Cannabis plants are extremely incredible beings. Unfortunately, due to fears and misconceptions about marijuana prohibition, they have been misunderstood and mistreated for the last century or so. Experts worldwide are presently studying the ancient, strong cannabis plant, anxious to understand more about the mystical, amazing ways the plant’s plethora of distinct active chemicals interact together to promote health and well-being.
One of the lesser-known active cannabinoids present in cannabis plants is CBC (Cannabichromene). Most of us are familiar with the fundamentals of THC and CBD, the two most prevalent active cannabinoids found in marijuana plants. But the truth is that scientists have discovered over 110 more active cannabinoids so far, including THCV, CBC, CBG, and CBN, to name a few.
What is Cannabichromene (CBC)
Cannabichromene (CBC) is a chemical component discovered in cannabis plants that occurs naturally. The amount of CBC found in marijuana plants, like other active cannabinoids, is not fixed; instead, different cannabis strains have varying levels of Cannabichromene, THC, and CBD, among other active chemicals.
CBC is usually present in just a small percentage of the population, usually less than 0.5 percent. Despite the relatively little CBC found in cannabis strains, experts believe it is sufficient to play an important function in the endogenous cannabinoid system.
Indeed, it appears that the adage about the devil is in the details holds when it comes to comprehending the fascinating role of the cannabis plant’s plethora of active chemicals.
Mother Nature, in the end, understands what’s best for us, the humans, just as she knows what’s best for the well-being, health, and prosperity of all the other animals who share this lovely world with us. So, if Mother Nature has established that CBC may play a critical role even when present in relatively modest concentrations in cannabis plants, we dare to trust her fully, and what about you?
Of course, thanks to the wonders of cross-breeding and cutting-edge extraction technology, the green medicine of the future could let patients get a much higher dose of CBC. It’s only a matter of time before you can experience high CBC cannabis strains available to grow from seed to harvest, just like modern-day breeders can create high THC or high CBD strains.
CBC shares an intriguing molecular similarity with other cannabinoids, such as the two most well-known, CBD and THC, while being found in low quantities in most cannabis strains. CBG’s descendent is CBC (Cannabigerol). Because it is a molecular precursor of THC, CBD, and CBC, cannabigerol is the “mother of active cannabinoids.”
Like the rest of the active compounds present in marijuana plants, CBC is thought to work best when combined with terpenes and other active cannabinoids. As a result, CBC plays a critical role in maximizing the whole plant’s medical full spectrum of potential advantages.
Important Note
If you want to keep CBC from degrading, keep it away from temperatures above 365 degrees Fahrenheit/185 degrees Celsius.
Keep in mind that Cannabichromene is not a psychotropic cannabinoid when learning more about it. CBC is thought to have a wide range of potential therapeutic applications, despite its lack of psychotropic potency.
1. Pain-relief
The pain-relieving properties of Cannabichromene and Cannabidiol in sedated rats were investigated and confirmed in a February 2011 study published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website.
2. Anti-inflammatory
In 2011, a study on the anti-inflammatory effects of Cannabichromene and the resultant synergistic impact of its regulation by (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol found that when CBC is combined with THC, the anti-inflammatory properties of CBC are maximized.
3. Gastrointestinal and digestive disorders
Cannabichromene’s ability to modulate gastrointestinal motility was investigated in a study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in February 2012.
4. Antifungal and antibacterial
It may come as a surprise to learn that CBC’s antifungal and antibacterial activities were the topic of a 1981 study!
5. Brain cells regeneration
Cannabichromene’s immense promise in treating neurodegenerative disorders including dementia, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and fibromyalgia originates from research that points to CBC’s ability to boost brain cell regeneration as one of the most exciting advantages of CBC on human health.
Following extensive research, it was in a November 2013 study that CBC’s benefits in promoting neurogenesis were brought to a wider public’s attention, with the study’s promising results providing new hope for the thousands of families whose lives have been forever changed by the ravages of neurodegenerative disorders affecting a family member.
6. Acne and other skin conditions treatment
An in-depth study on the benefits of non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids in aiding in the treatment of acne, among other skin conditions related to dry and/or seborrhoeic skin, was originally published in the online library of Experimental Dermatology, highlighting CBC’s huge potential in helping individuals cope with acne-prone, dry, or seborrhoeic skin efficiently.
7. Anti-depressant
A June 2010 study published in the scientific journal Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior provided trustworthy data on the valuable antidepressant benefits of CBC and other cannabinoids like THC.
CBC and Whole Cannabis Plant-Based Medicinals: Is it Worth the Hype
Beautifully, scientists believe that additional active cannabinoids will be discovered and studied in the near future as investigations continue to disclose more of the hidden secrets of marijuana plants’ complicated molecular structure.
It may come as a surprise to learn that the cannabis plant contains over 400 chemical entities, including active cannabinoids (also known as phytocannabinoids), terpenes, and flavonoids, among others, all of which are thought to play a unique, key role in the multiplex symphony of synergistic effects experienced after cannabis consumption.
Speaking of the synergistic effects provided by the plethora of active compounds in cannabis, this is the point when we need to highlight the utmost importance of embracing the wisdom and power of whole cannabis plant-based medicinals.
