CBG – The Dark Horse of the Cannabinoid Family

The cannabis plant contains a complex profile of naturally occurring compounds. Researchers have identified more than 400 chemical constituents, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Among these, CBD and THC receive the most public and scientific attention.

However, another cannabinoid has increasingly appeared in academic and scientific discussions: cannabigerol (CBG). Although present only in small quantities, CBG plays a central role in cannabinoid biosynthesis and continues to attract research interest.

This article explores what science currently says about CBG, focusing on its chemistry, origin, and presence in research literature.

What Is CBG?

CBG (cannabigerol) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Researchers often describe it as a precursor cannabinoid, because it appears early in the plant’s development.

In its acidic form (CBG-A), cannabigerol serves as the starting compound from which other cannabinoids—such as CBD and THC—are formed through enzymatic processes. As the plant matures, most CBG-A converts into other cannabinoids. For this reason, mature plants typically contain very small amounts of CBG, often around 1% or less.

Because of this natural conversion process, obtaining higher concentrations of CBG usually requires harvesting plants earlier, which also explains why CBG-focused products are less common.

Psychoactivity and Receptor Interaction (Research Context)

Scientific literature describes CBG as non-intoxicating, meaning it does not produce the psychoactive effects associated with THC.

Researchers study CBG’s interaction with biological systems primarily through laboratory and preclinical models. These studies often examine how CBG interacts with:

• CB1 receptors, mainly associated with the central nervous system

• CB2 receptors, commonly linked to immune and peripheral systems

Importantly, these observations describe mechanisms of interaction, not approved effects or outcomes.

Research Areas Involving CBG

Scientific exploration of CBG remains early-stage. Most available data comes from laboratory experiments and animal models. Below are key areas where CBG appears in research discussions.

1. Inflammation-Related Research

Some animal and cellular studies examine CBG’s interaction with inflammatory pathways. These studies contribute to broader research on how cannabinoids interact with biological signalling systems.

However, researchers consistently note that findings from experimental models cannot be directly translated to human applications.

2. Microbiological Research

Certain laboratory studies have explored cannabinoids, including CBG, in relation to bacterial growth under controlled conditions. These studies aim to understand chemical behaviour and structure-activity relationships rather than establish clinical use.

3. Neurological Research Models

CBG has also appeared in preclinical studies examining neurological mechanisms. In animal models, researchers investigate cannabinoid interaction with neural signalling and motor function pathways.

These findings remain preclinical and are used to inform future research directions.

4. Ocular Research Context

Some studies examine cannabinoids in relation to ocular pressure and fluid dynamics in animal models. CBG appears in this literature as part of broader investigations into cannabinoid interactions with ocular systems.

Again, these studies are exploratory and limited to laboratory settings.

5. Cellular Growth and Oncology Research

In cellular research models, scientists have explored how cannabinoids interact with specific molecular targets. CBG appears in some of these studies as part of ongoing investigation into cannabinoid chemistry and cell signalling.

Such findings do not constitute evidence for medical use and are framed strictly within laboratory research contexts.

6. Feeding and Metabolic Research

Animal studies have examined how cannabinoids influence feeding behaviour and metabolic signalling. In these models, researchers observed changes in food intake patterns following cannabinoid administration.

These observations remain limited to experimental settings and require further investigation.

Research Limitations

Although interest in CBG continues to grow, researchers consistently highlight several limitations:

• lack of large-scale human clinical trials

• reliance on animal and laboratory data

• limited long-term safety data

As a result, CBG remains a subject of ongoing scientific investigation, not established application.

Market and Research Interest in CBG

Parallel to academic research, CBG has gained attention within cannabinoid product development. This interest is largely driven by:

• its role as a precursor cannabinoid

• its rarity in mature plants

• increasing scientific curiosity

From a research and product perspective, CBG commonly appears in full-spectrum formulations or cannabinoid blends rather than as a dominant compound.

Combination Research and the “Entourage Effect”

Some scientific discussions explore how cannabinoids behave in combination rather than isolation. This concept—often referred to as the “entourage effect”—is examined in laboratory models to understand compound interactions.

These discussions remain theoretical and research-based, without forming the basis for approved applications.

Conclusion

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a minor but biologically significant cannabinoid that continues to attract scientific interest. Its role as a precursor compound, combined with its unique chemical structure, places it at the centre of cannabinoid research discussions.

While current studies provide valuable insights into CBG’s interactions at a molecular level, further research—especially human clinical studies—is required to better understand its properties and potential relevance.

References (Scientific Literature)

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23415610/

• https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.120.000340

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7279038/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25269802/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27503475/