“CBG, short for cannabigerol, is often called the ‘mother of all cannabinoids’ because it plays a foundational role in how the cannabis plant produces many of its most well-known compounds, like delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol THC and CBD,” says Bridget Cole Williams, M.D., a Detroit-based family medicine physician specialising in traditional and holistic health and Forbes Health advisory board member. “Think of it as the building block or precursor that starts it all.” CBG is a key player in cannabis chemistry and science because it’s the origin of many of the plant’s beneficial compounds, adds Dr Williams.

More specifically, CBG’s acidic precursor, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), forms the foundation of CBD, THC and other active plant constituents.

How Does CBG Work?

Research suggests cannabinoids, including CBG, interact with certain receptors of the body’s innate endocannabinoid system (ECS) to provide beneficial health effects. The ECS is part of the body’s nervous system and features cannabinoids produced by the body and cannabinoid receptors. The system affects numerous physiological functions, such as anxiety, mood, metabolism and more.

“This system plays a crucial role in maintaining balance, or homeostasis, in your body,” adds Dr Williams. “CBG works by interacting with two main types of receptors in the ECS: CB1 receptors, found mostly in the brain and nervous system, and CB2 receptors, found throughout the immune system and other parts of the body,” she explains.

Of note, most research into the ECS examines how THC and CBD specifically bind to cannabinoid receptors, and further studies are necessary to fully understand not only these interactions but also how other cannabinoids like CBG function within the ECS to produce potentially therapeutic health effects.

“CBG is an emerging cannabinoid gaining attention for its potential health and wellness benefits,” says Dr Williams.

While research is in early stages, some studies suggest CBG may have a number of promising health benefits thanks to its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to Dr Williams and Peter Grinspoon, M.D., a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, instructor at Harvard Medical School, cannabis specialist and author of Seeing Through the Smoke: Cannabis: An Expert Doctor Untangles the Truth About Cannabis: these benefits include:

• Regulating mood
• Improving sleep
• Protecting brain cells and supporting brain health
• Stimulating appetite
• Alleviating pain
• Activating immune responses
• Enhancing skin health and improving skin inflammation (when applied topically)

However, though these potential health benefits are worth considering, it’s important to note that conclusive research regarding CBG’s benefits is lacking, and retailers may suggest their CBG products offer unvalidated health and wellness improvements.

“Manufacturer marketing claims soar above the actual science,” notes Dr Grinspoon.

As CBG research to date is sparse, potential risks to human health are yet to be determined, says Dr Grinspoon.

Given CBG is often combined with CBD in retail products, established CBD side effects and safety risks should be considered. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these may include:

• Liver injury
• Adverse drug interactions
• Male reproductive toxicity
• Increased sedation or drowsiness when combined with alcohol or anti-anxiety medications
• Gastrointestinal distress, such as diarrhea
• Mood changes, including irritability

Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should not use products that contain CBD, as the effects of CBD on a developing foetus or newborn are still undergoing research.

To maximise consumer safety, individuals seeking a CBG product should take quality into consideration. Dr Grinspoon suggests looking into products that are third-party laboratory tested and feature a certificate of analysis (COA) confirming potency and consumer safety.

CBG vs. CBD: What’s the Difference?

“While CBG shares some similarities with CBD, it also offers distinct properties that make it worth exploring,” notes Dr Williams.

Like CBD, CBG doesn’t produce the intoxicatingly psychoactive “high” associated with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and therefore may be suitable for individuals looking to avoid THC or other psychoactive cannabinoids.