All About Cannabichromene (CBC)
In the world of phytocannabinoids, THC and CBD tend to get most of the attention from cannabis consumers. In analysis laboratories, however, other phytocannabinoids are of equal importance, including a particularly abundant compound known as Cannabichromene.
Cannabichromene is somewhat unique as far as phytocannabinoids go, and offers a potential set of therapeutic benefits all its own. This guide reviews what we know about Cannabichromene, an abundant minor phytocannabinoid that is seldom in the spotlight.
In this blog, you will learn:
What is Cannabichromene and how CBC works
Why consumers may want cannabis products that contain CBC
How labs test for Cannabichromene potency
What is Cannabichromene (CBC)?
Cannabichromene, sometimes abbreviated as CBC, is one of the most abundant non-intoxicating cannabinoids found in cannabis. Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) is also one of the first three phytocannabinoid lines to develop in the cannabis plant, converting from CBGA into CBCA along with THCA and CBDA.
Discovered in 1966 by renowned cannabis researchers Raphael Mechoulam and Yechiel Gaoni, Cannabichromene is unique from other cannabinoids in that it shows little to no interaction with the cannabinoid receptors of the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS). Despite this, Cannabichromene appears to offer a range of potential therapeutic impacts that make it an important compound in any broad or full spectrum cannabis product.
How does Cannabichromene work?
Although CBC does not produce the type of psychotropic effects that cannabinoids like THC do, it has shown therapeutic potential in animal studies. But if it does not really interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors found in the ECS, how does Cannabichromene work?
Instead of interacting with the cannabinoid receptors directly, Cannabichromene may inhibit uptake of anandamide. Anandamide is an endogenous cannabinoid made naturally by the body that is responsible for regulating a variety of processes, from appetite to mood. If initial observations that CBC inhibits the uptake of anandamide are in fact accurate, Cannabichromene could potentially indirectly influence the ECS and its functions tied to anandamide uptake.
Some research suggests that Cannabichromene has anti-inflammatory potential, as shown in animal models. Interestingly, this was linked not to Cannabichromene’s interaction with cannabinoid receptors, but instead its interaction with transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels, particularly TRPA1, TRPV1-4, and TRPV8.
This affinity for the TRP cation channels may also lend Cannabichromene to gastrointestinal applications, as functions like gut motility are linked not only to the TRP cation channel but also endocannabinoids like anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).
Additionally, Cannabichromene may offer pain relief due to its ability to modulate nociception, or the sensation of pain. Its nociceptive qualities are also mediated via the TRP cation channels, specifically TRPV1 and TRPA1. THC is also effective at relieving pain related to a wide range of conditions, and researchers suspect that CBC may be able to enhance those characteristics via the entourage effect when introduced in combination with THC.
How do labs test for Cannabichromene potency?
To determine the levels of Cannabichromene during phytocannabinoid profiling, analytical laboratories must conduct potency testing. This is generally performed using a process known as High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), which involves the use of a solvent to draw out the phytocannabinoids contained within the sample.
The resulting mixture is then passed through a solid matrix, separating individual compounds from one another based on their differing masses. Using ultraviolet (UV) light, analysts identify each individual compound and quantify them as they degrade and convert.
Cannabichromene: The less known major cannabinoid
Cannabichromene may not have shared the spotlight with its cousins THC and CBD, but it remains a crucial compound in cannabis and one of the most abundant. Its unique mechanism of action and affinity for the TRP cation channel also means it offers unique benefits that could be particularly effective for certain consumers.
Let your customers know that Cannabichromene has not gone ignored in your cannabis products. At True Labs for Cannabis, we can provide full phytocannabinoid profiling services along with a suite of other important cannabis testing services. Let your customers know exactly what they are getting when they buy your products, and put your quality on display in New Jersey’s developing adult use cannabis market.