Today, we’re peeling back the layers and comparing two of nature’s most fascinating offerings: CBD (aka Cannabidiol) and BCP (aka Beta-Caryophyllene).
Today, we’re peeling back the layers and comparing two of nature’s most fascinating offerings: CBD (aka Cannabidiol) and BCP (aka Beta-Caryophyllene).
You’ve likely heard of CBD; you know, that compound making waves in everything from skincare to smoothies. In fact, you can even buy a CBD-infused sports bra!
But have you heard of BCP?
This lesser-known, yet equally remarkable compound, is also a natural compound derived from plants and offers a very similar range of health benefits. But unlike CBD, BCP is not derived from cannabis, so it’s largely unregulated, offering a stress-free buying experience and the ability to take the product with you on your travels.
So, let’s get started and unravel the mystery behind CBD and beta-caryophyllene.
BCP vs. CBD—The Comparison
The table below compares CBD and BCP side-by-side to give you the lowdown on what sets them apart and what they have in common.
| CBD | BCP | |
| Natural occurring plant-based compound |  Yes | Yes |
| Efficacy | Interacts with CB1 & CB2 receptors indirectly | Interacts with CB2 receptors directly |
| Benefits | Pain relief Anti-inflammatory Antibacterial Antifungal Antioxidant Reduce anxiety Mood enhancer Sleep quality improvement Immune System Support Gastroprotective effects Cardioprotective effects Neuroprotective effects | Pain relief Anti-inflammatory Antibacterial Antifungal Antioxidant Reduce anxiety Mood enhancer Sleep quality improvement Immune System Support Gastroprotective effects Cardioprotective effects Neuroprotective effects Blood sugar stabilization |
| Sources | cannabis hemp | cannabis hemp rosemary cloves copaifera trees juniper berries black pepper basil |
| Bioavailability | Oils Tincture Topicals Vape | Oils Tincture Topicals Vape |
| Regulatory |  Category 1 restricted substance (highly regulated) Limited availability Not safe to travel with | GRAS (generally regarded as safe) designation by the FDA. Approved for use in both medical and food products. |
Understanding the Similarities
From the above, you’ll see how CBD and BCP share a lot of common ground. These similarities aren’t just surface-level, either. They include how these compounds interact with our bodies, offering very similar benefits.
Nature-based origins
Both CBD and BCP are naturally occurring compounds derived from plants. This is a huge plus for those of us leaning toward more natural, holistic approaches to health and well-being.
Though BCP can be derived from cannabis or hemp, it’s most commonly derived from rosemary, cloves, or copaiba (a resin extracted from copaifera trees, commonly found in South America, Africa, India, and Sri Lanka). CBD, on the other hand, is usually derived from cannabis or hemp, so it is highly regulated in a number of places (more on that in the Differences section below).
How They Work with the Endocannabinoid System
Both CBD and BCP work by interacting with the Endocannabinoid System, so they provide very similar benefits. They both interact specifically with the CB2 receptors; however, BCP is a direct agonist of the receptor, while CBD has a less direct interaction, which does result in some distinct differences between the two (more on that in the ‘Differences’ section below).
Wide Range of Benefits
Reflecting on the comparison above, we see that both CBD and BCP boast a similar list of impressive health benefits—from their antioxidant capabilities to their neuroprotective effects.
CBD is well-known for its calming effects, pain relief capabilities, and potential in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms. BCP is similar, offering the same and many more benefits.
Both compounds share significant anti-inflammatory properties, offering relief for a variety of conditions, from chronic pain to inflammatory diseases. However, BCP’s direct interaction with CB2 receptors gives it a unique advantage, making its anti-inflammatory effects more targeted and efficient. This means a quicker, more focused response to pain and inflammation.
In terms of antibacterial properties, both CBD and BCP offer promising benefits. Yet, the latest studies on BCP suggest its antibacterial activity might affect a broader spectrum of pathogens, including those resistant to traditional antibiotics. This highlights its potential in addressing hard-to-treat infections.
Similarly, BCP’s neuroprotective effects are gaining attention for their potential to guard against neurodegenerative diseases, an area where CBD has also shown promise but where BCP’s direct pathways offer novel therapeutic angles.
CBD is well-recognized for mood stabilization and anxiety reduction, but BCP’s mood-enhancing benefits are again supported by its direct action on CB2 receptors. Promising research hinting at BCP’s role in extending lifespan tilts the scale in favor of BCP’s overall potential.
Versatile Application
Both CBD and BCP easily fit into various lifestyles and are available in a number of different forms—from oils, tinctures, topicals, and even vaping.
CBD and BCP oils are among the most popular forms due to their ease of use and dosage precision. Usually administered sublingually (under the tongue), oils ensure rapid absorption into the bloodstream. This method is ideal for you if you’re looking for systemic effects like mood regulation or inflammation reduction.
