CBG and the Antimicrobial Properties of Cannabinoids
Cannabis has been used by humans as an antibacterial agent for thousands of years, up until its global criminalization in the early 20th century. Only in the past decade has it begun to reappear in medicine, including for the treatment of potential bacterial infections. Recent studies examining this effect point to a relatively understudied compound called cannabigerol, or CBG, which is found in only small amounts in most cannabis strains and forms. However, some experts also attribute antibacterial effects to other, more common cannabinoids, particularly CBD, which is structurally related to CBG as both are products of the metabolism of the same precursor compound, CBGA (cannabigerolic acid).
What is CBG?
Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of the direct metabolic products of cannabigerolic acid, which itself is a precursor to other cannabinoid acids such as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA). These acids, in turn, convert into THC, CBD, and CBC—the most common active components in cannabis responsible for its psychoactive and physiological effects. More specifically, CBGA gradually breaks down into other acids through natural decarboxylation (changes caused by heat), and after all these transformations, CBG is formed. Because CBG is at the end of this conversion chain, it remains in the plant in very low concentrations.
Currently, breeders and scientists are working to find more efficient ways to generate CBG, either by developing special plant strains or by synthesizing it from organic precursors (since even CBG-rich strains produce only small amounts, chemists using biosynthesis with genetically modified yeast or bacteria are currently more successful). In addition to its antibacterial effects, CBG is of scientific interest for its potential anti-cancer properties, as some studies have shown it can slow tumor growth and destroy diseased cells without harming healthy tissue.
Recent Research on CBG and Its Antibacterial Effects
After a surge of research into the therapeutic properties of CBD, attention has shifted to other structurally similar but less-studied “exotic” cannabinoids like CBG. Over the past five years, studies have confirmed that CBG and its lesser-known counterparts have unique properties distinct from CBD and THC, and can sometimes even surpass them in strength and duration of therapeutic effects. For CBG, its most unique and powerful effect appears to be its antibacterial action, which, according to available tests, may be extremely effective and safe against various types of resistant bacteria, such as the notorious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
MRSA is a form of pathogenic bacteria resistant to methicillin, a widely used antibiotic, as well as other similar drugs. This resistance makes MRSA and similar bacteria a major threat to global health, as recognized by the WHO and the medical community. Private research into alternative ways to combat such bacteria has identified plant-derived compounds like terpenes, flavonoids, and other enzymes as potential weapons. A study published in early 2020 highlighted the high effectiveness of even small concentrations of CBG in eliminating MRSA colonies and other resistant bacteria, suggesting that cannabinoids may be among the most effective and accessible forms of treatment.
The study notes that CBG interferes with the bacteria’s ability to form a protective biofilm, which is their main defense against antibiotics and immune cells. Moreover, CBG can also break down existing biofilms, making entrenched bacterial colonies vulnerable to white blood cells and antibiotics.
Cannabinoids and Bacterial Biofilms
Biofilms are a common phenomenon in the development of many types of bacteria, as well as other microorganisms like fungi and viruses. These films can form both in body tissues and in the environment, especially where large concentrations of organisms gather. The “film” is an extracellular polymeric matrix that unites the bacteria into a “superorganism,” providing the colony with strong protection against standard drugs and immune responses.
Once isolated in this polymer fortress, bacterial colonies protected by biofilms are nearly impossible to treat with standard medications, as the film is nearly impenetrable and helps the colony quickly replace any damaged parts. Besides plant-based antibiotics, the only effective way to destroy biofilms and the colonies they protect is targeted chemotherapy, which, like cancer chemotherapy, can be more harmful than the disease itself due to its toxicity to healthy tissues. This method is mainly useful for disinfecting surfaces, but even then, not all bacteria are equally vulnerable to chemicals.
Biofilms also pose a risk due to their persistence in the environment. Bacteria protected by biofilms can survive for long periods on surfaces like medical equipment, clothing, or other items that have come into contact with infected patients. Particularly dangerous are colonies forming biofilms in places like water pipes or ventilation systems, which can lead to mass infections through contaminated water or air.
About MRSA
While MRSA is not the only antibiotic- and sterilization-resistant bacterium, it is the most studied, well-known, and dangerous. It serves as a standard model for studying such bacteria, as it was first identified in the 1990s when these bacteria began showing increased resistance to penicillin and other classic antibiotics. Despite efforts to treat or contain the disease, MRSA has spread worldwide, likely due to the movement of infected people and the overuse of antibiotics.
