What Is CBC Cannabinoid? Exploring Rare Cannabinoids Part 3

Whether you’re new to including CBD in your daily routine or are an experienced CBD user, there’s much more to CBD and full spectrum blends than meets the eye. While it might be tempting to choose a single isolate, you’ll enjoy significant benefits from the terpenes and other cannabinoids present in a full spectrum blend.

In our continuing series on lesser known cannabinoids, including CBN (cannabinol) and CBG (cannabigerol), we'll explore another you may not be familiar with — the CBC cannabinoid. While research on this cannabinoid is limited, there is some promising information. In this guide, you’ll discover what CBC is and how it works in your body, along with tips for choosing the best CBC for you.

What is CBC?

While we still have more to learn about cannabichromene (CBC), early research shows it may be one of the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoids found in hemp plants. It may even be more effective than CBD at bringing the body into balance (more on this in a bit).

Most cannabinoids aren’t active until enough heat is applied. This causes a chemical reaction known as decarboxylation, which happens quickly during cooking or smoking. Since CBC cannabinoid doesn’t have any psychoactive effects, you get its benefits without feeling the sensation of being “high.”

So what are the benefits of CBC? Preliminary research suggests cannabichromene has anti-inflammatory properties , could help manage daily stress, and affect bone tissue growth. It also displays antibacterial and anti-viral properties.

Researchers have identified at least 85 different phytocannabinoids present in the hemp plant. Here are just a few of the major cannabinoids you may have read about:

• CBD (cannabidiol)

• CBDA (cannabidiolic acid)

• CBN (cannabinol)

• CBG (cannabigerol)

• CBGA (cannabigerolic acid)

• THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)

• THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid)

• THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin)

• CBCA (cannabichromenic acid)

• CBC (cannabichromene)

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in hemp plants that interact with our endocannabinoid system (or ECS), which influences sleep, memory, appetite, and more. Our ECS is a complex network located all over the human body and functions through cannabinoid receptors and enzymes that metabolize cannabinoids. While there may be more, we know there are two primary receptors: CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are located throughout the body, but the highest concentrations are found in several brain regions, which modulate the psychoactive effects we feel from some cannabinoids. CB2 receptors, on the other hand, aren’t nearly as widespread and are only found in immune cells and some neurons.

CBC appears to stimulate CB2 receptors while having no significant effect on CB1 receptors. Even more, CBC cannabinoid interacts with transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, including TRPA1 and TRPV1. Both TRP channels and the ECS play a role in pain and inflammation.

Fun Fact: We can make our own endocannabinoids. Anandamide (also found in chocolate) can boost mood and act as an antidepressant.

CBC Cannabinoid and Your Body

We touched on CBC’s relationship with cannabinoid receptors, now it’s time to get into more detail on how it may function in the body.

Even though CBC doesn't appear to cause significant activity in CB1 receptors, its effects on TRP channels have piqued researchers' curiosity. Some studies suspect that beyond CBC's anti-inflammatory properties, it may positively impact neurogenesis (the process of how new neurons are formed in the brain).

Protecting brain cell integrity could have far-reaching consequences for severe neural conditions, but more studies are needed to assess its effect on neurodegenerative diseases.

CBC's potential benefits aren't limited to brain health. An article in Experimental Dermatology discovered CBC has the potential to treat skin inflammation such as acne. Until researchers learn more, try a DIY face mask using Populum's Lavender CBD Face Oil. This full spectrum blend with nourishing grape and hemp seed oils will pamper your skin, while lavender essential oil can soothe any irritated area and calm your senses.

Thanks to the benefits people are experiencing with CBD products, the hemp industry is seeing a revolution in the de-stigmatization of hemp. More people are opening up to the idea of hemp products, and laws are changing to allow for more research on the benefits of cannabinoids. We can expect the research on rare cannabinoids to continue improving over time.

Tips for Choosing CBC

When you start shopping for CBD products, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind so you can find the right product for your needs.

• Go Full Spectrum: There are many ways you can start incorporating CBD into your daily routine. Try adding a CBD capsule or two to your vitamin lineup or pampering your muscles post-workout with a CBD rub. Whatever you decide, look for full spectrum CBD blends as isolates only offer the benefit of one specific cannabinoid. At the same time, a full spectrum blend will let you take advantage of CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC's unique properties.

• Experience the Entourage Effect: The benefits of a full spectrum blend don't stop with the range of different cannabinoids they contain. They also include terpenes, which are responsible for giving plants their aroma and color. Terpenes have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may work in tandem with cannabinoids. Known as the entourage effect, this idea proposes the viability and uptake of cannabinoids and terpenes are enhanced by the other, which equates to better benefits for you.

• Third-Party Testing: You can't always be sure what you see on your label is what's inside the bottle. So how do you find out? Choose from companies that pride themselves on transparency and offer lab results verifying the quality of their CBD. Populum's third-party testing will give you information on cannabinoid and terpene profiles, including CBC, so you know what you're getting and how much. Even more, you'll know your CBD is free of mycotoxins, molds, solvents, and more.

While side effects are rare, we recommend starting low and slow with your CBD dose. Your desired outcome, previous experience with CBD, and unique body chemistry all influence how your body will respond. See how you feel before making any adjustments. Over time you may need more or less and can adjust accordingly.

Should You Include CBC Cannabinoid in Your Daily Routine?

CBC is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp plants that may positively affect the human body. Still, more research is required to establish the extent of its impact.

Until we learn more, you can take advantage of CBC and other cannabinoids in full spectrum CBD blends. Remember, all of Populum's CBD products come with a lab report, including full cannabinoid and terpene profiles. You'll be able to see which cannabinoids are in your tincture, capsule, or rub, giving you peace of mind in knowing what you're putting in your body or on your skin.

Get creative in the kitchen by adding CBD oil to your favorite beverages to make custom CBD drinks, or keep it simple and by holding a few drops under your tongue. However you choose to use CBD, a full spectrum blend will give you a broader scope of what cannabinoids and terpenes have to offer.

Disclaimer: For now, studies are at a very early stage. They have mostly been conducted on animals, so we can't make any conclusions on either short- or long- term implications with humans. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products or ingredients mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a physician if you have a serious medical condition or use prescription medications.