1% or less of the whole cannabinoid profile.

As research progressed further it became apparent that of the hundred or so cannabinoids present in the average hemp plant, every single one was derived directly from CBGa, the so-called “mother” or precursor of THC, CBD,CBN, THCV etc. By the time a cannabis plant is mature and ready to harvest only a tiny percentage of CBG is left in the plant. This is probably why both interest and research in CBG started slowly, as there was so little actual material available.

However cannabis counselors, therapists and doctors have been so impressed with CBG’s performance at low dosages that this has promoted the development of high-CBG strains of cannabis.

The effectiveness of CBG at low dosages is a component that really helps with affordability and also has the great advantage of less volume ingested for those with digestive issues.

Coupled with this enhanced effectivity at low dosages are CBG’s many attributes: pre-clinical trials have yielded positive results for CBG as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective and antibacterial, also a non-psychoactive appetite stimulant and a treatment for glaucoma.

As an anti-inflammatory, a 2013 pre-clinical trial showed that CBG reduced bowel inflammation in mice. This research proved to have further implications for CBG as treatment for autoimmune disorder inflammation.

In 2014 an anti-tumor colon cancer study tested CBG on mice. CBG was seen promoting apoptosis in colon cancer cells and inhibiting colon tumors from developing.

In terms of neuroprotective qualities, CBG relieves both inflammation in the brain and oxidative stress. Promising results with Altzheimer’s sufferers has been recognised.

MSRA, the notorious staph infection which has become immune to many antibiotics, has been eradicated successfully with CBG’s powerful anti-bacterial action.

THC is the usual cannabinoid treatment for appetite stimulation, but the associated psychoactive high makes it unusable for some. A 2017 pre-clinical trial on rats used CBG to stimulate appetite; both the amount of meals taken and the sizes of meals were seen to increase substantially.

CBG reduces intraocular inflammation which is the most damaging symptom of glaucoma, this anti-inflammatory action in the eye also relieves pressure and pain in macular degenerative conditions.

Recent studies in Canada and Oregon on immune support showed that CBGa combined with CBDa blocked the Sars Covid-19 virus from penetrating cells. The immunoprotective value of this combination is another appreciable aspect of CBG’s impressive profile.

The non-psychoactivity of CBG makes it a widely applicable cannabis panacea. Yet if psychoactivity is desired, CBG will not block THC from the CB1 receptor site, unlike CBD which inhibits THC. Therefore, CBG and THC can be taken together and retain their unique attributes. This can be helpful if THC is needed to treat chronic pain or tumors.

In the developing field of cannabis medicine we are witnessing the emergence of CBG, another cannabinoid with immense therapeutic value for health.

Cannabinol: the Darling of the Phytocannabinoids

by Ruth Hill, RN

Dementia is defined as a group of progressive disorders affecting the cognitive ability that is so severe it prevents the individual from independently brushing their teeth, taking a shower, or remembering their spouse’s name. Alzheimer’s (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia. An estimated 6.5 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's in 2022. Seventy-three percent are 75 or older. About 1 in 9 aged 65 and older (10.7%) has Alzheimer's.

AD is the sixth leading cause of death more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Unfortunately, the Alzheimer’s Association and other Internet medical sites are unfamiliar with the latest research on cannabis treatment for AD and neurological diseases. Their reliance on pharmaceuticals with accompanying toxic side effects is not keeping pace with the public’s use of natural herbs. There is no cure for AD.

Researchers found that the brain cells of those with AD have abnormal protein deposits called amyloid-beta plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles. These plaques and tangles disrupt the brain cell function and cause apoptosis or cell death. Neuroinflammation is also a big part of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Pharmaceutical Research

There are five approved drugs available for treating dementia. Three are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (rivistagmine, donepezil, and galantamine) and one is a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (memantine). The Food and Drug Administration granted conditional approval in June, 2022 for a new drug, Aducanumab, even though an advisory panel had recommended against allowing the drug on the market. Aducanumab is the first drug to address the underlying biology of the disease. According to the FDA, aducanumab reduces beta-amyloid plaques, which reasonably leads to a reduction in clinical decline due to AD disease. However, its cost of $56,000 and toxic side effects was met with physician backlash. Consequently, these drugs that directly target amyloid, or tau proteins, that damage cells, have not yielded significant clinical benefits for patients.