You may have observed that full-spectrum CBD oil is sold in dispensaries and that this sort of oil is quite expensive, but have you ever wondered why? This sort of cannabis oil is created with elements of the entire cannabis plant, rather than just CBD isolate. Smoking cannabis (whether rolled in a blunt or joint, vaping it, or taking a bong rip) is one of the best methods to get the most out of the entire plant, but some of the valuable components are lost in the process. Enjoying easily accessible or DIY, prepped at-home cannabis infusions created by using fresh or dried cannabis flowers, leaves, or stems instead of isolated forms of CBD or THC, allows you to swallow the whole diversity of active chemicals.
The thing is, isolated forms of CBD, THC, CBDa, or THCa, such as CBD isolate or THCa crystalline, are perfectly safe. However, you may be missing out on the entire range of potential cannabis-based treatment benefits. Even though it is still considered a theory, the entourage effect suggests that each of the active compounds in cannabis plants, even in small amounts (as in the case of CBC), plays a critical role in stimulating your body’s network of cannabinoid receptors (aka ECS) in profound, yet unfathomable ways. This means that no matter what type of modern-day, isolated cannabis concentrate or product you’re medicating or entertaining with, entire cannabis plant medicinals will always outperform them; therefore, it’s better to find a way to combine them with your favorite form of isolated cannabinoids.
Marijuana has evolved significantly since the 1970s toward more potent strains with higher THC levels. While the industry has opened up to testing weed for CBD and THC content, there is still far too little done or said about the amounts of other active cannabinoids in the cannabis strains that are filling dispensaries’ shelves.
The only way to discover the exact amount of CBC present in your cannabis flowers right now is to have them tested in a weed lab. On the bright side, marijuana acceptance, availability, and accessibility appear to be brighter than ever before, so it’s only a matter of time before we know the exact amounts of the less abundant active cannabinoids, such as CBC, present in one’s stash. However, as long as you enjoy your favorite cannabis strains through full-spectrum infusions (or, why not, by rolling a succulent joint the good old way now and then), you’ll be fine.
Since ancient times, medicinal plants, including but not limited to cannabis, have been of great value to mankind. If you’re a cannabis producer, we’re guessing you’ve already started to acquire a keen interest in medicinal plants and their applications (and we applaud you for that!).
How Does Cannabichromene (CBC) Work
According to popular belief, CBC binds to the receptors in your endocannabinoid system in an indirect manner. Even though CBC does not directly connect to cannabinoid receptors, it has been proven to enhance the body’s naturally produced endocannabinoids, particularly anandamide (“the happiness molecule”) and 2-AG.
Furthermore, specialists believe that Cannabichromene’s ability to serve as an agonist to the TRPA1 and TRPV1 receptors is intimately linked to CBC’s ability to modulate body temperature, pain sensitivity, and neurogenic-related inflammation.
Despite the complexity of CBC’s interaction with the human cannabinoid system, ongoing research aims to shed additional insight into how CBC can bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, albeit at a very low level, explaining why this wonderful active cannabinoid has no substantial psychotropic effects.
As of today, specialists are confident that CBC can fundamentally and dramatically influence both the effects and the advantages of cannabis. The non-psychoactive properties of CBC make it even more intriguing for further research, as it is thought to play a significant role in future marijuana-based medicine, especially as people’s understanding of the endocannabinoid system improves, as does their understanding of the active cannabinoids present in cannabis plants and whole cannabis plant-based infusions.
Understanding the Active Cannabinoid Cannabichromene (CBC): The Wrap-Up
Here’s a rundown of some of the cannabis strains out there that contain larger concentrations of CBC than most of its peers to wrap up the informative bits of knowledge regarding CBC as usefully as possible.
Gelato (an estimated of 0.268% CBC).
Girl Scout Cookies (an estimate of 0.166% CBC).
Gorilla Glue (an estimate of 0.329% CBC).
Harlequin (an estimated of 0.138% CBC).
LA Confidential (an estimated of 0.128% CBC).
The deliciously fruitilicious Grape Ape strain includes as little as an estimated 0.04 percent CBC, the legendary Jack Harrer has a modest 0.11 percent CBC, and the jewel of Jamaican landrace strains Lamb’s Bread has an estimated 0.043 percent CBC. Even these relatively insignificant levels of CBC, when combined with the rest of the active components found in the cannabis plant, are thought to deliver a wide range of advantages through your endogenous cannabinoid system.
At first, Cannabichromene may appear to be a mouthful, but learning more about this great active cannabinoid is well worth the nerdy effort. Even if the most common phrase you’ll hear is “further research is needed,” we must accept that the marijuana prohibition has prevented experts from performing in-depth studies on the advantages of the active chemicals found in cannabis plants for far too long.
We believe that everyone can remain open-minded and allow cannabis plants to guide them through their secrets, as we are free to let the constant chatter of daily life disperse in waves of harmonious serenity in pain- and the stress-free dimension of blissfulness after binding with marijuana. In this cannabliss, the cannabis plant speaks to you by giving you everything it has to offer; all you have to do is strive to get to know the cannabis plant better…
Stephen Covey, the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, keynote speaker, and educator, has provided an eternal piece of wisdom on synergy, which we believe is one of the greatest ways to summarize the significance of the unique active cannabinoid CBC (Cannabichromene) in the big picture. Synergy, according to Covey, is “better than my way or your way.” And you already know why: synergy is “our way.”