Cannabis enthusiasts are well aware of the two most abundant compounds of the cannabis plant, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
These two phytocannabinoids have gained popularity due to their medicinal value. Therefore scientists have thoroughly researched CBD and THC.
But there are hundreds of other compounds present in the cannabis plant that continue to show potential benefits in the field of medicine.
Although there is limited research, some other compounds, such as cannabichromene (CBC), offer many benefits when you use it topically. This compound is particularly helpful in treating neuropathic pain.
Since CBC has properties similar to CBD, this cannabinoid compound has the potential to offer pain relief, neuroprotection, and various other benefits. You can read below to learn everything about this non-psychoactive cannabinoid and how to benefit from it.
What Is Cannabichromene(CBC)?
Cannabichromene, popularly called CBC in the cannabis industry, is a legal cannabinoid. Researchers derived this non-psychoactive compound from the hemp plant. It is a phytocannabinoid that naturally develops in the plant.
Recently, hemp cultivators and the cannabis industry have seen a rise in demand for CBC tinctures and oils due to their pain-relieving properties.
CBC is also an integral part of many pain-reducing tinctures and oils. But what exactly does it do, and is CBC oil safe?
Mechanism of CBC
Have you heard about the endocannabinoid system of neurotransmitters?
This system consists of cannabinoid receptors that line your central nervous system. When cannabinoids such as CBD and CBC stimulate your endocannabinoid system, they help regulate homeostasis, appetite, and mood.
While CBC seems to have poor efficacy on your cannabinoid receptors because of its low functional activity on CB1 and CB2 receptors, it still produces a physiologic receptor response.
Thus, it works differently compared to CBC and THC, but it supports your body’s natural endocannabinoids by stimulating pain and inflammation receptors.
Here is an example for you to better understand the mechanism of CBC in your body. When you eat chilli peppers, you instantly experience the sensation of heat in your mouth.
It happens because chilli peppers have compound capsaicin that interacts with your body’s TRPV1 receptor and activates it, which produces the heat sensation in your mouth.
Similarly, CBC interacts with the receptor sites of endocannabinoids and stimulates your pain and inflammation receptors.
Medicinal Potential of CBC oil
Since CBC does not bind with the CB1 receptor in your brain, it does not produce the high associated with THC. This is precisely why CBC is a non-intoxicating compound. But since it binds with other receptors in your body, it can alter pain perception.
Moreover, your body has various mood-altering endocannabinoids such as Anandamide. CBC increases your body’s Anandamide uptake, keeping it in the bloodstream for longer.
As a result, it alleviates your mood because Anandamide is a bliss molecule that is a natural antidepressant present in your body.
Due to these properties, CBC oil continues to show safe therapeutic benefits such as reducing pain, inflammation, and alleviating mood.
CBC Products
CBC being a remarkable cannabinoid, matches the potential of CBD. Thus it has similar products such as CBC oils, tinctures, and topicals.
The increase in demand for CBC has also opened the gateway to producing more CBC products such as CBC chocolate bars and skincare formulations. However, CBC oil is the most popular product due to its variety of uses.
CBC Oil
Full-spectrum CBC extracts of hemp plants have to contain less than 0.3% THC for it to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
So 0.3% is a minimal amount of THC that does not produce a psychoactive effect on consumers. Thus it is suitable to use for medicinal purposes.
CBC oils are often infused with aromatic compounds and terpenes that boost their efficacy. You can use CBC oil in a number of ways.
Tinctures
The most common method of consuming CBC is using a tincture. However, you can take CBC oil sublingually as it directly passes into your bloodstream via the sublingual glands present under your tongue.
For maximum absorption, you should try to hold the oil for a little longer under your tongue. The tinctures have an immediate effect on you.
Edibles
You can also consume CBC oil in edibles or add it to your favorite beverages. This will not only help mask the flavor of the oil but also make the effects last longer. It takes a little longer to work because your body has to metabolize it. But the results are prolonged.
Topical Application
Lathering your skin with CBC oil is another popular method of using it. You can also mix CBC oil with other topicals and apply it to your skin.
If you wish to seek relief from pain, topical application on the affected area can help reduce inflammation and pain.
Benefits of CBC Oil
CBC has similar properties to CBD. Thus it offers similar benefits to CBD. Here are the various benefits of CBC and how it helps your body cope with pain.
