CBG Explained: The Science Behind Our New CBG Hard Candy
Another cannabinoid that’s been getting more attention is cannabigerol, better known as CBG.
CBG isn’t new, but research into it is still relatively young compared to CBD and THC. As scientists continue studying lesser-known cannabinoids, we’re beginning to understand more about what makes each one unique.
At Big Cat Botanics, we think CBG is worth exploring. That’s why we’re introducing our new Lime CBG Hard Candy, made with hemp-derived CBG isolate and our traditional hard candy recipe.
What Is CBG?
CBG stands for cannabigerol, a naturally occurring, non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis.
You may have heard CBG referred to as the “mother cannabinoid.” That’s because its acidic precursor, CBGA, plays an important role in the plant’s production of other cannabinoids, including THCA, CBDA, and CBCA.
CBG is chemically distinct from CBD and THC. Researchers are interested in how it interacts with different receptors and signaling systems throughout the body.
Unlike THC, CBG is not generally associated with intoxication.
While CBD has received much of the attention in the hemp industry, CBG is beginning to develop its own body of scientific research.
What Does the Research Say?
One thing we try to do at Big Cat Botanics is separate what we know from what we’re still learning.
CBG has demonstrated some interesting biological activity in laboratory and animal studies. But preclinical research doesn’t automatically translate into demonstrated benefits for humans.
Fortunately, we’re beginning to see more human research.
A 2024 randomized, placebo-controlled study published in Scientific Reports examined the effects of 20 mg of hemp-derived CBG in 34 healthy adults.
Researchers observed reductions in self-reported anxiety and stress compared with placebo, without evidence of intoxication or impairment on the measures used.
These findings are interesting, but they’re preliminary. A single small study isn’t enough to establish medical benefits or predict how everyone will respond to CBG.
A 2026 clinical study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics examined oral CBG doses ranging from 25 to 200 mg in 12 healthy adults.
Researchers found that CBG was generally well tolerated during the study, although subjective effects were limited and there was considerable variation in how participants absorbed and processed the cannabinoid.
Together, these studies give us a better starting point for understanding CBG. They also highlight how much research remains to be done.
We’re interested in the science, but we’re not interested in making promises the science can’t support.
Why Hard Candy?
This is where things get particularly interesting to us.
Most hemp-derived cannabinoids are sold as gummies, capsules, or tinctures. There’s nothing inherently wrong with those formats, but the way a product is consumed can influence how its ingredients are absorbed.
When you swallow a conventional gummy or capsule, cannabinoids travel through the digestive system before reaching circulation.
But the mouth provides another potential route.
The tissues inside your cheeks and beneath your tongue can absorb certain compounds directly. These routes are known as buccal and sublingual absorption.
These aren’t new concepts. Oral mucosal delivery is already well established in pharmaceutical science, and researchers have been exploring its potential applications for cannabinoids.
A 2026 review published in AAPS PharmSciTech examined oral mucosal cannabinoid delivery, including formulation design, contact time, and the challenges involved in getting cannabinoids across oral tissues.
This is part of what makes our hard candy platform interesting.
Rather than being chewed and swallowed immediately, our hard candies are designed to dissolve gradually in your mouth.
As the candy dissolves, CBG is released into the mouth over time, creating an opportunity for contact with the tissues inside the cheeks and beneath the tongue.
Depending on the formulation and other factors, some cannabinoid absorption may occur through these tissues, while the portion that is swallowed follows the traditional digestive route.
There are important limitations, however. Cannabinoids are poorly soluble in water, and prolonged contact with oral tissues doesn’t automatically guarantee efficient absorption.
We haven’t conducted a pharmacokinetic study on our own hard candy, so we can’t claim a specific absorption rate, faster onset, or greater bioavailability compared with gummies or other products.
What we can say is that the scientific principles behind buccal and sublingual delivery are an important part of why we’re interested in slow-dissolving hard candy as a cannabinoid delivery platform.
And of course, there’s something to be said for a good old-fashioned piece of hard candy.
Introducing Our Lime CBG Hard Candy
Our newest CBG Hard Candy combines this delivery concept with a traditional confectionery experience.
Made in small batches in Colorado, these candies feature a bright lime flavor, a slowly dissolving hard candy base, and hemp-derived CBG isolate.
Like our other cannabinoid hard candies, each batch undergoes independent laboratory testing for cannabinoid potency and microbial contamination.
We also provide batch-specific laboratory results so customers can see what they’re purchasing, including the reported cannabinoid content and THC testing results.
We’re big believers in knowing what’s actually in a product. For us, independent testing is simply part of making something we’re comfortable putting our name on.
You can review the current batch details and laboratory results on our product page.
A Different Way to Explore CBG
CBG is still a developing area of cannabinoid research, and there’s plenty left to learn.
That’s part of what makes it interesting.
At Big Cat Botanics, our goal isn’t to chase the latest cannabinoid trend or make exaggerated claims about what these compounds can do.
We want to make quality, independently tested products, explore different formulations, and give people access to cannabinoids beyond the usual CBD offerings.
Our new CBG Hard Candy is another step in that direction.
If you’re curious about CBG, we’d encourage you to read the research, check out our laboratory results, and learn a little more about what makes this cannabinoid unique.
Scientific References
- Cuttler, C., et al. (2024). Acute effects of cannabigerol on anxiety, stress, and mood: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, field trial. Scientific Reports, 14, 16163.
- Wolinsky, D., et al. (2026). Safety, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of oral cannabigerol in healthy adults. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 393(8), 104984.
- Nagaraj, A., & Seyfoddin, A. (2026). Cannabinoid Oral Mucosal Delivery: Approaches to Formulation, Fabrication, and Permeation Enhancement. AAPS PharmSciTech, 27, 132.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The research discussed here did not evaluate Big Cat Botanics CBG Hard Candy. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.