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There are more cannabis products on the market today than ever before. The main ingredients in these products are cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, THC, THCV, and many others.
From the famous duo of cannabidiol (CBD) and the intoxicating tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the list of cannabinoids now used in these products is growing by the day. This is great news considering the many potential health benefits these compounds have.
So, today we focus on CBC, a little-known cannabinoid whose main claim to fame is its ability to support brain health. But first things first – let’s start with the basics.
NuLeaf Naturals Full Spectrum CBC Tincture Oil
Key Takeaways
- CBC is a rare cannabinoid formed when CBCa decarboxylates.
- This cannabinoid is non-psychoactive for most people, implying it has little to no psychoactive effects.
- Research on CBC is minimal, but it could have therapeutic implications in neuroprotection, inflammation, acne, etc.
A Quick Look at the Best CBC Products Online
- NuLeaf Full-Spectrum CBC Oil
- NuLeaf Full-Spectrum CBC Capsules
- Rare Cannabinoid CBC Protect Oil
- Extract Labs CBC Blend Relief Formula
What Is Cannabichromene (CBC)
What is CBC in weed? CBC is a rare cannabinoid formed in weed when the precursor cannabichromenic acid (CBCa) decarboxylates. During decarboxylation, CBCa loses a carboxyl group to form CBC. Don’t worry, we’re not about to start an Organic Chemistry class, but it helps to know how your favorite cannabinoid forms.
In its acid form, this precursor is inactive. Even if you consume it, you won’t derive its benefits. This is why you cannot get “high” from chewing marijuana leaves, as the THC is still in the inactive form of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid.
Also, CBC is non-psychoactive for the majority of people, meaning it doesn’t produce physical or mental effects. However, not everyone takes CBC weed for its psychoactive effect. Some of us just want to tap into its unique qualities to enhance our overall health and wellness.
NuLeaf Naturals Full Spectrum CBC Softgels 15mg
How Does CBC Work?
CBC works by targeting receptors within a neuromodulatory system in our bodies called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). There are two types of ECS receptors – CB1 and CB2.
CB1 receptors are mainly found in the central nervous system (CNS), while the CB2 receptor is located in the peripheral nervous and immune systems.
There are other receptors beyond the ECS that cannabinoids also interact with, such as serotonin (5-HT1A), PPARs, ion channels, and GPCRs, among others. The more receptors a cannabinoid interacts with, the broader its pharmacological profile. CBD interacts with over ten receptors hence its popularity!
When receptors are stimulated, they trigger various physiologic and behavioral responses. In the case of CBC, it binds preferably to the CB2 receptor, which is mainly implicated in anti-inflammatory and immune system functions. CBC doesn’t bind to the CB1 receptor, hence its non-psychoactivity.
Outside the ECS, CBC binds to the transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels, especially TRPA1, TRPV1 – V4, and TRPV8. We will discuss the effects of these interactions shortly.
Is There a Difference Between CBD and CBC?
Of course, there is! For instance, CBD is a major cannabinoid, while CBC is a minor one. In this regard, ‘major’ and ‘minor’ refer to their relative abundance. In landrace strains, CBD often ranks among the most abundant cannabinoids together with THC.
In commercial hemp strains, CBD is usually the most abundant cannabinoid. This is due to the 2018 Farm Bill that limits the amount of THC in commercial hemp strains. At the moment, hemp cannot have more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Otherwise, it’s considered marijuana, which, needless to say, is illegal.
Also, CBD has a broader pharmacological profile due to the many receptors it interacts with. On the other hand, besides the CB2 receptor, CBC is shown to bind to the TRP cation channels. It’s unclear whether it binds to other receptors.
Then, when it comes to approval, CBD is approved by the FDA and WADA for various applications. Actually, CBD is the only cannabinoid approved for use in mainstream medicine and sports. In healthcare, CBD is an ingredient for making Epidiolex – a drug for treating the symptoms of two rare epilepsy types: Dravet syndrome and Lewis Gastaut syndrome.
In sports, CBD is incorporated into a wide range of products to aid sports recovery. It may display therapeutic benefits for pain, inflammation, insomnia, etc.
So, yes, there’s a world of difference between CBD and CBC. Of course, CBD is hugely popular as many of its health benefits are backed by science. CBC got into the limelight just recently, so it’s still relatively unknown. But, overall, both compounds originate from cannabis, which has quite a medical history.
What Does CBC Cannabinoid Do?
Now that we’re talking about a little-known cannabinoid, you’re undoubtedly asking, ‘What are the benefits of CBC?’ Not much is known about CBC from a scientific point of view, but being a cannabinoid, it may have therapeutic benefits.
For starters, CBC doesn’t induce a “high,” for the majority of folks, so you likely will not feel any physical effects. However, everyone is different. Let’s talk about some of the benefits you might experience from CBC.
What Is CBC Commonly Used For?
Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is the body’s way of responding to infections or some abnormal condition. Ideally, it’s a good thing. However, too much inflammation might reverse the original gains it typically confers.
So, if you’re thinking of boosting your anti-inflammatory responses, you could try CBC. Its anti-inflammatory effect is attributed to its interaction with CB2 receptors as well as non-cannabinoid receptors, specifically the TRP ion channels.