CBC for Pain & Inflammation
CBC as a cannabinoid interacts with TRPV1 receptor sites, playing a significant role in your body’s pain perception. In addition, TRPV1 receptors are found in many other cells of your body, such as nerve cells.
Thus, they alter inflammation and pain perception.
A study tested CBC for inflammation. It proved to be as effective as phenylbutazone (PBZ), an anti-inflammatory drug. However, CBC is mild, and you have to take larger doses for maximum therapeutic effects.
It also promotes the reduction of some inflammatory substances in the body, significantly reducing moderate pain.
Moreover, an inflammatory flare-up can also be treated with CBC oil and tinctures. Thus one of the best CBC oil benefits is pain reduction and reduced inflammation.
CBC for Mood
Your body’s endocannabinoid system is responsible for producing endogenous cannabinoids. As discussed above, Anandamide is one important endogenous cannabinoid that alters mood.
This molecule is responsible for generating the sensation of motivation and pleasure. Unfortunately, when our endocannabinoid system fails to function correctly, it results in low levels of Anandamide which makes you gloomy.
Consuming CBC oil can help boost anandamide levels in your bloodstream and help alleviate your mood.
Thus CBC oil benefits include boosting your mood by altering the Anandamide production in your body.
Do you ever wonder why chocolates are considered mood boosters? This is because chocolates contain substances that can stimulate your serotonin receptors. Similarly, CBC also interacts with your body’s receptors, altering your mood.
But is CBC oil safe to use as a mood booster?
This non-intoxicating compound can alleviate your mood without causing any poisoning in your body. Therefore, it is entirely safe to use CBC oil or CBC capsules to help make your mood better.
Neuroprotection and CBC
CBC can stimulate the production of more neurons in the crucial parts of your brain. Thus, its neuroprotective properties can help prevent some types of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Prolonged use of CBC can help minimize the risk of diseases that cause memory loss in adults.
According to a study, CBC promotes the stimulation of neural stem progenitor cells that can prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, CBC has incredible potential in improving neurological health.
CBC for Skin
Many skin conditions such as acne and skin rash can cause discomfort and pain. Like CBD, CBC oil benefits include lowering acne inflammation and pain associated with pimples.
In addition, the topical application of CBC oil is highly beneficial for soothing inflammation present under the skin or around an infected pimple. Moreover, CBC oil benefits also include lowering sebum production.
If you have an oily skin type, topical application of CBC oil will help reduce natural sebum production.
As a result, you will have fewer clogged pores. In addition, this will minimize acne bumps that form due to excess sebum.
You can also choose CBD and CBC infused creams or tinctures for maximum absorption in the skin.
CBC and the Entourage Effect
Have you heard about the entourage effect? When you consume cannabinoids in combination, they work better together and create the entourage effect.
This means that using CBC in combination with CBD and THC will make a potent formula.
Many scientists use behavioral tests to check the efficacy of cannabinoids on endocannabinoid receptors. They treat rodents with a variety of cannabinoids.
Scientists cover the four areas: hypothermia, catalepsy, hyperlocomotion, and analgesia. CBC proves to show therapeutic effects without involving CB1 and CB2 receptors.
These therapeutic effects are amplified when you use CBC in combination with THC because the rats that took THC and CBC performed better as compared to rats that only took CBC or only THC.
This proves the synergy of CBD with CBC and various other terpenes.
Is CBC Oil Safe?
CBC is generally safe for you to use. The efficacy and strength of CBC depend on your dosage and the way your body metabolizes it. There isn’t a fixed CBC concentration as it affects every person differently.
Thus you need to start with a minimal concentration of CBC and gradually increase your CBC intake over time to find out what suits you best.
However, CBC is generally non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive. Therefore, it is safe to consume in the form of oils and tinctures. Moreover, it isn’t addictive like THC.
But since most hemp-derived cannabinoids react similarly, researchers use their information regarding CBD and THC to estimate the safety of CBC products.
Like CBD, CBC is safe to use as the body tolerates it well. This compound also has a few side effects only with rare cases of adverse reactions.
Safe CBC oil Dosage
There is little scientific evidence regarding the safe dosage of CBC. Some factors such as age, metabolism, gender, weight, and health conditions determine how effectively CBC works for a person.
