An American research team that claims to have carried out the first clinical trial of Cannabigerol (CBG), said the hemp-derived cannabinoid appears to reduce emotional discomfort, and may have some memory-enhancing effects.
The researchers, from Washington State University (WSU) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), looked at the acute effects of CBG on anxiety, stress and mood. A study reflecting the trial results was published recently in Scientific Reports, an open-access, online journal from Nature Portfolio, a scientific publishing group.
“CBG is becoming increasingly popular, with more producers making bold, unsubstantiated claims about its effects,” according to Carrie Cuttler, an associate professor of psychology at WSU who led the study.
The study used Zoom sessions to conduct a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 34 cannabis users who first reported baseline ratings of anxiety, stress and mood. The subjects then took either 20 milligrams of CBG or a tincture containing a placebo, which were mailed out previously by the researchers. Asked to rate their their feelings, the subjects said the hemp compound significantly reduced their anxiety 20, 45 and 60 minutes after ingestion.
Better recall
Cuttler said one of the most surprising outcomes of the study was CBG’s apparent effect on memory. Contrary to THC’s negative effects on memory, CBG enhanced recall of words from a list exposed to the subjects before they were administered the 20 mg dose. Those in the sample group were able to recall more words than those in the control group.
“We triple-checked to ensure accuracy, and the enhancement was statistically significant,” Cuttler said.
At the same time, the study found that CBG did not produce cognitive or motor impairments or other adverse effects commonly associated with THC. Participants in the experimental group reported low intoxication ratings and minimal changes in symptoms such as dry mouth, sleepiness, heart palpitations and heightened appetite – effects normally associated with THC.
Cuttler said the findings align with survey data from a previous study she led that indicated 51% of CBG users consume the substance to decrease anxiety, with 78% suggesting it is better than conventional anxiety medications.
CBG is known as the “mother” or “OG” cannabinoid, due to the fact that it is the precursor to all other cannabinoids, such as CBD (Cannabidiol), CBN (Cannabinol), CBC (Cannabichromene), and THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid). It has also been called “the Rolls-Royce of cannabinoids” because it is costly to produce. The relatively low amount of CBG found in conventional cannabis plants means it takes thousands of pounds of biomass to isolate even small amounts of the compound, meaning high prices to the end user.
Other benefits?
Previous non-clinical studies have suggested CBG may be therapeutic for glaucoma, inflammatory bowel disease and Huntington’s disease, and may inhibit tumor growth in some cases; it may also kill or slow bacteria and advance bone development.
Also, instead of inducing THC-like effects, CBG reportedly buffers the feelings of paranoia sometimes caused by over-ingesting THC.