Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of the least known cannabinoids, unlike CBD or THC, and is now regarded as the herb that contains many potential healing effects to aid in mood and anxiety. So as researchers go deeper into the advantages that other cannabinoids provide, CBG is developing a name for itself as a mental health compound with great promise. This piece investigates how effective CBG is at improving mood and anxiety levels based on previous studies and potential future approaches for the treatment of such conditions.
What is CBG: The “Mother” Cannabinoid?
Cannabigerol, or simply CBG, has been dubbed the ‘mother’ cannabinoid throughout the world as CBG is the precursor for THC, CBD, and CBC. Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the acidic form of CBG, splits in the earliest stages of the development of the cannabis plant to give rise to more popular types of cannabinoids. Though found in small trace amounts at most strains of cannabis, CBG can be pulled off from relatively younger plants or specific types of breeds that have been able to stack up a good concentration of CBG.
Like other cannabinoids, CBG also acts on the human body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for a number of physiological functions like mood, appetite, sensation of pain and sleep among others. More specifically, CBG attaches to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and nervous system where stress may then have a role to play on how a person interprets anxiety.
CBG for Anxiety: What Are the Early Research Findings?
Adding to the long list of CBG’s perceived medical effects, its ability to manage anxiety should be kept in the spotlight. Though the research is elementary, especially when placed next to CBD and THC, several factors seem to show that the potential of CBG in treating feelings of anxiety and depression, among other mood disorders, exists.
In a 2023 study cited in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, it was noted that CBG had some significant anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects on animal models. It seemed that CBG could diminish anxiety by engaging certain types of receptors in the nervous system that interact with the serotonin and GABA systems, which are important mood modulators. Due to its potential ability to affect these neurotransmitters, it is quite possible that CBG could have some calming properties without the psychotropic adverse effects that come with THC.
Further, a CBG study published in 2021 and dealing with neuroprotection indicated that CBG has the ability to fight anxiety. The authors of the study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics managed to show that CBG, with other cannabinoids, may help to overcome oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, two processes closely connected to anxiety disorders.
CBG Versus CBD – Which One is Better in Alleviating Anxiety States?
Both substances belong to cannabinoids. CBG as well as CBD (cannabidiol) is not psychoactive, but the action in the body is quite different for both. In fact, cannabidiol is famous for its comprehensive benefits including alleviation of anxiety and stress relief. On the other hand, it looks like CBG has some very interesting features that could be beneficial for particular situations.
CBD mostly works by stopping the breakdown of one of the body’s natural endocannabinoids, anandamide, which plays a major role in stress and moods. On the other hand, CBG is more effective due to its action on the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
There’s a chance that CBG may provide anxiety relief much faster than CBD due to the action of these receptors. Also, there are studies that have reported greater effects of CBG on serotonin receptors, which are important for mood disorders.
How Does CBG Restore Mood?
Apart from anxiety, another area that CBG potentially benefits is the restoration of mood. There are studies that have reported the potential of CBG as an antidepressant. Its interaction with serotonin receptors that play an essential role in mood regulation and depression development is perhaps the focus of the studies.
A study done in 2010 and published in Neuroscience Letters reported that CBG prevented the uptake of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter responsible for the brain's calms[5]. This feature is present in a number of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant drugs and further indicates that CBG may, in the future, help as a natural addition to these treatments.
Also, the improvement of CBG’s anti-inflammatory effects may have positive implications for mood regulation. There is a clear connection between chronic inflammation and some mood disorders, such as depression. In this context, CBG may have an indirect beneficial effect on mood by alleviating inflammatory responses in the body.
What Are Further Research Perspectives?
Despite the optimistic early observations of CBG for mood and anxiety, it should be noted that the research is in its initial stages. So far, the majority of studies have been performed on animals, and it is better to conduct human clinical trials to comprehend its effectiveness, dosage, and side effects completely.
CBG is limited due to its poor availability, which is a challenge for its study. Since cannabis strains mostly contain CBG in minute amounts, it is economically and operationally unfeasible to isolate much of the compound. As hemp-derived CBG becomes more in demand, we may also see an increase in the growing of cannabis varieties that contain more CBG, thus making CBG more available for studies and treatment.
Furthermore, CBG is also known to have a particular entourage effect that interacts with other cannabinoids; this is an interesting area to study. CBG may be able to treat mood and anxiety disorders more effectively when used in conjunction with CBD or THC due to the possibility of a combined effect.
Conclusion
CBG seems to be emerging as a cannabinoid with a promising capacity for managing mood and anxiety disorders. Although there is a need for additional research to validate its effects in humans, initial findings are promising, suggesting that it can modulate serotonin and GABA and have an anti-inflammatory effect, which is important for controlling mood and anxiety.
As research on cannabis continues to improve, CBG has the potential to be a novel treatment in the mental health arena, as it may act as an alternative/complement to the conventional management of anxiety and mood disorders.
If accompanied by additional scientific investigation, CBG should be able to provide the much-required natural plant-based solution to individuals who are looking for ways to combat anxiety and mood-related issues.