When talking about the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant, most people think of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) first. But there are other cannabinoids with therapeutic benefits. Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of the 113 cannabinoids discovered so far – and it seems to have great potential. This is why the active substance is increasingly becoming the focus of research. Among other things, CBG is attributed with anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antibacterial properties.
Cannabigerol (CBG) is also pharmacologically interesting because it is not psychotropic – i.e. it does not produce the cannabis-typical intoxication commonly associated with THC – and is abundant in some industrial hemp varieties.
CBG: A weapon against antibiotic-resistant germs?
It has long been known that Cannabis sativa contains antibacterial cannabinoids. But the potential of the plant to fight antibiotic resistance has only been superficially investigated so far. A recent study from 2020 has therefore looked into this issue. The Canadian scientists conclude that cannabigerol can be effective against infections and stop multi-resistant pathogens. Perhaps the cannabinoid CBG could thus become a new weapon in the fight against so-called superbacteria.
In the study, the researchers tested five cannabinoids for their antibiotic properties. They found that cannabigerol is particularly effective in killing MRSA pathogens. Laboratory tests showed that CBG can also dissolve hard-to-slide “biofilms” of MRSA.
Cannabigerol and the protection of nerve cells
Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease – these and other conditions are among neurodegenerative diseases. They result in a loss of function or the death of nerve cells. Inflammation and oxidative stress play a major role in this process. Italian researchers have found that various natural compounds from the cannabis plant, such as cannabigerol, can have neuroprotective effects against these inflammations and oxidative stress. They could thus protect against the loss of nerve cells.
In the laboratory, scientists showed that treatment with CBG protects nerve cells from cell death. CBG worked against both inflammation and oxidative stress. The researchers therefore conclude that “these results indicated the neuroprotective effects of CBG, that may be a potential treatment against neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.”

CBG and colon cancer
A study from Israel highlights the spectrum of effects of cannabis extracts on colon cancer cells and adenomatous polyps. The study showed that CBG in particular caused cell stagnation in colon cancer cells and activated programmed cell death. The researchers therefore explain that cannabigerol has a “potential future therapeutic value” in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
As early as 2014, a study from Italy showed that CBG can have a positive effect on tumour development in the intestine. The researchers used mice to find out whether the cannabinoid can protect against the development of tumours in the bowel. The results showed that CBG reduced the growth of cancer cells in the bowel.
Appetizing effect of CBG
It has long been known that cannabis stimulates the appetite. This is often attributed to the active ingredient THC. However, a study from the UK has shown that non-psychotropic CBG can also stimulate the appetite. In the trial with rats, they had larger and more frequent meals after treatment with the cannabinoid.