The term “cannabinoid” refers to the naturally occurring compounds found in cannabis plants. While you’ve probably heard of the most common compounds – such as THC and CBD – you may be left wondering “what is CBC?”. Also known as cannabichromene, CBC is considered to be one of the “big six” cannabinoids prominent in medical research. While the compound hasn’t received as much attention from researchers as CBD and THC, cannabichromene has many promising health benefits.
CBC is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not produce the intoxicating high that THC creates. The cannabinoid works with others like it to create what is known as “the entourage effect.” To break it down, the CBC works in tandem with the hundreds of other botanical compounds that we ingest when smoking cannabis; building on each other’s effects and changing the behaviors of the cannabinoids.
What Exactly is CBC?
Discovered over two decades after CBD by researchers Y. Gaoni and Raphael Mechoulam, cannabichromene is the third most common cannabinoid next to THC and CBD. Cannabichromene is a powerful, nonpsychoactive cannabinoid. It has the same origins as CBD; converting from CBGA into CBCA and then into CBC after exposure to ultraviolet light or heat.
The reason that CBC is non-psychoactive is that it doesn’t bond well with cannabinoid receptors in the brain. It does however bind with other receptors in the body. The vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), both linked to pain perception, bind well with the cannabanoid.
When the cannabinoid activates these receptors, the body can increase its levels of natural endocannabinoids. One example of an endocannabinoid is Anandamide, or “the bliss molecule”. This neurotransmitter is responsible for providing mood-lifting effects in the brain.
Image From DailyCBD
Is CBC Safe?
CBC is safe and non-toxic. While the cannabinoid has had less research performed than CBD, there has been no indication to point towards the cannabinoid being dangerous. In fact, the research available points towards the opposite.
One way that scientists assess the toxicity of a compound is to find its LD50. This refers to the amount of a material, given at once, which causes the death of 50% of a group of test animals. The LD50 for the compound remains undetermined. In one study, a group of mice each received a 3000mg dose of CBC. Only 20% of the subjects experienced a fatal reaction. To put this in perspective, a 150 lb person would need to inject 204,000mg of CBC to reach this same dose. This is an extremely high dose and would only be achievable by injection. It’s virtually impossible to get this dose through eating or smoking.
With that said, side effects are always a possibility. In the case of CBC, the side effects are very minimal.
Is it Legal?
According to DailyCBD, CBC made from cannabis is a federally controlled substance. Therefore, it can only be sold in places where cannabis is legal. CBC made from hemp, however, is completely legal. Take into consideration state laws and regulations. If you have a medical condition that could benefit from the use of CBC made from cannabis in Pennsylvania, for example, you may want to consider getting a medical marijuana card in PA. This will allow you to purchase and use medical marijuana products, including those containing CBC, legally. It’s important to note that while medical marijuana is legal in PA, it is still illegal at the federal level.
Medical Potential
Many areas of the medical field may benefit from CBC applications. For one, cannabichromene might be a powerful cancer fighter. A recent study in which tumor growth was initiated in mice showed cannabinoids might be effective in inhibiting both inflammation and tumor growth. Additionally, the CBC reportedly helps the body produce anandamide, which has been shown to fight breast cancer.
CBC has also been shown to block pain and inflammation from health issues such as collagen-induced osteoarthritis. In combination with THC, it had a significant anti-inflammatory response in a recent animal study. CBC’s anti-inflammitory properties also show promise in reducing skin issues like acne. In a study preformed by the research team that showed CBD’s effect on the skin, CBC was shown to be a powerful inhibitor of acne.
When it comes to brain cells, the cannabinoid shows great potential. In a 2013 study, CBC was found to have a positive effect on neural stem progenitor cells (NSPCs). These cells are essential to healthy brain function. This is promising because NSPCs differentiate into astroglial cells, the most important cells for maintaining neural homeostasis. Astroglia counteract issues like oxidative stress, inflammation, and toxic buildups that create neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.
Through the entourage effect, CBC shows promise in aiding to treat mental health issues such as depression. One study revealed that CBC works in conjunction with CBD and THC to deliver antidepressant properties.
Conclusion
CBC is a non-toxic, non-spychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. While the compound requires more research to fully understand, it certainly shows promise in the medical cannabis industry. With more research, it may see a future being used to treat a variety of health issues associated with brain cells, inflammation, cancer, mental health issues, and more.
Because of the lack of regulations, consumers are encouraged to make educated decisions before considering products containing CBC.
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