There are over 100 different cannabinoids and 120 terpenes identified in the cannabis plant. These cannabinoids include but are not limited to cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabichromene (CBC). In this article, we shall take a look at the description of CBC, its target sites, and safety levels. Our next article will focus on the potential benefits of CBC and how it can serve to produce several therapeutic benefits after interacting with cannabinoid receptors and target sites.

What is cannabichromene (CBC)?

CBC or cannabichromene is one of the most abundant naturally occurring cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant, after delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN). It is concentrated in freshly harvested dry-type cannabis material and is often referred to as the most abundant cannabinoids in some strains of marijuana cultivated in the US.

Just like what is obtainable in CBD and THC, CBC stems from cannabigerolic acid (CBGa). Most cannabinoids exist in this form to prevent damage when being transported in the body and can be activated via enzymatic activities to interact with the right target cells. These enzymes convert CBGa to Cannanichromenoic acid (CBCa), which is converted to CBC in the presence of CBC synthase, an enzyme that serves to catalyze the reaction leading to the formation of CBC. In some cases, CBCa can be broken down into cannabichromene through the addition of heat or decarboxylation.

CBC Isolation And Chemical Properties

The first reference to the presence of CBC in the cannabis plant was first made in 1966 when it was isolated from Cannabis sativa L., two years after the isolation of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannanichromenoic acid (CBCa) was isolated in 1968 from the same plant source. These compounds have a limited distribution in nature and are present not only in plants but also in fungi.

CBC exhibits a lower concentration in the cannabis plant. Its concentration ranges from 0.2% to 0.3% on a dry weight basis, and it will interest you to note that CBC has never been found to accumulate in modern medicinal and recreational cannabis strains.

Very little is known about the pharmacology of CBC, even though it is an active member of the cannabinoid family. Most early reports on the use and potential benefits of CBC centers on anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects experienced in rodents. Other studies have also discovered CBC’s potential to elicit antimicrobial properties against bacterial and fungal species.

 

CBC reacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system as well as other receptors like TRPV1 and TRPA1 that play active roles in maintaining the integrity of immune responses in the skin as well as stimulating the cutaneous inflammation.

Is CBC Safe?

Although little is known about the pharmacology of CBC, it can produce a range of side effects, including those relating to dizziness, back pain, joint pain, itching, and dry skin.

How Can I Find CBC?

There are strains of the cannabis plant that contain a good amount of CBC and can come in handy in the extraction of industrial-scale CBC for its numerous benefits. Research conducted in 1970 discovered that Landrace strains of the cannabis plant contain a high concentration of CBC. It was the second most abundant cannabinoid in the strain after THC. Recent research has also discovered that CBC is highly concentrated in younger cannabis plants and may later degrade to form cannabicyclol (CBL) in the presence of heat and light. One major reason why the concentration of CBC is lower in the cannabis plant is that they are bred indoors and from strains optimized for high CBD or THC content.

Conclusion

All members of the cannabinoid family possess an excellent activity on the cannabinoid receptor. They play critical roles in modulating cognitive responses in the body. Don’t forget to contact us if you have questions on the use of CBC and other cannabinoids.

1 Izzo, A. A., Capasso, R., Aviello, G., Borrelli, F., Romano, B., Piscitelli, F., … Di Marzo, V. (2012). Inhibitory effect of cannabichromene, a major non-psychotropic cannabinoid extracted from Cannabis sativa, on inflammation-induced hypermotility in mice. British journal of pharmacology, 166(4), 1444–1460. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.01879.x
2 De Petrocellis, L., Ligresti, A., Moriello, A. S., Allarà, M., Bisogno, T., Petrosino, S., … Di Marzo, V. (2011). Effects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-enrichedCannabisextracts on TRP channels and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes. British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), 1479–1494. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01166.x
3 Science Direct, Constituents of Cannabis sativa L. XI: Cannabidiol and Cannabichromene in Samples of Known Geographical Origin.

Anthony Tribunella

Having experienced the benefits of CBD first hand when it was starting to gain popularity, Anthony decided to spend his working life championing it to the public and his peers in the wider CBD community. As a CBD innovator himself, Anthony likes to remain at the leading edge of scientific and product development to ensure that the potential of CBD has every chance of being fully realized.

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