What is CBE and how is it formed?
- What is CBE and what is behind its creation?
- Effects of CBE
- Is CBE a drug?
- Production and availability of CBE products
- Conclusion
What is CBE and what is behind its creation?
CBE stands for cannabielsoin (cannabielsoin A, cannabielsoin I). CBE was first discovered in 1973 as part of an experiment in which scientists heated cannabis extracts in an oxygen-free environment. This process led to the identification of a new compound whose structure was similar to cannabidiol (CBD) but showed some differences.
It was not until 18 years later, in 1991, that it was confirmed that CBE was a metabolite of CBD - produced as a breakdown product of CBD in the human body. This conversion occurs through the action of enzymes in the liver.
CBE does not occur naturally in the cannabis plant and is only formed when CBD is metabolised in the body.
A metabolite is a substance that is formed during the process of metabolism, i.e. the chemical reactions that take place in living organisms to process and transform substances. Metabolites are the result of the breakdown or conversion of larger molecules into smaller ones - they can be part of energy metabolism, detoxification or other biological processes.
Structure of CBE vs. CBD
- The molecular formula of CBE is C21H30O3 - 21 carbon atoms (C), 30 hydrogen atoms (H) and 3 oxygen atoms (O).
- CBD has a molecular formula of C21H30O2 - 21 carbon atoms (C), 30 hydrogen atoms (H) and 2 oxygen atoms (O).
Compared to CBD, CBE has 1 more oxygen atom.
Effects of CBE
Like other cannabinoids, CBE will interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which affects a wide range of biological functions including mood, pain, immunity or sleep.
While we have relatively detailed information on the interaction with CB1 and CB2 receptors for other cannabinoids such as CBD or THC, studies on CBE are in their infancy.
The first study in 2024, which investigated how it affects the CB1 receptor in the ECS, reported that CBE binds to and activates the CB1 receptor but probably in a different way to THC and that it does not act on the β-arrestin pathway, which is associated with some of the side effects of cannabinoids.
CBE is thought to have effects similar to CBD, but scientific evidence is still very limited. Products with CBE are hardly available yet, and if they are, they have been on the market for a short time, hence the lack of user experience.
CBE, like CBD, is not psychoactive and does not produce the 'high' typical of THC.
Currently, researchers are mainly focusing on how CBE affects metabolism and whether it may have similar therapeutic properties to CBD.
As CBE is a metabolite of CBD, it could have similar therapeutic potential, in particular:
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Neuroprotective effects
- Antioxidant properties
- Relaxing effects
However, research is needed to confirm these effects.
Is CBE a drug?
Is CBE a drug? No, CBE is not a drug because it has no psychoactive effects and does not cause addiction.
In general, a psychoactive drug is defined as a substance that affects physical or mental functions and can lead to dependence, is often illegal or restricted by the state, and can have harmful health effects.
Therefore, based on current research and available information, CBE is not a drug in the traditional sense. Unlike THC, which is known for its psychoactive effects and its ability to induce a 'dazed state', CBE does not have these properties.
Production and availability of CBE products
CBE is formed naturally only when CBD is metabolised in the human body. In order to obtain CBE by other means, CBD must be subjected to synthetic simulations of digestive enzymes. Therefore, all CBE available on the market comes from the laboratory.
Currently, CBE products are not as widely available and widespread as CBD products. As interest grows, the range can be expected to expand. CBE will be available on the market in the form of isolate, tinctures, capsules, oils and drops and more.
Always prefer products that you can be sure have undergone transparent third-party testing.
Conclusion
Cannabielsoin is an interesting cannabinoid that was discovered in 1973. In 1991, scientists confirmed that it is a metabolite of CBD. Little is known about the effects of CBE. Since it is not significantly different in structure from CBD, it can be assumed that both cannabinoids will act similarly in the human body.
CBE is only naturally formed when CBD is metabolised in the body, and to produce products, CBD must be modified using synthetic simulations of digestive enzymes.
CBE is still rare and less available on the market than CBD, but with growing interest, the supply can be expected to expand.
Author: Patricie Mikolášová
Photo: AI
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