Commonly discussed within the community, CBG is a cannabinoid that’s been recently growing in popularity. For the most part, when it comes to CBG, we’ve seen a lot of people recommending it for its supposed energy and concentration boosting properties.

Similar to our post on CBN, we thought it was time to look a little closer at this particular cannabinoid and the current state of the science.

What is CBG?

Cannabidiol, or CBG, is a type of cannabinoid regularly found within the cannabis plant. Like all cannabinoids, the amount of CBG within a product can range depending on factors like the plant’s chemical makeup, the type of product, and how the product was processed. Hopefully, companies will release public certificates of analysis (COAs), that will allow consumers to know the levels of specific cannabinoids (as well as terpenes and flavonoids), within a particular product.

CBG is also considered to be a minor cannabinoid as a large amount of it isn’t commonly available within cannabis plants. Its precursor, CBGA, is often referred to as the ‘mother cannabinoid.’ Through a series of complicated chemical interactions and heat, CBGA will turn into various other cannabinoids, such as CBD or THC. Less often, CBGA will become CBG, which is why it’s often harder to find and locate.

Not unlike CBD, CBG also interacts with our endocannabinoid system’s (ECS) CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are largely found within the brain and nervous system and are associated with managing pain, anxiety, and inflammation. On the other hand, CB2 receptors are found primarily in organs associated with the immune system, and may also be linked to inflammation.

State of the Science

At the moment, research into CBG is still in its very beginning stages. There’s a lot we don’t know yet, and while that’s often the case when it comes to cannabinoids, CBG has been less researched than things like CBD and THC. With this being the case, it’s important not to jump to conclusions right off the bat, even when studies seem positive. Because these are often preliminary, in-vitro (petri dish), or conducted with animals, we aren’t guaranteed of any definitive answers yet.

That said, there has been some research to suggest that CBG may exhibit several therapeutic properties:

• One study conducted with rats found that CBG may have neuroprotective qualities and may have potential to help manage and treat Huntington’s Disease. It’s also being investigated for its potential anti-inflammatory properties, specifically when it comes to neuroinflammation.
• This study found that CBG may have anti-bacterial properties.
• With our recent advancements in medicine and increasing the bioavailability of cannabinoids, this study finds that CBG may be useful in the treatment of eye disorders like glaucoma.
• Another study suggests that CBG may have potential to help treat and slow the development of colon cancer.
• CBG may also have the potential to help with bladder dysfunctional problems, as well as things like inflammatory bowel disease.
• There’s some research to suggest that CBG may be able to help treat diabetic complications, specifically by inhibiting an enzyme called aldose reductase. Additionally, it’s being investigated for its potential to help lower blood pressure.
• CBG is also being researched for its skin health boosting properties.

When it comes to the potential energy boosting qualities of CBG, we were unable to find any studies examining the topic. Most of what we were able to locate was community discussions around CBG’s ability to interact with both CB1 and CB2 receptors. Our ECS, the system these receptors belong to, helps to support our body’s balance, contributing to everything from our moods, sleep schedule, appetite, and pain levels. It’s possible, due to the way CBG interacts with the ECS, that it may be able to help support our body’s balance and energy. However, without the research to back this up, we would be hesitant about making any definitive guesses or claims either way.

Risks and Side Effects

While the side effects of CBD are a bit better researched, especially when it comes to medication interactions, the risks and side effects of CBG are a lot less known. One study investigating CBG’s effects on rat’s appetites found that it appeared to be well tolerated. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this study was conducted with animals, so human applicability is challenging to assess.

Regardless, it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor first, especially if you’re considering mixing CBG and other medications. In terms of dosage, starting low and going slow in order to give your body time to adjust is generally a good way to go. That said, due to the minimal amounts of CBG found in cannabis plants, getting your hands on a full bottle of CBG oil might prove to be more challenging, though they are out there. Regardless, it’s more likely to come up as a supporting cannabinoid within a CBD or cannabis product.

Community Voices

Lately, community discussions around CBG focus almost solely on its supposed energy and focus boosting properties. While CBD isn’t often talked about for its concentration or energy boosting effects, CBG is often discussed as being a go-to tool. Mentions of it aiding creativity, uplifting mood, and helping to manage pain aren’t uncommon either.

While understanding the state of the science, we think it’s important to acknowledge experiences and input from the community as well. Often times, it’s these anecdotal reports that go on to inspire more research initiatives, so we’d be missing an important piece if we didn’t discuss current community conversations.

Regarding Focus and Energy

Unfortunately, if you clicked on this post hoping to find more information about CBG, energy, and focus, the science isn’t quite there yet. However, there are some practical things you can do to help increase your focus and energy throughout the day. These include:

• Lowering the stress in your life (or in the very least, mitigating it a little through tools like yoga, meditation, therapy, community connections, etc).
• Delegate or put off tasks that aren’t immediate – particularly useful if you’re overworking yourself.
• Get regular exercise. Since exercise accessibility can vary between individuals, exercise doesn’t have to be something you put a lot of pressure on yourself to do. The important thing is to get your body moving, whatever that looks like to you.
• Avoid smoking tobacco.
• Avoid naps and sleeping too much.
• Manage your diet. There’s a lot of food we can eat that can help us maintain strong energy levels throughout the day, such as whole grains, nuts, and high-fiber vegetables.
• Watch the caffeine, limit alcohol, and drink lots of water.
• If your energy levels are particularly low, checking in with a doctor to assess iron levels or other vitamins is never a bad idea.

TL;DR

Although some of the initial research we have surrounding CBG is exciting, we still have a long ways to go before we understand how it interacts with our bodies. When it comes to CBG and energy more specifically, we don’t know much yet. However, as it becomes more popularized and conversations around CBG continue to grow, we’re sure we’ll see a lot more science in the future.