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Stress, anxiety, wonky schedules, long work hours, that double chocolate sundae right before bedtime — they all can cause sleep deprivation and a struggle to function well the next day.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 3 adults in the United States reported not getting enough rest or sleep daily. And an estimated 50-70 million Americans have chronic, or ongoing, sleep disorders.

Rather than turning to over-the-counter sleep aids, prescription meds, or counter-productive measures such as a hefty belt of alcohol before bed, many people are looking into more “natural” paths to dreamland.

The use and acceptance of cannabis has been on a rapid upswing since Oregon became the first state to decriminalize marijuana in 1973. In 1998, the state legalized medical cannabis, and in 2014 it joined Colorado, Washington, and Alaska to legalize recreational cannabis. Though the details of state laws vary, today there are 24 states, plus the District of Columbia, where recreational cannabis is legal.

Given this trend, and the fact that cannabis contains approximately 80 biologically active compounds, it’s no surprise that research into the medical benefits of cannabis is beginning to rise. Approximately 60 of those compounds are cannabinoids, including THC, the well-known “high” of medical and recreational marijuana. Other identified cannabinoids in cannabis include CBD and CBG.

CBG: The “Mother” of THC and CBD

Cannabigerol, or CBG, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid similar to CBD. It’s been called the “mother cannabis” because it’s the precursor to both THC and CBD and is found in higher concentrations in younger plants. As the plants mature, the CBG is converted to THC and CBD. CBG is typically more expensive than CBD, because, even in young plants, the CBG content is usually only around 1 percent.

CBG has enjoyed a relatively recent reputation for its ability to tamp down stress and help ease its users into pleasant sleep, but until this randomized, controlled study reported in July 2024, there had been no published clinical trials to back up the claims.  

CBG: Reductions in Stress and Anxiety

The study concluded that “There was a significant main effect of CBG on overall reductions in anxiety… CBG also enhanced verbal memory relative to placebo. There was no evidence of subjective drug effects or impairment. CBG may represent a novel option to reduce stress and anxiety in healthy adults.”

Like CBD, CBG is also sold as a stand-alone product, without other cannabinoids, and is most popular mixed into an oil such as coconut oil. Both are obtained from either cannabis or hemp, which by federal law can’t contain more than .03 percent THC. Both may also contain trace amounts of THC, which could show up in drug screening.

CBG: Buying Wisely

•   Arcpoint Labs, a private company providing all types of health tests, says buyers wanting to avoid THC should look for products made from hemp, made with pure CBD isolate, and guaranteed to contain 3 percent or less of THC.

•   On a product’s website, look for a Certificate of Analysis (COA), meaning it’s been tested by an outside laboratory. CBG and THC concentrations on the COA should match the product label.

•   Avoid products that don’t list cannabidiol or hemp extract and only list hemp seeds, hempseed oil, or cannabis sativa seed oil. These are not the same as CBG.

•   With literally hundreds of dispensaries to choose from in the Portland area, be sure to read reviews and buy from reputable, long-established retailers.

As research continues, CBG holds out the promise of fewer sleepless nights, with good science to back up those claims: According to the National Institutes of Health, “Several findings suggest that research on CBG deserves to be deepened, as it could be used, alone or in association, for novel therapeutic approaches for several disorders.”