CBG (cannabigerol) is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid in the cannabis sativa plant. Like CBD, it has a variety of therapeutic benefits.
But it has one effect that makes it stand out from most other cannabinoids: it tends to be energizing and uplifting.
CBG may promote energy and focus by interacting with the endocannabinoid system and creating mentally uplifting, yet physically relaxing effects.
In this article, we’ll discuss three different ways CBG can promote better energy levels and talk about how it compares to CBD for this use.
What is CBG?
Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of the 100-plus naturally-occurring cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.
While CBG hasn’t been researched as much as CBD or THC, studies so far indicate that it may have therapeutic potential for pain, inflammation, anxiety, and ADHD, and it’s also been researched for glaucoma, Huntington’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
CBG is non-psychoactive and will not get you high, but it does create an energizing, uplifting mental sensation. For this reason, many people have found CBG beneficial for maintaining healthy energy levels.
Does CBG Give You Energy?
CBG may boost energy levels by interacting with the endocannabinoid system and helping to maintain healthy mental and physical states.
CBG creates a noticeable mental effect that isn’t anything like a THC high, but is instead more akin to the mental lift you get from drinking caffeinated coffee.
Some people who have taken CBG report feeling a caffeine-like rush afterward. But others find that it unleashes energy and focus in more subtle, yet still powerful ways, through feelings of mental clarity.
Additionally, research suggests CBG has therapeutic potential for inflammation, pain, and anxiety, three things that commonly have a negative effect on your energy levels.
By promoting comprehensive mental and physical health, CBG may promote normal, healthy energy levels.
In the following sections, we’ll explore the three main ways in which CBG promotes better energy levels.
1. CBG Promotes Mental Clarity & Focus
CBG’s effects are very different from most other cannabinoids. Rather than having a sedative effect (like CBN) or a deeply relaxing head high effect (like THC), CBG tends to be uplifting and energizing.
Many people describe CBG’s effects as being similar to coffee: energizing, but in a smooth way that helps them focus without being too overwhelming.
Because of this, many people use CBG for ADHD.
In a research survey from 2021, 70.8% of respondents with ADHD saw an improvement in their condition after using products containing a mix of CBG and CBD [1].
This indicates that CBG may promote energy and focus.
How it works
Generally speaking, CBG promotes energy and focus by binding to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Every human and vertebrate animal has an ECS, a neurotransmitter system that plays a role in regulating a large variety of bodily functions including sleep, mood, body temperature, energy, and more.
Within the ECS, CBG is thought to increase the function of anandamide, a neurotransmitter that can enhance feelings of pleasure and motivation, among other things.
This increased pleasure and motivation may manifest itself as greater feelings of energy and focus [2].
2. CBG Promotes a Healthy, Pain-Free Body
Research suggests CBG may have anti-inflammatory properties, and many people use CBG for pain [3].
Physical discomfort contributes to low energy levels, as it worsens sleep and causes you to expend extra physical and emotional energy to cope with it.
By promoting physical comfort, CBGmay also promote normal, healthy energy levels.
Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that CBG may help with discomfort from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as the related, but less serious, inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) [4].
Additionally, in a survey of 127 people using CBG-predominant cannabis and cannabis products, 73.9% of respondents claimed that CBG was superior to prescription medications for pain [5].
All of this research suggests CBG has therapeutic potential for inflammation and pain, which means it may help maintain healthy energy levels.
How it works
CBG works for pain by interacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a receptor system that regulates most vital functions, including your pain and inflammatory responses.
CBG binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS. The interaction it has with the CB2 receptors is what allows it to influence the way you feel physically.
Additionally, research suggests CBG is anti-nociceptive, meaning it can reduce pain signaling.
A 2023 study found that CBG can desensitize the TRPV1 receptors in your central nervous system, thereby blocking the transmission of pain signals [6].
By promoting physical comfort, CBG may contribute to healthy energy levels.
3. CBG Promotes a Calm, Anxiety-Free Mind
A recent clinical trial (in 2024) and survey (in 2022) indicate that CBG may have therapeutic potential for stress and anxiety.
Anxiety and stress cause low energy levels because when you’re anxious or stressed out, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. This state of heightened arousal can lead to fatigue, especially if the anxiety and stress are chronic.
By promoting mental relaxation, CBG may support normal, healthy energy levels.
A 2022 survey of 127 people who were taking CBG found that 51.2% did so for anxiety and 33.1% did so 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 [7].
Additionally, a 2024 clinical trial of 34 adults found that an oil-based 20mg dose of CBG contributed to significant reductions in stress and anxiety compared to a placebo [8].
How it works
CBG works for anxiety by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), a transmitter system in your body that has a hand in regulating your anxiety and stress responses, among other things.
CBG interacts with the CB2 receptors in your ECS, which science says are “therapeutic targets for the treatment of anxiety and depression [9,10].
This interaction is thought to be the source of CBG’s potential benefits for anxiety, as well as other benefits it has for mental health.
CBG vs. CBD for Energy: How Do They Compare?
CBG and CBD both have many of the same therapeutic benefits: there is research showing each cannabinoid may help with anxiety, inflammation, and pain.
