Humans have this amazing part of our bodies called the Endocannabinoid System which regulates and controls all sorts of critical bodily functions like learning and memory, emotional processing, eating, sleep, temperature control, pain control, inflammatory and immune responses and eating. So y’know, a few mildly essential things. Without going deep into the biology or chemistry rabbit hole the essential bit here is that having this system as part of our bodies is what allows cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, CBC, and even THC to have an effect on us. Without it tooting on that zoot would have no effect and cannabis would be like any other non-remarkable plant.
Thank goodness we have that system right?
Overall there are more than 100 cannabinoids that have been identified so far, some of which like CBD, THC, and CBG we’ve explored in previous posts (click on those words to jump through to it’s post). We’re going to cover as many as those compounds as possible though we may never get close to covering them all, but for today it’s time knock CBC off of that list.
What is CBC? And How is it Different from CBD? – Explained
What is CBC?
Is CBC Legal in The UK?
How Does CBC Work?
Is CBC The Same as CBD?
What Are the Effects of CBC?
Using CBC As a Vape Liquid
Conclusion
What is CBC?
CBD and THC are extremely well known now but you’re not alone if you haven’t heard of CBC. CBC or it’s full name ‘cannabichromene’ is one of the main cannabinoids present through the plants lifecycle and is currently being studied by medical researchers. What they’ve found as well as anecdotal evidence is proving to be very exciting and over time it looks like CBC is one we’ll see more people introducing into their lifestyles into the mix. Reminder: If you smoke weed you should be adding some CBD in for the best effects, just a top tip.
Unlike CBG which is only present in larger amounts earlier in the life-cycle of the plant, CBC is fairly abundant from beginning until end. As such you’re likely to get good amounts of it when you buy full spectrum CBD.
How does CBC Work?
As mentioned earlier on humans have this endocannabinoid system which is a core part of our body and influences our core bodily functions and behaviours. As you may have noticed Cannabinoids can have an effect on that (most noticeably THC)
As CBC enters your body it interacts with the endocannabinoid system by binding with cannabinoid receptors. Whilst this system covers a huge range of bodily functions CBC binds to receptors which primarily influence the following: learning and memory, emotional processing, eating, sleep, temperature control, pain control, inflammatory and immune responses and eating.
As far as making it work for you we’re glad to say there are loads of good CBC products available right now, in fact we just happen to have a selection of CBC oils, extracts, edibles, and vape liquids. Just conveniently mentioning that…
Is CBC Legal in the UK?
Yes CBC is totally legal in the UK, enjoy!
The detail: Yes CBC, along with every cannabinoid in the cannabis plant is legal, with the notable exception of THC. THC’s psychoactive properties are what have led to it’s illegal status, but it’s the only known psychoactive cannabinoids in the whole plant.
Is CBC the same as CBD?
From the surface most cannabinoids are a set of very similar compounds which have very similar effects. That’s the surface view but when we drill down we see their differences and how their unique properties can be used in a targeted way for specific effect. CBC binds to slightly different receptors from CBD and because of that it has a significant effect on pain and inflammation which could rival some opioids. Likewise CBG has it’s own unique properties.
In fact you should probably trying to get a few different cannabinoids in at one time to get the most effect. A phenomenon termed ‘the entourage effect’ where combining individuals bits of the plant, or it’s cannabinoids amplified their individual effects.
What are the effects of CBC?
Research into CBC shows that CBC may be useful in the treatment of a variety of health conditions, including:
- Acne: CBC has anti-inflammatory properties and can suppress excessive oil production in the sebaceous glands, which are linked to the development of acne.
- Cancer: CBC is currently being studied by medical researchers for its potential anti-cancer effects. A study found that CBC was the second-most effective cannabinoid at inhibiting the growth of new cancer cells, with CBG being particularly potent. CBC’s efficacy in fighting cancer may be linked to its ability to increase the level of anandamide in the body. Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in various functions such as pain, mood, appetite, memory and fertility. Additionally, CBC has been seen to fight breast cancer in vitro and in vivo, showing promise as a cancer-preventing agent. When combined with THC and CBD, CBC may be an effective adjunct to chemotherapy.
- Depression and Anxiety: The potential of CBC in treating anxiety and depression is noteworthy, particularly when combined with THC and CBD. Studies suggest that CBC and CBG may be even more effective than THC and CBD in treating mental health conditions, however more research is required to validate what’s been reported.
- Neurological Conditions: There is evidence that CBC may have a beneficial impact on brain function. A study conducted in 2013 found that CBC had a positive effect on cells responsible for brain development and is significant for adult learning and memory. Furthermore, the therapeutic properties of CBC make it a potential treatment option for neurological conditions and brain pathologies such as TBI, MS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- Pain and Inflammation: Research indicates that CBC may have potential in managing pain. It has been observed that CBC may desensitise certain channels, and when combined with THC and CBD, it may create a potent anti-inflammatory effect. Additionally, CBC may influence the receptors associated with pain perception and temperature regulation in the body.
Using CBC As a Vape Liquid
Beyond all those effects there’s actually another really cool use. CBC is a liquid at room temperature and that means it can be used to lower the viscosity (make them less runny) of vape carts and other thick concentrates. Its ability to lower viscosity makes it a really great option for mixing with other concentrates like live resin or rosin. CBC is a healthy and safe option too compared to the usual products used for this. Although it is recommended to use a small amount of terpenes for flavour and viscosity CBC can be used in higher concentrations to customise the liquid to your liking. When researching this topic this was a shock for us and we’re really excited to give it a try.
Conclusion
A related question popped up when I was doing research on CBC, ‘is CBC better than CBD?’. If you’re here looking for a verdict on that then the answer is, there isn’t one. CBC has shown to have some brilliant uses and effects, and we can’t wait to see what comes out of the research, but whether it’s better than CBD is up to you, with so many cannabinoids to choose from find the one that works best for you.