What is CBG? Potential Benefits,
Effects and How It Compares With CBD
CBG stands for cannabigerol, a naturally occurring cannabinoid in cannabis and hemp. CBG is non-intoxicating and develops from CBGA, a precursor the plant uses to make cannabinoids including CBD, THC and CBC. CBG research remains limited, with most findings coming from laboratory or animal studies rather than people [1,2].
At a glance
- CBG (cannabigerol) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Its acidic precursor, CBGA, is used by the cannabis plant to form several other cannabinoid acids [1].
- Human evidence remains limited. One small controlled trial and a user survey sit above a much larger body of laboratory, tissue and animal research [1-3].
- CBG and CBD are both non-intoxicating, but they differ in plant origin, typical abundance, biological targets and evidence maturity. Current evidence does not show that one is universally stronger [1,2].
- There is no blanket legal position for every CBG product in Australia. Marketability depends on composition, controlled-cannabinoid content, novel-food status, intended use and marketing claims [12-15].
- CBG’s human safety and medicine-interaction profile is not yet well established. Survey findings and laboratory evidence should not be treated as general incidence rates or proven clinical interactions [1,3,4].
- When choosing a CBG product, check the amount per serving, cannabinoid profile and a batch-matched independent certificate of analysis [16].
Contents
- 1What is CBG?
- 2How is CBG produced in the plant?
- 3How does CBG work in the body?
- 4What are the potential benefits of CBG?
- 5What does the current human evidence show?
- 6CBG vs CBD: key differences
- 7How might CBG make you feel?
- 8Is CBG intoxicating?
- 9Is CBG legal in Australia?
- 10CBG safety, side effects and medicine interactions
- 11How to choose a quality CBG product
- 12Frequently asked questions
- 13Evidence-led conclusion
- 14References
1. What is CBG?
CBG, short for cannabigerol, is a phytocannabinoid made naturally by Cannabis sativa. The plant first produces cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Enzymes can then convert CBGA into acidic precursors of cannabinoids including CBD, THC and CBC. Heat or ageing converts the acidic forms into their neutral forms, including CBG [1].
CBG is usually described as a minor cannabinoid because many plant varieties retain relatively little CBG after CBGA has been converted into other cannabinoid acids. The amount varies with genetics, maturity and growing conditions, so a fixed percentage should not be applied to every hemp plant [1].
CBG is not an established treatment for any of the conditions discussed in this article. Most disease-related findings come from cells, isolated tissue or animal models. These studies can identify questions for future clinical research, but they cannot demonstrate a health benefit in people [1,5-11].
2. How is CBG produced in the plant?
CBG is extracted from the hemp plant using chromatography, broadly the same process used for CBD, but starting from a much smaller amount of raw material [1]. It generally involves three steps:
people [1,5-11].
Extract
Hemp is dissolved in a solvent, such as CO₂ or ethanol, which draws the cannabinoids out of the plant.
CO₂ or ethanolConcentrate
The resulting solution is evaporated under vacuum to remove residual gases, leaving a concentrated CBG extract.
Evaporated under vacuumStore
The concentrate, and any finished CBG products made from it, are stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight to preserve potency.
Room temperature, out of sunlightCBG is widely considered one of the more expensive cannabinoids to produce, for two practical reasons. Since hemp contains only minute proportions of CBG, it takes a large amount of biomass to yield a comparatively small amount of extract, and the plant has to be harvested earlier than usual, before CBG-A breaks down into other cannabinoids, which lowers the overall crop yield.
Apart from its cost, CBG also poses difficulties for cultivators. The longer a hemp plant takes to mature, the greater the chance of CBG-A breaking down into CBD and other cannabinoids. So cultivators either grow cannabis specifically for CBG and harvest early, or let the crop mature fully for other purposes with a much lower CBG content.
3. How does CBG work in the body?
CBG interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors involved in regulating pain, mood, appetite and inflammation. Unlike CBD, which mostly influences this system indirectly, CBG is thought to bind more directly to both CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. Early laboratory research also suggests CBG may inhibit the reuptake of GABA, a neurotransmitter linked to muscle relaxation and calm, though this has not been confirmed in human studies. This direct receptor activity is one reason researchers are interested in CBG specifically, rather than treating it as a minor variant of CBD. [1,2]
involves three steps:
people [1,5-11].
4. What are the potential benefits of CBG?
CBG does not have proven consumer health benefits for the conditions below. This section reports what researchers have tested and separates each result by evidence type. None of these studies tested a Naturecan finished product, and preclinical results must not be used to market CBG as preventing, treating or curing disease [1,5-11]. Tap each level to open it.
