THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBG (cannabigerol) may seem like opposites at first — one is famous for its psychoactive effects, while the other is best known for supporting focus and clarity without psychoactive properties. But when taken together, these cannabinoids can unexpectedly enhance each other’s effects.
In fact, many full spectrum THC products naturally contain CBG as a minor cannabinoid, working behind the scenes to balance and complement THC’s more well-known effects, making the overall experience smoother and more nuanced.
How Do THC and CBG Work Together?
CBG and THC together offer a synergistic effect. THC supports relaxation, mood, and relief, while CBG brings focus and energy. CBG helps counteract and enhance THC, offering an energetic high that's less likely to cause anxiousness or paranoia.
Both cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), particularly the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
THC primarily binds to the CB1 receptors, predominantly in the brain and central nervous system. This interaction is responsible for the psychoactive effects that THC is well known for, as well as its potential health benefits, which research suggests may support discomfort, relaxation, and mood [1, 2].
CBG, also known as the mother of all cannabinoids, interacts with both CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB2 receptors are found in abundance in the immune system, so CBG is being investigated for its immune-supporting effects.
The most notable difference is that CBG doesn’t produce a high, making it appropriate for those who want to support their overall wellness with cannabinoids but don’t want the intoxicating effects as a side effect.
Balanced Psychoactivity
While this hasn’t been extensively researched, many people have found that THC and CBG mixed together interact to provide a more mellow high that’s less likely to cause feelings of anxiousness or paranoia — a common side-effect of taking high doses of THC.
It’s believed that CBG helps balance out the psychoactivity of THC by interacting with the same receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system but in a different way. While THC binds directly to CB1 receptors in the brain for its stimulating effects, CBG interacts more gently with these receptors and can block some of THC’s stronger effects. As CBG gently interacts with these receptors, it may reduce THC’s stronger effects, promoting a more relaxed state that could also support restful sleep.
Boosted Effects
CBG may amplify some of THC’s health benefits, such as discomfort relief or relaxation, without increasing the high, allowing for a more balanced and potentially stronger overall effect. This was hypothesized by reputable cannabis researcher Dr. Ethan Russo in his review: Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy and Phytocannabinoid-Terpenoid Entourage Effects [3].
Focus
CBG has come to be associated with supporting focus. While focus support may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about THC, the calming effects of the compound may actually pair well with the focus support provided by CBG.
Studies Behind CBG and THC Together
There’s evidence to suggest that the combination of THC and CBG, along with other cannabinoids and terpenes, have much more profound effects on the body than one compound can do in isolation.
For instance, a 2021 study looked at the impact of using CBG, CBG, and THC together on pain in rat nerve cells. They used capsaicin, the spicy compound in chili peppers, to create a pain-like response in the nerve cells and then tested how the cannabinoids blocked that response [4].
When used individually, THC, CBD, and CBG all reduced the pain response in a dose-dependent way, meaning higher doses worked better. However, when combined in equal amounts, they worked even better at blocking the pain response, showing that the combination could be stronger than using any one cannabinoid alone.
In a study published in 2021, researchers examined how cannabinoids like CBG, CBD, and THC (along with their acidic forms) work together to provide antioxidant benefits [5]. Researchers tested these cannabinoids individually and in pairs to see how well they could reduce cell-damaging free radicals.
The results showed that some combinations of cannabinoids work better together, providing a synergistic effect that boosts their antioxidant properties.
Is Mixing CBG and THC Similar to CBD?
Mixing CBG and THC is similar to mixing CBD and THC in that both combinations can balance out THC’s psychoactive effects.
However, CBG is known for enhancing focus and clarity, while CBD is more associated with calming effects. Each combination of cannabinoid could provide different experiences depending on your unique endocannabinoid system and doses.
So, should you take these compounds together in one product or separately in different products?
A mix may be the better choice when combining THC and CBG.
Buying one CBG product that combines these compounds takes the guesswork out of the equation for users. Our formulation experts know the amount of each compound that works best together in a formula to complement each other’s effects.
References
- Koehler, J. (2014). Who benefits most from THC: CBD spray? Learning from clinical experience. European Neurology, 71(Suppl. 1), 10-15.
- Überall, M. A. (2020). A review of scientific evidence for THC: CBD oromucosal spray (nabiximols) in the management of chronic pain. Journal of pain research, 399-410.
- Russo, E. B. (2011). Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid‐terpenoid entourage effects. British journal of pharmacology, 163(7), 1344-1364.
- Anand, U., Oldfield, C., Pacchetti, B., Anand, P., & Sodergren, M. H. (2021). Dose-related inhibition of capsaicin responses by cannabinoids CBG, CBD, THC and their combination in cultured sensory neurons. Journal of Pain Research, 3603-3614.
- Dawidowicz, A. L., Olszowy-Tomczyk, M., & Typek, R. (2021). Synergistic and antagonistic antioxidant effects in the binary cannabinoids mixtures. Fitoterapia, 153, 104992.
