What Is Cannabichromene (CBC)? And What Can This Cannabinoid Do?

Did you know that CBC is one of the “big six” cannabinoids found in cannabis? When you’re recognized as one of the “big” anything, it’s a pretty big deal. And with CBC, it’s no different.

Cannabichromene or CBC is a major cannabinoid, right alongside THC, CBD, and a few others. Although discovered in the 1960s, the illegal nature of cannabis created a huge barrier to scientific research. However, industrial hemp became legal in the U.S. in 2018, so there’s much greater access to research now.

In this article, we’ll share some of the biggest highlights of CBC research, explain how it works to create internal balance, and how to source high-quality products.

How Does CBC Work in the Body?

Like any botanical that brings us relief and healing, it does so through its interaction with our body. The specific way cannabinoids work in the body is fascinating. Based on scientific evidence, CBC has a direct influence on the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

This system is a collection of enzymes, receptors (CB1 and CB2), and endocannabinoids. Its job is to restore balance to our cells, organs, and systems when they’re not able to self-regulate. Without a doubt, the ECS is critical in keeping us alive and well.

So, what’s the point?

The point is we need to do our best to help our endocannabinoid system function optimally. One way to do this is through CBC supplementation.

You see, when we consume CBC it tells our body to produce anandamide. “Ananda” derives from the Sanskrit word and roughly translates to bliss.

As such, you may hear anandamide referred to as the “bliss molecule” and we feel it deserves this title. Not only is anandamide a mood enhancer and pain reliever, but it’s also a major piece of the ECS. More specifically, it’s one of the two endocannabinoids that make up this system.

The body releases anandamide on its own, but it doesn’t stay in our system very long. However, CBC has the unique ability to produce anandamide and keep it in our systems for longer periods of time. There’s great value in this, which we’ll get into soon.

In addition, the molecule actually binds to our CB1 and CB2 receptors, thereby enhancing the ECS and helping it carry out its job better. Sounds pretty great, right? How about we decipher all this scientific talk into more digestible pieces.

Therapeutic Potential of CBC

Now that you know how CBC works in the body, it’s time to discuss the potential health and wellness benefits it can provide. Here are some of the ways this major cannabinoid can assist the body in self-healing.

  • Enhance mood
  • Reduce our response to fear and therefore decrease anxiety
  • Stimulate appetite
  • Lower our response to pain
  • Improve brain function and memory

Is CBC Better Than CBD?

These two cannabinoids have a lot of similar health-related properties. As you might already know, CBD is well regarded for its anxiolytic properties, its ability to reduce inflammation, and assist in a good night’s rest. And we just shared what CBC is capable of. Both have wonderful properties, making it hard to say if one is better than the other.

However, science does tell us that each of these compounds works in different ways. For instance, CBD doesn’t have a binding affinity to the CB1 or CB2 receptors in the ECS. However, it does have an indirect influence on this system, which is how it produces effects.

CBC doesn’t have a binding affinity either but it does encourage the release of anandamide. As we mentioned earlier, this molecule makes up a critical part of the ECS and promotes cellular balance.

The hope is that one day, we’ll see studies comparing CBD and CBC side by side, to see if one outweighs the other in terms of its therapeutic promise. But, for now, there’s strong enough evidence to suggest that taking cannabinoids together, CBC, CBD, THC, CBG, and so forth, can bring on the most potent set of effects.

One example of this relates to the combination of THC and CBC. A study shows that taking these cannabinoids together produces stronger anti-inflammatory effects compared to taking one or the other.

Is CBC Legal?

Thankfully, yes. CBC is legal under U.S. federal law when sourced from industrial hemp. A hemp-derived product with CBC remains legal as long as the Delta-9 THC content in that product is less than 0.3%.

How to Buy High-Quality CBC Products

Since this cannabinoid is still up and coming, it’s difficult to find 100% pure CBC products. It’s a lot more common to find a full-spectrum CBD product that contains CBC. This could include oils, flower, capsules, and gummies. So, you still have a number of ways to experience this cannabinoid.

As with any health-related product you’re planning to buy, it’s essential to choose a brand that makes the highest quality products. A few simple tips can go a long way in ensuring you get a fantastic product.

  • Find out the source of hemp: The first helpful step to increase buyer confidence, is to confirm where the company sources its hemp. This information will generally be posted on the company’s website, but if not reach out to them and ask. Hemp that’s grown in the United States such as Oregon, Colorado, Kentucky, and other states is well-known for its quality. The reason being, each farmer who wants to grow industrial hemp must apply for a license. And the state Department of Agriculture is the governing body that oversees all hemp growers. The regulations and processes are in place for consumer safety. In other words, a full-spectrum product extracted from U.S. hemp has a solid foundation.
  • Verify the full-spectrum label: The best way to assure you’re getting a full-spectrum product is to read the Certificate of Analysis (COA). This report consists of a cannabinoid profile and terpene profile that will show you if the product contains full-spectrum hemp extract. It will also tell you the percentage of CBC, CBD, THC, and all other cannabinoids present. Also, the terpene report is important too because these molecules have therapeutic properties and enhance the overall effects of a product.
  • Check for contaminants: The COA will also show the results of contaminant testing (if the company pays for this). These tests include checking for pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, mycotoxins, microbials, and foreign matter. If you see “pass” or “ND” for non-detectable that’s great, because that means the product is free of these harmful toxins.

If you take these tips into consideration, you’ll end up with a high-quality product that you can feel good about.