With the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and its extract became legal for use in the US. Hemp cannabis plants have many beneficial compounds. CBC (cannabichromene) is one of the top six major cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. Preliminary research indicates that it can help manage pain and inflammation. Besides that, it can be great for managing mood disorders including stress and anxiety. CBC is an emerging compound, and a lot of people are keen to know how it works, its benefits, its possible side effects, and its legality. This article offers a comprehensive overview of cannabichromene and how it works.
What is CBC?
Cannabichromene, also known as CBC, is a non-intoxicating compound found in the cannabis hemp plant. It’s one of the most prevalent cannabinoids that can help enhance wellness and promote good well-being. CBC was first discovered in 1966 and it’s known for its unique profile. Instead of it interacting with cannabinoid receptors in the body, it has shown very little affinity to them. Even so, it has still shown a wide range of potential therapeutic health benefits. As a result, it has become an important compound in the formulation of full-spectrum and broad-spectrum cannabis products.
How is CBC Different from Other Cannabinoids?
Generally, all cannabinoids usually interact with the endocannabinoid system. There are more than 120 types of individual cannabinoids, but researchers have only studied a few of them. It’s clear that CBC and other cannabinoids can play a good role in enhancing wellness. But the way they act and produce their effects are different:
CBC vs CBD
CBC and CBD have almost similar profiles and that’s why they are sometimes used interchangeably for the same applications. Unlike other cannabinoids, preliminary research reports indicate that they don’t bind to the endocannabinoid receptors in the body. CBC can influence how different receptors produce certain responses in the body. Evidence suggests that CBD can also mimic the functions of other molecules that normally bind to endocannabinoid receptors, including anandamide. This way, CBD helps to enhance their signals and response.
CBC vs CBG
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a precursor to various cannabinoids, including CBC, CBD, and THC. That’s why it’s often known as the “mother of all cannabinoids”. Besides that, some people refer to it as the “cannabinoid stem cell”. The main difference between CBN and CBC is how they affect the TRP channels. When it comes to this, CBC has more potent effects while CBG’s effects are very few. Research studies also indicate that CBG is also a very strong agonist of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor.
CBC vs CBN
Cannabinol (CBN) has mild psychoactive effects and that’s what makes it different from CBC. Research reports indicate that the strength of CBN’s psychoactivity is almost 10% of delta-9 THC or 20% of delta-8 THC. Meanwhile, CBC doesn’t have any psychoactive effects.
You are more likely to find CBN in old and dry cannabis plants and very little amounts in young and fresh ones. This is because the delta-9 THC in cannabis usually breaks down during the drying process to form delta-8 THC. The remaining amount usually turns into a CBN compound. There is a possibility that CBN binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors as well as interacts with other systems.
CBC vs THCV
THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) doesn’t behave like THC. As a matter of fact, it behaves opposite to it. Instead of binding to the CB1 receptor, it turns it off. This makes an effective compound in providing calming and energizing effects. Additionally, it may negatively impact your appetite.
Both CBC and THCV can interact with TRP channels. Even though both of them are non-psychoactive, CBC is the best of the two for improving nerve health. Overall, THCV is considered to be the best non-psychoactive option. But the two of them can work together to produce better results.
How CBC Works
CBC works by enhancing the efficiency of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Note that the endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. The science behind CBC is that it activates a transient receptor and inhibits the inactivation of the endocannabinoid.
CBC acts as a selective CB2 agonist which means that it activates CB2 receptors to produce a positive biological response. CB2 receptors help regulate inflammatory response and immune signaling throughout your body.
Apart from interacting with the ECS, CBC can also interact with receptors located outside the ECS. This is a unique feature that makes it different from other cannabinoids. Through its multiple interactions with receptors in the body, cannabichromene has a significant impact on pain and inflammation. Some reports indicate that it might even be more potent and stronger than opioids.
CBC Benefits: What Does the Research Say?
According to research studies, CBC bears almost the same health benefits as CBD. It can effectively reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. This is because it has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It has neuroprotective properties that can protect neurons from damage. If you are suffering from chronic stress or anxiety, CBC can help alleviate those hyperactive symptoms.
If you are suffering from fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel syndrome, endometriosis, or cancer, you can use CBC for management. This cannabinoid has also shown that it can treat fungal and bacterial infections.
The antidepressant can fight depression and help to elevate good moods. Other reports indicate that this compound can stimulate brain growth by encouraging neurogenesis. Due to its strong anti-proliferative properties, CBC can inhibit the growth of cancer tumors.
However, users should exercise caution when using CBC. Those taking prescriptions should first consult their physicians before using CBC. This is because this cannabinoid can interact with certain medications.
