Cannabigerol (CBG), a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant, is safe to use and is well-tolerated in most people.
However, some users may experience side effects after using CBG including dry mouth, sleepiness, increased appetite, dry eyes, digestive upset, dizziness, and headache.
While these side effects are a possibility, in our experience, the majority of people feel very few side effects after using CBG. Many people feel no adverse effects.
By selecting a high-quality CBG product, employing careful dosing practices, and avoiding taking CBG along with medications, you can minimize your chances of feeling any adverse effects after using CBG.
Instead, you’ll be able to enjoy all the positive effects and benefits CBG has to offer – and there are many.
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What is CBG?
CBG (cannabigerol) is one of more than 100+ naturally occurring cannabinoids in the hemp plant. While it’s not naturally abundant in hemp, as CBD and THC are, CBG is just as beneficial as these more abundant, better-known cannabinoids.
CBG is also important in the formation of other cannabinoids. Every cannabinoid in hemp starts as CBGa (cannabigerolic acid), the acidic form of CBG.
CBGa then becomes CBG, or it can become CBDa, THCa, or CBCa, from which CBD, THC, and CBC are made.
Because of this, CBG has earned the nickname “the mother of all cannabinoids,” even though what people are referring to is CBGa, its cannabinoid predecessor.
How Will CBG Make You Feel?
CBG has an energizing, uplifting effect profile. Most people describe feeling energy and mental clarity after taking it, as well as physical relaxation.
However, CBG is not psychoactive in the sense that it gets you high, as THC will. Instead, many people compare the experience of using CBG to drinking a cup of coffee – a smooth mental lift, but nothing like a high.
On the physical side, anecdotal evidence suggests CBG is effective at rendering physical support, and that it may even be more effective than CBD for this purpose. Many people use CBG for pain and inflammation.
Because CBG can relax the body and uplift the mind without being inebriating, many people prefer it over THC for daytime use.
Potential Side Effects of CBG
While CBG’s effect profile is largely beneficial, it also has the potential to create adverse effects.
Possible side effects of CBG include:
- Dry mouth
- Sleepiness
- Increased appetite
- Dry eyes
- Digestive upset (nausea, diarrhea)
- Dizziness
- Headache
Some of these side effects may seem a bit counterintuitive. If CBG is uplifting, why does it have the potential to make you tired?
The reason is that cannabinoids affect everyone differently. The benefits and effects commonly attributed to CBG are based on the experiences of the majority of people. Still, cannabinoids may affect you differently than they do most people.
However, many people only feel a few of these side effects or none at all.
Does CBG Get You High?
No, CBG will not get you high. Instead, many people describe its benefits as being similar to coffee – uplifting and focusing, but not inebriating.
Is CBG Safe to Consume?
Yes. While more studies are needed, research suggests CBG is safe to consume.
While CBG may cause side effects, they are generally mild or not present at all.
How to Avoid or Reduce The Side Effects of CBG
The side effects of CBG aren’t a big deal for most people. But with smart buying and usage practices, you can further reduce your chance of feeling any side effects at all.
Choose a high-quality CBG product
The hemp and cannabis industry is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like the pharmaceutical industry is.
This means you have to do your due diligence when purchasing CBG to ensure the product you choose is safe and effective.
Employ the following tips when shopping:
- Check the lab report – Only buy a product if it’s been tested by a 3rd-party lab and the report is available on the vendor’s website. Check the lab report to ensure it contains the amount of CBG it’s supposed to, and that it passes tests for heavy metals, pesticides, and molds.
- Understand the potency – Depending on whether you’re shopping for CBG edibles, oils, or other products, the potency will be measured differently. Be sure you understand how much total CBG is in a product, as well as how much CBG is in each dropper of oil or gummy. This will ensure you choose a product that suits your dosing needs.
- Understand what’s in the product – Often, CBG products contain other cannabinoids, like CBD, CBN, and THC. CBG is often more effective when used with these other cannabinoids. However, ensure you know what cannabinoids a product contains so you can account for the potential side effects of these other cannabinoids, too. For example, THC will get you high, even if it’s combined with CBG.
By employing careful shopping techniques, you will be able to find a product that gives you the effects you want – and that is safe and devoid of contaminants.
If you’re interested in exploring your options, we’ve already done the legwork for you. Check out our guides to the best CBG gummies and best CBG oil.
Carefully measure your doses
Starting with low daily doses of CBG and gradually working your way up will ensure you take just enough to benefit your situation, but not so much that you feel unnecessary side effects.
Generally, we recommend that you use a weight-based CBG dosage formula to calculate your initial daily dose.
