WHAT IS CBC?
CBC and Its Ground-Breaking Health Benefits
Introduction
By this time you are most likely familiar with the concept of cannabinoids, the amazing chemical compounds found in cannabis. The most famous of these compounds, that you’ve already heard about, are THC and CBD. But
what you probably haven’t learnt much about, is CBC, scientifically known as cannabichromene.
What Is CBC?
CBC was discovered more than 50 years ago, and is considered to be among the top six cannabinoids making history in medical research. Even though nearly everybody knows that THC is the psychoactive compound that causes intoxication and that CBD is the healing compound making waves, - not many people have heard about CBC.
Although it hasn’t yet entered the mainstream, CBC’s therapeutic advantages are worth taking note of. These include neuroprotective properties, gastrointestinal benefits, and it is also antimicrobial and antiviral. Like CBD, it is analgesic and anti-inflammatory, while offering powerfully mood-stabilizing properties.
There are so many benefits to both CBD and CBC that it would be impossible to list them all here, but the question remains what is the difference between the two compounds?
CBC and CBD: What is the Difference?
CBC is among hundreds of organic compounds that are found within the cannabis plant family. These chemicals are known as cannabinoids, and they can interact with the body in a way that mimics the body’s naturally-produced endocannabinoids. THC and CBD are among the most well-known of these cannabinoid compounds, but research surrounding CBC is only just emerging.
CBC was in fact the second most prominent cannabinoid, coming up behind THC (depending on the strain) but in recent years, a higher percentage of the more desired CBD is bred into strains. In spite of an encouraging spurt of scientific evidence in the 1980’s, the healing benefits of CBC are only just coming to light.
Lets take a moment to come to terms with the research shall we?
First of all, it’s important to note that CBD, THC and CBD all come from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) – the gem of the cannabis plant in terms of medicinal properties. CBGA is the precursor to major cannabinoids including:
• Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)
• Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA)
• Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)
In other words, CBGA, is like the essence of the medicinal properties that THC, CBD and CBC contain.
So what is the key difference between CBC and CBD?
Well, CBC is a fascinating cannabinoid due to the fact that it does not bind to cannabinoid receptors in the same way as CBD. It is unique in that it is not intoxicating or psychoactive like tetrahydrocannabinolic acid either.
Even more interestingly, it does not activate the CB2 receptors in the same way as CBD does. Instead, it’s affects are mediated via indirect activities within numerous other receptors. For the scientists out there, this refers specifically to the vanilloid receptors, and particularly the TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors.
CBC and the Mind Body Connection: How Does CBC Work?
CBC, the underrated compound, is actually similar to THC and CBD because it springs from the essential cannabigerolic acid (CBGa). From that point, enzymes are known to cause the conversion to cannabichrome carboxylic acid (CBCa).
In the case of CBCa, it works by passing through the synthase (enzymes that serve as a catalyst to the linkage of 2 molecules). In time, if subjected to heat or ultraviolet light, CBCa breaks down and becomes CBC – due to decarboxylation!
In other words, CBC is created by cascading plant enzymes which have been directed into it’s streamline from the chemical compound CBCa. So this is how the compound is created, but how exactly does CBC work in terms of the mind-body connection?
CBC is like an MAOI, which is a type of antidepressant known to stop enzymes which destroy serotonin.
By stopping the destruction of natural endocannabinoids in certain tissues, the baseline endocannabinoid levels are increased. As we learn more and more about the fascinating science of endocannabinoids, it can actually have a powerful impact on your health.
What is CBC Good For?
Fascinatingly studies have revealed that most of CBC’s anti inflammatory properties are related to the gut, and have an especially powerful healing effect on diarrhea. There are numerous ways in which CBC can make a real difference to health, and the gut is quite possibly the most important.
Pharmaceutical companies are primarily interested in CBC’s diarrhea-stopping properties. The good news is that this will not cause constipation, but will regulate the gut by normalizing peristalsis. Diarrhea is actually quite a serious illness that can be fatal, and so it is worth taking action before its too late.
But there are so many more benefits to CBC than just the gut, including it’s potential as a powerful anti-inflammatory. Intestinal inflammation is still in the emerging stages of being understood as a form of epidemic in America, with severe health consequences. These range from autoimmune disorders and food allergies to memory issues and mood disorders. As a result CBC is a promising tool for those with gut disorders of any kind.
Additionally, the compound is an organic painkiller, offering natural analgesic properties especially for neuralgic pain. One study, conducted in 2011, revealed that CBC could effectively block pain in rats, primarily because of the vanilloid receptors. These results are not exactly clinical proof, but indicate how CBC might play a role in cannabis and pain relief.
