The impact of CBD and CBG on gut and mental health

Abstract

Cannabinoid-laden products have fostered a growing industry with marketing for their supplementation centered on perceived therapeutic benefit. With biochemical research reporting a wide array of mechanisms of action displayed by cannabinoids this thesis narrows on the current state of therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) on cognitive health and gut health, forming what is known as the gut-brain axis (GBA). A compiling of the current state of the literature provides data that shows how these compounds show they may be of benefit. Like many other compounds in the nutritional supplement industry, insight is provided on how the touted benefits claimed for CBD and CBG are not fully supported with empirical evidence and are currently lacking a thorough investigation to determine their therapeutic role. To address gaps in this area of the field I provide a detailed report on a study I performed to expand the foundation of how CBD and CBG affect health through interaction with the GBA. This was conducted with examination of their impact on gut microbial composition, metabolism of cannabinoid and endocannabinoid compounds, and how they impact anxiety in mice. This report provides new evidence that CBD and CBG alter the microbiome in a similar fashion and their metabolism is likely not dictated on the initial composition of the gut microbiome. It was discovered the cannabinoids are absorbed differentially based on sex, and that male mice consuming CBD have elevated levels of anandamide, an endocannabinoid produced by the body that has been shown to play a role in gut health and mental health.