Cannabinoids to Treat Dementia

Research on medical cannabis has focused mainly on the major phytocannabinoids, namely delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), for their pharmacological and clinical applications. Cannabinoids are known as potent anti-inflammatory compounds. CBD and THC both reduce the formation of amyloid-beta protein (G. Watt et al). However, relatively little scientific knowledge has yet been made for the minor phytocannabinoids.

Salk Institute Studies

There are many chemical pathways that lead to cell death. Research by Pamela Maher's team, at the Salk Institute in La Jolla CA, looked at the process of oxytosis/ferroptosis. Her research was published on January 6, 2023, in Free Radical Biology and Medicine. Oxytosis is regulated cell death induced by an antioxidant depletion molecule called, glutathione (GSH). Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death induced by potential anti-cancer drugs. There is growing evidence that oxytosis may cause AD.

Maher’s team treated nerve cells with cannabinol (CBN) and then introduced an agent to stimulate oxidative damage. They found that CBN worked by protecting mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouses, within the neurons. In damaged cells, oxidation causes the mitochondria to curl up like donuts. Treating the cells with CBN prevented the mitochondria from curling up.

To confirm the interaction between CBN and mitochondria, researchers then replicated the experiment in nerve cells that had the mitochondria removed. In these cells, CBN no longer demonstrated its protective effect. CBN is molecularly similar to THC without the psychoactive effects. THC works directly with the CB1 receptors. But CBD and CBN do not affect cell function through the CB2 receptors. Instead, they modulate the effects of cells.

Transitioning Science into Practice

Synergy Wellness produces CBN-rich tinctures in two blends: #210 THC:CBN 1:1 in and #220 CBD:CBN 3:1 derived from natural cannabis flower and CBN isolate in organic sesame oil. Sesame oil is a long-chain triglyceride that encapsulates the cannabinoids and creates a liposomal effect. This liposomal effect provides better bioavailability of cannabinoids.

Our full spectrum tinctures enriched with CBN improve nerve health, organ function, and mood regulation. These capsules can be used for chronic conditions as well, taken every 4-6 hours, to maintain a constant dose of CBD and CBN cannabinoids in the body.

The challenge for the cannabis industry is disseminating this knowledge to other cultivators so this darling of the phytocannabinoids is available to the public.

A Happy Healthy New Year with Cannabis

By Billee Sharp

A Happy New Year to all! In Chinese astrology 2023 is the year of the Water Rabbit which is characterized as holding great hope for the future. 2023 is already bringing us Californians much-needed rain in abundance. Despite the storms and the sad losses, this weather has to be seen as a good omen, even if a little soggy!

January 1st is traditionally Resolution Day and many of us set an intention for positive changes to our behavior in the coming year.

Unfortunately, whether it's giving up smoking or starting an exercise regime, these lofty intentions are susceptible to early abandonment unless we are very determined.

Having realistic expectations and setting reasonable goals are how I try to keep my resolutions alive - and I give myself parameters too;

Instead of hardline daily yoga dictum I tell myself at least 5 times a week, then if I do miss a day, I don’t completely despair.

Most resolutions seem to be set to improve health, creativity and life enjoyment, these three categories overlap in so many ways that working on your health generally brings increased energy and enthusiasm; vital ingredients for improving quality of life. To help us to keep our resolutions alive well into 2023, I’ve compiled some ways that using cannabis can support lifestyle changes.

