A recent study found that cannabigerol (CBG), which is derived from Cannabis Plants can help reduce anxiety and stress effectively. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports and involved researchers from Washington State University in the US. The study found that it can help improve memory. The dried leaves of the cannabis or marijuana plant are smoked or chewed for a euphoric effect. The psychoactive substances present in the plant include cannabinoids, from which CBG and cannabidiol (CBD) are derived.

In many countries, including high-income countries, medicinal use of cannabis is legal, such as in treating chronic pain or nausea caused by chemotherapy, however, legalizing cannabis for recreational use is under debate worldwide. The study authors, including those from Washington State University, said that with CBG use growing in popularity and producers making “bold, unsubstantiated claims of its effects,” the clinical trial evidence they provide could inform both consumers and the scientific community.

For the study, researchers analyzed baseline levels of anxiety, stress, and mood of 34 individuals in two virtual meetings. Participants then consumed 20 milligrams (mg) of CBG or a placebo, after which their anxiety, stress, and mood, as well as the effects of intoxication, were re-evaluated.

One week later, the procedure was repeated, this time participants consumed an alternative to the product taken previously. “Relative to placebo, CBG had a significant main effect on overall reduction in anxiety as well as reduction in stress (20, 45, and 60 minutes after consumption),” the authors wrote in the study.

They also found significant improvements in memory, with participants recalling more words after taking 20 milligrams of CBG than after taking a placebo. The researchers said CBG did not affect cognition, agitation or other adverse effects typically associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis.

Participants were also found to report less intoxication and minimal changes in symptoms such as dry mouth, sleepiness and increased appetite. However, the researchers cautioned that the results need to be interpreted carefully, given the limitations of the study, including the modest use of CBG, the timing of the assessments and their remote nature (conducted via video conferencing).

“We should avoid claiming that CBG is a miracle drug,” said corresponding author Carrie Cutler, associate professor of psychology at Washington State University. “This is new and exciting, but replication and further research are important.”

“Ongoing and future studies will help create a broader understanding of the benefits and safety of CBG, potentially offering a new way to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress without the intoxicating effects of THC.”

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