Nearly 7% of Americans are using CBD and this figure is projected to grow exponentially in the next few years. The cannabinoid is attractive for its potential therapeutic benefits and non-psychoactive compounds.
But recently there have been trends towards discovering and exploring the benefits of other cannabinoids present in cannabis and hemp plants. One of the newest players on the scene is cannabichromene (CBC).
Research on CBC is still in its infancy so it’s understandable if you’ve never heard of it, or you’re confused about what exactly the differences are between CBD and CBC.
Keep reading for a complete guide on these two cannabinoids, the differences, benefits, and how to use them.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) has become a household name and for a long time was the only non-intoxicating cannabinoid that anyone knew about. Nowadays it is a popular healthcare product, used as alternative treatments and popping up in health drinks and food.
CBD is one of the two main compounds of the cannabis plant — the other being THC. It’s a naturally occurring substance that is non-psychoactive, unlike THC.
Recently, research on the benefits of CBD has boomed and the cannabinoid shows promise in treating anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain among other ailments.
CBD products are plentiful. Ranging from vape juices to full-spectrum oils, edibles, and smokable plants. There are CBD-infused drinks, chocolate, and skin products. The CBD industry is booming and is expected to grow even more.
What Is CBC?
Cannabichromene (CBC) is a newcomer in the cannabinoid market and for a long time has been overlooked in favor of CBD and CBG (cannabigerol). Similar to CBD and CBG, CBC is non-psychoactive, and consuming it will not cause the user to feel intoxicated or ‘high.’
There are currently no cannabis Sativa plants that contain concentrations of CBC, so the cannabinoid has to be extracted via cannabigerolic acid, which is a stem cell compound (CBGA).
However, if CBC shows promising therapeutic results, this can change quickly with genetic modification of cannabis plants, as was done to create high CBD strains.
At the moment, CBC products are few and far between. Unlike CBD, it will be more difficult to source CBC-infused or isolate products.
CBD and CBC Differences
CBC and CBD have different chemical structures and, therefore, have widely different effects on our bodies. You can check MrHempFlower for high-quality hemp CBD products.
CBD works by targeting our endocannabinoid system which is a complex biological system that impacts the major processes in our bodies. This system comprises three components: enzymes, endocannabinoids, and receptors. The understanding of CBD is that it influences the receptors of the endocannabinoid system.
By impacting these receptors and interacting with neurotransmitters, CBD may help to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and improve mood.
There is much less research available on how CBC works in the human body compared to CBD. However, one distinct difference is that CBC seems to interact more with the nervous system’s TRPV1 receptors. CBD also reacts with this receptor, however, CBD reacts in equal measure with TRPV1 and 5-HT1A receptors.
What this means is that CBC may prove to be more effective at treating and managing inflammation and associated pain. And CBC may be more useful for treating neuropathic pain.
CBC and CBD Oil Benefits
It’s difficult to give a thorough comparison of the benefits of CBD and CBC oil, as CBD is well-researched and a common product on our shelves. On the other hand, research is only just beginning with CBC.
CBC isolate is the cannabinoid in its purest form. While CBC may prove effective in isolation, the best way to consume it would be in a mixture with other cannabinoids such as CBD.
If you’re wondering how to use CBC isolate, you can experiment with creating CBC products or infusing CBC into other cannabinoid products for a real boost of benefits.
CBC benefits, while still undergoing research, may include:
- Improving mood
- Reducing aches and inflammatory pain
- Rejuvenating skin
- Antibachterial effects
- Stimulate brain growth
- Improves cognitive function
- Analgesic benefits
CBD and its benefits, on the other hand, are very well researched. While we still don’t fully understand how CBD’s relationship with the endocannabinoid system, there are great benefits and early research to back it up.
CBD oil benefits may include:
- Relieve chronic pain
- Relieve arthritis or joint pain
- Reduce anxiety and depression
- Alleviate cancer-related symptoms
- Reduce acne
- Neuroprotective properties
- Benefits heart health
- Anti-tumor effects
- Aids in sleep and insomnia treatment
- Treatment of PTSD
- Alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis
- Treatment of migraines and headaches
Keep in mind that research is still in the baby phases for cannabinoid benefits. As there are no psychoactive properties or nasty side effects of either CBC or CBD, the best way to learn about their potential benefits is to experiment with using the two cannabinoids.
CBC and CBD Vape Juice
Vaping CBD is quickly becoming a popular method of consuming the cannabinoid. Vaping is touted as a healthier method of inhaling CBD products and is an efficient way to consume CBD. By vaping CBD, your body the bioavailability is much higher than smoking or orally consuming the cannabinoid.
CBD vape juice is a fantastic method of consuming CBD for pain and anxiety symptoms.
As CBC is new on the market, there are not many isolated CBC vape juices available. However, there are CBD vape juices infused with CBC that combine the potential benefits of both cannabinoids.
Experimenting with CBD and CBC
Perhaps you’ve already tried consuming CBD and you’re interested in experimenting with CBC. Or, maybe the two cannabinoids are completely new to you.
Choosing a high-quality CBD oil or CBC isolate is the best way to test out what the potential benefits may be for you. As the research on CBC is in the baby stages, it’s best to find a product that combines both CBD and CBC.
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