A recent study has shed light on the potential benefits of cannabigerol (CBG), a minor cannabinoid, in reducing anxiety and enhancing verbal memory. Conducted by researchers at Washington State University, the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial explored CBG's effects on anxiety, stress, and mood among cannabis users, revealing promising results without the intoxicating effects associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The study, published in Scientific Reports, enrolled 34 cannabis users who stayed in their homes and took either a 20 mg tincture of CBG or a placebo. Participants engaged in video calls with the study team and answered questions about their anxiety and depression levels. To induce stress, participants prepared a 5-minute speech and completed a surprise math test. Memory was assessed through a sequence of 16 words that participants were asked to recall.
Anxiety Reduction with CBG
The findings indicated that CBG significantly reduced participants’ overall feelings of anxiety. This aligns with previous survey data where CBG users reported using it for anti-anxiety effects and perceived it as more effective than conventional anxiety medications. However, when specific components of anxiety, such as jitteriness or indecisiveness, were assessed, no significant difference was observed between the placebo and CBG conditions, suggesting the need for further research.
Impact on Depression and Cognition
While many participants reported using CBG for depressive symptoms, the study found no significant impact on overall feelings of depression. Notably, participants did not report any feelings of intoxication or other side effects, and cognitive or motor impairments were not observed.
Unexpected Memory Enhancement
An unexpected outcome of the study was the significant enhancement of verbal memory at the 45- and 60-minute check-ins. "I did not expect those findings. They’re surprising — theoretically, conceptually, practically — so I really want to corroborate those," said Carrie Cuttler, the psychology researcher at Washington State University who led the study.
Future Research Directions
Cuttler and her team are planning a follow-up study to further investigate CBG's impact on various aspects of memory, including working memory. They also intend to expand their research to include healthy adults who are not cannabis users. The team hopes to further understand the risk-benefits profile of CBG to better inform the public.
Expert Commentary
Margaret Haney, a neurobiology researcher at Columbia University Medical Center, who was not involved in the study, commented, "There is just so much lore about all of the cannabinoids with very little science, so it pleases me that this study was conducted. I think it's a great first step."
