CBG Pills: Committing to Cannabis In Good Form (and Why It Matters)

Fact Checked By

Dr. Max Kerr

Published October 6, 2020 by

Olivia Walters

Smoking up but missing out, that’s the thing about cannabis absorption a lot of people don’t realize. Cannabinoid products, such as “bud,” oils, and CBG pills sell you on the quick effects but tend to overlook the bigger picture.

That is, how to maximize the therapeutic benefits of cannabis over the long term. Everyone has their preferred form of cannabis ingestion, but what if there was a better, more efficient method of getting cannabinoids into your system?

Let’s dive into the science before we make any further arguments. Welcome to the beautiful world of bioavailability!

Bioavailability is a term used in pharmacokinetics to understand the rate of absorption and active compounds of a substance or drug.[1]

According to the Journal of Cannabinoid Medicine, fractions of THC/CBD doses get lost in the gut or not absorbed because of their poor water solubility. As a result, the cannabis dose is wasted after administration.[2]

Cannabis experts say this underscores the need for a more clinical focus on the bioavailability aspect of cannabis.

In the cannabis industry, cannabinoid products can be more bioavailable than others based on how quickly they absorb into the body.

For example, CBG pills are not as bioavailable because they have to pass through the digestive system before circulating into the bloodstream. The potency of CBG changes along the way and turns out to be less “active” than—for instance—CBG tinctures and drinks.

There are ways around the digestive tract, which is why taking CBG sublingually (more on this later) is actually more bioavailable.

In this article, we cover the benefits of CBG and highlight the most bioavailable forms of the “mother of all cannabinoids.” You will learn the difference between absorption via CBG pills, tinctures, and water-soluble supplements (plus why Bio-Wrapped™ is a better CBG form).

What are the benefits of CBG?

CBG— also known as cannabigerol and “the mother of all cannabinoids”— is one of more than a hundred cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Extracting CBG as an isolate tends to be a little trickier since it appears in such small quantities (often less than 1%).[3]

Still, the benefits of CBG are valuable, making it one of the most diverse cannabinoids available, according to Cannainsider.[4] The therapeutic uses of CBG may be good for people with:

Depression + anxiety
Pain + inflammation
Cancer
Glaucoma
Huntington’s disease

Like other cannabinoids (THC + CBD), CBG molecules bind to our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) and assist in restoring its internal balance. For a more intensive discussion on the chemical process behind cannabis activation, check out this article about cannabigerol and the ECS.

It’s also worthwhile to mention that every cannabinoid has its own unique profile. They do, however, mutually benefit each other, as is true when you dose CBG and CBD simultaneously.

But to avoid generalizations, cannabis professionals differentiate between psychoactive THC (the “high” sensation) and non-psychoactive CBG, CBD, etc.

Now that you have a solid foundation for understanding the basics of cannabinoids, let’s discuss how to use CBG for optimal bioavailability (to help you get the best of the best).

The factors of higher bioavailability

As mentioned before, the percentage of cannabinoids that get absorbed into the body is called bioavailability. It’s considered the best way to measure high-quality cannabis.[5]

You can think of it like this:

Method of ingestion + cannabinoid composition = (higher/lower) bioavailability of cannabis

If you’re using cannabis for medical reasons, it may take some trial and error before you find the best way to ingest cannabis for you (on top of considering your weight, age, and experience with marijuana).

Cannabis Bioavailability

Let’s cover the most popular bioavailable methods to get you started:

Inhalation

Vaping, dabbing, and smoking “bud” all fall into the inhalation category. Studies estimate the bioavailability of THC is around 30%,[6] but depending on smoking dynamics and length of exposure, bioavailability can be 2-52%.[7]

Inhalation is one of the most bioavailable options because THC/CBD smoke goes directly to the lungs, enters the bloodstream, and bypasses metabolization in the liver.[8]

Oral

THC edibles and CBG pills are two examples of oral methods that are actually less bioavailable than you may realize. The liver absorbs cannabinoids slowly and they can get lost in fat cells.[9]

Transdermal + topical

Research appears to support the high bioavailability of CBD/THC gels, lotions and patches.

While there are no human-based trials (for now), evidence from the use of CBD as a topical on rats with arthritis suggest this application method targets pain quickly.[10]

Sublingual

You’ve heard of people dosing CBD for sleep and there’s a reason for it. Dropping CBD oil under your tongue is a sublingual method of delivery, which means quicker and more direct absorption into the bloodstream.[11]

Although experts do argue that oil-based cannabis extracts aren’t as bioavailable because only a limited amount of cannabinoids reach the circulatory system after passing through the stomach and liver.[12]

But there is a distinction between oil-based CBD and alcohol-based CBD tinctures (more bioavailable).[13]

There’s one more thing to keep in mind when selecting a CBG product (something Sovereignty offers that others don’t).

Why Bio-Wrapped™ CBG?

Broad spectrum cannabinoid products are more bioavailable because they contain multiple cannabinoids, terpenes (the aromatic property), and essential oils.[14]

The “entourage effect”[15] of broad spectrum cannabis means more health benefits and solutions to anxiety, insomnia, and pain.

While we’re on the subject, you can try our Bio-Wrapped™ CBG powder supplement called

Purpose. We didn’t cover the water-soluble method of cannabis ingestion until now for a reason.

And it has to do with how simple it is to mix CBG + CBD into water and feel ready for the day in minutes.

You’ve probably had your fair share of groggy, sluggish mornings (when even coffee doesn’t get you there). Formulating CBG as a powder has changed the game simply because it works in water.

Since our bodies are made of roughly 60% water[16], Purpose complements the body’s natural composition for a highly bioavailable intake of CBG + CBD.

Higher bioavailability, as you’ve learned, means you consume cannabis with intention—that is, you get long term benefits from plant medicine and the right to brag about doing it in good form (go ahead, we give you permission).

Plus, you become sovereign over your health while you’re at it.