CBG (Cannabigerol): What It Is and What Research Shows
CBG is a minor cannabinoid made from CBGA. Learn what it is, what one small human trial and mostly animal studies show, and what is still unknown.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Overview and classification
CBG (cannabigerol) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp. The plant makes it from its acid form, CBGA, which is the precursor molecule for the most abundant cannabinoids. [1] CBG itself is present in much smaller quantities than THC or CBD. [2] Some plants carry a genetic type with a high CBG content. [3]Where CBG sits in cannabinoid science: at the cannabinoid receptors, a review describes its affinity and activity as falling between THC and CBD. [1] See cannabinoids explained.
Evidence labels used on this page: promising but limited, preclinical (cells/animals only), insufficient evidence, marketing claim.
Where it comes from
CBG forms when CBGA loses a carbon-dioxide group (decarboxylation). [2] CBGA is the "mother" compound from which the plant makes THCA, CBDA and CBCA. [4] See CBGA. The 2024 trial below used a hemp-derived CBG tincture. [5] Because composition varies between products, verified batch data is needed before relying on a label; see CBD, CBG blends and CBN oils.Regulatory category (United States, read 2026-10-22)
The FDA says it has not approved a marketing application for cannabis for any disease or condition. [6] Under the 2018 Farm Bill definition quoted by the FDA, hemp includes derivatives, cannabinoids and isomers of the plant with a delta-9 THC concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. [6] That definition is being amended to total THC, with portions delayed to December 11, 2026. [7] A review notes CBG is an unregulated molecule that is being marketed as a dietary supplement. [1] No FDA ruling on CBG specifically was verified. Other countries and US states were not verified. Laws change, and this is not legal advice; see cannabis and CBD laws by country.What research shows
| Question | Label | What the sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety, stress and mood in healthy adults | promising but limited | A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of 34 healthy adults used a single 20 mg hemp-derived CBG tincture (a study amount, not a recommendation). Compared with placebo, anxiety and stress were lower, verbal memory was better, and the authors found no evidence of subjective drug effects or impairment. [5] |
| Self-reported effects | marketing claim / anecdote | In an online survey of 127 people using CBG-predominant cannabis (not CBG isolate), many reported benefit for anxiety, pain, depression and sleep. [8] Surveys cannot show cause and effect. |
| Neurologic, inflammatory and other conditions | preclinical (cells/animals only) | Reviews describe lab and animal findings for neurologic disease, inflammatory bowel disease and antibacterial activity. [1] In mice or rats, CBG showed anticancer properties against breast cancer. [3] |
| Any disease treatment in people | insufficient evidence | Before the 2024 trial, the authors noted there were no published clinical trials. [5] |
Keep these results in context. The trial was a single session in healthy people, not a treatment study in anyone with an anxiety disorder, and it did not test long-term use. The authors disclose that one of them founded a company that formulates CBG. [5] Animal and cell findings are not human results.
Risks, interactions and unknowns
Safety information in people is limited. In the survey, 44 percent reported no adverse events; others reported dry mouth (16.5 percent) and sleepiness (15 percent). [8] The pharmacology review states that little research has been done on CBG, and it discusses possible toxicological hazards without settling them. [1] A pharmacokinetics review finds that absorption and processing of CBG vary widely with dose, formulation and route, and that clinical research is the biggest gap. [9] Interactions with medicines have not been established. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber; see medication interactions.Special groups
For pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, older adults, and people with liver, heart or mental health conditions, proper evidence on CBG was not found in the sources read. This is not a reason to assume it is safe. See cannabis and CBD in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Keep products away from children; in the US, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 in an emergency.For the wellness goals people often link to CBG, see anxiety disorders.
Frequently asked questions
What is CBG?
CBG (cannabigerol) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid the plant makes from CBGA. [1] It is present in much smaller quantities than THC or CBD. [2]
Does CBG reduce anxiety?
One crossover trial in 34 healthy adults found lower anxiety and stress than placebo after a single study amount. [5] It was small and short, so the label is promising but limited.
Is CBG psychoactive?
In that trial, the authors found no evidence of subjective drug effects or impairment. [5] Long-term effects were not tested.
Is CBG approved as a medicine?
The FDA says it has not approved a marketing application for cannabis for any disease or condition. [6] No CBG medicine was found in the sources read.
What is the difference between CBG and CBD?
They are different molecules with different pharmacology. CBD has an approved medicine for certain seizure disorders; CBG does not. [6] See CBD vs CBG and CBN.
References
- Nachnani, Raup-Konsavage and Vrana. The Pharmacological Case for Cannabigerol. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2021. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-22.
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- Zagožen, Čerenak and Kreft. Cannabigerol and cannabichromene in Cannabis sativa L.. Acta Pharmaceutica. 2021. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Domenech et al. X-ray crystal structures of the cannabinoid synthases CBCAS, CBDAS and THCAS. Current Research in Structural Biology. 2026. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Cuttler et al. Acute effects of cannabigerol on anxiety, stress, and mood: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, field trial. Scientific Reports. 2024. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-22.
- US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD): Questions and Answers. Read 2026-10-22.
- Congressional Research Service. Changes to the Statutory Definition of Hemp and Implications for Agricultural Policy (CRS In Focus IF13136), updated September 28, 2026. Read 2026-10-22.
- Russo et al. Survey of Patients Employing Cannabigerol-Predominant Cannabis Preparations: Perceived Medical Effects, Adverse Events, and Withdrawal Symptoms. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 2022. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Lacerda et al. Pharmacokinetics of Non-Psychotropic Phytocannabinoids. Pharmaceutics. 2025. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-22.