Inside the clinic: UK medical cannabis specialist doctors discuss CBG

What is CBG?

Often referred to as the “Mother of all cannabinoids”, CBG is the precursor compound to most other Cannabis sativa L. produced cannabinoids, including both THC and CBD. As the plant works its way from seedling to harvest-ready, CBG (or to be more precise, its acidic version CBGA) gradually converts into the more abundant cannabinoids. 

Yet, for decades, it has been simply overlooked as one of the many minors that really have very little impact on the therapeutic outcomes of medical cannabis. A chemical stepping stone to its more clinically active counterparts. 

But that view is starting to shift. The growing body of somewhat undeniable, but still very early, research is starting to knock down those older notions. 

In August of this year, we published Decoding Cannabis: Could CBG become the most versatile cannabinoid in medicine?, which unpacked a 2024 clinical review of 103 individual studies, all focused on the true potential of CBG. The findings were well worth the write-up, so if the science behind CBG interests you, check it out…

But how are the doctors, the frontline specialist prescribers who work every day with patients seeking natural complementary treatment options, viewing the impact of CBG-containing medical cannabis options? 

We asked Releaf’s world-class clinical team just that, and the responses are those of both optimism and a certain level of caution. 

How are Releaf doctors approaching CBG in patient care?

Dr Lorenzo Bernaudo on the clinical promise and cautions of CBG

“CBG stands out because of its broad receptor activity,” says Dr Lorenzo Bernaudo. “It interacts with multiple systems including CB2 receptors, α2-adrenergic receptors, TRP channels and PPAR-γ, which may allow more nuanced symptom modulation. There is also evidence of synergy when combined with CBD, particularly in neuropathic pain models.”

He highlights emerging promise in neuropathic pain, inflammatory and neuroinflammatory conditions, and topical applications. “

We must remain cautious,” he adds. “Most findings come from laboratory or animal studies. Translating these effects to human disease will require well-designed clinical trials.”

For Dr Bernaudo, curiosity must always be balanced with rigour. 

“Innovation is vital, but we must maintain high standards. Informed consent, safety monitoring, and real-world data collection are essential as we explore where CBG truly fits.”

Dr Haroon Hamid on emerging research and patient awareness

Building on that foundation, Dr Haroon Hamid points to anxiety and acute stress as particularly promising targets. 

“A small human study published in Nature’s portfolio of journals suggested that CBG may help reduce subjective feelings of anxiety without the intoxicating effects associated with THC,” he says. “This aligns with preclinical evidence showing that CBG interacts with brain receptors involved in mood regulation, making it an intriguing candidate for future work on stress-related and anxiety disorders.”

He also highlights inflammation and pain as key research areas.

“Studies in ScienceDirect journals have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in both cell and animal models,” he explains. “Researchers have observed beneficial effects in experimental models of colitis, skin inflammation and neuropathic pain.”

“In laboratory models of Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease, CBG appeared to reduce neuronal damage and improve cellular resilience,” he notes. “These findings lay important groundwork for future studies into neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders.”

When it comes to patient expectations, Dr Hamid encourages realism. 

“CBG is non-intoxicating, which makes it appealing, but product quality and consistency can vary. Patients should approach it with clear expectations and consult with a specialist before making any changes to treatment.”

Nurse practitioner, Creselda Bagtas, on CBG’s broad therapeutic potential and patient feedback

Creselda Bagtas, one of Releaf’s nurse practitioners, views CBG as one of the more versatile cannabinoids now entering clinical discussions. 

“CBG interacts with multiple signalling systems including CB1, CB2, TRP channels, and α2-adrenoceptors,” she explains. “These pathways are linked to inflammation, pain modulation and neuroprotection, which is why clinicians are starting to pay closer attention.”

She notes encouraging early findings across several domains. 

“Studies suggest reduced neuroinflammation in models of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Its antibacterial activity against resistant strains such as MRSA and Streptococcus mutans is also promising. There’s even early evidence of anti-tumour effects in prostate, pancreatic and colorectal cancer models.”

In the clinic, these signals are starting to align with patient experiences. 

“Many of the patients with inflammatory pain conditions, such as arthritis, have reported notable relief after using CBG-containing flowers,” Nurse Bagtas says. “Some noticed reduced swelling, and those with Crohn’s symptoms described less cramping and inflammation.”

Looking ahead, she sees CBG playing a complementary role. 

“We’re likely to see more CBG-containing products used either as standalone options or as adjuncts to conventional treatments. The key will be translating preclinical promise into well-designed human studies.”

Dr Farrah Ayob on emerging evidence and early clinical observations

Dr Farrah Ayob sees CBG’s growing clinical appeal as driven by its therapeutic range and tolerability. 

“CBG has shown anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and antibacterial potential without producing a ‘high’,” she explains. “That makes it an interesting compound for both clinicians and patients seeking alternatives to THC-dominant therapies.”

She highlights its receptor activity as a likely reason for these effects. 

“CBG acts primarily at CB2 receptors, with limited CB1 activation, and also modulates TRPV channels involved in pain perception,” she says. “This may account for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions.”

Her clinical experience reflects the same cautious optimism seen in early studies. 

“Patients prescribed CBG-containing formulations have reported calmer mood, reduced breakthrough pain, and better sleep,” Dr Ayob says. “In one survey of 127 respondents, anxiety, chronic pain, depression and insomnia were the most common reasons for use, with nearly half reporting no side effects.”

Looking forward, she sees CBG becoming an important adjunct. 

“In the near term, it’s most likely to support anxiety-dominant pain and sleep disturbance,” she explains. “As more controlled trials emerge, CBG may take on a wider role in managing inflammation, pain, and neurodegenerative conditions.”

Will CBG shape the future of UK medical cannabis treatment?

The emerging understanding of CBG’s potential importance in medical cannabis prescribing is one of the clearest signals that the sector (not just here in the UK, but globally), is moving forward at a truly astonishing pace. 

Where just a few short years ago, the focus rested almost entirely on THC and CBD, the wider medical cannabis industry is now thinking in much broader ways. No longer is the conversation confined to just the two cannabinoids (and a few key terpenes) that make up the foundation of cannabis medicine. 

So, while it is impossible to predict exactly where medical cannabis prescribing will be at in, say, five years’ time, what we do know is that the impact of the minor cannabinoids like CBG is already being closely considered. Each and every new research paper, new patient story, and each new clinical trail brings us one step closer to fully understanding this fascinating plant, and the true therapeutic potential is holds. 

To see whether medical cannabis treatment containing CBG could be suitable for you, head over to Releaf’s medical cannabis eligibility checker. It’s free, takes less than 20 seconds, and offers a simple, confidential first step towards understanding your options.