What is CBG?

The “Mother compound”

If you’ve heard of CBD or THC, you might be surprised to learn they both originate from the same cannabinoid: CBG, or Cannabigerol.

Sometimes called the “mother of all cannabinoids,” CBG is gaining attention in the world of alternative therapy in Australia for its unique properties and early research findings.

CBG (Cannabigerol) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It is known as a “precursor” cannabinoid because it forms the foundation for other major cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) (Alam et al., 2022).

CBG plays a key role as the precursor to these cannabinoids. In fact, its acidic form, CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) converts into THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) as the plant matures (Li et al., 2024).

How Might CBG Work in the Body?

Like other cannabinoids, CBG may interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors that helps regulate mood, sleep, pain, and more. Unlike THC, CBG is not associated with the psychoactive effects that create a "high."

Studies suggest CBG may:

Bind with CB1 and CB2 receptors, potentially affecting both brain and immune function (Li et al., 2024).
Act as a modulator of other cannabinoids, possibly enhancing or tempering their effects (Filipiuc et al., 2021).

However, most findings are preclinical, meaning they’re from lab or animal studies. Human data is still limited.

What Does the Research Say?

CBG has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in gut, skin, and nervous tissue (Filipiuc et al., 2021; Sionov & Steinberg, 2022).

CBG has shown strong activity against drug-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA, and may disrupt biofilms, this is a feature not commonly seen in standard antibiotics (Nachnani et al., 2021).
CBG shows neuroprotective properties in models of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, likely due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions (Chiavaroli et al., 2020; Li et al., 2024).

There is also potential for drug interactions, especially with medications metabolised by the liver (Al-Khazaleh et al., 2024).

Another important consideration is that people respond to cannabinoids differently based on their genetics, medications, and health conditions.

Conclusion: Why All the Buzz Around CBG?

CBG is emerging as a compound of great interest for researchers and patients alike. Early studies highlight its potential across areas like inflammation, neurology, and antibacterial therapy, but clinical data in humans is still developing and which is why professional medical advice is crucial when considering any new treatments.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Laws regarding prescription medicines vary by region, and readers should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any prescription medication.

References: Al-Khazaleh, A. K., Zhou, X., Bhuyan, D. J., & Münch, G. W. (2024). The neurotherapeutic arsenal in cannabis sativa: Insights into anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective activity and potential entourage effects. Molecules, 29(2), 410. Alam, S., et al. (2022). Cannabigerol: A non-psychoactive cannabinoid with therapeutic potential. Journal of Cannabis Research, 4(1), 1–13 Chiavaroli, A., Orlando, G., Di Giacomo, V., et al. (2020). Neuroprotective and neuromodulatory effects of cannabidiol and cannabigerol. Antioxidants, 9(1), 71 Filipiuc, L. E., Ababei, D. C., Alexa-Stratulat, T., et al. (2021). Major phytocannabinoids and their related compounds: Should we only search for drugs that act on cannabinoid receptors? Pharmaceutics, 13(11), 1823. Li, S., Malhi, N. K., Huang, J., et al. (2024). Cannabigerol: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Molecules, 29(22), 5471 Nachnani, R., Raup-Konsavage, W. M., & Vrana, K. E. (2021). The pharmacological case for cannabigerol. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 376(2), 204–212. Sionov, R. V., & Steinberg, D. (2022). Antimicrobial activity of phytocannabinoids. Biomedicines, 10(3), 631.