What is CBGV? Discover its effects

Although popularly we always talk about THC and CBD, the truth is that the cannabis plant offers more than 100 different types of cannabinoids. One of these medicinal compounds is cannabigerovarin (CBGV), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is being studied for its effects on the regulation of certain neurological processes, due to its interaction with brain signaling systems. Today at Cannactiva, we will delve into what CBGV is, its origin and potential effects.

What is CBGV?

Cannabigerovarine (CBGV) is a cannabinoid found naturally in the cannabis plant that is structurally similar to cannabigerol (CBG).

CBGV can be found in cannabis flowers, in different proportions depending on the variety. Normally, cannabis strains are not particularly rich in CBGV, so this cannabinoid will always be found in a minority form in hemp or marijuana, in quantities much lower than the percentages of CBD and THC, depending on the variety.

It is also possible to find CBGV in full-spectrum CBD extracts. The proportion will vary depending on the amount of raw material used.

Differences between CBGV, CBD and THC

CBGV vs CBD (cannabidiol)

Both are non-psychoactive cannabinoids, but CBGV and CBD interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system differently. CBD is known to have a wide range of therapeutic effects as it interacts with multiple cellular targets, while the specific interactions and effects of CBGV are still under investigation.

CBGV vs. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)

THC is known for its psychoactive effects, which CBGV does not produce. THC interacts primarily with CB1 receptors in the brain, which causes the “high” associated with marijuana use, an effect that has not been reported from CBGV.

Origin and Synthesis of the CBGV

CBGV is found naturally in the cannabis plant. It is produced in the glandular trichomes of the plant, through a chemical process known as cannabinoid biosynthesis.

The precursor substance is cannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA, the cannabinoid in acid form), which the cannabis plant transforms into CBGV.

Properties and effects of CBGV

Although both CBGV and the acid form cannabinoid, CBGVA, were first identified and isolated in the 1970s (1), scientific research interest in CBGV has been limited.

CBGV is still undergoing research to fully understand its properties and effects. The few preliminary studies that exist suggest that CBGV may help conditions such as pain and inflammation (2).

It is also believed that CBGV could enhance the therapeutic effects of other cannabinoids through the entourage effect, potentially modifying the way cannabinoids interact with receptors in the body.

CBGV and the endocannabinoid system

CBGV could bind to cannabinoid receptors, reducing their activity without blocking them.

Since the endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in the regulation of various physiological processes, including pain sensation, mood and immune system function, it is possible that CBGV could have an effect on the human body, although further studies are still needed to describe its potential.

Studies on CBGV and its effects on the endocannabinoid system.

Some studies in cell culture (in vitro) have suggested that CBGV has some affinity for the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system. However, its binding to cannabinoid receptors seems somewhat controversial, since it is said that CBGV applied to living organisms could act as an inverse agonist of cannabinoid receptors (7).

The possible inverse agonism of CBGV refers to the fact that this cannabinoid can bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors, but cause the opposite effect that an agonist substance would have. That is, it binds to the receptor and decreases its activity without blocking it.

Another theory is that the interaction of CBGV with the endocannabinoid system takes place indirectly and possibly influences the activity of other cannabinoids such as THC and CBD within the endocannabinoid system.

Benefits and therapeutic applications of CBGV

Research on the therapeutic applications of CBGV is very limited. However, its therapeutic potential is suggested for certain conditions, including some types of cancer and inflammatory processes. It is further postulated that CBGV may enhance the effectiveness of other cannabinoids.

Cancer

CBGV appears to be an antagonist of certain receptors related to the malignancy of some cancer cells, the TRPV2 receptors. These receptors are overexpressed in tumor cells and play a crucial role in cancer proliferation and invasion (3). Although this still needs to be explored in detail, by antagonizing these receptors, CBGV could offer benefits in the treatment of cancers such as prostate and breast cancer.

In studies with tumor cells, CBGV has been shown to reduce proinflammatory cytokines (4) and decrease colorectal cancer cell proliferation (5), indicating the need for further research to fully understand its therapeutic potential.

