CBGA: The Mother of All Cannabinoids

CBGA, often called the “mother of all cannabinoids,” is gaining significant attention. This foundational cannabinoid is showing promise in reducing seizures and treating conditions like insomnia and chronic pain. Recently, its derivative, CBG, has emerged as a potential remedy for anxiety and stress, possibly even surpassing CBD in effectiveness.

In this blog, we’ll dive into what CBGA and CBG are, explore the latest scientific findings, and look at CBG’s promising future in the cannabis industry.

What is CBGA?

CBGA is short for cannabigerolic acid. It is referred to as the “mother of all cannabinoids” for its vital role in the creation of other major cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, and CBG. In cannabis plants, CBGA is the first cannabinoid acid to form and serves as the foundation for these other compounds.

While CBGA itself is non-psychoactive and remains in an acidic form, it undergoes enzymatic reactions that convert it into other acids like tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). When these cannabinoids are exposed to heat or UV light, they go through decarboxylation, which activates them into their final active forms, such as THC and CBD.

What is CBG?

When CBGA is decarboxylated, it converts to cannabigerol (CBG). This cannabinoid is derived directly from CBGA and represents its activated, non-acidic state. CBG is not psychoactive like THC but shares some of its effects such as potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Research suggests CBG may also have benefits for conditions like glaucoma, bacterial infections, and even anxiety.

Potential Benefits of Taking CBG

CBGA, while important in the biosynthesis of cannabinoids, does not directly produce effects until it is converted into CBG through decarboxylation. Therefore, the therapeutic benefits are typically associated with CBG rather than CBGA. They include:

• Anti-inflammatory Effects: May help reduce inflammation and related symptoms.
• Neuroprotective Properties: Could support brain health and protect against neurodegenerative diseases.
• Anxiety Relief: May alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress.
• Glaucoma Management: Potentially useful in reducing intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma.
• Antibacterial Activity: Exhibits properties that may help combat bacterial infections.
• Appetite Stimulation: May stimulate appetite, which could be beneficial for those with eating disorders or loss of appetite.
• Pain Relief: Potentially aids in managing pain and discomfort.

Dr Lyndsey Anderson, lead author of a 2021 study, said: “We found that CBGA was more potent than CBD in reducing seizures triggered by a febrile event in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome.”

First Human Clinical Trials on CBG

A recent human clinical 

by Washington State University explored the effects of CBG on anxiety and stress in 34 healthy participants. The results were promising: those who took a CBG tincture reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and stress within an hour of ingestion compared to those who took a placebo. Interestingly, participants also showed slight improvements in verbal memory after taking CBG, a finding that contrasts with previous research showing that THC tends to impair memory.

Conducted remotely via Zoom, the trial had participants take either a CBG tincture or a placebo in a double-blind setup. Mood, stress, anxiety, and other variables were assessed at several intervals after ingestion. While CBG showed promise in reducing global anxiety, it did not impact a more specific anxiety measure, nor did it significantly affect participants’ mood, possibly due to the low dosage used or the small sample size. Despite these limitations, the study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting CBG’s potential benefits.

*It is important to note that Carrie Cuttler, who led the 2024 study cautions against letting the excitement around CBG outpace scientific evidence, as happened with CBD. Cuttler emphasizes the need for further research to substantiate claims about CBG, urging caution against premature declarations of its effectiveness.

Cannabigerol’s Future in The Cannabis Industry

“As MaryAnn Stanger, a Naturopathic Doctor and the founder of the CBD seller Zatural, told me her business only recently began carrying CBG, but it’s already ‘selling like hot cakes!’” – Newsweek magazine

CBG products are already beginning to appear on the shelves of dispensaries across the nation. However, the current availability of CBG is limited because most cannabis strains are bred focusing on cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Since CBGA, the precursor to CBG, is integral in producing other cannabinoids, harvesting significant amounts of CBG has been challenging. However new advances in cannabis cultivation now allow for the development of strains with nearly 100% CBG. As cannabigerol’s popularity rises, we can expect increased availability and a subsequent decrease in prices, addressing the current commercial challenge of limited supply.

Cannabigerol’s commercial potential is considerable. With its rising popularity among consumers and its promising therapeutic properties, CBG is attracting the attention of investors and companies looking to diversify their product lines. This interest is likely to spur further research and development, paving the way for new CBG-based treatments and products to enter the market.

**The statements made within this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and the products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.