Furthermore, CBC is said to play a role in neuroprotection. One study, conducted in 2013, showed that CBC gave neuroprotective advantages to the neural stem cells. The brain is continuously growing and developing, and when the brain is damaged, it uses neural stem cells to heal and replace damaged areas. CBC helps the neural stem cells to stay healthy, making the mind more resilient and stress-free.
CBC is also antimicrobial and antiviral, meaning that it fights off harmful fungi and bacteria while offering anti-viral properties. The compound has been found to alleviate depression, with cannabinoids in general possibly contributing to the famously euphoric properties of cannabis. That being said, CBC does not seem to stimulate the same neural pathways as THC. Instead, it stimulates brain growth, by increasing the viability of growing brain cells (neurogenesis).
Lastly, CBC is an anti-proliferative, which means that it is thought to inhibit the development of cancerous tumours. This may be as a result of the way in which CBC interacts with anandamide (a naturally-produced endocannabinoid in the body). It influences the CB1 and CB2 receptors and is believed to combat breast cancer. Essentially, CBC stops the intake of anandamide, thereby allowing it to remain in the bloodstream for longer.
In summary, CBC is good for the following:
• Gut Issues
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Neuroprotective
• Analgesic (Painkiller)
• Antimicrobial
• Anti-Viral
• Anti-Depressant
• Stimulates Brain Growth
• Anti-Proliferative
CBC is an Amplifier of Other Cannabinoids
Remember the hype about the entourage effect and how the combination of THC and CBD is more powerful than CBD alone? Well, the same applies to CBC and other cannabinoids. The anti-inflammatory agent shows potent synergistic properties when combined with endocannabinoids like THC for example.
In a similar fashion to the rest of the cannabinoids, CBC’s effects are made through an interaction with the endocannabinoid receptors system (ECS). However, unlike the famous THC, CBC does not bind well with CB1 receptors, which is the place that THC uses to process the psychoactive effects. Instead, CBC looks like it interacts with other, lesser known receptors.
The TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors are connected to pain perception, and are known to act as molecular instigators of thermal and physical stimulus. When CBC stimulates the receptors, it generally leads to the release of more natural endocannabinoids, such as anandamide. Anandamide, aka the “bliss chemical,” is a neurotransmitter.
These facts explain why CBC acts in different ways, even though THC and the other cannabinoids are coupled directly to their matching receptors (like CB1 and CB2). In other words, CBC indirectly stimulates the release of anandamide – offering an alternative form of pain relief to mainstream medicine.
Additionally, CBC is thought to play a key role in the entourage effect, where cannabinoids are known to act synergistically in order to modulate the general effect of the cannabis. Therefore, one study showed that used together, THC and CBD can serve to control inflammation in a more effective way than separately.
Bottom Line: The Future of CBC
A couple of decades ago, CBC was thought to be the second most prominent compound found in Mary Jane. However, today it is known that hardly any strains contain this amazing compound. CBC is thought to work alongside CBD and THC to produce optimal results holistically. The research is promising, particularly in terms of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Although most of the useful CBC studies were conducted in the eighties, since then CBD and THC have stolen the spotlight when it comes to the focus of many scientific circles. It’s a pity that the law prohibits further investigation of cannabis, the marijuana plant in particular. It is known to contain and abundance of compounds that may very well alleviate pain, while simultaneously soothing a wide array of conditions.
For some of these ailments, preclinical trials have indicated that the entourage effect might well be more potent than pharmaceutical drugs. It’s no secret that the pharmaceutical industry does a roaring trade, but that is not to say that pharmaceuticals themselves are ineffective. We all know that western medicine is backed by science, but it is only with further research that we will come to terms with the science behind CBC, and what it might mean for humankind.
The therapeutic properties of CBC are promising, and of the utmost importance. That being said the compound requires further research in order to quantify how potent it is in comparison to other drugs. Current research is underway regarding the entourage effect and CBC and in the meantime cannabis patients are limited in terms of products to choose from. CBC is not widely available on the market, but the future of science and CBC will determine when it becomes more accessible. As cannabis regulations are relaxed, new cannabis-based medicines will become an option.
Where to Buy CBC In The UK
If you'd like to buy CBC in the UK there are precious few vendors selling it at the moment as it's a relatively new cannabinoid on the market. Fortunately Herbaleyes are one of the few. Our CBC isolate is extremely popular and some of our customers are reporting back that it's helping them more than CBD especially for anxiety and certain types of pain. Buying CBC in the UK will become easier when more vendors catch on to it's power, thus making it cheaper for vendors and consumers alike.
If you'd like any advice we're always here for you and are non judgmental and sympathetic to all conditions.
To buy CBC in the UK click on the image below. We currently have 2 strengths of oil available as well as CBC Isolate which is 99% pure and uncut. We're currently producing CBC topicals so keep checking back in with us.
Stay blessed and keep safe!