It’s noteworthy that TRP ion channels and the CB2 receptors are involved in inflammatory mechanisms and pain perception. Therefore, by stimulating these receptors, CBC demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory activity. Actually, some publications suggest that CBC may be a stronger anti-inflammatory agent than CBD.
Neuroprotective
CBC may also help enhance brain health thanks to its promising neuroprotective properties. A 2013 study showed that it positively affected cells that support brain development in infants. The same research suggested CBC could have a role in aiding learning and memory in adults.
Due to this property, CBC is touted as a potentially helpful agent in managing neurodegenerative conditions.
Anti-Acne
CBC’s potent anti-inflammatory activity could also help manage inflammatory skin conditions such as acne. This condition occurs when sebaceous glands are inflamed by the excess production of sebum.
Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands to protect the skin and keep it moist. CBC may help suppress the production of excess sebum, thereby preventing breakouts.
Stimulating Bone Growth
Preclinical studies suggest that cannabinoids may be involved in bone metabolism. That’s because the CB1 and CB2 receptors are widely expressed in bones, where they help regulate bone homeostasis.
While there’s no evidence that CBC supports bone growth, CBD treatment has been shown to enhance fracture healing in mice. However, this may also depend on sex, age, cannabis strain, etc.
How Much CBC Should You Take
The thing with cannabinoids is that their dosing isn’t as regimented as conventional medications. In other words, the quantity of CBC you can take is subjective and depends on several factors, e.g., the nature and severity of an ailment, metabolism, potency, etc.
That said, the rule of thumb is to start with the lowest dose and increase gradually (if necessary). That’s because research actually shows that cannabinoids are more effective at lower doses.
For example, a study showed that medium doses of CBD (300mg) induce a stronger anti-anxiety effect than larger doses (900mg). The good thing is that manufacturers of cannabis products generally provide dosing guidelines.
Is CBC Safe
The honest answer is yes and no.
Yes, because CBC is quite similar to CBD in that they are both generally non-psychoactive. Therefore, the risks for unwanted THC-like effects are minimal. Moreover, CBD has a decent safety profile at this time. The known side effects are generally mild and non-fatal.
On the other hand, we can’t expressly say CBC is safe because no toxicology studies have been conducted on it. In other words, there’s no telling whether it has adverse side effects. On this, we prefer to be philosophical – “the absence of evidence doesn’t mean lack of evidence.”
Overall, when used cautiously with moderate dosing, there are no indications that CBC (and other cannabinoids) are unsafe. However, it’s important to always start low and go slow, and discuss new regimens with a healthcare professional.
Where to Buy CBC Online
So, if you think CBC is a cannabinoid that can help you out and you want to buy products with CBC, we’re here to help you out. Here are some of our favorite CBC products out there.
NuLeaf Full-Spectrum CBC Oil
This product by Nuleaf Naturals is made from whole-plant hemp extract with CBC as the main ingredient. Because it’s full-spectrum, you get to experience the synergy of different cannabis compounds in one product. It comes in three strength levels—300mg, 900mg, and 1800mg—to ensure it’s available for everyone.
Even though cannabinoids have wide-ranging benefits, this CBC Oil is specifically formulated for pain relief and better cognitive functioning.
NuLeaf Full-Spectrum CBC Capsules
Another great product from Nuleaf Naturals are these CBC Capsules. They come in the same strength levels as the CBC oil above but contain extra ingredients like cassava root extract and vegetable glycerin.
Like the CBC Oil, these capsules are for people seeking pain relief besides enhanced focus and motivation. Also, if you’re struggling with sleep, these capsules might offer that much-needed relief.
Rare Cannabinoid CBC Protect Oil
This CBC Protect Oil contains 500mg of CBC diluted in organic MCT oil. One advantage of MCT oil is it increases product bioavailability. As the name suggests, MCT oil is made of medium-chain triglyceride fatty molecules that are much easier to digest and absorb into the body.
Therefore, this product has a higher bioavailability. It is specifically crafted to boost mood and potentially ward off anxiety. It may also help with post-exercise discomfort and promote healthy skin. It has 500mg of CBC and comes with absolutely zero THC.
Extract Labs CBC Blend Relief Formula
Talk of saving the best for last! This Relief Formula CBC Tincture is what you need for quick onset. With 1800mg of CBD and 600mg of CBC, this potent combination of cannabinoids provides the known benefits of full-spectrum cannabis extract. Each 1mL of this tincture gives you 20mg of CBC and 60mg of CBD.
What Does CBC Cannabinoid Do – Final Thoughts
If you’ve wondered, “what does CBC cannabinoid do?” the answer is truthfully, we’re still learning. While it has shown promise as an anti-inflammatory, anti-acne, and neuroprotectant, more research will need to be conducted to know for sure. The good news is, there may be more benefits that we are not yet aware of.
For those who wish to try CBC, there are a number of reputable products on the market. Remember to always begin with the lowest dose and speak to a doctor if you’re trying cannabis therapeutically for the first time.
Hearst Newspapers participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission when you purchase products featured here. Please consult your doctor before starting any new supplement to see it is right for you.