What is CBC Oil?
Cannabichromene or CBC was first discovered in 1966. This plant compound is one of the major cannabinoids that has no psychoactive properties and is one of the major cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. Although it is claimed to provide several health benefits, more research is needed to determine the entire scope of this compound's advantages.
Like Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD), CBC is derived from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). This compound is produced by cannabis plants as a precursor to three major cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA).
Although CBC doesn't receive as much attention as the other cannabinoids, its advantages are very promising.
How does CBC work?
Most cannabinoids interact with CB1 or CB2 receptors located in the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a complex network of cells and cannabinoid receptors that affects our digestion, pain management, emotions, and many other important physical functions. When CBC activates these receptors, the body's endocannabinoids, notably anandamide, are released in larger quantities.
According to researchers, CBC functions somewhat differently from the other popular cannabinoids.
Because CBC is not psychoactive, it does not provide the euphoric high that THC produces. It binds weakly to the brain's CB1 cannabinoid receptors, which accounts for why it has no psychoactive effects. CBC interacts with the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and transient vanilloid receptors (TRPV1), which are related to pain response.
CBC activates these receptors, releasing endocannabinoids in higher quantities.
CBC undoubtedly has very unique advantages. However, researchers have found that it also appears to interact with the other cannabinoids, a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. It is well known that THC and CBD have this impact when they are combined, but it is less clear whether other cannabinoids have similar entourage effects.
How will CBC make you feel?
It depends. Similar to CBD, it will depend on several factors, including body weight, general health, body chemistry, and CBC concentration. Overall, CBC may have slightly varying effects on each individual and may take some time to take effect.
Dietary supplements with cannabinoids like CBD are made to interact naturally with your body. Results come through consistent progress, which will make positive changes more persistent over time.
Is CBC safe?
Yes, CBC is generally non-toxic and safe. Although studies on CBC are still lacking, there has never been any proof that CBC is toxic.
Finding a molecule's LD50 is one of the best ways to assess its toxicity, whether the compound in question is CBD, THC, or something else. This is a useful concept used to show how much of a substance is required to have a 50% fatality rate.
Although the LD50 for CBC has not yet been determined, small research using mice and a high dose of CBC (3,000 mg) revealed that less than 20% of the individuals died.
To be clear, this is a very high dose that can only be administered via injection. It is essentially impossible to consume this amount of CBC orally, especially when using a CBD oil or other CBD combination product.
How is CBC oil extracted?
CBC can be extracted from other cannabinoids and combined with hemp terpenes and beneficial compounds to form CBC oil.
Manufacturers of CBC oil should use a hemp strain with a high cannabichromene content or employ additional procedures to convert phytocannabinoids into CBC.
CBC is extracted using ethanol extraction. In this method, the hemp plant is briefly steeped in ethanol. After the plant waxes have been dissolved, the desired molecules are separated from the unwanted ones using a process of evaporation. Since producers typically concentrate on strains that generate high concentrations of CBD, CBC-rich hemp varieties aren't usually produced in large quantities.
How To Take CBC oil
Several hemp plant products contain CBC, but due to inconsistent legal frameworks, it is not always readily available.
While CBC may not be available as a stand-alone oil, you may get it as a component in several full-spectrum and broad-spectrum oils. Look for CBD products that include CBC and other cannabinoids, flavonoids, hemp terpenes, and natural fatty acids to reap the potential therapeutic benefits of CBC and experience the entourage effect.
Potential Benefits of CBC
Although research is still in its infancy, numerous studies have discovered that CBC has remarkable therapeutic potential.
Studies on CBC are still ongoing and cannot be proven with certainty.
CBC for Mood
CBC appears to bind to transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which are connected to pain perception, anandamide (which produces feelings of happiness and pleasure), and dopamine. Activating these pathways improves mood without causing any psychoactive effects.
According to an animal study, CBC had the strongest antidepressant-like effects of all the cannabinoids tested (CBD, CBG, THC, and CBN), and it had a noticeable impact on rodent models.
CBC for Skin
According to preliminary data, CBC may have sebostatic (the sebaceous glands' inability to produce sebum), anti-inflammatory effects and antinociceptive properties, or the body's reaction to stimuli that could be toxic, including toxic chemicals. However, the amount of study on CBC is still limited. As CBC and the use of cannabis in medicine grow more common, additional studies will be needed to help in the development of therapies in both dermatology and medicine.
In one cell-based study, it was discovered that CBC can regulate sebaceous gland inflammation and aid in the production of sebum, both of which can reduce acne.
CBC for Neuroprotection
Clinic studies suggest that CBC may have neuroprotective and therapeutic properties. It accomplishes this by allowing the movement of neurotransmitters throughout the nervous system and brain.
A 2013 mouse study found that CBC had a favourable impact on neural stem progenitor cells (NSPCs), a cell necessary for normal brain development. Because NSPCs differentiate into astroglial cells, the most important cells for preserving the brain’s homeostasis or state of balance, they became more viable when exposed to CBC. Astroglial cells conduct a wide range of activities, including neurotransmitter direction and oxidative stress defence.
CBC for Inflammation and Pain
CBC can interact with various receptors (TRPV1 and TRPA1) involved in inflammation and chronic pain sensitivity.
A study suggests that CBC may offer osteoarthritis pain relief and inflammation brought on by collagen. Cannabinoids like CBC have different anti-inflammatory effects than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Some research suggests that they also do not have the same adverse effects.
CBC for Cancer
CBC may be effective for cancer prevention due to its interaction with anandamide, the human body's naturally occurring endocannabinoid. CBC inhibits anandamide absorption, allowing it to remain in the bloodstream for a longer period.
A study in which tumour growth was induced in mice revealed that cannabis may be beneficial in reducing both inflammation and tumour formation. Anandamide's ability to combat breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo suggests that CBC and other cannabinoids may eventually function as chemopreventive agents.
Final Thoughts
For many people, CBD is the only recognised cannabinoid that doesn't make you high. The demand for CBD oils, gummies, sweets, and countless other CBD products has increased dramatically in recent years. But CBC, another non-intoxicating cannabinoid, has been gradually gaining in popularity.
Even though CBD is much more well-known than CBC, it's interesting that they both have comparable advantages. They differ from one another, however, in various ways.
CBD's enormous success can be attributed to many years of in-depth research. On the other hand, little is known about CBC research.
There is still more to learn about the therapeutic effects of CBC from ongoing research. So far, the results have been encouraging, and the cannabis industry's understanding of CBC is growing. CBC has distinct effects and interacts with different receptor sites, but all cannabinoids likely work in complementary ways to create a balanced response.
