CBG (cannabigerol) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in hemp and other cannabis plants. It is the neutral form of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which the plant turns into the acid forms of THC, CBD and CBC. That is why CBG is often called the "mother cannabinoid". Mature plants usually contain less than 1% CBG, and human research on it is still limited.
Key facts
- What it is
- A phytocannabinoid with the formula C₂₁H₃₂O₂, the neutral form of CBGA
- Role in the plant
- CBGA is the precursor of THCA, CBDA and CBCA
- Amount in the plant
- Usually under 1% of dry weight; varieties bred for CBG contain much more
- Intoxicating?
- No. A 2024 trial of 20 mg CBG found no subjective drug effects or impairment
- Human research (as of October 2026)
- A few small studies; most research is in cells and animals
- UK status (as of October 2026)
- Not named in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; THC and cannabinol are
What is CBG and what role does it play in the cannabis plant?
Hemp makes its cannabinoids as acids, and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) comes first. Plant enzymes then turn CBGA into tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA). The enzyme that makes CBDA is what makes fibre hemp a CBD-type plant (Taura et al., 2007).
Strictly, the "mother cannabinoid" is CBGA. CBG is what CBGA becomes when heat removes its acid group. Because most CBGA is converted as the plant matures, CBG is usually present at under 1% of dry weight (Perez et al., 2022). Plants with the B0 genotype convert much less CBGA, so CBG becomes their main cannabinoid (Zagožen et al., 2021). A close relative with a shorter side chain, CBGV, forms the same way, and the acid itself is covered in what is CBGA?
What is CBG's chemical structure?
CBG has one aromatic ring and an open chain. In CBD that chain has closed into a second ring, and in THC a third ring closes as well. CBG's formula, C₂₁H₃₂O₂, has two more hydrogen atoms than CBD and THC (C₂₁H₃₀O₂) (PubChem).
How does CBG act in the body?
What is known comes mostly from cell and animal studies, which don't show what happens in people.
- Cannabinoid receptors: CBG binds both CB1 and CB2 receptors (Navarro et al., 2018).
- Other receptors: in mouse brain tissue, CBG was a potent α2-adrenoceptor agonist and a moderate 5-HT1A receptor blocker (Cascio et al., 2010).
- TRP channels: CBG stimulated the TRPV1 channel in cell studies (De Petrocellis et al., 2011).
A review describes its receptor profile as lying "between Δ9-THC and CBD" (Nachnani et al., 2021). For the receptors themselves, see our guide to the endocannabinoid system.
Video: what is CBG?
What has CBG been studied for?
The table shows what has been studied and in what kind of study. None of it shows that a CBG product prevents or treats a condition.
| Area | Type of study | What was reported |
|---|---|---|
| Stress and mood | Human: 34 healthy adults, one 20 mg dose | Lower anxiety and stress ratings than placebo; no impairment (Cuttler et al., 2024) |
| Irritated skin | Human: 20 people, 0.1% CBG serum for two weeks | Less skin water loss and redness than placebo (Perez et al., 2022) |
| Skin oil production | Lab: human sebocytes | CBG increased lipid production (Oláh et al., 2016) |
| Gut inflammation | Animal: mouse model of colitis | Reduced inflammation markers (Borrelli et al., 2013) |
The human studies are small, and the stress trial tested a single dose. Our oils are cosmetics for use on the skin, and these study results don't describe them. A 2024 review describes most CBG research as preclinical, with clinical trials still to come (Li et al., 2024).
Does CBG get you high?
No. CBG is non-intoxicating. In a placebo-controlled trial, a single 20 mg dose produced "no evidence of subjective drug effects or impairment" (Cuttler et al., 2024). The cannabinoid that causes a high is THC; see which cannabinoids are psychoactive.
CBG vs CBD: what's the difference?
Both are non-intoxicating, but they differ in origin and in the receptors they act on in lab studies. CBD has been tested in many more human trials. Our guide CBD vs CBG sets the two side by side.
Is CBG legal in the UK?
CBG is not listed in the UN drug conventions or in the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. THC and cannabinol are controlled, so the rules for a hemp product depend on everything it contains, not only on CBG. In the EU database of cosmetic ingredients (CosIng), cannabigerol is listed with the function "skin conditioning"; CosIng is a reference list, not law. For the wider picture, see is CBD oil legal in the UK?
Which Formula Swiss oils contain CBG?
