Cannabigerol (CBG) is a cannabinoid, meaning it’s one of the many chemicals found in cannabis plants.
The most well-known cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but there’s recently been more interest in the potential benefits of CBG.
CBD and CBG are both nonintoxicating cannabinoids, meaning they won’t make you high. They also both interact with the same receptors in the body, according to a 2018 studyTrusted Source, and appear to have anti-inflammatory effects.
However, CBG does seem to have some different functions and health benefits than CBD.
The main difference between CBD and CBG comes down to the level of research available.
There’s been a decent amount of research on CBD, but not so much on CBG.
That said, with CBG becoming more popular, there will likely be more studies on it soon.
While the research on CBG is limited, studies do exist suggest that it offers several benefits.
CBG may be able to improve the following health conditions:
- Inflammatory bowel disease. CBG seems to reduce the inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease, according to a 2013 study conducted on miceTrusted Source.
- Glaucoma. Medical cannabis seems to effectively treat glaucoma, and CBG might be partly responsible for its efficacy. A study published in 2008Trusted Source suggests that CBG might be effective in treating glaucoma because it reduces intraocular pressure.
- Bladder dysfunctions. Some cannabinoids seem to affect the contractions of the bladder. A 2015 studyTrusted Source looked at how five different cannabinoids affect the bladder, and it concluded that CBG shows the most promise at treating bladder dysfunctions.
- Huntington’s disease. CBG might have neuroprotective properties, according to a 2015 study that looked at miceTrusted Source with a neurodegenerative condition called Huntington’s disease. The study concluded that CBG might show promise in treating other neurodegenerative conditions.
- Bacterial infections. A 2008 studyTrusted Source suggests that CBG can kill bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which causes drug-resistant staph infections. These infections can be hard to treat and fairly dangerous.
- Cancer. A 2014 studyTrusted Source looked at colon cancer in rats and concluded that CBG might reduce the growth of cancer cells and other tumors.
- Appetite loss. A 2016 study on ratsTrusted Source suggested that CBG could stimulate the appetite. Appetite-stimulating chemicals could be used to help those with conditions such as HIV or cancer.
While these studies are promising, it’s important to remember that they don’t confirm the benefits of CBG. Much more research is needed to fully understand how CBG works in the body.
Very little is known about the side effects of CBG oil or other forms of CBG. So far.
Not much is known about how CBG might interact with over-the-counter or prescription medications, as well as vitamins or supplements.
If you take any kind of medication, it’s best to check with your healthcare provider before trying CBG oil. It’s especially important if you take a medication that contains a grapefruit warning.
Medications that often have this warning include:
- antibiotics and antimicrobials
- anticancer medications
- antihistamines
- antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)
- blood pressure medications
- blood thinners
- cholesterol medications
- corticosteroids
- erectile dysfunction medications
- gastrointestinal (GI) medications, such as to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or nausea
- heart rhythm medications
- immunosuppressants
- mood medications, such as to treat anxiety, depression, or mood disorders
- pain medications
- prostate medications
