The first CBG Usage Survey in Patients: Medical Effects, Adverse Effects, and Withdrawal Symptoms

CBG or CBGA is considered as a “mother” cannabinoid because it is converted to major cannabinoids THC and CBD (after decarboxylation) in THC and CBD dominant plants, respectively. CBGA can be accumulated in CBG dominant plants by genetic manipulation during crossbreeding and further be decarboxylated into CBG. CBG has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, anti-depressant, anti-hypertensive, antifungal, and anti-cancer properties without psychoactive effects.  

One recent study investigated self-reported CBG use in patients in the US. In total 127 CBG users participated the online survey assessing CBG use patterns, conditions treated with CBG dominant cannabis (CBG > 50%), perceived efficacy, adverse events, and withdrawal symptoms.   

The results showed that the most common conditions reported using CBG to treat were anxiety (51.2%), chronic pain (40.9%), depression (33.1%), and insomnia/disturbed sleep (30.7%). The treating efficacy was highly rated with the majority reporting their conditions were “very much improved” or “much improved” by CBG. In addition, 73.9% of the patients claimed superiority of CBG dominant cannabis over conventional pain killers, 80% for depression, 73% for insomnia, and 78.3% for anxiety. Nearly half of CBG users reported no adverse events, with 16.5% noting dry mouth, 15% sleepiness, 11.8% increased appetite, and 8.7% dry eyes. Around 84.3% reported no withdrawal symptoms, with sleep difficulties representing the most frequently reported withdrawal symptom by two users. 

As the first patient survey of CBG dominant cannabis use to date, the study concluded that most CBG users reported greater efficacy of CBG over conventional treatment for anxiety, chronic pain, depression, and insomnia, with a mild adverse event and negligible withdraw symptoms. This study calls for well-designed clinical trials to study and evaluate CBG based medicines in the future1.  

Reference: 

1. Russo, E. B. et al. Survey of Patients Employing Cannabigerol-Predominant Cannabis Preparations: Perceived Medical Effects, Adverse Events, and Withdrawal Symptoms. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res (2021) doi:10.1089/can.2021.0058. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34569849/