Dry skin

CBGV shows promise for the treatment of dry skin. One study suggests that it can stimulate the sebaceous glands to induce skin lipid synthesis, which would be beneficial in treating conditions such as dry skin syndrome, xerosis (excessive dryness of the skin), and mitigating the effects of natural aging on the skin (6).

How is CBGV taken?

Because CBGV research is in the early stages, there are no widely available standardized products or methods of consumption yet. It may generally be present in full-spectrum cannabis extracts, such as Full Spectrum CBD oil, which contain a wide diversity of cannabinoids.

Topical formulations with CBGV are available on the market for skin conditions related to dry skin or anti-aging cosmetic products.

CBGV dosage

Optimal doses for CBGV have not been established due to lack of human studies. Any potential therapeutic use of CBGV should be carefully studied to determine effective and safe doses.

Side effects of CBGV

The side effects of CBGV are currently unknown, so research is needed to understand potential adverse reactions. Given its non-psychoactive nature, it is not expected to produce the euphoric effects associated with THC.

Conclusion

In summary, CBGV is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid with potential to treat pain and inflammation. Their use represents a fascinating area of cannabinoid research with potential therapeutic benefits that have yet to be fully discovered. For now, the study to discover all the possible properties and applications of CBGV continues and appears to be promising. We’ll keep an eye out for new research, and we’ll keep reporting!

References

1. Shoyama, Y., Hirano, H., Makino, H., Umekita, N., Nishioka, I., Cannabis. X. The Isolation and Structures of Four New Propyl Cannabinoid Acids, Tetrahydrocannabivarinic Acid, Cannabidivarinic Acid, Cannabichromevarinic Acid and Cannabigerovarinic Acid, from Thai Cannabis, ‘Meao Variant’, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 1977, Volume 25, Issue 9, Pages 2306-2311. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.25.2306
2. De Petrocellis, L., Orlando, P., Moriello, A. S., Aviello, G., Stott, C., Izzo, A. A., & Di Marzo, V. (2012). Cannabinoid actions at TRPV channels: effects on TRPV3 and TRPV4 and their potential relevance to gastrointestinal inflammation. Acta physiologica (Oxford, England), 204(2), 255-266. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1716.2011.02338.x
3. Santoni, G., Maggi, F., Morelli, M. B., Santoni, M., & Marinelli, O. (2019). Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channels in Cancer Therapy. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 7(12), 108. https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci7120108
4. Pagano, E., Romano, B., Iannotti, F. A., Parisi, O. A., D’Armiento, M., Pignatiello, S., Coretti, L., Lucafò, M., Venneri, T., Stocco, G., Lembo, F., Orlando, P., Capasso, R., Di Marzo, V., Izzo, A. A., & Borrelli, F. (2019). The non-euphoric phytocannabinoid cannabidivarin counteracts intestinal inflammation in mice and cytokine expression in biopsies from UC pediatric patients. Pharmacological research, 149, 104464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104464
5. Lee, H. S., Tamia, G., Song, H. J., Amarakoon, D., Wei, C. I., & Lee, S. H. (2022). Cannabidiol exerts anti-proliferative activity via a cannabinoid receptor 2-dependent mechanism in human colorectal cancer cells. International immunopharmacology, 108, 108865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108865
6. Oláh, A., Markovics, A., Szabó-Papp, J., Szabó, P. T., Stott, C., Zouboulis, C. C., & Bíró, T. (2016). Differential effectiveness of selected non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids on human sebocyte functions implicates their introduction in dry/seborrhoeic skin and acne treatment. Experimental dermatology, 25(9), 701-707. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.13042
7. Navarro G, Varani K, Lillo A, Vincenzi F, Rivas-Santisteban R, Raïch I, Reyes-Resina I, Ferreiro-Vera C, Borea PA, Sánchez de Medina V, Nadal X, Franco R. Pharmacological data of cannabidiol- and cannabigerol-type phytocannabinoids acting on cannabinoid CB1, CB2 and CB1/CB2 heteromer receptors. Pharmacol Res. 2020 Sep;159:104940. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104940. Epub 2020 May 26. PMID: 32470563.