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.
CBG Effects: How Will CBG Make You Feel?
CBG has an energizing, uplifting effect profile. Most people describe feeling energy, mental clarity, and physical relaxation after taking it.
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 causing inebriation, 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.
What research says about the side effects of CBG
While most of what we know about the side effects of CBG is based on anecdotal evidence (i.e. people’s firsthand experiences), there is a little bit of scientific research on the subject.
In 2024, scientists did a clinical trial of 34 people to investigate the effects of CBG on anxiety, stress, and mood.
As part of the study, they collected information around side effects and found that “only a minority reported experiencing side effects such as dry eyes (9%), dry mouth (16.5%), sleepiness (15%), and increased appetite (12%)” [1].
This study indicates that, in addition to not being severe, the side effects of CBG are also relatively uncommon.
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
While the side effects of CBG aren’t a big deal for most people, they are still undesirable.
But with smart buying and usage practices, you can further reduce your chance of feeling any side effects at all from CBG products.
Choose a high-quality CBG product
The best way to ensure you feel the most benefits and fewest side effects from CBG is to choose a high-quality product.
Because the hemp industry isn’t heavily regulated, you have to do your due diligence in order to ensure the product you buy is safe and effective:
- 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 verify the product 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 both total and per-serving CBG potency to ensure you choose a product that suits your effect preferences and needs.
- Understand the cannabinoid blend: Often, CBG products contain other cannabinoids, like CBD, CBN, and THC. While these cannabinoid combinations are often very beneficial, more ingredients mean more potential side effects to be aware of. For example, THC will get you high, even if it’s combined with CBG.
Interested in exploring CBG products? 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
The best way to avoid side effects when taking CBG is to dose your product carefully.
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 this weight-based CBG dosage formula to calculate your initial daily dose.
(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 CBG is metabolized by your body, it may negatively interact with OTC and prescription medicines, leading 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
CBG has some downsides, but most people find it has far more benefits than side effects.
Research suggests CBG may have therapeutic potential in the following areas:
- Inflammation & pain: A 2021 research review found that a combination of CBD and CBG may have inflammation-reducing effects [2].
- Weight loss: A 2021 study found that CBG may reduce appetite and induce weight loss by blocking the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system [3].
- Skin health: A 2022 study looked at the topical effects of CBG on skin irritation in 20 people. The researchers found that CBG caused improvements in the amount of transepidermal water loss and appearance of redness, both of which occurred less with CBG compared to a placebo [4].
- Anxiety: Recent research suggests CBG may promote mental relaxation and potentially offer support for those with anxiety. A 2024 study found that people who took a 20mg dose of CBG showed fewer signs of anxiety than people who took a placebo [5].
- Stomach & GI health: A 2016 study found that the activation of both CB1 and CB2 receptors (which CBG does) in the endocannabinoid system has beneficial effects on inflammation and pain in the stomach and intestines [6].
- Energy & focus: In a 2021 survey, 70.8% of respondents with ADHD saw an improvement in their condition after using products containing a mix of CBG and CBD [7].
- Neurological health: 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. Research suggests CBG may slow the progression of these diseases [8,9].
- Appetite: A 2016 study concluded that CBG may have therapeutic potential for conditions involving malnutrition due to its appetite-stimulating properties [10].
- Eye health: A study found that CBG has vasodilating properties, meaning it may promote ocular blood flow, which keeps the eyes healthy and has a role in minimizing damage to the optic nerve [11].
- Nausea: A 2011 study done on rats found that CBG, by itself, suppressed acute nausea. However, the research also found that CBG may nullify the beneficial effects of CBD on nausea, which means these cannabinoids are most beneficial for nausea if used separately [12].
- Cancer: A 2021 study found that CBG may exhibit anti-tumor properties in certain types of cancer. However, it also acknowledged that more scientific exploration of this use case is needed [13].
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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.
Who should not take CBG?
While CBG is beneficial for most people, people taking certain prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications should avoid taking CBG due to the potential for drug interactions. If you’re unsure as to whether you should be taking CBG, we recommend you speak to a medical professional.
What are the downsides of CBG?
CBG is largely beneficial and many people use it for therapeutic purposes, but it does have some downsides as a natural supplement: CBG has some side effects (e.g. dry eyes, dry mouth, increased appetite) and it tends to be a bit more expensive than other hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as CBD or CBG.