MRSA can cause a range of serious health complications depending on where the colony forms, including pneumonia, skin irritations, heart tissue diseases, and chronic bone infections. The most severe and deadly symptom is toxic shock syndrome, which starts with fever and can progress to delirium, coma, and death. This is caused by the accumulation of bacterial toxins in the body as the colony grows. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by the end of 2019, about 2.8 million people in the U.S. had contracted MRSA, with approximately 35,000 deaths from related complications. As bacteria continue to adapt to antibiotics and disinfectants, these numbers are expected to rise.
Cannabinoids: A Breakthrough in Treating Resistant Bacteria?
While the media and scientific community may present the antibacterial effects of CBG and other cannabinoids as a breakthrough, the use of plant extracts and essential oils to treat bacterial infections predates the invention of pharmaceutical antibiotics. A 2019 study noted that, in addition to cannabis oils, essential oils from cinnamon, marjoram, and thyme also have alternative antibiotic effects. Other studies suggest that many other plants, especially those used in traditional medicine worldwide, may have similar properties.
The first real “breakthrough” in testing these non-standard antibiotics came in 2012, when a little-known project specifically studied the effects of various plant essences on MRSA colonies. This research demonstrated the high effectiveness of cassia oil, red thyme extract, and Peruvian balsam oil (from Myroxylon balsamum) in treating chronic infections caused by resistant bacteria. The authors also suggested that similar effects might be found in other plants like tea tree, peppermint, regular thyme, and cannabis.
In other words, while new research shows that cannabinoids, especially CBG, may be more effective forms of plant-based antibiotics, many other plants—including common decorative, food, and industrial crops—may have similar properties. A study published in July 2020 demonstrated the effectiveness of various cannabinoid extracts in treating MRSA and other types of gram-positive bacterial colonies. (Gram-positive and gram-negative refer to a classification based on the Gram stain test, which distinguishes bacteria by the thickness of their cell walls.) Cannabinoids were found to be especially effective against gram-positive bacteria due to their ability to affect cell walls and films. Gram-negative bacteria were much less susceptible. The study also noted similar effects from various terpenes and flavonoids, suggesting that the observed action of cannabinoids may be directly related to synergy between these classes of compounds.
Why Are MRSA and Other Resistant Bacteria Still Vulnerable to Cannabinoids?
You might wonder: if bacteria have developed resistance or even immunity to traditional antibiotics, what prevents them from doing the same with plant-derived compounds like cannabinoids? The answer is relatively simple: unlike synthetic antibiotics, which are simplified compounds with a single targeted effect, plant-based antibiotics are complex organic substances with multiple properties. When bacteria encounter these complex compounds, it’s much harder for them to “learn” and adapt to all the different mechanisms at play.
Plant-based antibiotics don’t attack infections alone. Compounds like tannins and alkaloids combine their effects with various flavonoids and terpenes, creating a whole range of reactions that help the body effectively fight off pathogens. Even if a bacterial colony manages to resist one or several of these reactions, many more “attacks” follow, which will eventually weaken and destroy even the most resistant microorganisms. Additionally, plant antibiotics often provide long-lasting protection, making them useful for preventing various bacterial infections, including resistant ones.
In short, plant antibiotics outperform standard synthetic drugs in almost every way except ease of production, which remains the main barrier to their widespread use in medicine. However, advances in biosynthesis may soon allow us to produce even rare compounds like CBG from inexpensive sources such as baker’s yeast, making pure substances available in the necessary quantities at minimal cost.
Ultimately, despite the “sensational” news about the discovery of “entirely new antibiotics based on cannabinoids,” this is not a recent revelation. Besides CBG and other cannabinoids, extracts from many other decorative, industrial, and even food plants may have similar properties. In addition to modern research, the effectiveness of these remedies is supported by traditional medicine in many cultures. Among all these substances, CBG, CBD, and other cannabinoids stand out for the strength and duration of their antibacterial effects. These compounds could already be widely used in medical practice if not for their global legal status as potentially dangerous drugs. Perhaps, with recent changes in international drug conventions and the fact that the most potent antibacterial cannabinoids are non-intoxicating, authorities and medical experts will be able to conduct broader trials. In any case, this discovery shows that the solution to the looming crisis of “incurable” diseases may be right under our noses. Even if global authorities continue to resist the legalization of cannabinoids for specialized therapeutic use, their effects may be replicated by other, more accessible and legal plant substances. Ideally, CBG should serve as a benchmark for new antibiotics, with other substances compared to its effects to create a detailed map of potential treatments for bacterial infections. With this knowledge, humanity can begin developing specialized medicines combining cannabinoids, tannins, terpenes, and other organic compounds to quickly eliminate specific bacterial colonies. With such “weapons,” what now threatens the future of humanity could be resolved in no time.