A growing number of cannabis users are becoming acquainted with cannabichromene (CBC), a cannabinoid that is not yet well-known but which has great potential in the treatment of inflammation. CBC does not induce a high as many users may believe because it is considered a non-psychoactive cannabinoid.
So, in essence, what CBC does rather conveniently is the crude targeting of inflammation, creating a niche where cannabinoids can be used in place of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.
This article will focus on the mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of CBC and the results from all previous investigations of how CBC could be used efficiently and successfully.
How Does CBC Work in the Body?
Cannabis CBC, or cannabichromene, belongs to the group of phytocannabinoids which are present in the Cannabis plants. Though not ideally famed when compared to its counterparts like tetrahydrocannabinol or CBD, CBC is still in its space in its very own right and offers unique features along with potential health benefits.
Some of the CBC receptors include TRPV1 and TRPA1. They are Transient Receptor potential vanilloid 1 and Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1, respectively. These receptors facilitate the swelling and pain sensations that are present in the human body.
According to the general scientific literature that is available, CBC is said to utilize these receptor populations and work towards inflammation and pain relief, although it does not have as strong a binding affinity as THC with cannabinoid receptors such as the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
The compound has also been said to increase the levels of anandamide in the body, which as a molecule, is responsible for psychological and immune response activities. If anandamide is over-produced, then there is a possibility for inflammation to reduce in certain body tissues due to the interference caused by CBC's metabolism.
What Are the New Studies Conducted on Cannabichromene (CBC) for Inflammation?
Although CBC research is still in the development stages compared to these other cannabinoids, studies are emerging that indicate CBC is indeed having significant anti-inflammatory effects. The following are noteworthy points:
Inhibitory Effect of Cannabichromene on Cytokines
A study conducted in 2023 found that CBC was able to inhibit the synthesis of cytokines, which are inflammatory molecules implicated in the exacerbation of inflammation. In this manner, the inhibitory effect of CBC on these cytokines may indeed be possible to reduce the harmful impacts of inflammatory reactions.
Analgesic Effects
The interaction of CBC with the receptors TRPV1 and TRPA1 not only assists in the modulation of inflammatory processes but appears to assist to some extent in the control of pain as well. Pain and inflammation are commonly found together in such events as arthritis or chronic inflammatory disease phases with swelling. Essentially, if celonin is modulated at two receptors, this may help CBC inhibit inflammation and pain at the same time
Synergistic Effects of Cannabinoids
It has also been proposed that inhibition of inflammation by CBC could be enhanced when in combination with other cannabinoids, particularly THC and CBD. This scenario is referred to as “entourage effect,” where cannabinoids are believed to perform better when used together with others. It’s however evident that CBC would offer inflammatory and other related relief in higher levels when used with other cannabinoids.
Gut Health and Inflammation
New research is being conducted regarding the positive effects of CBC on intestine health. Such inflammation in the intestines often leads to diseases such as inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s disease. However, it has been proposed that certain members of CBC could also have a role in downregulating inflammatory processes in the intestines, which would be useful in patients with such chronic diseases.
What Are the Potential Applications of CBC for Inflammatory Conditions?
Given the positive characteristics of CBC in alleviating inflammation, this cannabinoid can be a solution to some health problems. Some of the potential applications may include:
Arthritis
Arthritis is a type of inflammatory disease that is rather common and is seen in many people across the world. It results in pain and swelling around the joint area most times. CBC can be of great help to people suffering from arthritis by reducing the level of inflammation within the joints and tissues of the body. In a way, it is like any other anti-inflammatory drug, such as NSAIDs, except for the fact that it has no side effects.
Chronic Pain Conditions
Health problems like fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and many chronic syndicate pain may often have an inflammatory aspect to them. This would suggest that targeting inflammation and interacting with the pain receptors may provide some additional benefits of chronic pain management treatment using CBC.
Skin Inflammation
CBC derived from Cannabis sativa have been researched and show promise in the treatment of superficial skin diseases with inflammatory processes like acne, psoriasis, eczema. Suitable ointments and creams containing CBC should help the skin by treating flushes, swellings, irritations, and other signs of inflammation and can be incorporated into strategies for restoring the skin with the aim of treating damaged inflamed skins.
Neuroinflammation
Neuroinflammation, Ageing, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease are examples of neurodegenerative diseases that have also been associated with neuroinflammation. However, some studies report CBC is able to alleviate neuroinflammation and suggest that possible neuro-protective qualities could be present in Cannabidiol. This study has importance in the treatment or control of diseases due to aging as well as cognitive dysfunction.
Digestive Inflammation
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are examples of inflammatory diseases of the intestine and extend to all layers of the digestive tract. As mentioned earlier, given CBC’s potential anti-inflammatory effects on the gut, it is worth investigating its use as a treatment for these diseases naturally. Inhibition of inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract could also reduce pain, bloating, and diarrhea associated with digestive inflammation.
How to Use CBC for Inflammation
As a preventive agent, CBC can be taken in the form of oil, tinctures, or capsule. When in a more serious inflammatory condition a topical or an oral CBC may work best. Below are some examples of how to use CBC.
- Oils and tinctures: CBC is great for arthritis patients. It works pretty well with many other inflammatory conditions and gets absorbed in the blood pretty quickly.
- CBC topical applications must be used on swollen areas or joints to relieve pain.
- Patients suffering from chronic conditions, in particular, can utilize capsules as well as tinctures that can help them with taking CBC on a daily basis.
Are There Any Adverse Effects?
In most circumstances, CBC is regarded to be safe with a small number of adverse side effects being reported. As it is non-psychoactive, it will definitely not produce the “high” that THC does, and most individuals tolerate it fairly well. Still, any user must begin at low dosages and observe the body’s responses. In case you have any pre-existing health conditions or are taking other drugs, seek a recommendation from a physician prior to using CBC in your wellness routine.
Conclusion
For those who have an inflammatory condition, CBC is a highly interesting cannabinoid as it has the right features and potential. This means that CBC can be beneficial for arthritis, skin inflammation, neuroinflammation as well as gut inflammation even if these areas are currently at an early stage of research and support.
Although further research is required to clarify the potential of CBC as an anti-inflammatory agent, it most certainly shows promise as a natural anti-inflammatory agent that is non-toxic in nature and avoids traditional medicine.