Overview

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a cannabinoid that comes from Cannabis sativa (cannabis). It is not psychoactive, which means it does not have brain-altering effects. There is interest in using cannabigerol for many reasons, but it is poorly studied, and its benefits are not well defined. Common side effects may include dry mouth, dry eyes, and drowsiness. Serious side effects are less common and include a condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Before taking cannabigerol, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is cannabigerol (CBG) used for?

Cannabigerol is used for many reasons, but its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons that people use cannabigerol include the following.

• To help with anxiety
• To help manage stress
• To improve mood
• To reduce muscle soreness after exercise

Note: The FDA has not reviewed cannabigerol for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does cannabigerol work (mechanism of action)?

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a cannabinoid found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Cannabis contains over 100 different cannabinoids. Some cannabinoids, such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are psychoactive, which means that they cause brain-altering effects that can make you feel “high.” However, most cannabinoids are considered nonpsychoactive and do not have this effect. Cannabigerol is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid.

Within the cannabis plant, cannabigerol is turned into many other cannabinoids. As a result, some products refer to cannabigerol as the “mother of all cannabinoids.” But the human body does not turn cannabigerol into other cannabinoids. Once cannabigerol is removed from the cannabis plant, it does not change into other cannabinoids.

Cannabigerol may bind to or block certain brain receptors. It may also act as an antioxidant. These effects are thought to improve the function of brain cells and protect them from damage. This has led to interest in using cannabigerol for stress, anxiety, and some serious neurological conditions. But there is currently no good evidence that cannabigerol works for these uses.

There is also interest in taking cannabigerol for other reasons, such as reducing muscle soreness after exercise. But it is not clear if or how cannabigerol may work for this use.

How should I store cannabigerol?

You should store cannabigerol according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of cannabigerol?

The most common side effects of cannabigerol are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Drowsiness
• Dry eyes or mouth
• Increased appetite

There may be other side effects of cannabigerol that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of cannabigerol?

While less common, the most serious side effects of cannabigerol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Cannabigerol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking cannabigerol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).Some people who use cannabigerol, cannabis, or other cannabinoids may develop a condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This condition can happen at any time while using cannabigerol and may be more likely in people who have regularly used it for more than a year. CHS causes severe nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. This can lead to dehydration and changes in electrolyte levels that can be life-threatening. If you have severe nausea or vomiting that does not go away, get medical help right away. If you think you may have CHS, speak to your health care provider. The only known cure for CHS is to stop using cannabigerol, cannabis, or other cannabinoids.

Precautions

Who should not use cannabigerol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take cannabigerol.

• Cannabigerol
• CBG
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Ask your health care provider if you are not sure what ingredients are in a cannabigerol product.

What should I know about cannabigerol before using it?

Cannabigerol is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep cannabigerol out of the reach of children and pets.

Cannabigerol can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how cannabigerol affects you.

Cannabigerol products may be contaminated with other cannabinoids, such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This can cause a drug test (urine or blood) for cannabis, marijuana, or THC to come back positive. As THC is the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, it can also cause unwanted effects and side effects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, THC can cause unwanted effects and side effects for your baby. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns.

Cannabigerol comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. This plant is a phytoremediator, which means that it can pull toxins and heavy metals out of the soil where it grows. These toxins and heavy metals are pulled into the plant and may be found in products made from the plant. This means that cannabigerol products may be at a high risk of contamination with heavy metals and other harmful chemicals.

The FDA has not tested cannabigerol products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using cannabigerol?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if cannabigerol is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Bleeding problems
• Heart problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how cannabigerol could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Some cannabigerol products may be contaminated with THC, the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis. This could cause unwanted effects and side effects for you and your baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if cannabigerol passes into breast milk. Some cannabigerol products may be contaminated with THC, which passes into breast milk and can cause harm to your baby. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does cannabigerol interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between cannabigerol and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect cannabigerol, but drinking alcohol while taking cannabigerol may increase your risk of drowsiness. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does cannabigerol interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

The interactions between cannabigerol and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with cannabigerol is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking cannabigerol with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much cannabigerol?

If you or someone else has used too much cannabigerol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to take cannabigerol safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.