Minor cannabinoid shows promise in reducing anxiety

While tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is very popular among cannabis users to relieve stress and anxiety, some consumers seek an alternative without the intoxicating effects. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most common non-intoxicating alternative, but other cannabinoids have popped up on dispensary shelves in recent years. However, controlled research on whether minor cannabinoids, such as cannabigerol (CBG), relieve anxiety is still lacking.

There is just so much lore about all of the cannabinoids with very little science, so it pleases me that this study was conducted.
- Margaret Haney, Columbia University Medical Center

“We thought that it was a little bit problematic that there was this new minor cannabinoid becoming more popular,” said psychology researcher Carrie Cuttler at Washington State University. “We needed to get ahead of this and better understand its risk-benefits profile so that we can inform the public about that.”

She and her team waded into this uncharted territory by conducting the first double-blind, placebo-controlled study of CBG use, specifically focused on its potential anxiety- and stress-relieving effects (1). Because of the experimental nature of their study, the team only enrolled cannabis users for this trial.

Unlike in most drug studies, the 34 participants stayed in their homes, where they took either a 20 mg tincture of CBG or a placebo and talked with the study team over a video call. Each participant then took the alternative tincture and had a nearly identical call with the study team one week later. During each session, participants answered questions about topics like anxiety and depression.

After 20, 45, and 60 minutes, participants completed a survey about their experience of the tincture and any side effects. Between the last two time points, the team asked participants to prepare a 5-minute speech and complete a surprise math test. These stressful situations gave “the CBG something to act on,” Cuttler explained.

Finally, to test memory, the team asked participants to remember a sequence of 16 words and recall them immediately.

The chemical structure of cannabigerol (CBG) is shown on top of marijuana flowers.

Controlled research on the effects of minor cannabinoids, like cannabigerol (CBG), on humans is not well understood.

Credit: iStock.com/VasilevKirill

In line with research on other cannabinoids, CBG significantly reduced participants’ overall feelings of anxiety. This finding also aligns with a previous survey from Cuttler and others, which found that most CBG users choose CBG for its anti-anxiety effects and feel that CBG is more effective than conventional anxiety medications (2). When participants answered more questions about specific components of their anxiety such as jitteriness or indecisiveness, there was no difference between the placebo and CBG conditions, so additional studies will be needed. CBG did not seem to affect overall feelings of depression despite many survey participants reporting CBG usage for depressive symptoms (2).

Participants did not report any feelings of intoxication or other side effects and did not show any significant cognitive or motor impairments.

Unlike THC, CBG significantly enhanced verbal memory at the 45- and 60-minute check-ins. “I did not expect those findings. They’re surprising — theoretically, conceptually, practically — so I really want to corroborate those,” said Cuttler.

She and her team are planning a follow-up study to measure more aspects of memory ability, including working memory and susceptibility to false memories. Additionally, the team hopes to conduct future CBG research on healthy adults who are not cannabis users.

“There is just so much lore about all of the cannabinoids with very little science, so it pleases me that this study was conducted,” said Margaret Haney, a neurobiology researcher at Columbia University Medical Center who was not involved in the study. “I think it's a great first step.”