After feasting through Christmas and New Year indulging in sweet seasonal treats, many of us guiltily choose weight loss as our resolution. If you are lucky, your recent gluttony, which is now making your clothes uncomfortably tight, will trigger a desire for plain simple food; fresh vegetables, white meat and fish, whole grains and fruit. However, at this time of year there are still many tempting uneaten goodies lurking about, and the wet weather is keeping us at home tucked up on the snacking territory of the sofa. If keeping to a restricted diet is hard for you, interesting new research on the appetite suppressing attributes of CBD could help you out.

In 2016 researchers investigated the role of CBD in the breakdown of fatty acids. The trial showed clearly that CBD stimulates more efficient breakdown of fats; the trial showed cannabis users had a higher calorific burn rate and lower BMI (Body Mass Index) than the control group. In 2018 further research on possible links between cannabinoids and obesity assessed the relationship of cannabinoids with the microbiome of the gut. There are both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the gut and a bidirectional relationship was observed with the receptor both relaying messages from the gut to the brain and all other organs and systems, as well as regulating the condition of the gut itself.

CBG has also been associated with digestive health conditions with irritable bowel syndrome and colitis responding well to a combination of CBD and CBG.

While THC is widely recognised as an appetite stimulant, there is much anecdotal evidence that CBD acts as an appetite suppressant; as a powerful anti-anxietal, cravings and addictions become easier to resist.

Taking CBD and or CBD:CBG in tincture or raw capsule form is definitely a worthwhile supplement when weight loss is the aim. A well functioning digestive system burns fats quicker and gives us the energy to exercise and tone our new slimmer selves!

The hardest resolution is giving up anything! Particularly challenging are the big three; sugar, alcohol and tobacco, but binge-watching is also a tough one! CBD with its calming and anxiety relieving properties is most helpful when overcoming both physical and psychological addictions. If craving is a major stumbling block, taking a substantial dose of CBD in the morning will help. A 50g raw CBD capsule will give a sustained calming effect for up to eight hours. Smokers can benefit from a CBD vape: the instantaneous bloodstream absorption of CBD via the lungs relieves an anxious craving instantaneously. Sublingual CBD tincture will also give a rapid onset of relief if you feel your resolve wavering. Keep a tincture or vape pen with you during the day to top up your dose if necessary, and strengthen your resolve!

At the beginning of the year we see a flurry of invigorated walkers, joggers and cyclists out and about in new sneakers and sportswear but the numbers do seem to dwindle. Often a new exercise regime will have you aching in muscles you didn’t know existed. Remembering to do a warm up and end of session muscle stretches is essential but if you do start to ache reach for Synergy 1:1 THC:CBD Super Salve. The beauty of combining the actions of THC and CBD in a topical is that THC will address the pain without any psychoactive effect, while CBD will bring down inflammation. My husband was ambitiously weight-lifting at this time last year which quickly resulted in painful damage to his shoulder. Synergy Super Salve was his go-to for pain relief supplemented with 1:1 CBD:THC tincture, the combination of the two allowed him to sleep at night.

Looking after ourselves is generally something we can improve on, I lean towards the self-care variety of resolutions. For years my resolution has been the same; ‘floss twice daily’ but this year my resolution is on a grander scale of self care: I’ve made a list of dental and health checks which I’m planning to tick off one by one. As soon as I’ve done everything on the list I plan on rewarding myself with a trip to the mineral baths in Ukiah.

I’m also taking extra care of my immune system after my first Covid-19 infection last fall. I'm taking Super Immunity CBDA:CBGA raw capsules to bolster my immune response to viruses and to keep supporting my recovering respiratory system. Interestingly, I feel that the daily dose is also helping my digestive system, and bolstering my energy levels.

Self-care is really about being self aware and paying attention to the needs of the body. On that note, ladies, Synergy Sensual Wellness oil delivers CBD and THC in a delicate botanical infusion to condition and stimulate sensitive tissue. This is an intimate product perfect for massage and enhancing self pleasure and a revitalizing reward for taking care of yourself!

Whatever your resolution is for 2023, we’re here to support your health with our wide range of medical cannabis products!