When talking about cannabis compounds, THC and CBD are almost always mentioned first. THC is known to have psychoactive effects, and CBD has been researched for its immense potential. However, in its shadow has always been a fundamental cannabinoid that was not well known until recently: cannabigerol or CBG. What’s interesting is that, despite its low natural concentration in the plant, CBG plays a central role: it’s known as the “mother cannabinoid” because, without CBG, many of the other cannabinoids like THC or CBD wouldn’t exist.
Today in Maionais we will explore the interesting history of this component, how other cannabinoids are generated from it and the potential that science is beginning to find in CBG.
History of the discovery of CBG
CBG was first identified in the 1960s by researcher Raphael Mechoulam, the same pioneer who isolated and described other key cannabinoids. However, while THC immediately attracted attention for its psychoactive effects and CBD began to be studied for its possible applications, cannabigerol was relegated.
The main reason was its low presence in the plant: in most varieties, CBG concentrations are minimal, which made it difficult to obtain enough material for research. This meant that, for decades, hardly any specific studies were carried out on it. Still, some scientific groups remained curious and accumulated data that pointed to its unique role as a precursor to other cannabinoids.
Formation and presence of CBG in the cannabis plant
CBG comes from a molecule called cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). During the growth of cannabis, specific enzymes act on this acid and transform it into other acidic compounds: THCA, CBDA and CBCA. Subsequently, through processes such as heat or natural aging, these acids are converted into their best-known neutral forms: THC, CBD, and CBC.
The key detail is that only a very small fraction of the CBGA avoids this transformation and remains as CBG. Therefore, when analyzing a cannabis plant in its mature state, it is usual to find hardly any traces of this cannabinoid. This fact made it a rare and valuable resource, limited for research for decades. However, that same rarity has been one of the reasons for its appeal. Scientists saw in CBG the opportunity to study a compound that functions as the basis for many others. Understanding how it forms and why it’s so scarce helps explain the biology of cannabis while also opening the door to strategies to obtain it more efficiently.
Methods to obtain CBG and advances in its production
If CBG is so limited in the plant, how is it obtained in useful quantities? Initially, it can be achieved by processing large amounts of plant material. By applying processes such as decarboxylation, where heat is applied to transform CBGA into active CBG, or some more modern and sophisticated methods such as chromatography, which allow CBG to be isolated in a purer way.
Still, the natural scarcity of this cannabinoid remained a challenge for a long time. This increased costs and limited their use and research. Everything changed when, in 2019, a group of researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valencia achieved a remarkable breakthrough: they developed plants that contained more than 15% CBG. They achieved this through selective crosses and breeding techniques, without resorting to genetic modification.
Properties of CBG according to scientific evidence
The availability of new cannabis strains with high levels of CBG has allowed science to begin to study it in more detail. In this article, we will focus on the reviews of two groups of researchers: Li et al. (2022) and Calapai et al. (2024). Both studies compile the existing evidence and agree that the benefits described below come from laboratory research and animal models. This means that there are still no large clinical trials in humans, so the conclusions should be understood as preliminary.
Anti-inflammatory potential of CBG
Studies brought together by Li et al. (2022) and Calapai et al. (2024) show that CBG can influence the inflammatory response. In experimental colitis models, for example, cannabigerol reduced intestinal inflammation, decreased the activity of enzymes linked to inflammatory processes, and regulated the production of cytokines, which are key molecules in these reactions. These data show that it could have a role in diseases where chronic inflammation is very present.
Antioxidant effects of CBG
The research cited in both reviews also indicates that CBG could act as an antioxidant. In cell tests, it was reported that it reduces the generation of free radicals, molecules that damage cells, and would also enhance defensive enzymes that help delay this deterioration. Based on these results, its possible usefulness in combating oxidative damage has been raised.
Analgesic properties of CBG
Li et al. (2022) and Calapai et al. (2024) also compile work showing how CBG can influence pain perception. Some laboratory tests reported decreased pain sensitivity after administration. Part of this effect would be associated with the interaction with anandamide, a compound of the body itself that regulates functions such as pain, appetite and mood.
Antibacterial activity of CBG
Bacterial resistance is one of the great current challenges, and in this field the reviews include studies where CBG demonstrated action against some strains of bacteria particularly resistant to other control methods. This opens the door to more research exploring the antibacterial potential of CBG.
Impact of CBG on the skin
The studies reviewed have also explored the role of CBG in the skin. Research suggests that this cannabinoid helps maintain the natural balance of the epidermis, encouraging skin cells to regenerate properly. In addition, it has been seen that it can soothe skin irritation processes and regulate the production of sebum, which is the natural oil that, when accumulated in excess, promotes problems such as acne. For these reasons, CBG is emerging as a promising ingredient in the development of products focused on skin care.
Potential applications and synergies of CBG
When analyzing the possibilities of CBG, it is not enough to look at its individual effects. Many researchers have focused on how it behaves in conjunction with other cannabinoids, and this is where the concept of the “entourage effect” comes into play. According to the work of Russo (2011), the compounds present in cannabis can enhance their effects when they act in combination, generating more complete and balanced results than when they are isolated. In this sense, CBG could reinforce or modulate the action of cannabinoids such as CBD, providing additional benefits in different areas of health and well-being.
This, added to the studies we mentioned earlier, means that CBG is increasingly explored in the world of wellness. Creams, balms or personal care formulas include this cannabinoid for its potential properties. Some CBD oil formulations also include larger amounts of CBG and even buds with a higher concentration of this cannabinoid are starting to appear. The interesting thing is that, while just a few years ago it was almost impossible to obtain it in relevant quantities, today CBG is already emerging as an ingredient with real applications in development. This opens the door to a future where it can be integrated into both medical research and everyday care products.
Conclusions on CBG and future research perspectives
CBG’s journey is that of a cannabinoid that went from being an unknown to becoming one of the most promising compounds in cannabis. Its importance as a precursor molecule puts it in a unique place, and its studied properties reinforce the idea that it deserves more attention.
Advances in cultivation and extraction have allowed CBG to cease to be a rare resource and become an active field of study. Its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antibacterial and neuroprotective effects position it as a versatile candidate for different areas of application.
Although there is still a long way to go to validate everything in clinical studies, the direction is clear: CBG is consolidating itself as an emerging cannabinoid with an increasingly relevant role in science and well-being.
References
- Calapai, F., Cardia, L., Esposito, E., Ammendolia, I., Mondello, C., Lo Giudice, R., Gangemi, S., Calapai, G., & Mannucci, C. (2022). Pharmacological Aspects and Biological Effects of Cannabigerol and Its Synthetic Derivatives. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2022, 3336516. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3336516
- Li, S., Li, W., Malhi, N. K., Huang, J., Li, Q., Zhou, Z., Wang, R., Peng, J., Yin, T., & Wang, H. (2024). Cannabigerol (CBG): A Comprehensive Review of Its Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 29(22), 5471. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29225471
- Russo E. B. (2011). Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), 1344–1364. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x