Lugano Clarity (about 7% CBG), St. Moritz Restore (about 4%), Lucerne Calm (about 3%) and Zermatt Balance (about 1.5%) contain CBG, as do our oils for dogs and horses. They are cosmetics for use on the skin, and our pet oils are for external use. All of them are in the CBD oil collection. How the oils are made is covered in how is CBG oil made?
From our production
We test every batch in Switzerland, and we have never had a failed test since 2013. I sign every certificate of analysis myself, and the certificate shows the CBG measured in that batch, so you can check the figure on the label.
— Robin Roy Krigslund-Hansen, co-founder and CEO
Frequently asked questions
What is CBG?
CBG, or cannabigerol, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid from hemp and other cannabis plants. It is the neutral form of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which the plant converts into the acid forms of THC, CBD and CBC.
What role does CBG play in the cannabis plant?
Its acid form, CBGA, is the starting point for the main cannabinoids. Plant enzymes turn CBGA into THCA, CBDA and CBCA, so most of it is used up as the plant matures and little CBG remains.
Why is CBG called the mother cannabinoid?
The nickname really belongs to its acid form, CBGA, which the plant converts into the acid forms of THC, CBD and CBC. CBG is what CBGA becomes when it is heated.
Does CBG get you high?
No. CBG is non-intoxicating, and a 2024 placebo-controlled trial of a single 20 mg dose found no subjective drug effects or impairment.
Is CBG the same as CBD?
No. Both are non-intoxicating hemp cannabinoids, but CBG is made earlier in the plant, is usually present in smaller amounts and acts on different receptors in lab studies. CBD has been studied in far more people.
Which Formula Swiss oils contain CBG?
Lugano Clarity (about 7% CBG), St. Moritz Restore (about 4%), Lucerne Calm (about 3%) and Zermatt Balance (about 1.5%) contain CBG, as do the oils for dogs and horses. Each batch certificate shows the measured amount.
Related guides
This article summarises published research. It is not medical advice. Formula Swiss CBD oils are sold as cosmetics for use on the skin, and our pet oils are for external use. They are not food supplements or medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. See our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed:
Sources
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- Perez E, Fernandez JR, Fitzgerald C, et al. In vitro and clinical evaluation of cannabigerol (CBG) produced via yeast biosynthesis. Molecules. 2022;27(2):491. doi:10.3390/molecules27020491
- Zagožen M, Čerenak A, Kreft S. Cannabigerol and cannabichromene in Cannabis sativa L. Acta Pharm. 2021;71:355-364. doi:10.2478/acph-2021-0021
- PubChem. Cannabigerol. National Library of Medicine. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Cannabigerol
- Navarro G, Varani K, Reyes-Resina I, et al. Cannabigerol action at cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors and at CB1-CB2 heteroreceptor complexes. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:632. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00632
- Cascio MG, Gauson LA, Stevenson LA, Ross RA, Pertwee RG. Evidence that the plant cannabinoid cannabigerol is a highly potent α2-adrenoceptor agonist and moderately potent 5HT1A receptor antagonist. Br J Pharmacol. 2010;159(1):129-141. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00515.x
- De Petrocellis L, Ligresti A, Moriello AS, et al. Effects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-enriched Cannabis extracts on TRP channels and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes. Br J Pharmacol. 2011;163:1479-1494. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01166.x
- Nachnani R, Raup-Konsavage WM, Vrana KE. The pharmacological case for cannabigerol. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2021;376(2):204-212. doi:10.1124/jpet.120.000340
- Cuttler C, Stueber A, Cooper ZD, Russo E. Acute effects of cannabigerol on anxiety, stress, and mood: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, field trial. Sci Rep. 2024;14:16163. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-66879-0
- Oláh A, Markovics A, Szabó-Papp J, et al. Differential effectiveness of selected non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids on human sebocyte functions. Exp Dermatol. 2016;25:701-707. doi:10.1111/exd.13042
- Borrelli F, Fasolino I, Romano B, et al. Beneficial effect of the non-psychotropic plant cannabinoid cannabigerol on experimental inflammatory bowel disease. Biochem Pharmacol. 2013. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2013.01.017
- Li S, Li W, Malhi NK, et al. Cannabigerol (CBG): a comprehensive review of its molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Molecules. 2024;29(22):5471. doi:10.3390/molecules29225471
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2 (controlled drugs). legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/2
- European Commission. CosIng cosmetic ingredient database: cannabigerol.
