What is CBC?
You’ve heard of CBD, but how familiar are you with CBC? Cannabis-based products have never been so popular. In 2019, some 6 million people tried CBD in the UK. Over £300m was spent that year by green tinged consumers.
While most users are taking CBD Oil, there are in fact a wide range of other cannabis compounds. These are known as cannabinoids. This article dives into one of the lesser known compounds, CBC.
So, what is a Cannabinoid?
Before talking about CBC, it’s important to explain the family that CBD, THC and CBC all belong to.
In the cannabis plant, there are a wide variety of different compounds. In each plant, you can find Terpenes, Flavonoids and cannabinoids. The latter is the most important and abundant set of chemicals found within cannabis.
A cannabinoid is a compound, regardless of its source, that connects to receptors in the endocannabinoid system. A cannabinoid can either be man made or cultivated from natural sources.
Estimates on the number of cannabinoids within the plant vary. A commonly stated number is 113, but it is certain that there are at least 100 cannabinoids within the cannabis plant.
As these cannabinoids are located in the plant, they are known as phytocannabinoids.
In Europe, cannabinoids tend to be sourced from the Cannabis Sativa plant. Within Europe, only Cannabis Sativa is allowed to be grown. In contrast, in continents like North America, Indica is cultivated indoors.
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Synthetic – or man made – cannabinoids are illegal as a food supplement, in the UK. This is because they have not been consumed widely previously. So, their safety level is unknown. These cannabinoids are manufactured artificially and are available in other countries like France.
So, to sum up, CBC is a cannabinoid, much like its more famous counterparts: CBD and THC.
Read more about Cannabinoids.
What is Endocannabinoid System?
A major reason for the resurgence in interest in cannabis for medicinal purposes relates to the discovery of a new bodily system in the 1990s. The endocannabinoid system, also known as the ECS, is a network of receptors that run throughout every organ and system – from the brain to the immune system.
Its name strongly indicates its nature and function. Hence these receptors are known as endocannabinoids. The prefix “Endo” means “within” in Greek.
So, these receptors are similar to the cannabinoids found in the plant and are receptive to interacting with them. This creates the possibility that any number of the 113 cannabinoids could interact with the human system.
Whilst CBD and THC are the most commonly talked about, there remain a huge variety of cannabinoids, like CBC.
What is CBC?
Considered one of the “big six” of cannabinoids, CBC is starting to gain some traction within the community. Cannabichromene is created when CBCA (the acidic version of the compound) is exposed to light and heat. Typically, this happens during the extraction process.
Unlike other Cannabinoids, CBC does not bind to CB receptors in the ECS. Instead, it reacts with TPRV receptors, which are involved in detecting changes in temperature and other sensations.
CBC is a non-psychotropic compound, much like CBD. Thus, it is perfectly safe to consume and it is legal in the UK. Similarly, it appears to be well-tolerated and does not produce any notable side effects.
Generally, cannabinoids have good safety profiles, particularly the non-psychotropic ones. The World Health Organisation in 2018 published a report on CBD and noted it had a good safety profile and is well-tolerated.
Where can I get CBC products?
When researching the type of CBD Oil you want to take, it is important to decide whether you want a range of cannabinoids or not. If the entourage effect is important to you, then you want to purchase a Broad Spectrum CBD Oil.
Broad Spectrum Dragonfly CBD Oil is a close reflection of the plant’s natural complexity. Ideal for experienced users, this CBD Oil harnesses the plant’s harmonising entourage of flavonoids, cannabinoids and terpenes.
Try our Broad Spectrum CBD Oil to get your hit of CBD and CBC. Read some fantastic reviews of Dragonfly CBD from our customers. Sign up to our newsletter for educational content and exclusive discounts.