How Do I Take CBC?
CBC can exist in several forms. You can apply the product sublingually, inhale the vapor, or even consider using a concentrate such as CBD isolate. The four common methods of taking CBC include:
CBC Hemp Flower
Currently, there are no specific types of CBC hemp flowers on the market. However, cannabis breeders have done the research and are working on it. It’s worth noting that some strains have higher amounts of CBC than others. So, their flowers have over 1 or 2% CBC which is rare.
CBC Tinctures
Tinctures are popular is they generally provide ease of use and produce effects within a short time frame. Most CBC users prefer tinctures since they are also more common. Besides that, it allows them to use the compound in its concentrated form. During the extraction process, CBD is usually the main target for manufacturers. However, CBC and other cannabinoids are usually extracted as byproducts. So, they are ideal for use as tinctures or individual oils.
CBC Concentrates
CBC isolate is usually a concentrate that contains 90-95% CBC content. this is a pure product that doesn’t crystallize. So, you are likely to find this product existing as a thick syrup unlike other cannabinoid concentrates that exist in powdered or crystalline format. Generally, CBC concentrates come in bottles with syringes to enhance ease of use.
CBC Vapes
CBC vapes are usually out in standard vape cartridges. The replaceable 8 mm vape cart is normally filled with the isolate CBC compound. However, some manufacturers opt to mix with an e-liquid to act as a base.
How you use CBC depends on your medical issues and the dosage. The average dose per consumer is estimated to be between 10 mg and 50 mg. But it’s advisable for you to start your intake with a lower dosage. This will help you to safely assess the effectiveness of the compound and how you react to it. From there, you can gradually increase the dose until you find the right amount for you.
Is CBC Safe?
Preliminary research reports and user reviews indicate that CBC isn’t dangerous. Reports indicate that taking large doses of CBC doesn’t produce adverse effects. Even though there is limited research regarding the safety and effectiveness of CBC, researchers have equated CBC to CBD. Thus, they can use their profile information to determine the effects of CBC on the human body. It should be noted that both CBC and CBD normally act to reinforce the effectiveness of CB receptors in the body. So, if CBD is safe, there is no doubt that CBC has a good safety profile as well.
Will CBC Make Me High?
No, consuming CBC won’t make you high. This is because this compound is non-psychoactive and it can’t change the way the mind functions. This simply means that regardless of the dosage, using CBC won’t make you high still. THC is the main psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant that’s responsible for inducing the “high” effect. THC characteristically binds itself to the CB1 receptors which are particularly found at high levels in the brain.
CBC Side Effects
Due to limited research, there is still limited information regarding the safe and possible CBC side effects. Since it interacts with the endocannabinoid system, it might change the normal operation of various processes in the body, including possible drug interactions. Since this is a hemp-derived compound like CBD, it might have a similar safety profile. There is still a need for more research studies to determine the possible CBC side effects and how to counter manage them. Overall, the possible side effects of CBC include:
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Low blood pressure
- Changes in heart rate
Is CBC Legal?
CBC (cannabichromene) is legal. Its regulations fall under the same laws as CBD which was made legal after the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. It should be noted that this Farm Bill indicates that all hemp plant derivates, including cannabinoids and terpenes, are legal if they have less than 0.3% THC. CBC is non-psychoactive hence it’s not classified in the list of Controlled Substances.
How Do I Buy CBC Products?
Where can you find CBC for sale? Well, a lot of people who want to buy CBC products usually face the same challenge of finding a vendor. Unlike CBD, CBC is not easy to find because there aren’t many vendors in the market that sell such products. Besides that, the lack of strict regulations means that it’s difficult to find a safe and high-quality product that’s pure. Extracting pure CBC is a delicate process that needs expert analysis and oversight. Besides that, manufacturers must be ready to invest in high-tech equipment.
To buy high-quality CBC products, ensure that you make purchases from a reputable manufacturer. Additionally, ensure that the product comes from organic sources and there is a report from an independent 3rd-party lab test. This will help confirm that the CBD product doesn’t have toxic contaminants such as solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, or herbicides.
Closing Thoughts
There is no doubt that the beneficial effects of CBC are great for wellness. Although this is an emergent cannabinoid, its useful in managing a wide range of conditions. besides that, cannabichromene can effectively function alongside a wide range of cannabinoids. As a result, it can enhance the entourage effect, which is ideal for easing severe discomfort. CBC, like most cannabinoids from hemp plants, is legal. It’s a compound with a good safety profile and as a result, you can comfortably add it to your wellness regimen. You can use it to soothe inflammation, ease pain levels, and treat bacterial and fungal infections among other things.
