There’s a new cannabinoid in town that’s gaining attention: cannabigerol, or CBG. Often referred to as the “mother of all cannabinoids,” CBG is a lesser-known compound found in cannabis plants that could one day rival CBD in popularity, especially after a recent clinical trial revealed its potential benefits for anxiety and stress relief.
In the first-ever human clinical trial of its kind, researchers at Washington State University tested how CBG impacts anxiety and stress in 34 healthy participants. The results were promising. Those who took a tincture of CBG reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and stress within an hour of ingestion compared to when they took a placebo. Interestingly, participants also showed slight improvements in verbal memory after taking CBG a surprising result given that THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, is known to impair memory.
While CBD has gained widespread fame for its potential to treat everything from insomnia to chronic pain, CBG has largely flown under the radar. Found in only trace amounts in cannabis plants, CBG has historically been overshadowed by its more famous cousins, THC and CBD. But recent preclinical studies suggest that CBG might have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, as well as the ability to reduce seizures in animal models of epilepsy.
The Washington State University study is one of the first to explore CBG’s effects on anxiety and stress in humans, and the results are encouraging. After ingesting a CBG tincture, participants were asked to rate their mood, stress, and anxiety at various intervals. The study was conducted remotely via Zoom, and while CBG only reduced anxiety on one global test, the findings are in line with a prior survey conducted by the same researchers, which found that most CBG users took the compound to manage anxiety and reported it to be more effective than conventional medications.
However, the researchers are quick to caution against getting carried away with the hype. “We need to avoid claims that CBG is a miracle drug,” says psychologist Carrie Cuttler, who led the study. “It’s new and exciting, but replication and further research are crucial.”
The trial did have its limitations. For instance, it didn’t show any significant impact on participants’ mood, possibly due to the low dosage of CBG used or the already low levels of depression in the study cohort. Moreover, the study’s small sample size means that larger trials are needed to confirm these initial findings.
Despite these caveats, the study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that CBG might offer unique benefits. With more cannabis producers beginning to experiment with CBG and making bold claims about its effects, studies like this one are vital for informing both consumers and the scientific community.
As research continues, CBG could emerge as a powerful tool for managing anxiety and stress, potentially offering a natural alternative to conventional treatments. Whether it will ultimately live up to its nickname as the “mother of all cannabinoids” remains to be seen, but for now, the future of CBG looks promising.
