Another Day, Another Cannabinoid, Another Syndrome It Can Alleviate …
To add to the ever growing list of ailments cannabinoids have been shown to positively affect, in this blog we’ll talk about how a less-talked about cannabinoid, cannabigerol (CBG), has been shown to have just as many beneficial uses as the more popular CBD. It seems the more research that gets done the more fascinating things we find out! (We’re not complaining).
Suffering from an overactive bladder may not sound like the worst problem to have, but having to dictate your daily life around finding the next restroom day after day can be exhausting, and can put a big strain on your social life. It’s estimated that between 3 and 6 million people in the UK suffer from bladder incontinence, with the WHO predicting that it affects up to 200 million worldwide. Treatments to rectify the underlying problem range from prescription medication to minor surgery. If only there was another way … wink.
Let’s Get Into The Bones Of It
The study we’re talking about is one carried out way back in 2015, where researchers tested multiple cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant (except THC and cannabichromene). These cannabinoids were first used in mice with overactive bladders.
The Most Effective Cannabinoid (for bladder control)
The results were impressive – CBG was shown to be the most effective of all cannabinoids tested. The mechanisms weren’t fully discovered (this takes years of testing). However they suggested that CBG functions outside of cannabinoid receptors, and instead functions by helping the body and bladder regulate itself!
(Our other blogs outline some of the other amazing ways cannabinoids help the body help itself, read about them all here)
Now we don’t like to put a lot of weight into mice studies – but thankfully the study didn’t end there. After the trials in mice the study moved on to observing the effect the cannabinoids had on human bladder. They found that again CBG seemed to show a reduction in acetylcholine-induced bladder contractions. This research follows on from studies in 2013 that found that cannabis extracts were able to lower contractions by 19%.
While nothing groundbreaking, it’s always good to have research that can potentially find uses from natural extracts. Especially when its as biologically harmless as CBG. No toxicity. No psychoactivity. Only efficacy!
It’s also good to have more proof that it’s not just the CBD in our whole extract blend that’s doing people so much good, every cannabinoid and terpene contributes in its own way to the entourage effect, gently restoring the bodies natural function. If you suffer from any form of bladder dysfunction and are interested in trying CBD / CBG, we highly recommend first consulting with a physician knowledgeable of cannabinoids to get advice around potential interactions with medication.
References
- Pagano, E., Montanaro, V., di Girolamo, A., Pistone, A., Altieri, V., Zjawiony, J.K., Izzo, A.A. and Capasso, R., 2015. Effect of non-psychotropic plant-derived cannabinoids on bladder contractility: focus on cannabigerol. Natural Product Communications, 10(6), p.1934578X1501000653.
- Bakali, E. and Tincello, D.G., 2013. Cannabinoids and the urinary bladder. Gynecol. Obstet, 3(163), pp.2161-0932.
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/treatment/