CBL

What is CBL?

CBL, or cannabicyclol, is an ultra-rare cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It is an ancient cannabinoid that was found in a 2,700-year-old Chinese shaman grave, due to its remarkable stability. However, CBL was first technically discovered in 1964.

Similar to other minor cannabinoids like CBN, CBL forms during the degradation process of the cannabinoid cannabichromene (CBC). This process occurs when cannabis is exposed to UV light, heat, or air over time. Since it is only found in minute amounts, researchers must synthesize CBL for study – and it is not appreciably found in retail products nor sold as an isolate.

Lack of research, consumer awareness, and demand for this kind of cannabinoid means that you probably won't find any CBL products anytime soon. However, the little that we do know about CBL generally fits in with some of the other key features we know about more familiar cannabinoids.

Let's dive into it.

Effects of CBL

CBL does not have any impairing effects because it lacks the characteristic double bond that THC has.

However, CBL most likely interacts with the endocannabinoid system in ways other than through CB1 receptors, such as through CB2 or endocannabinoid system enzymes (e.g., FAAH, MAGL, etc.)

As such, it may likely share similar side effects to other non-imparting cannabinoids like CBC or CBD. But there aren't any clinical studies to know for sure.

We also don't know yet if CBL targets any other receptors in our brains that influence our mood or anxiety. If it does, it likely has a very weak effect because it’s largely inactivated by oxidation.

Potential Benefits of CBL

There is little known about this cannabinoid, but it likely shares similar much weaker potential benefits and effects as its closest parent, cannabichromene.

Research shows us that some of the potential effects of CBL include:

• Anti-inflammatory properties – CBL is the weakest anti-inflammatory cannabinoid studied, with little to no activity compared to CBN, CBDA, THC and isomers, CBD, and CBC
• Anticancer and antiproliferative activity demonstrated in test tubes on human colon cancer cells
• Weak antibacterial potential, however not against MRSA

As an aside, there was a flawed study conducted in 1976 on inbred rabbits given CBL by IV jugular. Sparing the gruesome details, suffice to say that the experiment is unreliable and the faulty conclusions drawn (e.g., proconvulsant, coagulant) are the opposite of what we find from cannabinoids and should not truly be applied to CBL. This is important to note in case you come across this study elsewhere.

What We Learned: CBL

Learning about CBL is an important part of better understanding cannabis science. Here’s what we learned in the CBL chapter:

• CBL, or cannabicyclol, is an ultra-rare cannabinoid.
• CBL forms during the degradation process of the cannabinoid CBC. This process occurs when cannabis is exposed to UV light, heat, or air.
• CBL is non-impairing, meaning it does not get you high.
• So far CBL demonstrates very weak, if any, activity as an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial agent.
• CBL is not a commercially available cannabinoid. It is only synthesized for research purposes

Thankfully, research on minor cannabinoids is slowly expanding, and along with it, we will eventually gain a better understanding of the potential medicinal properties and effects of cannabicyclol.

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