What Is Cannabigerol (CBG)?

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a type of cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It’s often referred to as the "mother of all cannabinoids." This is because other cannabinoids are derived from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), an acidic form of CBG.

CBG is found in smaller quantities than other cannabinoids in cannabis plants, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This makes consumer products derived from cannabigerol rare and often expensive. However, CBG is growing in popularity because of the many potential benefits the cannabinoid offers. 

CBG Concentration in Plants

CBG is derived from young cannabis plants, which contain higher amounts of this cannabinoid than plants that are fully developed. Both CBD and THC start as CBGA, an acidic form of CBG. This is why younger cannabis plants contain higher concentrations.

Conversely, in fully developed plants with high concentrations of THC and CBD, you’ll find very low concentrations of CBG. In most plant strains, only 1% of CBG can be found. This happens because most of the CBG has already been converted as the plant developed.

Some strains of cannabis have higher CBG content due to their genetic and biochemical makeup. Because of the difficulty in getting CBG, cannabis growers have been experimenting with cross-breeding and genetic manipulation to help cannabis plants produce more of this cannabinoid. 

How CBG Works

CBG is processed by the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is made up of molecules and receptors that are responsible for keeping our bodies in an optimal state, regardless of what’s going on in our external environment.

In our bodies, CBG imitates endocannabinoids, the natural compounds our body makes. But it does not have THC's psychotropic effects, so it will not give you a high. 

Cannabinoid Receptors in the Body

Our body contains two types of cannabinoid receptors—CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are found in the nervous system and brain, while CB2 receptors are located in the immune system and other areas of the body.

CBG works by binding to both receptors, where it’s thought to strengthen the function of anandamide. Anandamide is one of many neurotransmitters in the brain. It plays a role in enhancing pleasure and motivation, regulating appetite and sleep, and alleviating pain.

Potential Benefits of CBG

Research shows that CBG may have therapeutic effects. While more research is needed to learn the exact effects of this cannabinoid and its potential benefits, here are a few of their findings.

Anxiety and Depression

One small-scale study found that the number one reason people used cannabis preparations high in CBG was to reduce anxiety, with one in three using it to ease depression. Most of the users reported that they felt that CBG was more effective for these purposes than conventional medicines.

Chronic Pain

In the study mentioned above, the second-most common reason people used CBG was for chronic pain, with 73.9% reporting that it worked better than traditional medicines. Chronic pain is pain that lasts three months or more. This type of condition impacts roughly one in five U.S. adults or around 51.6 million Americans.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

According to one review, between 15% and 40% of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) use cannabis and cannabinoids to increase their appetite as well as to reduce their pain. Although studies have found promise for its effects on IBD, researchers added that high-quality evidence is lacking, as is advice as to the proper dose and mode of administration.

Glaucoma

Individuals with high eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP), are at a greater risk of developing glaucoma. Several studies have looked at the impact of cannabinoids on IOP. Many have found that these cannabis derivatives help lower IOP in both humans and animals, making them a potential glaucoma treatment.

Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease causes a breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. Cannabigerol appears to have a positive effect on cell viability while also protecting certain cells (N2a cells) from the toxic effects of excitatory neurotransmitters that, when activated too long, lead to cell death.

Cancer

A 2021 meta-analysis reports that CBG appears to not only stop breast cancer cells from increasing in numbers but may also kill off inflammatory cells associated with this cancer type.

Bacterial Infections

A 2020 study on the antibiotic potential of cannabis found that CBG has antibacterial properties, especially against methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is also known as MRSA, a drug-resistant bacteria that causes staph infections.

How CBG is Consumed

The most common form of commercially available CBG is oil, but it is rare and expensive. As an alternative, broad-spectrum CBD oils contain almost all the cannabinoids of cannabis.

Broad-spectrum CBD oils also contain compounds called terpenes, which are responsible for the plant's smell and are found in many plants, including fruit and herbs. Using cannabinoids together with terpenes is said to increase their combined effectiveness through a phenomenon called the entourage effect.

Some people consume CBG by smoking marijuana. While this is one way to ingest CBG, marijuana addiction is possible. This is classified as cannabis use disorder and can negatively affect your mental and physical health while also hurting your personal and social relationships.

Side Effects of CBG

Some people experience side effects when taking CBG, with some of the most common being:

• Dry mouth
• Sleepiness
• Increased appetite
• Dry eyes

CBG vs. CBD

CBG shares many similarities with CBD:

• Both act on the endocannabinoid system.
• Neither is psychoactive, meaning they don't produce a "high."
• Each one can counteract THC's psychotropic effects.

One of the biggest differences between CBD and CBG is their prevalence within the cannabis plant. Remember that most cannabis plants contain only 1% CBG. Conversely, their level of CBD is much higher, with some research indicating that CBD is the second-most abundant compound found within these plants.

CBG also interacts differently with the endocannabinoid system than CBD. CBG binds directly to both CB1 and CB2 receptors and might deliver its benefits to the system more efficiently.

Summary

Although CBG shows promise for its potential health benefits, more research must be conducted to learn its side effects, risks, and more. Until we understand how this cannabinoid works more completely, it remains unclear whether it is safe to use and, if so, in what amounts it would be most therapeutic.