CBG and CBD: Natural Solutions For Bone Healing & Management

Cannabinoids have garnered significant attention in recent years for their potential therapeutic benefits. While CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most well-known, another cannabinoid, CBG (cannabigerol), is emerging as a promising compound for bone healing and management. Today, we’re going to look at one of the potential benefits of CBG and CBD in the context of bone health and discomfort relief. Please note that these statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Understanding CBG

CBG, or cannabigerol, is one of over 120 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBG is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not produce the “high” associated with cannabis use. CBG is often referred to as the “mother” or “stem cell” cannabinoid because it is the precursor to other cannabinoids like THC and CBD. During the plant’s growth, enzymes break down CBG into these other cannabinoids. Although present in smaller quantities in most cannabis strains, its potential therapeutic benefits have led to increased interest and research, particularly in cancer medicine and other forms of healing, as you’ll see when we dive into our studies..

Understanding CBD

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is another one of the many compounds found in the cannabis plant. It’s a longtime staple of the wellness community, and has a lot of different uses thanks to the way it interacts with whole-body systems. It is also non-psychoactive, and this makes it an attractive option for those looking for relief from discomfort, stress, and other conditions. CBD works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a complex cell-signaling system that plays a role in regulating a range of functions and processes, including mood, sleep, and appetite. 

Recent Research in Bone Healing and Management

A trio of recent studies related to these cannabinoids have taken a deep look at their potential for bone healing and management. The first study, a rodent trial, explores how CBG and CBD work together to help manage discomfort and promote healing in mice with broken bones. Unlike other medications like NSAIDs and opioids, which can interfere with the healing process or have potential for abuse, CBD and CBG were shown to effectively reduce discomfort without these negative side effects. Additionally, both compounds helped speed up the healing of bone fractures by increasing the production of bone-building cells and enhancing the overall strength and quality of the newly formed bone. These findings suggest that CBD and CBG could be promising alternatives for the management in discomfort from bone fractures, helping patients recover more quickly and with less discomfort.

Another study demonstrated how CBD can help prevent bone loss in rats with severe spinal cord injuries (SCI). When rats experience SCI, they often suffer from significant bone loss below the injury site, which can lead to osteoporosis and fractures. The researchers administered CBD to the rats for 14 days and observed several beneficial effects. CBD treatment increased bone density and improved bone structure, making the bones stronger and less likely to fracture. The study found that CBD elevated the levels of certain proteins that promote bone formation and decreased levels of proteins that lead to bone resorption. Additionally, CBD enhanced the expression of genes involved in the protein signaling pathway that is important for bone growth and regeneration. These findings suggest that CBD could be a promising treatment to prevent bone loss and promote bone health in patients with SCI.

The third study also looked at CBD. Researchers used rats with broken femurs to see how CBD influenced the healing process. They discovered that CBD significantly improved the strength and toughness of the healing bones without affecting stiffness. CBD worked by enhancing the activity of an enzyme called lysyl hydroxylase, which is crucial for collagen stabilization and crosslinking in bones. Unlike THC, CBD alone was effective in enhancing fracture healing. These findings suggest that CBD could be a beneficial treatment for improving bone strength and aiding in the recovery of fractures.

The Potential of Cannabinoids in Bone Healing

So why would these cannabinoids have such an impact on bone healing? As the third study pointed out, CBD enhances enzyme activity during the bone formation process. But it isn’t just enzymes alone; CBD and CBG can stimulate bone marrow stem cells to differentiate into bone-forming cells. This process, known as osteogenesis, is essential for the growth and repair of bones.

CBG’s influence on bone health may also be linked to its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a role in regulating various physiological processes, including bone metabolism. The ECS consists of receptors (CB1 and CB2), endocannabinoids, and enzymes. CBG interacts primarily with the CB2 receptor, which is predominantly found in the immune system and bone tissue. Activation of CB2 receptors has been shown to reduce bone loss and stimulate bone formation.

CBG for Management of Discomfort

Discomfort reduction is another area where CBG in particular shows considerable promise. Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide, significantly impacting their quality of life. Traditional pain management options, such as opioids, come with a risk of addiction and other adverse side effects. As a result, there is a growing interest in alternative pain relief methods, including cannabinoids like CBG.

CBG’s analgesic (discomfort-relieving) properties are thought to arise from its interaction with the ECS and its ability to influence various discomfort pathways. Other studies have demonstrated that CBG can reduce swelling, which is often a significant contributor to discomfort. By interacting with CB2 receptors in immune cells, CBG may help reduce irritable responses, leading to decreased soreness and swelling.

Additionally, CBG’s potential to inhibit the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters, such as anandamide, enhances its discomfort-relieving effects. In the first rodent study, CBG was found to regulate a molecule called anandamide in mice. Anandamide, often referred to as the “bliss molecule,” plays a role in regulating soreness, mood, and appetite. By preventing its breakdown, CBG can prolong anandamide’s action, contributing to prolonged relief from discomfort.

The Future of CBG Research

The research on CBG is still in its early stages, but the initial findings are promising. As more studies are conducted, our understanding of CBG’s therapeutic potential will continue to grow. As the scientific community continues to uncover the benefits of this cannabinoid, it has the potential to become a valuable tool in modern medicine.

If you are interested in CBG or CBD for your wellness routine, Myriam’s Hemp is proud to offer a lineup of lab-tested, natural hemp products that offer an array of wellness benefits.  Shop our catalog, and if you have any questions about which products might be right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out! We believe that people should be given all the information to make informed decisions about their wellness options, and we’re happy to talk with you about what contributions our products may make to your well-being.

Works Cited

Gilbert, S. F. (2000). Osteogenesis: The development of bones. In Developmental Biology (6th ed.). Sinauer Associates. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10056/

Khajuria, D. K., Karuppagounder, V., Nowak, I., Sepulveda, D. E., Lewis, G. S., Norbury, C. C., Raup-Konsavage, W. M., Vrana, K. E., Kamal, F., & Elbarbary, R. A. (2023). Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol, Nonpsychotropic Cannabinoids, as Analgesics that Effectively Manage Bone Fracture Discomfort and Promote Healing in Mice. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 38(11), 1560-1576. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.4902.

Kogan NM, Lavi Y, Topping LM, Williams RO, McCann FE, Yekhtin Z, Feldmann M, Gallily R, Mechoulam R. Novel CBG Derivatives Can Reduce Swelling, Discomfort and Obesity. Molecules. 2021 Sep 15;26(18):5601. http://doil.org/10.3390/molecules26185601. 

Kogan, N. M., Melamed, E., Wasserman, E., Raphael, B., Breuer, A., Stok, K. S., Sondergaard, R., Villarreal Escudero, A. V., Baraghithy, S., Attar-Namdar, M., Friedlander-Barenboim, S., Mathavan, N., Isaksson, H., Mechoulam, R., Müller, R., Bajayo, A., Gabet, Y., & Bab, I. (2015). Cannabidiol, a major non-psychotropic cannabis constituent, enhances fracture healing and stimulates lysyl hydroxylase activity in osteoblasts. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 30(10), 1905-1913. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.2513 ​​

Li, D., Lin, Z., Meng, Q., Wang, K., Wu, J., & Yan, H. (2017). Cannabidiol administration reduces sublesional cancellous bone loss in rats with severe spinal cord injury. European Journal of Pharmacology, 809, 13-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.05.011.