If you’re one of the 60-70 million people in the US who regularly experience different digestive issues, you know the impact symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn can have on your life. With increasing research that supports the potential of CBG to naturally support digestive wellness, the cannabinoid is gaining recognition as a holistic option for maintaining a healthy gut. In this article, we’ll explore why gut health matters, what studies say about cannabis and digestion, the potential of CBG for gut and bowel health, and more.
Exploring the Potential of CBG for Gut and Bowel Health
The gut isn’t just responsible for healthy digestive function. It plays a huge role in overall well-being, supporting immune function, mood, and more. Not only do the brain and gut communicate with each other through a complex system known as the gut-brain axis, but about 90% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut. This means gut health is directly related to mental and physical health. Healthy gut, healthy mind, healthy body. There are trillions of microorganisms in the gut, known as the microbiome, and balancing this intricate system is essential for gut health. Unfortunately, the gut microbiome can quickly become imbalanced from things like poor diet, excessive consumption of processed foods and refined sugar, stress, antibiotic use, certain medications, environmental toxins, and chronic inflammation. This imbalance is ultimately what leads to digestive issues like bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. It can also trigger anxiety and depression, and eventually manifest as chronic health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, and more. Supporting gut health holistically, however, can easily be done by making a few different lifestyle changes. The folllowing are a few natural ways to keep gut health in check: - Daily probiotic and prebiotics consumption: Prebiotics, which replenish beneficial gut bacteria, are found in fermented foods like kombucha, yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut. Prebiotics feed healthy bacteria and are abundant in foods high in fiber, such as bananas and onions. - Eat a healthy, balanced diet: A nutrient-rich diet with plenty of fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower can also nurture a healthy gut. Avoid processed foods, refined sugar, and excessive carbs, which can disrupt the delicate balance in the microbiome. - Keep stress in check: Activities like yoga and meditation can help reduce the negative impact stress can have on digestion, while regular exercise and staying hydrated will help keep the gut healthy. CBG is another potential option for naturally supporting digestive wellbeing, meaning this lesser-known cannabinoid could be the perfect addition for anyone interested in holistic gut health support. More research is needed to make any health claims, but a solid body of emerging evidence supports using CBG for gut and bowel health.
CBG and Gut Health
In the past few years, CBG (cannabigerol) has stepped into the cannabinoid spotlight thanks to research that’s discovered it contains some serious therapeutic potential. It’s commonly referred to as “the mother cannabinoid because its acidic form (CBGA, or cannabigerolic acid) is the cannabinoid acid from which THC, CBD, and many other cannabinoids are formed. While THC and CBD got most of the attention for years, cannabis research has increased exponentially and offered a deeper understanding of the unique therapeutic benefits of other cannabinoids. CBG is one of them, with increased studies praising its potential to support an array of different health conditions, gut, bowels, and overall digestive function included. When it comes to gut health and gastrointestinal disease, some research even suggests CBG could be one of the most powerful cannabinoids there is. This is largely related to the way the cannabinoid interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a huge role in regulating digestive health. In a 2016 study exploring endocannabinoids in the digestive tract, researchers referred to the ECS as a “key modulator of gastrointestinal physiology.” Knowing how the ECS supports gut health and how CBG influences the ECS, makes it easier to understand how the CBG offers natural digestive support.
How CBG Works for Gut and Bowel Health
Like most cannabinoids, CBG’s potential benefits are largely related to the ECS. There’s a significant number of both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the gut, which are responsible for regulating things like moving food through the digestive tract, appetite, and the secretion of gastric acid. Not only does the ECS play a huge role in digestive function, but it also helps maintain the integrity of the gut lining. In a 2016 study, researchers found that activating cannabinoid receptors can inhibit muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract (known as peristalsis), stop gastric acid secretion, and increase food intake. They also highlighted that activating CB1 receptors is largely connected to gut-brain signaling. Blocking degradation of endocannabinoid (2-AG) by inhibiting activity of MAGL (one of two ECS enzymes) activity at CB1 receptors also showed to control gut motility. CB1 receptors were also found to inhibit gastric secretions. Authors of the study noted that both CB1 and CB2 receptors may serve a protective role in IBS, offering supporting evidence displaying that the activation of both cannabinoid receptors reduces symptoms of colitis, including inflammatory damage and diarrhea. They also highlighted evidence suggesting ECS dysregulation could play a role in intestinal issues like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), IBS, and obesity. This is in line with other research that suggests an endocannabinoid deficiency, known as clinical endocannabinoid deficiency, can lead to IBS and other health conditions, and that