Cannabigerol was well-tolerated and produced few noticeable effects when administered to healthy adults at doses ranging from 25 to 200 milligrams, according to a new study published by The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, University of Maryland, University of Colorado and University of Virginia School of Medicine enrolled 12 healthy adults in a single ascending-dose laboratory study examining the acute safety, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of oral cannabigerol, commonly known as CBG.

Participants received placebo and four doses of CBG isolate: 25, 50, 100 and 200 milligrams. The CBG was suspended in medium-chain triglyceride oil, with the flavor and volume standardized to help keep participants unaware of which dose they received.

Researchers monitored adverse events and measured subjective, cognitive and physiological responses for eight hours after each dose. Blood samples were also collected to determine how CBG was absorbed and processed by the body.

No drug-related adverse events were reported at any dose. The researchers also found no strong or consistent effects on participants’ subjective experiences, cognitive performance or physiological responses.

Several isolated changes were observed. The 50-milligram dose was associated with decreases in participants’ ratings of feeling “jittery” and “active,” while the 100-milligram dose was associated with lower ratings of calmness. Participants reported increased appetite after receiving 200 milligrams of CBG.

Plasma concentrations generally increased along with the dose, although researchers observed considerable differences between individual participants. Liver function test results also remained within the normal range following administration of the two highest doses.

CBG is a minor cannabinoid found in marijuana and hemp that has received growing attention as a potential therapeutic compound. However, human research examining its basic safety, effects and appropriate dosing remains limited.

The researchers concluded that oral CBG was well-tolerated and produced no robust pharmacodynamic effects under the conditions examined. They cautioned that the study involved a small number of healthy participants and evaluated only single-dose exposure, emphasizing that longer-term dosing studies are needed to more fully determine CBG’s safety and potential effects.