Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in the Cannabis genus of plants. CBG is the non-acidic form of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the parent molecule (“mother cannabinoid”) from which many other cannabinoids are made. By the time most strains of cannabis reach maturity, most of the CBG has been converted into other cannabinoids, primarily tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), usually leaving somewhere below 1% CBG in the plant.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a minor cannabinoid found during the early stages of the marijuana growing cycle and extracted from budding plants during their flowering stage. This makes it difficult to obtain in large quantities. Industrial hemp was recently discovered as a producer of higher levels of CBG than most cannabis strains. After further research proved the reasoning of this to be because of a recessive gene, breeders took note. Using this information, the breeders were able to create strains with a recessive gene that increases the CBG levels.

CBG has been found to act as a high affinity α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, moderate affinity 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, and low affinity CB1 receptor antagonist.] It also binds to the CB2 receptor as an antagonist.CBG does not trigger THC-like activity in mice, rats, gerbils and non-human primates, consistent with it being non-intoxicating. Moreover, CBG was without effect up to 80 mg/kg in the mouse tetrad test of cannabimimetic activity .

In January 2015, researchers studying CBGin mice discovered neuroprotective effects with Huntington’s disease and have shown promising results in slowing down colon cancer. CBG marijuana strains will hopefully be used therapeutically as an antidepressant, and as a functioning painkiller. Researchers suggest that CBG marijuana strains will also be beneficial for the treatment of psoriasis, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and skin diseases.

CBG is effective in a range of treatment and therapies, according to a report by Ethan B Russo, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology. These include:

• Producing modest antifungal effects
• Inhibiting keratinocyte proliferation— may be useful in treatment of psoriasis
• In conjunction with l-limonene (citrus terpene found in cannabis), CBG shows promising results to fight breast cancer
• Pure CBG and CBD cannabinoids can powerfully inhibit MRSA

Potential uses

Pain, anxiety

CBG has potential for alleviating pain,[ especially neuropathic pain where tests suggest a higher efficacy than CBD. CBG can also inhibit the uptake of GABA in the brain, which can decrease anxiety and muscle tension with tests on mice showing that CBG induces antidepressant effects similar to imipramine.

Inflammation, digestive conditions

It has been shown to improve a model of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Skin conditions

CBG induces production of the body’s natural skin moisturizers, holding promise for dry-skin syndromes and with the potential to treat other skin conditions.

Glaucoma

Cannabigerol has been shown to relieve intraocular pressure, which may be of benefit in the treatment of glaucoma.

Neuroprotection

CBG has been shown to have neuroprotective properties and may prove promising for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

Antiseptic

CBG is known to have antiseptic properties and research suggests that it might be effective against the superbug MRSA.

Cancer

CBG is showing promising properties in vitro for the potential treatment of a broad range of cancers including breast, liver, lung, pancreatic, skin, ovarian, renal, bladder and colon cancer.­­