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What is CBG?

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CBG, or cannabigerol, is a cannabinoid that does not cause a high. The cannabis plant uses its acid form to make the acid forms of THC and CBD, so mature plants hold little of it. Most research is in cells and animals; the first published anxiety trial in people, in 2024, had 34 adults.

This guide explains what that research shows and how CBG compares with other cannabinoids.

What Is Cannabigerol (CBG)?

Cannabigerol (CBG) is often referred to as the “mother of all cannabinoids” because it is the precursor to many other cannabinoids, including CBD and THC. This means that cannabis plants produce CBGA, the acid form of CBG, first, and as the plant matures, enzymes turn most of it into the acid forms of THC and CBD. Unlike THC, CBG is not a psychoactive cannabinoid, so it doesn’t cause a high. Instead, it interacts with the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, and lab and animal studies have looked at effects such as reduced inflammation.

Definition and Chemical Structure of CBG

Chemically, CBG is the neutral form of CBGA, made when heat removes the acid group. It is more abundant in young plants, and because mature plants hold little of it, CBG is often called a minor cannabinoid. Scientists are studying how CBG interacts with the body’s receptors; a 2021 review describes its activity at cannabinoid receptors as falling between that of THC and CBD.

Discovery and History of CBG

CBG was first identified by scientists studying the chemistry of cannabis, a plant that makes more than 100 cannabinoids. Since then, most research has been in cells and animals, covering inflammation, nerve cell protection and bacteria. A 2021 review noted that, unlike CBD, little research has been done on CBG even as it is marketed as a supplement.

How Is CBG Different From CBD and THC?

While CBG, CBD, and THC all originate from the cannabis plant, they each have distinct characteristics and effects on the body. The main differences are in how each acts on the body and in how much each has been studied. CBD and THC have far more research behind them; the human CBG studies cited here are one small anxiety trial and one small safety study of single doses in 12 adults. Whether its different actions in the body add up to benefits for people is not yet known.

Comparison of CBG, CBD, and THC

  • Psychoactive vs. Non-Psychoactive: THC is psychoactive and causes a high, while CBG and CBD are non-psychoactive.
  • Different Receptor Interaction: CBG’s interaction with the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors differs from CBD’s, though what that means in people is unknown.
  • Eye Pressure: Studies in cats in 1984 and 1990 looked at CBG and eye pressure; CBG has not been tested for this in people.

Where Early CBG Research Has Focused

  • Cancer Research: Interest comes from lab and mouse studies, such as a 2014 study of colon cancer cells and mice, an early stage of research.
  • Antibacterial Activity: A 2008 lab study found CBG and four other cannabinoids strongly active against drug-resistant MRSA bacteria in a dish; this has not been tested as an infection treatment.
  • Inflammation in Mice: In a 2013 mouse study, CBG reduced experimental colitis, a model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the authors suggested testing it in patients.
  • Combined Effects: Whether CBG acts differently together with other cannabinoids, the unproven idea known as the entourage effect, has its own section below.

Gloved hands trimming a flowering cannabis plant with scissors

The Science Behind CBG

How much CBG ends up in a product depends partly on chemistry: what the plant builds first, and what its enzymes do with it next.

How Is CBG Formed?

Biosynthesis is the chain of steps a living plant uses to build a compound.

Biosynthesis of CBG from CBGA (Cannabigerolic acid)

CBG originates from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is an acidic form of the cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. What happens to most of that CBGA depends on the enzymes described below. Heat, such as drying or smoking, converts the remaining CBGA into CBG, just as it converts the other acids into THC and CBD.

Role of Enzymes in Converting CBGA to Other Cannabinoids

Enzymes within the cannabis plant are vital in converting CBGA into various cannabinoids. These enzymes act like catalysts, speeding up the reactions that turn CBGA into THCA and CBDA. The amount and activity of these enzymes dictate the final cannabinoid makeup of the plant. For example, if a plant has more THCA synthase, it will produce more THCA, which heat turns into THC, whereas a plant with more CBDA synthase will produce more CBDA.

CBG in the Cannabis Plant

CBG’s presence in cannabis plants varies significantly depending on the strain and the plant’s growth stage. Breeding and harvest timing both shape how much CBG a plant holds.

Concentration of CBG in Different Strains

In most mature cannabis plants, CBG is present only in small amounts. However, some strains are specifically bred to contain higher levels of CBG. These strains are usually harvested earlier in their growth cycle, while more CBGA remains. Some strains, such as White CBG and Super Glue CBG, are sold as high-CBG strains, but we found no published measurements for them.

Factors Affecting CBG Levels in Plants

The amount of CBG in a cannabis plant is influenced by several factors, including genetics, harvest timing, and growing conditions.

  • Genetics: Certain strains are genetically predisposed to produce more CBG.
  • Harvest Timing: An earlier harvest can mean higher CBG levels in the finished product.
  • Growing Conditions: Factors like light, temperature, and soil quality also impact CBG production. We found no published study measuring how much each of these changes CBG levels.

What CBG Research Has Tested

Research on CBG is at an early stage, and only the first area below has a trial in people:

  • Anxiety and Stress: In a 2024 randomized crossover trial of 34 healthy adults, hemp-derived CBG reduced anxiety and stress ratings compared with placebo. It has not been tested in depression and is not an alternative to antidepressants.
  • Chronic Pain: CBG has not been tested for chronic pain in people, and a 2021 review noted that little research has been done on its possible hazards.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Beyond the mouse study, CBG has not been tested in people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, so it should not replace IBD treatment.
  • Glaucoma: Beyond the cat studies above, CBG has not been tested in people with the condition, NIH says cannabis isn’t helpful for glaucoma, and CBG is not a proven treatment for glaucoma.
  • Huntington’s Disease: In 2015 mouse models of Huntington’s disease, CBG protected nerve cells and improved some movement measures; patient studies have not followed.
  • Cancer: Lab studies suggest CBG may slow the growth of some cancer cells, but it has not been studied as a cancer treatment in people.
  • Bacterial Infections: CBG has not been tested as a treatment for infections in people, including MRSA.

