Cannabinoid CBG found to reduce stress and anxiety in first human trials

Found in cannabis products like edibles, vapes and tinctures, a cannabinoid known as CBG is gaining in popularity. But no one had studied its effect on humans until now. 

Carrie Cuttler is an associate psychology professor at Washington State University. Her study, published in Scientific Reports, found that CBG reduces stress and anxiety.

“I do very much believe the findings of reduced stress and anxiety because it corroborates what people say,” Cuttler said. “It corroborates why people use it and the effects people say it has on them.” 

A previous study led by Cuttler found 51% of CBG users take it to relieve anxiety. 78% percent of participants said they found it more effective than conventional anxiety medication.

“If more people are going to be taking it, we need to better understand its effects on humans,” said Cuttler. “At the time I started this trial, there had been no research on CBG on humans at all.”

One surprising part of the study was how CBG enhanced verbal memory skills, Cuttler said.

Participants had to prepare a brief speech and do some difficult mental math, she said. They also did a verbal memory test.

“After taking the CBG, they recalled significantly more words than they did after they took the placebo,” Cuttler said.

While she feels confident in the findings, Cuttler said she plans to replicate the study and try more memory tests.

“Being the first study of its kind, it’s always really important to replicate the effects before we put too much stock in them, especially when the findings are unexpected,” Cuttler said.

In her next study, she wants to look at the effects of CBG on things like cortisol levels, heart rate and blood pressure.  

“We’ll look at things like cortisol and electrodermal activity just to look at its physiological effects, as well as its psychological effects,” Cuttler said.

Cuttler is also interested in the long-term effects of people taking CBG while experiencing menopause.

People interested in participating in the menopause CBG study are encouraged to contact Cuttler directly to get on the waiting list.