It bears structural similarity to the other natural cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN), among others.
CBC and its derivatives are as abundant as cannabinols in cannabis.It is not scheduled by the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
Cannabichromene was discovered in 1966 by Gaoni and Mechoulam on one hand and almost simultaneously by Claussen on the other, although since then little research has been carried out on this cannabinoid, with THC and CBD being the protagonists of the majority of subsequent studies.
However, as we will see below, today there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the tremendous therapeutic potential of this cannabinoid, especially in combination with other compounds in what is often referred to as an "ensemble effect of cannabinoids".
Biosynthesis of CBC
Within the Cannabis plant, CBC occurs mainly as cannabichromenic acid (CBCA). Geranyl pyrophosphate and olivetolic acid combine to produce cannabigerolic acid (CBGA the sole intermediate for all other phytocannabinoids), which is cyclized by the enzyme CBCA to form CBCA. Over time, or when heated above 200° F, CBCA is decarboxylated, producing CBC.
Properties and effects of cannabichromene
Although further studies are needed to confirm that, like the rest of cannabinoids, CBC acts on CB1 and CB2 receptors in our nervous system, in this particular case we are aware of the interaction between cannabichromene and TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors, which would explain its multiple medicinal properties and the increase in levels of endocannabinoids in the body, such as anandamide.
Some studies on mice have shown that the administration of THC with CBC modulates the anti-inflammatory activity of the latter, suggesting a strong interaction between these two compounds.
Now let’s take a look at some of the most important medicinal properties of CBC, which can be used as:
-Anti-inflammatory (a greater anti-inflammatory effect has been observed when THC and CBC are administered together, thus being more effective in treating conditions such as edema or inflammations of the intestinal tract)
-Antidepressant (as seen in recent studies, its antidepressant effect is far greater than CBD, although once again it seems that the “entourage effect” achieved by combining several compounds is much more effective than the isolated cannabinoid)
-Antinociceptive (reduction of pain caused by nerve damage)
-Analgesic/Reduction of pain (CBC acts in synergy with THC, so amplifying properties to relieve the pain of both cannabinoids)
-Neuroprotector (a study in mice showed in 2013 that CBC increases the survival rate of progenitor stem cells, increasing neurogenesis)
-Antibacterial and antifungal (as early as the 80’s showed excellent antibacterial properties and moderate antifungal properties)
-Acne (as recently as 2016, the great advantages of CBC to treat this common disease have been analysed, as it reduces both the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands and the effects of arachidonic acid)
-Gastrointestinal and inflammatory disorders (possessing antidiarrheal properties and possibly very useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease)
-It inhibits the absorption of anandamide, an endocannabinoid produced by our body (this has been linked to a reduction in various types of cancer, such as colorectal or breast cancer. It is thought that the indirect action of CBC upo the CB2 receptor could partly explain these properties)
-Migraines (studies for the reduction of migraines with CBC have yielded very promising results)
-Also in a 2013 mouse study, CBC had a positive effect on neural stem progenitor cells (NSPCs), a cell essential to healthy brain function. NSPCs became more viable when in the presence of CBC, and that shows promise because NSPCs differentiate into astroglial cells, the most important cells for maintaining brain homeostasis.
The astroglial cells perform a whole host of functions, including neurotransmitter direction and defending against oxidative stress. Astroglia counteract many of these issues—oxidative stress, inflammation, toxicity—that create neurological diseases and brain pathologies like Alzheimer’s disease.
The Future of CBC
Given the positive results obtained in the early studies into cannabichromene, new research projects are in fact increasingly numerous. Its multiple medicinal properties and its interaction with some of the most important cannabinoids, such as THC, have focused part of the attention of the scientific community on this interesting compound and its role in the so-called entourage or ensemble effect.
Therefore it is not unrealistic to predict that soon we will be able to buy products containing CBC, as well as products with other non-psychoactive cannabinoids useful to treat certain ailments...
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