Cannabigerol did not affect fear memory in mice but showed sex-dependent pain effects

CBG at 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg failed to significantly change acquisition, consolidation, or retrieval/expression of contextual fear memories in either male or female mice. In the tail-flick pain test, female mice showed a biphasic response: the low dose (3 mg/kg) increased pain threshold while the high dose (30 mg/kg) decreased it. No motor impairment was observed in the rotarod test at any dose or timepoint.

Male and female C57BL/6J mice underwent contextual fear conditioning protocols with CBG (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg) administered at different timepoints to target acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval phases. Tail-flick test assessed nociception. Rotarod test assessed motor function.

While CBD has shown promise for fear-related conditions like PTSD, CBG (another non-psychoactive cannabinoid gaining market attention) did not replicate these effects on fear memory. This negative result is important for setting realistic expectations about CBG's therapeutic potential in anxiety and trauma-related disorders.

CBG is increasingly marketed as a wellness product with anxiety-reducing claims. This preclinical study found no evidence supporting its use for fear or trauma-related conditions, highlighting the gap between marketing claims and scientific evidence for minor cannabinoids.

Mouse fear conditioning may not fully model human anxiety or PTSD. Only three doses tested. Contextual fear conditioning is one specific paradigm; CBG might affect other anxiety-related behaviors. Biphasic pain effect in females needs replication.