Does CBG affect blood pressure?
No, increases or decreases in blood pressure are not typically reported side effects of CBG use.
Does CBG make your heart race?
No, CBG does not typically cause an increase in heart rate.
Does CBG cause weight gain?
No, CBG does not cause weight gain. While one of its short-term side effects is increased appetite, CBG does not alter eating habits or other bodily processes long-term such that it would cause weight gain.
Does CBG affect sleep?
Yes, CBG may affect your sleep if you take it less than 6-8 hours before bed (you should avoid it after early afternoon). CBG is known to be energizing and uplifting, and while these are largely desirable effects, they can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.
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 for 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).
Sources
[1] Cuttler, C., Stueber, A., Cooper, Z.D. et al. Acute effects of cannabigerol on anxiety, stress, and mood: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, field trial. Sci Rep 14, 16163 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66879-0
[2] Robaina Cabrera, Carmen Lorena & Keir-Rudman, Sandra & Horniman, Nick & Clarkson, Nick & Page, Clive. (2021). The anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol and cannabigerol alone, and in combination. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 69. 102047. 10.1016/j.pupt.2021.102047.
[3] Kogan, Natalya M et al. “Novel CBG Derivatives Can Reduce Inflammation, Pain and Obesity.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 26,18 5601. 15 Sep. 2021, doi:10.3390/molecules26185601
[4] Perez, Eduardo et al. “In Vitro and Clinical Evaluation of Cannabigerol (CBG) Produced via Yeast Biosynthesis: A Cannabinoid with a Broad Range of Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Health-Boosting Properties.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 27,2 491. 13 Jan. 2022, doi:10.3390/molecules27020491
[5] Cuttler, C., Stueber, A., Cooper, Z. D., & Russo, E. (2024). Acute effects of cannabigerol on anxiety, stress, and mood: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, field trial. Scientific reports, 14(1), 16163. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66879-0
[6] Gyires, Klára, and Zoltán S Zádori. “Role of Cannabinoids in Gastrointestinal Mucosal Defense and Inflammation.” Current neuropharmacology vol. 14,8 (2016): 935-951. doi:10.2174/1570159×14666160303110150
[7] Kaufmann, R. Nano-processed CBG/CBD effect on pain, adult attention deficit hyperactive disorder, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. Int J Complement Alt Med. 2021;14(6):235–240. doi: 10.15406/ijcam.2021.14.00567
[8] More, Sandeep Vasant, and Dong-Kug Choi. “Promising cannabinoid-based therapies for Parkinson’s disease: motor symptoms to neuroprotection.” Molecular neurodegeneration vol. 10 17. 8 Apr. 2015, doi:10.1186/s13024-015-0012-0
[9] Valdeolivas, Sara et al. “Neuroprotective properties of cannabigerol in Huntington’s disease: studies in R6/2 mice and 3-nitropropionate-lesioned mice.” Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics vol. 12,1 (2015): 185-99. doi:10.1007/s13311-014-0304-z
[10] Brierley, Daniel I et al. “Cannabigerol is a novel, well-tolerated appetite stimulant in pre-satiated rats.” Psychopharmacology vol. 233,19-20 (2016): 3603-13. doi:10.1007/s00213-016-4397-4
[11] Nadolska, Krystyna, and Roman Goś. “Mozliwości zastosowania kannabinoidów w leczeniu jaskry” [Possibilities of applying cannabinoids’ in the treatment of glaucoma]. Klinika oczna vol. 110,7-9 (2008): 314-7.
[12] Rock, Erin M et al. “Interaction between non-psychotropic cannabinoids in marihuana: effect of cannabigerol (CBG) on the anti-nausea or anti-emetic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in rats and shrews.” Psychopharmacology vol. 215,3 (2011): 505-12. doi:10.1007/s00213-010-2157-4
[13] Lah, T. T., Novak, M., Pena Almidon, M. A., Marinelli, O., Žvar Baškovič, B., Majc, B., Mlinar, M., Bošnjak, R., Breznik, B., Zomer, R., & Nabissi, M. (2021). Cannabigerol Is a Potential Therapeutic Agent in a Novel Combined Therapy for Glioblastoma. Cells, 10(2), 340. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10020340
