Compared to CBD, CBG is the new kid on the block in the world of hemp and cannabinoids.
However, it’s increasingly been the attention of scientific research in the past couple of years, and, as a result, we’re learning more about the benefits of CBG and all that it has to offer from a therapeutic standpoint.
A recent survey showed that many people were using CBG for anxiety and depression, but does it actually have the ability to support mental health, or is it just a case of confirmation bias?
Science suggests that CBG does, indeed, have real benefits; it’s been shown to support mental health and is likely effective at addressing both anxiety and depression.
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What is CBG?
Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of more than 100 naturally-occurring cannabinoids in the hemp plant, and it’s one of the most-used “alt-cannabinoids.” In fact, it won’t be much longer until CBG isn’t considered an alt-cannabinoid at all!
CBG is known as a more energetic counterpart to CBD; many have found that it supports focus and energy levels. It’s also been researched for use with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Glaucoma, and Huntington’s Disease, with studies showing that it’s potentially very beneficial for these conditions.
New research on CBG has confirmed and added to previous speculations that CBG is useful for addressing anxiety and depression, and has shown that many people are using it for this purpose and finding good results.
CBG is especially beneficial when combined with CBD, as the two cannabinoids complement each other (more on this in a minute).
Is CBG Good for Anxiety and Depression? What Science Says
Let’s take a look at the science that suggests CBG is as effective tool for managing anxiety and depression.
What Science Says About CBG
A survey done in late 2021, which investigated the use of CBG for therapeutic and other purposes, found that 51.2% of people using CBG were doing so for anxiety-related reasons and 33.1% using it for depression.
It works, too. The effectiveness of CBG was “highly related” by respondents, and many reported that their conditions were “very much improved” by it
The study also looked at how much people preferred CBG over conventional treatments. 80% of respondents preferred CBG to conventional medicine for depression, and 78.3% preferred it for anxiety.
Furthermore, the respondents in the study reported that negative side effects and withdrawal effects of CBG were either negligible or not present at all.
What the Results Mean for You
Based on the results of his survey, we can draw a few conclusions:
- CBG is effective at addressing anxiety and depression
- CBG is largely preferred to conventional medications (due to having fewer adverse side effects and/or being more effective)
- CBG has few adverse side effects, and they aren’t very severe. Moreover, you might not even feel side effects from CBG at all
Though this survey had just 127 respondents, it’s strong evidence that CBG is a powerful and safe tool for managing anxiety and depression; it’s no accident that roughly 4/5 of respondents preferred it to conventional medicine.
CBG for Anxiety & Depression: How it Works
Though we know that CBG is effective at promoting mental health, let’s also take a look at how it works in the body to produce these benefits.
CBG interacts with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), a transmitter system in your body that has a hand in regulating sleep, emotional processing, learning and memory, and more.
Specifically, CBG interacts with the CB2 receptors in your ECS, which science says are “therapeutic targets for the treatment of anxiety and depression.”
Through this interaction, CBG is thought to have a balancing effect on the mind.
Side Effects of CBG
CBG is an effective tool for managing mental health, but it isn’t completely without downsides.
The main side effects of CBG are:
- dry mouth
- sleepiness
- increased appetite
- dry eyes
It’s worth noting that in the survey of CBG users discussed above, many respondents said that these side effects were either very minor, or not present at all — so you don’t have much to worry about.
CBG vs. CBD for Anxiety & Depression: Which is Better?
Although CBG is commonly used for anxiety and depression, so is CBD, its more famous counterpart.
But is one cannabinoid better than the other when it comes to mental health?
The answer to this question is…
it depends on your situation.
CBG and CBD have different “effect profiles” if you will.
CBG and CBD: How Do Their Effects Differ?
CBG is known for its positive effects on energy and focus, whereas CBD is more of a calming, relaxing cannabinoid. Therefore, which cannabinoid you choose depends on the nature of your anxiety or depression.
If your anxiety and depression have roots in overthinking and extreme worrying, a calming cannabinoid such as CBD might be best.
If you find your anxiety and depression to be tiring and defeating, a cannabinoid that boosts mental clarity (and thus energy) such as CBG might be the best option.
CBG and CBD: Better Together?
Though CBD and CBG have unique sets of benefits that justify taking them separately, many hemp enthusiasts find that combining the two cannabinoids makes them more effective.
CBD has many mental health benefits, while CBG has many physical health benefits, and therefore, some find that taking the two together offers more comprehensive benefits.