However, CBG’s effects tend to be significantly more energizing than CBD’s. Whereas CBG is noticeably uplifting, CBD tends to be mildly relaxing.
One potential explanation for why this is has to do with the serotonin receptor called 5-HT1A.
Agonists initiate a response from this receptor and decrease blood pressure and heart rate, while antagonists inhibit this function.
CBG is an antagonist of 5-HT1A, while CBD is an agonist of this receptor — so CBD promotes lower blood pressure and heart rate, while CBG does not. This is potentially the reason why CBG is more energizing, while CBD is more relaxing [11].
In some cases, though, you may be better off using CBG and CBD together than choosing between them: these cannabinoids are more beneficial for energy, focus, pain, and anxiety when taken together.
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Side Effects of CBG
Possible side effects of CBG include:
- Dry mouth
- Sleepiness
- Increased appetite
- Dry eyes
- Digestive upset (nausea, diarrhea)
- Dizziness
It might seem ironic that sleepiness is a potential side effect of this high-energy cannabinoid. However, remember that most people won’t feel these side effects with proper dosing.
CBG Dosage for Energy
Starting out, we recommend a low-strength CBG dosage for energy. This will allow you to get a feel for its effects before taking more the next time.
You can calculate your dose using the following formula:
(0.1) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your daily dose of CBG in mg.
Once you’ve taken this dose a few times, slowly adjust it up or down until you get the effects you want.
Conclusion: Can CBG Boost Energy and Focus?
Based on what we know from scientific and anecdotal evidence, it seems CBG may promote energy and focus through its uplifting effects and therapeutic benefits.
However, CBG needs to be researched specifically for its impact on energy and focus.
We recommend you give it a try if you’re looking for mental clarity and physical relaxation – even if it won’t be replacing your morning coffee anytime soon.
CBG for Energy: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about CBG for energy.
Does CBG get you high?
No, CBG won’t get you high or render effects comparable to THC. However, it will create energizing, uplifting effects similar to coffee.
How many mg of CBG for energy?
Starting out, we recommend you take 10-20mg CBG daily to promote better energy and focus.
Does CBG make you focus?
While the direct link between CBG and focus needs to be researched, what we know so far is that CBG may promote mental clarity and address some of the things that detract from your ability to focus.
Will CBG make me tired?
One of the potential side effects of taking too much CBG is feeling sleepy or tired, but CBG tends to promote energy, rather than sedation.
Will CBG keep me awake?
CBG may promote energy and focus, so it may cause you to stay awake at night if you take it too close to your bedtime.
Sources
[1] Peters, Erica N et al. “A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-dose pilot study of the safety, tolerability, and preliminary effects of a cannabidiol (CBD)- and cannabigerol (CBG)-based beverage powder to support recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition vol. 20,1 (2023): 2280113. doi:10.1080/15502783.2023.2280113
[2] De Petrocellis, Luciano et al. “Effects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-enriched Cannabis extracts on TRP channels and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes.” British journal of pharmacology vol. 163,7 (2011): 1479-94. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01166.x
[3] Cabrera, Robaina et al. “The anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol and cannabigerol alone, and in combination.” Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 69. 102047. 10.1016/j.pupt.2021.102047.
[4] Borrelli, Francesca et al. “Beneficial effect of the non-psychotropic plant cannabinoid cannabigerol on experimental inflammatory bowel disease.” Biochemical pharmacology vol. 85,9 (2013): 1306-16. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2013.01.017
[5] Russo, Ethan B et al. “Survey of Patients Employing Cannabigerol-Predominant Cannabis Preparations: Perceived Medical Effects, Adverse Events, and Withdrawal Symptoms.” Cannabis and cannabinoid research vol. 7,5 (2022): 706-716. doi:10.1089/can.2021.0058
[6] Wen, Yuting et al. “The antinociceptive activity and mechanism of action of cannabigerol.” Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie vol. 158 (2023): 114163. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114163
[7] Russo, Ethan B et al. “Survey of Patients Employing Cannabigerol-Predominant Cannabis Preparations: Perceived Medical Effects, Adverse Events, and Withdrawal Symptoms.” Cannabis and cannabinoid research vol. 7,5 (2022): 706-716. doi:10.1089/can.2021.0058
[8] Cuttler, Carrie et al. “Acute effects of cannabigerol on anxiety, stress, and mood: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, field trial.” Scientific reports vol. 14,1 16163. 13 Jul. 2024, doi:10.1038/s41598-024-66879-0
[9] Navarro, Gemma et al. “Cannabigerol Action at Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 Receptors and at CB1-CB2 Heteroreceptor Complexes.” Frontiers in pharmacology vol. 9 632. 21 Jun. 2018, doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00632
[10] Bahi, Amine et al. “β-Caryophyllene, a CB2 receptor agonist produces multiple behavioral changes relevant to anxiety and depression in mice.” Physiology & behavior vol. 135 (2014): 119-24. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.06.003
[11] Cascio, M G et al. “Evidence that the plant cannabinoid cannabigerol is a highly potent alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist and moderately potent 5HT1A receptor antagonist.” British journal of pharmacology vol. 159,1 (2010): 129-41. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00515.x