introducing cannabis cannabinoids (which mimic the effects of the body’s endocannabinoids) may help support gut-related issues. So, where does CBG fit into this? While CBG research is in its early stages, there is evidence it supports ECS function through its influence on CB1 and CB2 receptors. In a 2021 study, researchers highlighted that CBG is a partial agonist at CB2 receptors, meaning it activates CB2 receptors but only to a certain extent. The effect of CBG on CB1 receptors, however, is still unclear. They also noted it affects non-cannabinoid receptors, including TRPV receptors, which influence inflammation, gut motility, and more. A 2023 study shows CBG mediates 5HT1A serotonin activity. With an abundance of 5HT1A receptors found in the gastrointestinal tract, influencing how food moves through and is secreted from the body, this could be another way CBG supports gut and bowel health.. Ultimately, the cannabinoids influence on several receptor sites throughout the body are believed responsible for its effects on gut and bowel health. . In a 2024 study, researchers discovered high CBG hemp extracts “dramatically reduced” the severity of IBD and caused alterations in the gut microbiota that could benefit colitis symptoms. They also found CBG acts on several metabolic pathways, including those involved in inflammation. By activating cannabinoid receptors in the gut, CBG may also help reduce the production of gastric acid and relieve things like acid reflux and heartburn. GBG is also a potent agonist of 5HT1A serotonin receptors, which also play a role in its potential gut health benefits. An abundance of 5HT1A receptors are found in the gastrointestinal tract, influencing how food moves through and is secreted from the body. This means CBG’s influence on these receptors likely plays a large role in its potential for gut and bowel health.
How to Use CBG to Support Gut and Bowel Health
Whether you regularly deal with gut and bowel issues or are looking for preventative holistic solutions to keep your gut healthy, incorporating CBG into your daily wellness routine is something to consider. But with so many CBG products on the market, choosing the best products to support gut health can get confusing. If you’re curious about using CBG but don’t know where to start, the following are some things to keep in mind. Keep in mind that everyone’s different when it comes to how cannabis affects them, which is based on factors like metabolism, tolerance, and a person’s unique physiology. Different cannabis products also work differently in the body, each with their own unique consumption method, onset, duration, and effects. This means that a CBG product that works for one person might not be the best option for someone else. Despite product type, research supports full-spectrum extracts rich in various cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial cannabis compounds that contain entourage effect benefits that may provide enhanced effects. With its rich cannabinoid and terpenes profile, RSO is the best choice for those interested in maximizing entourage effect benefits. That being said, you’ll find a few options below for some of the best products for gut and bowel health depending on your personal needs.
Best CBG Products for Gut Health
Increased interest in CBG has led to an array of CBG-infused oils, tinctures, tablets, and vape products widely available on the market. Each contains its own benefits, depending on different needs and preferences.
Vapes and Flower
Anyone seeking immediate relief for gut issues might find CBG vape pens or a strain of CBG-rich flower beneficial because effects are typically almost immediate and last around 1-2 hours. Keep in mind, however, that smoking or vaping doesn’t offer the extended relief patients with chronic conditions often need.
Tinctures
Cannabis tinctures have become an industry standard, and you’ll find an array of CBG-rich tinctures on the market that are often combined with other cannabinoids like CBD and/or THC. Effects typically take about 30 minutes to kick in, lasting up to 3-4 hours.
RSO
For those interested in potent relief with effects that last up to 6 hours or longer, RSO oil has become the cannabis go-to for digestive support. Whether you need relief from more serious gut and bowel issues or prefer a strong product with long-lasting effects, RSO CBG tablets or an RSO CBG syringe could be best for your personal needs.
Finding Your Ideal Dose
If you’re new to CBG, it’s important to follow the widely recommended start low, go slow approach that’s become the industry standard. It simply involves starting with a low dose of whatever product you choose, then gradually increasing it until you find the perfect dose for your unique needs, aka your “sweet spot.” This is one reason we designed our 25mg RSO CBG Tablets with a scored line that makes them easy to split. This way, you can start low with a perfectly measured doses of 12.5mg CBG, wait about an hour to see how it affects you, and then take the other half if you aren’t experiencing relief. Despite what type of product you decide on, start low, go slow, and always speak to a healthcare professional before using cannabis products for the first time.
Last Thoughts on CBG for Gut and Bowel Health
CBG is an exciting natural solution that’s getting a lot of attention for potential digestive support. While more research is needed to say for sure, several studies highlight CBG’s potential to regulate inflammation, improve gut motility, support a healthy microbiome, and enhance gut-brain signaling through its interaction with the ECS. Whether you or someone you love has specific gut issues or you’re simply interested in maintaining overall wellness, CBG could be a valuable, natural addition to your regular wellness routine. Don’t forget to consult with a healthcare professional first to ensure CBG aligns with your personal health goals and the safest, most positive experience possible.