A 2024 double-blind crossover trial gave 20 mg of hemp-derived CBG or placebo to 34 healthy adults with prior cannabis experience. The study reported reductions in some self-rated anxiety and stress measures and found no evidence of subjective intoxication or motor impairment during the short test period [2].
The trial was small, remote, acute and conducted in healthy adults rather than patients. It does not establish that CBG treats anxiety, stress or any diagnosed condition, and it does not establish the effects of other doses or products [2].
A single dose in healthy adults cannot show that CBG treats any health condition.
A survey of 127 US adults who had used CBG-predominant cannabis recorded why they used it, the effects they perceived and adverse events they recalled. Because the survey had no placebo group, relied on memory and included products with varying composition, it cannot show that CBG caused the reported outcomes [3].
Self-reported surveys are uncontrolled, so they cannot establish causation, effectiveness or how often adverse events really occur.
A 2015 study examined cannabinoid effects on contractions in mouse bladder tissue and isolated human bladder tissue. CBG altered contraction responses in the laboratory, but the study did not give CBG to people or measure symptoms in patients [7].
Tissue samples tested in a laboratory cannot show how CBG would affect bladder function or symptoms in people.
Researchers have tested CBG in a mouse model of colitis [5], an older animal study of intraocular pressure [6], two mouse models relevant to Huntington's disease [9], and a rat feeding study [10]. These experiments help researchers study mechanisms and dosing hypotheses. They do not demonstrate that CBG treats bowel disease, glaucoma, Huntington's disease or appetite loss in humans.
Results in mice and rats do not reliably predict how CBG would work in people, or whether it would be safe.
A 2008 test-tube study found activity from several cannabinoids, including CBG, against selected MRSA strains [8]. A 2007 cell study found that several cannabinoids inhibited proliferation in a human keratinocyte cell line used to investigate psoriasis-related biology [11]. Neither result shows that an oral or topical CBG product treats infection, psoriasis or eczema in people.
Findings in cells and bacteria in a dish cannot show that a CBG product treats any infection or skin condition.
The evidence supports one conclusion: CBG is a research subject, not a proven remedy. The largest gap is not the number of proposed mechanisms. It is the lack of replicated, well-controlled human trials that measure clinically meaningful outcomes [1,2].
5. What does the current human evidence show?
Human CBG evidence is preliminary. A 2024 review found that the evidence base remains dominated by preclinical work, while the small 2024 crossover trial and a prior user survey provide limited human data [1-3].
No controlled human trial identified in the cited 2024 review establishes CBG as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, glaucoma, bladder dysfunction, Huntington's disease, bacterial infection, appetite loss or psoriasis [1]. Most condition-related findings come from laboratory, tissue or animal models. A small human trial reported acute changes in some self-rated measures, but it did not establish treatment of a health condition.
| Evidence type | What was studied | What it can show | What it cannot show |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human trial | 34 healthy adults, single 20 mg dose [2] | No subjective intoxication or measurable impairment; some self-rated changes in anxiety, stress and mood | Treatment of any health condition |
| User survey | 127 CBG-predominant cannabis users [3] | Self-reported experiences and adverse events | Causation, efficacy or accurate adverse-event rates |
| Isolated tissue | Mouse and rat bladder tissue [1] | Possible relaxation of bladder muscle and increased bladder capacity | Human clinical proof |
| Animal models | Models of inflammatory bowel disease, glaucoma, Huntington's disease and appetite loss in mice and rats [1] | Possible effects on intestinal inflammation, intraocular pressure, neuroprotection and feeding behaviour | Human outcomes |
| Laboratory models | MRSA bacteria, isolated skin cells and psoriasis models [1] | Possible antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties | Proven human benefits |
| Cell-based drug-metabolism study | AhR/CYP1A pathway in vitro [4] | CBG can affect pathways involved in drug metabolism | The clinical importance of this finding |
6. CBG vs CBD: key differences
CBG and CBD are both non-intoxicating phytocannabinoids, but they are not interchangeable. The clearest differences concern how the plant produces them, how abundant they usually are and how mature the human evidence is [1,2].
treatment of a health condition.
Both CBG and CBD are non-intoxicating cannabinoids.
Plant origin
Develops from CBGA, the precursor the plant uses to make other cannabinoid acids.
Forms when plant enzymes convert CBGA into CBD's acidic precursor.
Typical abundance
Usually a minor cannabinoid. Amounts vary with genetics, maturity and growing conditions.
Generally more abundant in hemp than CBG.
Biological targets
Thought to bind more directly to both CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors.
