As research continues to move forward at a swift rate, evidence that cannabinoids could be beneficial to human beings continues to make its way into the mainstream news. CBGA, in particular, is beginning to make waves in the health and wellness community. It turns out that there is a possibility that CBGA actually has the capacity to stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus in its tracks.
What is CBGA?
CBGA, also known as cannabigerolic acid, is the acidic form of CBG, also known as cannabigerol. As with the other cannabinoids that are present in the cannabis plant, the early form of the compound is acidic. CBG, CBD, and THC all convert from their acidic forms into their matured forms as the plant ages, or the compounds are exposed to heat.
Many manufacturers of hemp products use a process known as decarboxylation to gently heat the solids of the extracts to a point that converts the cannabinoids into a form that has an effect.
The cannabinoids in their acidic forms do not have any noticeable effects on human beings, especially in the case of THCA. Where THC produces a psychoactive effect on its users, THCA has no effects. A person could ingest mass amounts of THCA without ever feeling even the slightest buzz.
Cannabinoids and COVID-19
In a recent study at the beginning of 2022, a group of researchers discovered that the acidic stages of the main cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant attach themselves to certain protein spikes that are on the SARS-CoV-2 virus cells. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is what turns into the COVID-19 virus when in the human system.
What this means is that certain cannabinoids in their acidic state have the capacity to stop the virus from entering the cells of the human body where they can reproduce and take over.
This does not mean that by merely smoking marijuana or hemp you will be protected from the virus. Once you add heat to the cannabinoid it converts to its matured state. The matured state of a cannabinoid does not offer the same benefits as the cannabinoids in their acidic state.
The only way for the cannabinoids to offer any assistance with the virus is if they were in a high concentration of a pure form.
What Are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are a family of complex compounds that are part of the cannabis plant. Scientists are still working to explain exactly what cannabinoids are, and what role they play in the life of a cannabis plant, however, the evidence that they have discovered so far paints a pretty clear picture.
Most plants are equipped with compounds known as terpenes. These terpenes are responsible for the scent and taste of the plant. Certain plants have a stronger presence of terpenes than others.
Lemons, for example, have a very distinct and powerful scent that automatically defines them as part of the citrus family. However, the lemon taste is a bit sour and strong compared to oranges and tangerines. All of these fruits are in the citrus family, but each one has a distinctly different essence.
Some terpenes are in place to protect the plant from predators, and some are in place to help with attracting pollinating insects so that the plant can continue to reproduce and further its lineage.
Cannabinoids seem to play the same role in cannabis plants as terpenes. Although cannabis plants are equipped with terpenes as well, it seems as the cannabis plant gets an extra layer of protection and sex appeal from their unique and mysterious compounds.
Cannabinoids and Humans
CBG and CBD have reputation for helping people with various ailments such as discomfort and stress. On top of both being presumed antioxidants, they are also believed to have anti-inflammation properties. The way that cannabinoids interact with the human body leaves much room for questions that are still yet to be answered.
Human beings and many animals have a system in place known as the endocannabinoid system. The strange thing about this system is that it uses our own self-generated cannabinoid-like compounds to send and receive messages throughout the body that tell certain organs or other body parts to relax, tense up, and so on.
The endocannabinoid system is a network of receivers that connect with each other throughout the entire body and just under the skin. Endocannabinoids, that our own bodies create, flow through the system and attach to the receptors in order to give and receive orders.
When cannabinoids are introduced into the body it is as if they are made from our own systems because our endocannabinoid systems act like they are natural elements. Cannabinoids can attach themselves to the receptors and influence them to either send or not send information throughout the rest of the body.
Scientists believe that this behavior is the key to explaining why people claim that they get relief from discomfort and stress when they use products that contain CBG and CBD.
THC, on the other hand, attaches itself directly to the receptors in the system and commands them to do its bidding. The way that THC affects the brain is still a huge mystery to scientists. However, it is extremely evident that THC has a true effect on the brain and the way that people behave while they are under the influence of it.
CBGA On its Own
One thing that is definitely certain about CBGA is that it does not cause a significant high, nor is it psychoactive like its cousin THC. As of now, there has not been much research behind CBG, or CBGA. The only thing that has been confirmed is that it does exist and that it is a cannabinoid.
According to the research regarding its effectiveness in the fight against COVID-19, it has its very own characteristics that make it unique.
CBG is often referred to as the mother, or father of cannabinoids because, without its presence, there would not be any cannabinoids at all. It seems as if all of the other cannabinoids are derived from the acidic form known as CBGA.
While in the flowering cycle of the cannabis and hemp plants CBGA produces THC, CBD, and all of the other cannabinoids before it loses its influence and power the drops to minuscule amounts as the plants become mature.
Which is More Effective CBG or CBD?
All of the information that is present regarding the benefits of any cannabinoid is based off of purely ancedotel evidence. There are some people that state that CBG is more effective when it comes to relieiving migranes than CBD. However, there is no substantial proof that this is accurate.
Science has proven that cannabinoids to interract with the human body and have the capacity to help to keep the body in a state of homeostasis by aiding the endocannabinoid system, but to the extent of this help, nobody really knows.
Conclusion
Wouldn’t it be completely ironic if the very plant that society has attacked and demonized over the last century was the key to ending the fight against COVID-19? The evidence is out there. Cannabinoids have the capacity to block infection by attatching themselves to proteins on the virus. Although this is a very young discovery, researches are continuing to be dilligent in their labors and there is much promise on the horizon.