The exact formula you use will vary depending on why you’re using CBG, but most people are best suited by a low-strength dose.
You can use the following formula:
(0.1) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your starting daily dose of CBG in mg.
Once you’ve used this dose a few times and observed how it makes you feel, slowly increase (or decrease) it until you achieve the optimal balance: all the benefits, but few or none of the side effects.
For more on dosing CBG for different uses, check out our CBG dosage guide.
Avoid mixing CBG with medications
Because of the way your body metabolizes CBG and other cannabinoids, they may negatively interact with over-the-counter and prescription medicines. This may lead to a buildup of these drugs in your liver.
To avoid a potentially dangerous drug interaction, don’t use CBG if you’re on prescriptions or using other medications unless you’ve cleared it with your doctor first.
They will be able to assess whether CBG will interact negatively with these substances, and if so, they can advise you on what to do.
Benefits of CBG
While it may cause side effects, CBG also has many potential therapeutic benefits.
CBG can promote energy and focus
CBG has energizing, mentally clarifying effects.
Many people who use CBG describe its effects as similar to coffee: energizing, but in a smooth, not-overwhelming way that helps them focus.
Because of this, many people find CBG helpful for ADHD. A survey from 2021 reported that 70.8% of respondents with ADHD saw an improvement in their condition after using products containing a mix of CBG and cannabidiol (CBD).
CBG can support a healthy inflammatory & pain response
Research suggests that CBG may have anti-inflammatory effects, and anecdotal evidence supports this as well.
Many people use CBG for pain and inflammation, and it’s also frequently used by people with conditions that have their roots in inflammation, or that cause physical discomfort.
Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that CBG may help with discomfort from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as the related inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS).
Studies have also investigated the potential benefits of CBG for arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and other inflammatory conditions.
CBG can promote mental relaxation
While there isn’t any clinical evidence on the use of CBG for anxiety, a survey done in late 2022 illuminates its potential benefits.
127 participants were surveyed, all of whom were using CBG. Of the people surveyed, 51.2% were using CBG for anxiety and 33% for depression.
The effectiveness of CBG was “highly rated” by respondents, and many reported that their conditions were “very much improved” as a result of CBG.
The survey also asked participants whether or not they preferred CBG over conventional treatments. 80% of respondents preferred CBG over conventional medicine for depression, and 78.3% preferred it for anxiety.
More research is needed on whether CBG is a viable treatment for anxiety, but it’s clear from this survey that CBG may promote a clear, anxiety-free headspace.
CBG can support neurological health
Research suggests CBG may promote neurological health and help with neurodegenerative disorders.
CBG has been studied for use with Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease, two conditions that erode the function of the nervous system and brain.
So far, studies indicate that CBG may slow the progression of these conditions.
CBG can boost appetite
Studies on rodents have found that CBG can increase appetite. Researchers think it may have the potential to be developed into an appetite stimulant medication.
Appetite stimulants are used for patients with chronic illnesses that cause weight loss – either due to the treatment (e.g. chemotherapy for cancer) or the illness itself.
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Conclusion: CBG Has More Benefits Than Adverse Effects
While CBG has the potential to cause undesirable side effects, most people find that it has far more upsides than downsides.
CBG’s effects are generally positive, and it has a boatload of therapeutic benefits that make the potential side effects worth it.
And through careful shopping and dosage practices, you can minimize or avoid the side effects of CBG altogether.
If you’re still uncertain about using CBG, feel free to speak to your doctor. While CBG isn’t a proven medical treatment, your doctor may be able to advise you on its safety and suggest how best to use it.
CBG Side Effects: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about the side effects of CBG.
How will CBG make you feel?
Most people say CBG helps them feel energized and focused. CBG’s effects are frequently compared to those of coffee.
What does CBG do for your body?
By interacting with your endocannabinoid system, CBG may promote mental and physical homeostasis, or balance.
What effects does CBG have on the heart?
Research suggests that while CBG may lower blood pressure, it does not alter your heart rate.
What are the side effects of CBG in dogs?
The potential side effects of CBG in dogs are much the same as in humans: dry mouth, digestive upset, fatigue, and changes in appetite. However, as in people, CBG is considered safe for dogs.
What are the side effects of taking CBD and CBG together?
Taking CBD and CBG together will not render any side effects beyond what is typical of both cannabinoids. Potential side effects of CBD are dry mouth, digestive upset, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue. CBG side effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, increased appetite, dry eyes, digestive upset, dizziness, and headache. CBG and CBD may neutralize each other’s effects on energy (CBG is energizing, CBD is more relaxing) and appetite (CBG is appetite-stimulating, CBD is appetite-suppressing).