Mostly influences the endocannabinoid system indirectly.
Evidence maturity
Limited human research: one small trial and a user survey [2,3].
A much larger human research base [1,2].
Not a ranking. CBG should not be described as stronger than CBD. Receptor activity, milligram strength and consumer experience are different questions, and current evidence cannot rank one cannabinoid as universally more effective [1,2].
If CBD's larger research base and wider product range feels like the better starting point, you can browse Naturecan Australia's CBD oil range here.
7. How might CBG make you feel?
There is no reliable feeling that everyone should expect from CBG. In one small trial, 20 mg did not produce subjective intoxication or measurable impairment during the study period [2]. A separate user survey recorded dry mouth, sleepiness, increased appetite and dry eyes, but those reports cannot establish how often a specific CBG product causes each effect [3].
Individual responses can vary with product composition, amount used, other ingredients, medicines and personal factors. Follow the product label. Stop using the product and seek medical advice if an unexpected or persistent effect occurs.
a health condition.
8. Is CBG intoxicating?
CBG is generally classified as non-intoxicating, unlike THC [1]. The available placebo-controlled human trial found no evidence of subjective drug effects or impairment after one 20 mg dose, but one small acute study cannot rule out every effect at every dose or in every person [2].
The composition of the finished product matters. A CBG product that contains meaningful THC, is inaccurately labelled or is contaminated cannot be assessed from the ingredient name alone. Check an independent batch certificate of analysis for the cannabinoid profile [16].
occurs.
a health condition.
9. Is CBG legal in Australia?
There is no blanket rule that makes every hemp-derived CBG product legal to sell in Australia. Marketability depends on the finished product's composition, controlled-cannabinoid content, intended use, claims and regulatory category [12-15].
Foods and food supplements
For foods and food supplements, Australian businesses must comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code enforced by FSANZ. Low-THC hemp seed products are permitted for human consumption, provided they meet strict criteria regarding cannabinoid thresholds and non-viable seed content [12,13].
Health claims and medicines
A CBG product must not make therapeutic or medicinal claims unless it is formally registered or listed on the ARTG by the TGA. In Australia, therapeutic cannabinoids are strictly controlled under the Poisons Standard (SUSMP) and generally require medical prescription or specific licensing [14,15].
Naturecan Australia products are tested and comply with Australian regulatory standards. Always check the product label and our testing information before use.
10. CBG safety, side effects and medicine interactions
Safety note: CBG's human safety and medicine-interaction profile is not yet well established. Survey findings and laboratory evidence should not be treated as general incidence rates or proven clinical interactions [1,3,4].
Laboratory research indicates that CBG can affect pathways involved in drug metabolism, including the AhR/CYP1A pathway (a cell-based, in vitro study), but the clinical importance of this finding has not been established [4]. Anyone taking prescription medicines should ask a doctor or pharmacist before using CBG rather than stopping or adjusting medication independently.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding have not been adequately studied for CBG. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, managing a medical condition or preparing for surgery should follow the product warning and seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before use.
There is no well-established general CBG dose for the research topics discussed in this article. Follow the labelled serving instructions for the specific product and do not exceed the stated amount.
Naturecan Australia's CBD Dosage Calculator can help as a general starting point for thinking through serving sizes, though it is not CBG-specific and does not replace the product label or medical advice.
11. How to choose a quality CBG product
Choose a CBG product by checking the finished batch, not by relying on terms such as ‘premium’, ‘pure’ or ‘hemp-derived’. An independent certificate of analysis should match the batch number and show the measured cannabinoid profile [16].product label or medical advice.
Independent certificate of analysis
Look for a certificate from an independent lab for the finished product [16].
Matching batch number
The batch number on the certificate should match the batch number on your product [16].
Complete cannabinoid profile
The certificate should show the full cannabinoid profile, not just a single headline figure [16].
Amount per serving
Check how much CBG each serving contains and follow the labelled serving instructions.
They describe marketing, not what is in your batch.
12. Frequently asked questions
13. Evidence-led conclusion
CBG is scientifically interesting, but the evidence is not mature enough to support claims that it treats or prevents disease. The most defensible summary as of September 2026 is that one small controlled human trial and observational data sit above a much larger body of laboratory and animal research [1-3].
Anyone considering a CBG product should focus on a batch-specific certificate of analysis, clear labelling and product-specific warnings. People taking medicines or managing a health condition should ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice [3,4,12-16].
Ready to try CBG? Shop Naturecan Australia's CBG oil and CBG capsules. Prefer to start with CBD instead? Browse the full CBD range.
14. Reference List
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