Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Erika Lutz presents "Psychological and Physiological Effects of Cannabigerol (CBG): Results from a Clinical Trial" at CannMed 2026, covering cannabigerol, CBG clinical trial, and anxiolytic effects.
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a minor cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis plants that may have therapeutic properties, but human clinical trials are needed to examine these effects as well as potential side effects. The current study was designed to examine the acute effects of CBG on psychological outcomes (anxiety, stress, mood, and memory) and physiological outcomes (pain tolerance, blood pressure, pulse, brain activity). The study also explores whether experiences of awe and connectedness are impacted by CBG.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was designed to investigate the effects of 50 mg of CBG relative to placebo. In it, 100 participants complete two testing sessions in The Health & Cognition (THC) lab separated by a one-week washout period. Each participant is randomly assigned to ingest either 50 mg of CBG or placebo in session one and the other product in session two. Participants provide assessments of blood pressure, pain tolerance, EEG brain activity, anxiety, stress, mood, intoxication, impairment, and side effects at multiple timepoints, including after completing a survey and watching a video, after completing a stress test, and after completing memory tests.
Preliminary analyses conducted on 66 participants revealed a main effect of CBG on changes in anxiety ratings, such that anxiety was reduced relative to baseline significantly more in the CBG condition than the placebo condition. A significant but subtle difference in short-term memory was also found, with participants performing better in the CBG condition relative to placebo. Preliminary analyses revealed no significant effects of CBG, relative to placebo, on stress, mood, awe, connectedness to nature, pain tolerance, blood pressure, or pulse. There was no evidence of impairment, intoxication, or side effects from CBG compared to placebo.
The current study provides support for CBG as an anxiolytic in humans and indicates that CBG may have a subtle positive impact on memory without intoxication or impairment. This work should help inform future clinical trials and consumers of CBG.
Learning Objectives:
⦿ Attendees will be able to describe the acute effects of CBG on physiological (blood pressure, pulse, and EEG) outcomes
⦿ Attendees will be able to identify the acute effects of CBG on psychological (anxiety, stress, mood, awe, connectedness to nature, pain tolerance) outcomes
Erika Lutz is a second-year doctoral student in the Experimental Psychology program at Washington State University, working under the mentorship of Dr. Carrie Cuttler in The Health and Cognition (THC) Lab. She is passionate about investigating holistic methods for improving health and wellness, and received support from an RA and a $10K grant to run a clinical trial investigating the acute effects of CBG on psychological and physiological outcomes. During her undergraduate career, she conducted investigations into the physiology of emotion and its influence on executive function and decision making. Her master's thesis focused on how emotion regulation changes the impact of emotion-eliciting stimuli and decision making related to helping behaviors. She plans to continue investigating the effects of CBG and cannabis and how they impact positive affect and feelings of awe and connectedness to nature in her dissertation work.
This presentation was given at the CannMed 2026 Innovation & Collaboration Summit, held June 15-18 at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort. Visit cannmedevents.com to learn more.
Erika Lutz presents "Psychological and Physiological Effects of Cannabigerol (CBG): Results from a Clinical Trial" at CannMed 2026, covering cannabigerol, CBG clinical trial, and anxiolytic effects.
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a minor cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis plants that may have therapeutic properties, but human clinical trials are needed to examine these effects as well as potential side effects. The current study was designed to examine the acute effects of CBG on psychological outcomes (anxiety, stress, mood, and memory) and physiological outcomes (pain tolerance, blood pressure, pulse, brain activity). The study also explores whether experiences of awe and connectedness are impacted by CBG.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was designed to investigate the effects of 50 mg of CBG relative to placebo. In it, 100 participants complete two testing sessions in The Health & Cognition (THC) lab separated by a one-week washout period. Each participant is randomly assigned to ingest either 50 mg of CBG or placebo in session one and the other product in session two. Participants provide assessments of blood pressure, pain tolerance, EEG brain activity, anxiety, stress, mood, intoxication, impairment, and side effects at multiple timepoints, including after completing a survey and watching a video, after completing a stress test, and after completing memory tests.
Preliminary analyses conducted on 66 participants revealed a main effect of CBG on changes in anxiety ratings, such that anxiety was reduced relative to baseline significantly more in the CBG condition than the placebo condition. A significant but subtle difference in short-term memory was also found, with participants performing better in the CBG condition relative to placebo. Preliminary analyses revealed no significant effects of CBG, relative to placebo, on stress, mood, awe, connectedness to nature, pain tolerance, blood pressure, or pulse. There was no evidence of impairment, intoxication, or side effects from CBG compared to placebo.
The current study provides support for CBG as an anxiolytic in humans and indicates that CBG may have a subtle positive impact on memory without intoxication or impairment. This work should help inform future clinical trials and consumers of CBG.
Learning Objectives:
⦿ Attendees will be able to describe the acute effects of CBG on physiological (blood pressure, pulse, and EEG) outcomes
⦿ Attendees will be able to identify the acute effects of CBG on psychological (anxiety, stress, mood, awe, connectedness to nature, pain tolerance) outcomes
Erika Lutz is a second-year doctoral student in the Experimental Psychology program at Washington State University, working under the mentorship of Dr. Carrie Cuttler in The Health and Cognition (THC) Lab. She is passionate about investigating holistic methods for improving health and wellness, and received support from an RA and a $10K grant to run a clinical trial investigating the acute effects of CBG on psychological and physiological outcomes. During her undergraduate career, she conducted investigations into the physiology of emotion and its influence on executive function and decision making. Her master's thesis focused on how emotion regulation changes the impact of emotion-eliciting stimuli and decision making related to helping behaviors. She plans to continue investigating the effects of CBG and cannabis and how they impact positive affect and feelings of awe and connectedness to nature in her dissertation work.
This presentation was given at the CannMed 2026 Innovation & Collaboration Summit, held June 15-18 at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort. Visit cannmedevents.com to learn more.
