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.
No miracles
While the WSU-UCLA study supports some of those claims, Cuttler urged caution. “We need to avoid claims that CBG is a miracle drug. It’s new and exciting, but replication and further research are crucial,” she said.
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.
About CBG
While cannabis stakeholders have long been focused on developing THC and CBD, researchers and hemp breeders are now teaming up to better understand CBG, and developing CBG-rich cultivars. First discovered in the 1960’s, CBG, which is non-psychoactive, is not under international drug schedules, and is not considered a controlled substance in the USA.
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.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this year approved a genetically modified variety of hemp designed to produce high levels of CBG while eliminating all THC and CBD. The new hemp variety, called “Badger G,” was developed by the University of Wisconsin’s Crop Innovation Center.
The European Commission last year added CBG to the EU’s cosmetic ingredient database (Cosing), clearing the compound as safe for use in health and beauty products.
Cuttler said her team is designing a subsequent clinical trial to replicate its findings, and to add physiological measures such as heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels. The researchers also plan to extend the study to non-cannabis users. Cuttler said she is also planning a study of CBG’s effects on menopause symptoms in women.