Therefore, you must start with a minimal dosage of cannabichromene and gradually increase intake to reach an appropriate range of dose.
Always remember to read the product label to have maximum information about the product’s concentration.
Also, follow the relevant directions or consult a healthcare provider before consuming any form of cannabinoids.
If you have any underlying issues, we suggest that you consult your doctor before consuming CBC, as you must take an appropriate dose in such cases.
An optimal dose depends on the strength of the product that you use. For example, you only need to take a minimal dosage for CBC oil.
But if you use CBC isolate, you may need a higher dose as isolates do not have terpenes or other cannabinoids that can increase the efficacy of CBC.
Besides this, when you mix CBC products with CBD, it produces a more substantial effect. This is why you should always test what works best for you and adjust your dose accordingly.
CBC Side Effects
There are various side-effects of smoking Marijuana, such as anxiety, hallucinations, and short-term memory loss. But using other cannabinoids for medicinal purposes has proved beneficial and safe because they contain less than 0.3% THC.
Moreover, the benefits of CBC outweigh the risks of many OTC medicines. However, there are some dangers of using CBC as there always is a chance of adverse reaction.
Most people do not experience any side effects when they use the recommended dosage. However, larger doses could result in nausea and dizziness.
Here are some possible side effects of CBC.
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Faster heart rate
- Slower heart rate
- Fatigue
- Low blood pressure
How to Shop for CBC?
When shopping for CBC oil, you should be mindful of the purity and quality of the product you choose. Whether you want a CBC oil or a tincture, you must pay attention to the ingredients label.
The product must be human grade as CBD and CBC oils and tinctures are also available for pets. They tend to have funky flavors like chicken or salmon.
It would be best to always look for CBC isolate and similar full-spectrum products. Some CBC oils also have CBD to enhance the efficacy of the product.
When you shop for CBC oil, your topmost priority should always be quality. Thankfully, all the products available at Direct CBD Online uphold high standards.
So if the quality of the product is good, you can consume it safely!
The best part about CBC oil products is that they are safe, and everyone can efficiently metabolize them. Moreover, you do not become chemically dependent on CBC, which makes it safer to use on a regular basis.
CBC vs. CBD: What’s the Difference?
While CBD and CBC have similar properties and offer the same benefits, a range of factors make them different.
CBD is widely researched for its neurological benefits, while CBC lacks research. However, CBC continues to show magnificent pain-relieving properties.
CBC also interacts with TRPV1 receptors. Due to this, it helps with neuropathic pain, which makes it more effective for inflammatory pain relief as compared to CBD.
There is still ongoing research about CBC, which scientists have yet to discover more about this compound. This means that it could offer us many more benefits once we learn more about it.
Regardless of the many differences, it is crucial to note that CBC and CBC have many in common.
Moreover, if you use them in combination, it boosts their efficacy. Thus, using these two cannabinoids in combination could help treat chronic pain, inflammation, joint aches, and various skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.
Is CBC Worth Trying?
Out of the one hundred cannabinoids, six have been researched well. CBC is amongst them. With the recent hype around CBC, more and more products are coming into the market.
We expect CBC gummies to take over the shelves in the coming years. But is it worth trying?
It will be easier for you to pick something that suits you best when more products hit the market. However, since this compound offers innumerable benefits, it is worth trying. Moreover, you may eventually formulate a supplement that delivers more therapeutic benefits.
Overall, CBC products are deemed safe, and they are an excellent addition to your health plan as their prolonged use can help prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
Just make sure that the products you use are lab tested and approved by the FDA, as you should not risk your safety. Moreover, medicinal CBC oil is legal, so you are safe to enjoy it!
Final Thoughts
Although there is limited research regarding CBC, the current findings have deemed it a safe compound. Thus, you can easily benefit from this compound as it has similar properties to CBD.
CBC can efficiently treat mood disorders, pain, and inflammation similar to CBD. With more research regarding the recommended dosage of CBC, we may even find out how higher doses could help treat more health conditions.
However, there are many brands available in the market. This is why you should do your research before you buy CBC products. In addition, many vendors are unregulated and continue to sell such products.
So you must look into third-party lab reports and customer feedback. In addition, if you are allergic to certain medications, you must consult your doctor before incorporating CBC in your daily health plan.