Compound Monograph
Cannabichromene
Cannabichromene (CBC) is a non-intoxicating minor cannabinoid that works mainly through TRP ion channels rather than the CB1 receptor — with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant-like signals seen only in preclinical studies.
Where Does It Come From? (1)
Cannabichromene is a naturally occurring phytocannabinoid, found in Cannabis. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Pharmacology & Research
Cannabichromene is one of the more abundant of the minor cannabinoids, and non-intoxicating. What makes it interesting pharmacologically is that it largely bypasses the classical CB1 receptor and works instead through the TRP ion channels — it is one of the most potent phytocannabinoid agonists of TRPA1 (EC50 ≈ 90 nM), and also activates TRPV3 and TRPV4 1Reference 1In vitroEffects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-enriched Cannabis extracts on TRP channels and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes — in vitroView study →. Through those and other non-CB targets it shows analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant-like and pro-neurogenic signals — all in animal or cell studies only. It’s also a common example of a compound cited to support the “entourage” idea that minor cannabinoids shape whole-plant effects.
- Preclinical signals: boosts descending pain-inhibition pathways in rats 2Reference 2AnimalNon-psychoactive cannabinoids modulate the descending pathway of antinociception in anaesthetized rats through several mechanisms of action — rat modelView study →; antidepressant-like effects in mouse behavioural tests 3Reference 3AnimalAntidepressant-like effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa L. — mouse behavioural modelView study →; supports adult neural stem/progenitor cells in culture 4Reference 4In vitroThe effect of cannabichromene on adult neural stem/progenitor cells — in vitroView study →.
- Distinctive mechanism: a potent TRPA1 agonist (plus TRPV3/TRPV4), with only weak CB1 activity 1Reference 1In vitroEffects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-enriched Cannabis extracts on TRP channels and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes — in vitroView study →.
- The honest headline: no human trials — CBC’s effects are entirely animal- and cell-level so far.
0. Evidence by application
Support is an experimental score — weighted by study type (human > animal > in vitro) and volume. A beta, not a validated metric. For CBC every entry is animal/in-vitro, so scores stay low by design. Each application links to its write-up.
| Application | Support | Rests on |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic & anti-inflammatory | ████░░░░░░ 40% | Rat antinociception + potent TRPA1 agonism in vitro 1,2Reference 1In vitroEffects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-enriched Cannabis extracts on TRP channels and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes — in vitroView study →Reference 2AnimalNon-psychoactive cannabinoids modulate the descending pathway of antinociception in anaesthetized rats through several mechanisms of action — rat modelView study → |
| Antidepressant-like | ███░░░░░░░ 34% | Mouse forced-swim / tail-suspension tests 3Reference 3AnimalAntidepressant-like effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa L. — mouse behavioural modelView study → |
| Neural stem/progenitor support | ███░░░░░░░ 26% | In-vitro mouse neural stem-cell study 4Reference 4In vitroThe effect of cannabichromene on adult neural stem/progenitor cells — in vitroView study → |
1. Analgesic & anti-inflammatory
In anaesthetised rats, CBC (like CBD) enhanced the brain’s descending antinociceptive pathway, producing analgesia through several non-CB1/CB2 mechanisms including TRPA1 and adenosine signalling 2Reference 2AnimalNon-psychoactive cannabinoids modulate the descending pathway of antinociception in anaesthetized rats through several mechanisms of action — rat modelView study →. Its potent agonism of TRPA1 — a channel central to pain and inflammation — is the mechanistic anchor for this activity 1Reference 1In vitroEffects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-enriched Cannabis extracts on TRP channels and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes — in vitroView study →.
Gap: animal and in-vitro only; no human analgesia data, and TRPA1 agonism can be pro- or anti-nociceptive depending on context 1,2Reference 1In vitroEffects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-enriched Cannabis extracts on TRP channels and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes — in vitroView study →Reference 2AnimalNon-psychoactive cannabinoids modulate the descending pathway of antinociception in anaesthetized rats through several mechanisms of action — rat modelView study →.
2. Antidepressant-like
In a mouse study screening cannabinoids in the forced-swim and tail-suspension tests, CBC produced a significant antidepressant-like reduction in immobility, alongside THC and CBG 3Reference 3AnimalAntidepressant-like effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa L. — mouse behavioural modelView study →.
Gap: rodent behavioural screens of debated predictive value; no human mood data 3Reference 3AnimalAntidepressant-like effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa L. — mouse behavioural modelView study →.
3. Neural stem/progenitor support
In cultured adult mouse neural stem/progenitor cells, CBC raised cell viability during differentiation through an ERK-dependent mechanism and shifted differentiation away from astroglia 4Reference 4In vitroThe effect of cannabichromene on adult neural stem/progenitor cells — in vitroView study → — an early, exploratory hint at a neurogenesis-related role.
Gap: a single in-vitro study; no in-vivo or human follow-through 4Reference 4In vitroThe effect of cannabichromene on adult neural stem/progenitor cells — in vitroView study →.
Mechanisms
| Target / pathway | Effect | Relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| TRPA1 agonism (potent, EC50 ≈ 90 nM) | anti-inflammatory, analgesic (context-dependent) | pain, inflammation |
| TRPV3 / TRPV4 agonism | sensory & inflammatory modulation | inflammation |
| Weak CB1 affinity | non-intoxicating; minimal direct endocannabinoid tone | — |
Clinical trials
CBC has no completed human efficacy trials; the literature is entirely preclinical.
| Completed | Planned | Terminated | Preclinical |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | Limited but growing |
Last checked: July 2026.
Toxicity & Safety
CBC is non-intoxicating and regarded as well tolerated in the limited preclinical work available, but it has not been studied in humans to any meaningful degree, so its safety profile, effective dose and drug interactions are unknown. As with any cannabis-derived product, purity and labelled content of commercial CBC preparations vary.
Pregnancy & lactation
Avoid (precautionary). No pregnancy or lactation safety data exist for CBC; as a cannabis constituent it is prudent to avoid. Absence of studies is not evidence of safety.
Dosage
There is no established human dose for CBC. The findings above rest on rodent and cell-culture studies whose doses do not translate to human use, and commercial products lack a research-backed dosing basis. Treat any figure as unverified — this is not a recommendation.
References
- 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 — in vitro. British Journal of Pharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21175579/
- Maione S, Piscitelli F, Gatta L, et al. (2011). Non-psychoactive cannabinoids modulate the descending pathway of antinociception in anaesthetized rats through several mechanisms of action — rat model. British Journal of Pharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20942863/
- El-Alfy AT, Ivey K, Robinson K, et al. (2010). Antidepressant-like effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa L. — mouse behavioural model. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20332000/
- Shinjyo N, Di Marzo V (2013). The effect of cannabichromene on adult neural stem/progenitor cells — in vitro. Neurochemistry International. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23941747/