Comparison with Other Cannabinoids

Two questions remain after the basic comparison above: whether CBG does anything CBD and THC do not, and whether it changes how they act when taken together.

How CBG May Differ in Early Research

Two of the lab and animal findings above, and one rat study, point to ways CBG may differ from CBD and THC:

  • Drug-Resistant Bacteria: As antibiotic resistance rises, the 2008 dish results above keep CBG on the list of compounds researchers study.
  • Neuroprotective Effects: Nerve-protecting effects in mice have made CBG a research candidate for diseases such as Huntington’s.
  • Appetite Stimulation: CBG increased feeding in a 2016 rat study, while NIH lists decreased appetite as a possible side effect of CBD; CBG has not been tested for appetite loss in people with cancer or HIV/AIDS.

Does CBG Work Together With Other Cannabinoids?

CBG often comes up in discussions of the entourage effect, the unproven idea that cannabinoids add to each other’s effects:

  • Combinations in Animals: Combinations with other cannabinoids are being tested in animals, such as a 2025 mouse colitis study, but better treatments for people have not been shown.
  • Complementary Role: Combining CBG with CBD for stress-related conditions has not been studied.
  • Balancing Psychoactivity: Whether CBG eases THC side effects such as anxiety or paranoia is unknown, and a 2023 trial found that CBD did not.

Close-up of dried cannabis buds on a white background

How Is CBG Sold?

CBG is sold in several forms, often as a supplement, but a 2021 review describes it as an unregulated product with little research on its benefits or hazards.

Forms of CBG Products

  • Oils and Tinctures: Usually labeled for use under the tongue (sublingually).
  • Capsules: Provide a labeled amount per capsule.
  • Topicals: Creams and balms applied to the skin; whether they bring any relief is unknown.

Dosage and Consumption Methods

There is no established dose of CBG for any health purpose, and amounts in the few human studies were set by the researchers. Talk with a medical marijuana doctor or pharmacist before using CBG, especially if you take other medicines.

Legal Status of CBG

The legal status of CBG can be complex and varies widely depending on your location. Under federal law today, hemp is cannabis with no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight, and a 2025 federal law narrows that definition, with a later law holding back parts of it, including the 0.4 mg per-container THC limit and the rule on naturally occurring cannabinoids made outside the plant, until at least December 11, 2026. In Florida, hemp extract must have a lab certificate of analysis and cannot be sold to anyone under 21 for eating or inhaling. Check your state’s rules before buying or using CBG products. A third-party lab report shows what a CBG product contains; it does not show that the product is safe.

Potential Side Effects and Safety

Before using CBG, weigh what is known about its safety. In a 2026 study, 12 healthy adults took single doses of CBG by mouth with no drug-related adverse events, but longer studies are still needed, and its drug interactions are not well studied.

Potential Risks of CBG

Few studies have looked at CBG’s safety in people, so keep these risks in mind:

  • Limited Research: Both human studies cited here gave single doses, so neither shows the effects of using CBG for weeks or months.
  • Product Quality Concerns: The CBG market is not fully regulated, which means some products may not be accurately labeled or could contain contaminants. Third-party lab testing can show what a product actually contains, which the label alone may not.

CBG vs. CBD

Most research on CBG and CBD has looked at different things, though both have been tested for anxiety. Our CBG vs CBD guide compares the two in more depth.

CBG and CBD both act on the body’s endocannabinoid system, but in different ways, and neither has been shown to work better than the other in people. CBD’s only FDA-approved use is for certain seizures, and NIH calls the evidence for its calming effects small.

Beyond that approved use, the health benefits of both are still being studied, and results vary between people.

  • CBG: Studied mainly in the lab and in animals, for bacteria, appetite and eye pressure.
  • CBD: Often used for anxiety, stress, sleep and pain, and the FDA warns it can cause liver injury.

The entourage effect, the unproven idea that the two work better together, is covered in the earlier section on whether CBG works together with other cannabinoids.

Conclusion

CBG has been studied far less than THC or CBD. While it’s less known, its possible effects, such as reducing inflammation, protecting nerve cells and fighting bacteria, come mostly from lab and animal studies. Our post on medical marijuana and Crohn’s disease looks at what trials show for a condition involving gut inflammation. Understanding what CBG is, how it works and how it differs from other cannabinoids helps you read product claims critically. The one anxiety trial in people so far had 34 adults, so treat bigger promises with caution. If you’re interested in CBG, ask a healthcare professional to check it against your other medicines. Research on CBG is still early, so expect what we know to change.

Last updated October 18, 2026 by the Dr. Green Relief Editorial Team.

Medical review

Medically reviewed by Achilles Kalnoky, M.D.

Reviewed on .

He is licensed in Florida as a medical doctor, license ME115088, which you can check on the Florida Department of Health license lookup.

His review covers the medical statements in this post and the sources cited for them.

Sources

About the Author

Dr. Green Relief Editorial Team

The Dr. Green Relief editorial team writes and updates the articles on this blog. They are general information, not medical advice; talk with a licensed physician about your own care. Medical review, where shown, applies only to the Florida pages that carry a review date.

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