Can CBG Products Help Arthritis Pain?

*Despite what you might read elsewhere on the internet, CBG has not been medically proven to prevent, treat, or cure arthritis. This article discusses ongoing research into the endocannabinoid system and should not be the foundation of any medical or health recommendations or diagnosis. If you have or suspect you may have arthritis, talk to your doctor.*

Arthritis literally means an inflammation of the joints. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and more than 50 million adults who have at least one type. The condition is more common in women and happens more frequently as people age. The most common type of arthritis is degenerative osteoarthritis. In this condition, the cartilage that supports and cushions the surface of the ends of the bones wears away. This causes bone to rub against bone, which triggers pain, inflammation, and stiffness.

Scientists believe several factors may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. These include joint injury, overuse, obesity, and weak muscles. The most common joints affected are used frequently and often are weight-bearing. These include your hips, knees, fingers, and feet.

Anti-inflammatory medications are often used to treat the pain of arthritis. This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), topical treatments, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Each of these treatments comes with a long list of side effects. Some of the more common side effects of NSAIDs include constipation, headache, dizziness, and drowsiness. Evidence suggests there may be another option to treat the pain associated with arthritis, without the side effects.

How the Endocannabinoid System Impacts Pain

Throughout the human body are receptor sites, called cannabinoid receptors, which are part of the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system was identified in the 1990s by scientists researching the cannabis plant, and it was discovered that compounds called cannabinoids bind to the cannabinoid receptor sites in order to help the body regulate core functions, such as sleep, stress, and pain.

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring chemical compounds that are produced within the human body (endocannabinoids) and also within the cannabis plant (phytocannabinoids). 

There are two types of cannabinoid receptor sites, including CB1, found in the central nervous system, and CB2, concentrated in the immune system. When your body has a balanced level of cannabinoids that interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors, it may help you to stay mentally resilient and improve your physical wellbeing.

Many scientists also believe that activation of these CB1 and CB2 receptors may produce analgesia, or reduction in pain. Specifically, scientists are interested to know if when certain cannabinoids bind with these receptors, could they potentially help to block or limit neuropathic pain and reduce neural inflammation. A number of studies have been conducted to shed light on this area of research.  

Is CBG Effective for Arthritis Pain?

Traditional healers and natural medicine practitioners have been using the cannabis sativa plant for its purported analgesic effect for thousands of years. There are over 100 different cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis sativa plant. Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of them. CBG is unique since it is involved in the formation of several other cannabinoids. This has earned the compound the title “The Mother of all Cannabinoids.”

However, while it is an active ingredient in the cannabis plant, it is only present in small amounts. This means to identify the likely health benefits, researchers must isolate the compound and study it independently.

Inside the body, CBG binds with CB1 and CB2 receptors. We cannot make the claim that any cannabinoid should be used to treat a specific disease or ailment. However, there is some research to show that CBG may one day be more widely used to help support people with inflammatory conditions.

Scientists believe that the endocannabinoid system is one of the keys to regulating pain sensations. One research paper indicates that CBG may be an alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonist and 5HT1a receptor antagonist. What this means is that CBG’s effect on these receptors may help reduce the perception of pain and help alleviate the discomfort, soreness, and aches associated with arthritis.

As research about CBG continues to grow, some experts are hopeful that CBG may one day provide an effective treatment for arthritis pain. For now, the studies are inconclusive.