WHAT IS CANNABIELSOIN (CBE)?

While some cannabinoids are very popular with the general public like THC (the psychoactive compound of the cannabis plant). Those who are into the plant are probably aware of another named CBD – the non-psychoactive compound of the plant. 

There are other numerous non-psychoactive cannabinoids, another example is the cannabinoid known as Cannabielsoin, or CBE. Being the least researched of the cannabinoids, very little about this cannabinoid is unknown to date and little information is available about it.

Cannabielsoin was first discussed in a scientific publication in 1973 without information on the structure. It was not until a year later that its structure was established using cannabidiol (CBD) as the starting material.

In the year 1983, a researcher at the Ohio State University was reported to have carried out the first biologically catalyzed synthesis of Cannabielsoin as well as the first bio-transformation of any cannabinoid by plant tissue culture systems.

This same process of CBE formation was carried out in Japan in 1988 – to further clarify this process, the same set of researchers carried out the same process. CBE is formed from CBD during the metabolic process. This means it is a metabolite of CBD. We can then say the same non-psychoactive feature of CBD can be attributed to CBE.

The future of CBE is still unknown. There is a lack of research on cannabinoids because of the ban on hemp and cannabis. Although CBE has not been scheduled by the UN Conventions and not even under the Controlled Substances Act of the USA, the little research done by researchers’ shows that CBE has entourage effects.

That will be explained under the therapeutic benefits.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Since CBE is formed from CBD, it is believed that they both will function the same way. The receptors (CB1 and CB2) in the endocannabinoid system of our body are responsible for communicating with the cannabinoids.

The endocannabinoid system regulates many physiological responses, including pain, memory, appetite, and mood.

POSSIBLE THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS

Even though there is no research available to give the medical benefit of CBE in the human body, the researcher is proposing what is known as the “ENTOURAGE EFFECT“. 

The entourage effect means that CBE will provide the body with a therapeutic effect when mixed with other cannabinoids – although this is yet to be researched. It simply means when CBE is consumed with other cannabis cannabinoids, it will provide the body with health benefits.

Like consuming CBE with CBD, the therapeutic benefits of CBD will be provided. These are;

1. Anti-Psychotic Effects

While consuming Marijuana in high doses can produce psychotic episodes, research shows that consuming CBD can alleviate these effects. There are human clinical trials that have been carried out to treat patients with psychotic episodes. 

2. Anti-Tumor Effects

Pre-clinical reports show that CBD can be used in treating cancer. The reports show a reduction in tumor growth, inhibition of metastasis, and death of cancer cells. 

3. Treating Substance Use Disorders

Pre-clinical trials suggest that CBD can be used in treating substance use disorder. Animal models showed reduced cue-induced heroin seeking when given CBD. 

INTERESTING FACTS

• Cannabielsoin is formed from CBD during the metabolic process.
• Researchers propose that cannabielsoin can show therapeutic benefits when consumed with other cannabinoids.

References

Iseger and Bossong. A systematic review of the antipsychotic properties of cannabidiol in humans. Schizophr Res. 162(1-3):153-61. (2015).

Ren et al. Cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic component of cannabis, inhibits cue-induced heroin seeking and normalizes discrete mesolimbic neuronal disturbances. J Neurosci. 2009;29(47):14764–9.

McAllister et al. The Antitumor Activity of Plant-Derived Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2015 Apr28.