What is CBG?

CBG, or cannabigerol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. It's often called the "mother of all cannabinoids" because it's a precursor to THC and CBD, meaning other cannabinoids are derived from its acidic form, CBGA. Unlike THC, CBG doesn't produce a high, making it attractive to those seeking health benefits without the psychoactive effects.

Most cannabis strains have a CBG concentration of around 1%, but some strains are bred to have higher levels. CBG is gaining popularity for its potential benefits, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antibacterial effects, although research is still in its early stages.

How does it work and what are its uses?

CBG interacts with the endocannabinoid system, affecting various receptors such as CB1 and CB2, although it is a weaker ligand compared to THC. Studies suggest it may reduce inflammation, protect neurons, and even support the treatment of hypertension and glaucoma. Some preliminary studies indicate potential anticancer effects, which is particularly interesting but requires confirmation in further human studies.

CBG products such as oils, capsules, and tinctures are available on the market, especially in countries where hemp is legal, and may be more expensive due to the low efficiency of extracting CBG from the plant.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis plants that is gaining increasing attention for its potential health benefits. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBG does not produce an intoxicating effect, making it attractive to those seeking medical alternatives without psychoactive effects. In this article, we'll take a closer look at what CBG is, how it's produced, its benefits, how to use it, and its legal status, particularly in Poland.

Definition and properties of CBG

CBG, or cannabigerol, is one of over 120 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants. It is the decarboxylated form of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the parent molecule from which other cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, are biosynthesized. As the plant grows, most of the CBG is converted into other cannabinoids, leaving approximately 1% CBG in the plant. Some strains, however, produce higher amounts of CBG and CBGA, while maintaining lower amounts of THC and CBD.

CBG is highly lipophilic and hydrophobic, meaning it dissolves readily in fats. Its pharmacodynamics are complex: it is a relatively weak ligand for the cannabinoid CB1 (Ki: 380–2,600 nM) and CB2 (Ki: 153–3,460 nM) receptors, acting as a weak partial agonist. At the same time, it is a much more potent agonist of the α2-adrenergic receptor (EC50: 0.2–72.8 nM), an antagonist of the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor (KB: 51.9 nM), and an antagonist of the TRPM8 channel (IC50: 160 nM).

CBG production

CBG biosynthesis begins with the loading of hexanoyl-CoA onto the polyketide synthase assembly protein and subsequent condensation with three molecules of malonyl-CoA. This polyketide is cyclized to olivetolic acid by olivetolic acid cyclase and then prenylated with a ten-carbon isoprenoid precursor, geranyl pyrophosphate, by the aromatic prenyltransferase enzyme, geranyl pyrophosphate—olivetolic acid geranyltransferase, to produce cannabigerolic acid, which can then be decarboxylated to yield CBG.

As the plant grows, enzymes convert CBGA into THCA, CBDA, or CBCA, and the decarboxylation process, which occurs under the influence of heat or UV light, converts these acids into their neutral forms: THC, CBD, and CBC. In some strains, this process is inhibited, allowing for higher concentrations of CBG, making them attractive to growers interested in producing CBG-rich products.

Health Benefits of CBG

Research on CBG is still in its early stages, but preliminary results suggest it may have a number of health benefits. Detailed study results are presented below:

Condition	Potential benefits	Detailed results
Neuroprotection	Reduction of neuroinflammation, protection against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, Huntington's.	Improvement of motor function in Huntington's disease mice, reduction of oxidative stress marker in rat hippothalamus, amelioration of Aβ toxicity in PC12 cells, reduction of cytokines/NO in MS models.
Anti-inflammatory	Effective for IBD, liver damage, rheumatoid arthritis, allergic asthma, skin health.	NO reduction in mice with colitis via CB2, reduction of ROS in macrophages, activation of PPARγ, inhibition of COX-1/2, superiority of vitamin C in reducing ROS in HDF (0.1% serum CBG improved skin metrics). High dose (24.6 mg/kg/day) increased inflammation in NASH, low dose (2.46 mg/kg/day) attenuated it.
Antibacterial	Broad spectrum against Gram-positive (e.g. MRSA, S. mutans) and some Gram-negative bacteria, biofilm inhibition.	Disruption of bacterial cell membranes, inhibition of quorum sensing, effective against S. aureus, V. harveyi.
Hypertension/Vasoconstriction	Lowers blood pressure, potential use in the treatment of glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure (IOP).	10 mg/kg CBG lowered blood pressure in mice, chronic administration effective, blocked by α2AR antagonist, no toxic effects in eyes/brain in rodents.
Cancer treatment	Reduces proliferation, migration, survival in prostate cancer, glioma, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, multiple myeloma.	Induction of apoptosis in glioma stem cells, inhibition of EGFR-TK, reduction of mTOR/EGFR in PDAC, increase of MHC-I for immune recognition, combination with CBD/Curcumin/Piperine reduced YAP in colorectal cancer.
Metabolic syndrome	Potential to lose weight, improve insulin sensitivity, fight cardiovascular/liver disease, risk of type 2 diabetes.	The dual PPARα/γ agonist HUM-234 prevented weight gain, lowered ALT/AST, increased BAT activity, and reduced appetite via CB1 blockade.
Pain management	Reduces pain sensitivity, effective for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and chronic pain.	A 2022 study showed pain reduction in mice, mediated by α2AR, CB1, CB2, inhibition of sodium conductance in the dorsal root ganglion.

These benefits are based on preliminary studies, primarily in animal or in vitro models, and require further clinical trials in humans to confirm their effectiveness and safety.

Forms of CBG products

CBG is available in a variety of forms similar to CBD products, including:

• CBG oils
• CBG capsules
• Topical products
• E-liquids for vaporization

CBG products may be more expensive than CBD products due to the lower yield of CBG extracted from hemp plants, which is due to the fact that CBG is present in smaller quantities, typically less than 11 TP3T of the plant's weight. It's important to choose products from reputable manufacturers to ensure quality and purity, especially given the lack of regulation in some regions.

Side effects and safety

Currently, little is known about the side effects of CBG, but given its similarity to CBD, it can be assumed that it is generally well tolerated. Studies in rats suggest good tolerability, but insufficient data are available for humans. Potential side effects may include sedation, dry mouth, and decreased heart rate and blood pressure, resulting from α2-adrenergic receptor activation.

It may also interact with medications, especially those that affect blood pressure, such as hypertension medications. It's recommended to consult a doctor before using CBG, especially if you are taking other medications or have existing health conditions, such as heart disease or hypertension.

Legality of CBG in Poland

In Poland, as in other EU countries, CBG is legal as long as it is obtained from hemp with a THC content below 0.31 TP3T, according to current regulations (increased from 0.21 TP3T to 0.31 TP3T in May 2022). Products containing CBG must meet the same requirements as CBD products, meaning they cannot contain more than the permitted THC limit. However, there are no specific regulations regarding CBG, which can lead to confusion in marketing and sales, particularly in the context of dietary supplements.

CBG is a promising cannabinoid with the potential to support health in various areas, such as neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory activity, and pain management. Although research is still ongoing, preliminary results suggest it may offer benefits similar to CBD, or even unique to it, such as potential use in treating cancer and hypertension. As always, it's a good idea to consult a healthcare professional before using any supplement, especially given the lack of comprehensive data on safety and interactions.