Cannabinoids and terpenes - Page 3

What is CBC?

• Name: Cannabichromene
• Formula: C21H30O2
• IUPAC name: 2-methyl-2- (4-methylpent-3-enyl) -7-pentylchromen-5-ol
• Molecular weight: 314.469 g/mol
• Boiling point: 220 ° C

Although the amount of cannabichromene that's normally found in analysis of modern cannabis flower or resin samples is relatively small, indeed significantly lower than that of THC, or even CBD (in many cases), CBC is still classified as a major phytocannabinoid produced by the cannabis plant, sharing as it does structural similarities with some of the most important cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBN or THCV) and in fact sharing a formula with the much better known THC and CBD.

Cannabichromene was discovered in 1966 by Gaoni and Mechoulam on one hand and almost simultaneously by Claussen on the other, although since then little research has been carried out on this cannabinoid, with THC and CBD being the protagonists of the majority of subsequent studies. However, as we will see below, today there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the tremendous therapeutic potential of this cannabinoid, especially in combination with other compounds in what is often referred to as an ?ensemble? effect.

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Hashish and terpenes

As we already know, terpenes are responsible for the taste and scent of many of the vegetables that produce them. They are a broad class of organic hydrocarbons derived from isoprene (CH2=C(CH3)CH=CH2) which compose the bulk of resins and essential oils of plants, thus providing unique flavours to each individual as a result of terpene combination. They are also called terpenoids when they have undergone an oxidating or molecular re-combination process. As we also know, most cannabis terpenes have properties of great medicinal value.

As the flowering stage progresses, more and more terpenes are secreted inside the trichome heads, so that the terpene profile of the plant changes as it ripens. The same thing happens when drying and curing buds, the process of oxidation and partial decarboxylation to which buds are exposed makes their terpene range to change over time. Some terpenes will degrade faster than others, so the terpene range of the weed - we must remember that we know of more than 100 terpenes in cannabis - will vary unless it is vacuum-sealed and properly stored. This fact explains why the smell and taste of one sample can evolve throughout the drying and curing process.

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The cannabis plant and phytocannabinoids

THC, CBD, CBN, CBC, CBG and approxiamately 80 more molecules make up the phytocannabinoids family, which are found in varying amounts, depending on environmental conditions, andt the marijuana plant. Some cannabinoids are responsible for the main effects of cannabis and others have important medicinal properties, that the scientific community continues to discover every day.

Some cannabinoids are mainly antidepressants, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti emetic, while others may even help protect the nervous system. Actually, we are just beginning to discover the potential of cannabinoids and all their possible applications, mainly in the context of some cancers, as well as other degenerative diseases.

We can classify the cannabinoids into four major groups: natural cannabinoids from plants (phytocannabinoids), natural endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids produced by the human body and securing biological functions), cannabinoids synthesis (potentially dangerous, as there is very little information on its effects), and mimetic or cannabimimetic cannabinoids (naturally occurring molecule or synthetic, replicating the action of cannabinoids on CB1 and / or CB2 receptors).

In this article, we will only discuss the naturally occurring cannabinoids in the marijuana plant, the phytocannabinoids.

Most of the cannabinoids are present in very small amounts (less than 0.01% of total cannabinoids) are not considered psychoactive, and the effect is not significant. Indeed, many are simply homologues or analogues (similar structure or function) of some of the major known cannabinoids.

However, medical research regularly reveals new and surprising discoveries about these cannabinoids present in trace form. Unfortunately, this research and its findings are significantly hampered by the leglisation in many countries.

Different mixtures of cannabinoids and other related molecules (mainly aromatic compounds such as myrcene), largely explain the variations of effects we found between one variety of cannabis and another. The strength of the effect depends mainly on the level of THC, THC / CBD ratio and form of consumption, but this effect can also be modulated in several different ways.

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The genetic diversity of marijuana

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