But are CBG and CBD together better for anxiety and depression? Maybe.
CBG is usually combined with CBD because of its benefits for physical health, so it’s unknown whether adding it to CBD would render it more beneficial for things like anxiety and depression.
Because of this, we recommend that you try a CBG and CBD combination to see if it works better for you than either of these cannabinoids by itself.
CBG vs. CBD for Anxiety and Depression: The Bottom Line
CBD has been researched much more than CBG, so it’s benefits for mental health are better known and more verified. Realistically, though, both cannabinoids need more research before we know for sure what their true benefits (and limits) are.
Ultimately, use their “effect profiles” and some experimentation to guide your decision on which to use.
The Best CBG Products for Anxiety & Depression
There’s no “best” type of CBG product for mental health — it’s a matter of preference.
Tinctures
Tinctures consist of cannabinoids (in this case, CBG) and carrier oil — usually MCT or coconut oil (carrier oil is used for absorption). Sometimes, terpenes are also added to tinctures for flavor and effect.
The main upside of tinctures is that they work quickly — since they’re taken under the tongue and go directly into the bloodstream, the effect onset is just 10-15 minutes. The downside of tinctures is taste — the earthy flavor of cannabinoids can take some getting used to.
Capsules
Capsules take CBG oil and enclose it in a digestible gel capsule, similar to some over-the-counter medications. They’re a tasteless and quick way to get your CBG, and the dosing is predictable, too.
The one downside to capsules is that it takes 30-45 minutes to feel the effects since they’re digested.
Edibles
The most common type of CBG edible is gummies, which provide a quick, great-tasting way to get your daily dose. And the dosing is very consistent, as each piece will contain the same amount of CBG.
As with capsules, edibles have to be digested, so they take 30-45 minutes to begin working.
Which Product Should You Choose?
It all depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you want quick-working CBG, go with a tincture. If you just can’t stand the taste of tinctures, go with an edible.
CBG Dosage for Anxiety & Depression
To support mental wellness with CBG, start with a daily dose of 20-30 mg of CBG daily — you can also split this up into two smaller doses.
Once you take the dose for a few days, you can then adjust it by 3-5 mg daily depending on how you feel.
Takeaway
Remember that CBG (or any other cannabinoid) is not a substitute for treatment; anxiety and depression often require professional medical help. Use CBG to complement other methods, not replace them.
CBG is a promising cannabinoid when it comes to managing anxiety and depression, and the recent survey that we discussed above shows that many are using it for these purposes and finding it very effective!
More scientific research will be needed, though, before we can determine whether it’s more, less, or just as effective as CBD for the same purpose.
Shop High-Quality CBG Gummies & Oil at Natural Ways CBD
If you’re looking for high-quality CBG products, look no further than Natural Ways CBD.
CBG is one of the most expensive cannabinoids to produce, and this leads some companies to cut corners and produce weak extracts.
Not us. We mix high-quality CBG and CBD to create products that promote comprehensive wellness — we carry edibles and tinctures so you can achieve wellness on your terms. Everything is third-party lab tested to verify quality, and backed by hundreds of glowing reviews to prove efficacy.
If you’re interested, check out our online store, or if you’re in the Houston area, stop by one of our six brick-and-mortar stores. We can’t wait to have you join the NW family!
CBG for Anxiety & Depression: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about CBG for anxiety and depression.
Does CBG help with anxiety?
Scientific and anecdotal evidence suggests it does. In a survey of over 100 CBG users, an overwhelming percentage said that CBG was effective for addressing anxiety, with around 4/5 preferring it to traditional medicine!
How much CBG should I take for anxiety?
Start with 20-30mg per day — either in one dose or two— and then add or subtract 3-5mg per day until you’ve achieved optimal effects.
Is CBG an antidepressant?
No — we don’t know enough about CBG yet to know whether or not it’s a viable replacement for antidepressant medicine. However, CBG has demonstrated some antidepressant-like effects in studies.
What are the negative effects of CBG?
The four negative effects of CBG are dry mouth, dry eyes, sleepiness, and increased appetite. However, most CBG users report feeling very few side effects or none whatsoever.
What are the effects of CBG on the brain?
It’s unknown exactly how CBG interacts with the brain, but we do know that it interacts with the CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which play a role in anxiety and depression signaling in the brain.
Does CBG get you high?
No, CBG is not a psychoactive cannabinoid as THC is.