Cannabichromene Facts
Cannabinoid;
Description
CBC (cannabichromene) is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid of the benzopyran class. It acts on pain-sensing nerve fibers and enhances inhibitory brain signaling,[1][2] without engaging the receptor pathway responsible for cannabis intoxication.[3][4]
Subjective effects include, based on animal models only, analgesia, reduced inflammation, and anti-seizure action — whether any of these produce a noticeable human experience remains genuinely unknown. CBC does not cause intoxication or altered consciousness; it produces none of the high associated with cannabis.[3][4]
No dependence or withdrawal has been documented, consistent with CBC's negligible activity at the receptor pathway that drives cannabis addiction. The dominant risk is co-administration with sedative drugs — alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids — which CBC amplifies through direct pharmacological action.[5]
Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies
Starts in 30 – 90 minLasts 4 – 8 hours
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- Low
- Chronic toxicity
- Low
- Physical dependence
- None
- Psychological dependence
- None
- Withdrawal
- None recorded
- Compulsive redosing
- Negligible
Tolerance
- Builds
- None
- Fully resets after
- Not recorded
Who shouldn't take it
Combinations60 recorded
Seek help immediately if
Natural cannabis rarely causes a medical emergency — "greening out" is: pale/sweaty skin, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, anxiety or panic, rapid heartbeat, feeling faint — and usually passes with rest.
Seek emergency help for these — far more likely with synthetic cannabinoids ("spice" / K2):
- Seizures
- Severe chest pain; very fast or irregular heartbeat
- Unresponsiveness or extreme drowsiness
- Severe agitation, aggression, or psychosis
- Repeated vomiting; difficulty breathing
What to do
- Sit or lie them down somewhere calm, cool, and quiet
- Reassure them — cannabis panic and "greening out" pass with time
- Offer sips of water; a little sugar can help if they feel faint
- Recovery position if nauseated, drowsy, or vomiting
- Stay with them and monitor
- For seizures, chest pain, unresponsiveness, or severe agitation, call emergency services
Natural cannabis "greening out" resolves with rest, calm, and time, with no lasting harm. Synthetic cannabinoids are unpredictable and can cause seizures, cardiac events, kidney injury, and severe agitation that needs emergency care.
988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE
References
- [1]^De Petrocellis L, Ligresti A, Moriello AS, et al. (2011) Effects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-enriched Cannabis extracts on TRP channels and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes — British Journal of Pharmacology doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01166.x
- [2]^Wang Z, Zheng H, Yang H, et al. (2024) Cannabichromene from full-spectrum hemp extract exerts acute anti-seizure effects through allosteric activation of GABAA receptors. — Fundamental research doi:10.1016/j.fmre.2023.05.023
- [3]^abQueiroz CM, de Oliveira Koren L, da Silva CRP, Ribeiro S, Silva SRB (2025) Chemical diversity, receptor binding affinity, and pharmacology of phytocannabinoids: Insights into neuronal mechanisms. — Progress in Brain Research doi:10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.07.006
- [4]^abWiley JL, Marusich JA, Blough BE, et al. (2024) Evaluation of cannabimimetic effects of selected minor cannabinoids and Terpenoids in mice. — Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.110984
- [5]^Kapeghian JC, Jones AB, Murphy JC, Elsohly MA, Turner CE (1983) Effect of cannabichromene on hepatic microsomal enzyme activity in the mouse — General Pharmacology doi:10.1016/0306-3623(83)90007-3