CBD and BCP tinctures are similar to oils and liquid extracts, which often come in a wider variety of flavors and may contain alcohol. The flavors make them more palatable, and they, too, offer the benefits of precise dosing and quick absorption when used sublingually.
CBD and BCP-infused topicals, such as creams, lotions, and balms, are perfect for localized relief of pain or inflammation. Athletes or people with joint or muscle concerns usually prefer topicals over other means. Topicals allow the compounds to act directly where they’re needed most, offering targeted relief without systemic effects.
Vaping CBD or BCP offers the fastest onset of effects, making it an attractive option for those seeking immediate relief. This method allows the compounds to be inhaled and absorbed directly into the lungs, providing quick systemic effects. While vaping suits those needing quick results, you can’t ignore the conversation around the safety and risks associated with vaping and vaping products.
Ultimately, when it comes to different applications, we’re really talking about delivery routes into the body, so it’s important to understand that the different application formats are more than just about convenience and result in wide variations in eventual bioavailability.
Wellness Without the High
Both CBD and BCP offer their benefits without the psychoactive effects associated with THC. However, CBD products often contain trace amounts of THC, as it’s commonly derived from the hemp plant, a variety of Cannabis sativa.
Hemp-derived full-spectrum CBD products typically have no more than 0.3% THC, minimizing any risk of psychoactive effects.
BCP, on the other hand, is a sesquiterpene found in the essential oils of numerous spice and food plants, such as black pepper, oregano, and basil, as well as in cannabis. As discussed before, unlike cannabinoids that directly interact with the ECS’s CB1 receptors, BCP selectively binds to CB2 receptors. And since CB1 receptors are responsible for the psychoactive effects associated with THC, BCP provides its benefits completely devoid of them.
Exploring the Differences
So, we’ve talked about the similarities, but it is their differences that really unveil their uniqueness.
How BCP Directly Targets the CB2 Receptors
CBD offers broad therapeutic benefits by influencing both CB1 and CB2 receptors. It’s in this gentle interaction that CBD’s limitations become quite apparent.
CBD’s interaction with the ECS is subtle. It doesn’t bind directly with the primary receptors, CB1 and CB2. Instead, CBD influences the ECS by interacting with other receptors outside of this system. This indirect action contributes to CBD’s ability to modulate various physiological processes.
BCP, on the other hand, has a more direct impact. Its structure allows it to bind directly with the CB2 receptors, which are primarily involved in managing pain and inflammation. This direct interaction also means that BCP can provide targeted relief without the psychoactive effects associated with other cannabinoids like THC.
CBD’s Regulatory Challenges
The legal and regulatory differences between CBD and BCP (as touched upon earlier) are significant. CBD, due to its association with cannabis, faces strict regulations in many jurisdictions.
Basically, CBD that’s derived from cannabis is categorized as a Schedule 1 substance and is illegal. But if it’s derived from hemp and contains less than 0.3% THC dry weight, it is not illegal (that’s because hemp is not considered a controlled substance). All this makes the conversation around CBD’s legality quite complex. In the end, it comes down to the state you live in.
Hemp-based CBD may be legal at a federal level, but some states still consider its use and possession illegal. Other states only allow CBD for medical purposes.
Legal
CBD products are only fully legal in 17 states:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Virginia
This means residents and visitors can purchase and use CBD and cannabis products without specific medical conditions or licenses. However, there is a restriction in California on hemp-derived CBD edibles, which is not strictly enforced and may change with the proposed legislation.
Conditionally Legal
CBD is conditionally legal in 33 states, which can mean a variety of things from state to state, including being mostly legal as long as the THC level is below a certain threshold, age-restricted (21 and up), or requiring a medical prescription:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Learn more about each state’s legal conditions for CBD use here: CBD Legalization by State.
On the other hand, BCP’s story is quite different. With its GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) designation by the FDA, BCP is approved for use in food and medical products without the legal hurdles CBD faces.
This distinction makes BCP more accessible and less stigmatized, offering a viable alternative for those in areas where CBD is heavily regulated or for individuals concerned about legal implications.
Wrapping Up
With all said and done, it really comes down to the question: with so many similarities, which one is a better option? Both work in similar ways and produce similar results, but the underlying science is different, so it might be worth exploring both options and seeing which works best for you.
Using CBD and BCP together could also potentially offer complementary benefits. For instance, you might use CBD for its broad-spectrum effects on mood and neuroprotection while incorporating BCP for its targeted relief of inflammation and pain, capitalizing on the strengths of each.
But if you’re in a location where CBD is restricted, planning to travel, or are just generally worried about the legal aspects, BCP is the better option, considering there are no legal barriers to its use.
At the end of the day, the key is to stay informed and make choices that align with your health goals and personal preferences.