Education: CBD 101
How CBD Works In Union With Your Body
CBD works directly with the body’s very own endocannabinoid system, also known as ECS. These endocannabinoid points are spread throughout your body, regulating many important physical functions including muscular and skeletal health, immune system, neural system, skin health, and mental well-being.
Our own bodies produce cannabinoids. Present in all mammalian species, the ECS is a complex signaling network responsible for establishing and maintaining health by regulating many of the body’s natural functions.
Plant-derived cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) like CBD, found in hemp, perform many of the biological actions of the endocannabinoids that are synthesized by the body. Like endocannabinoids, CBD interacts with the cannabinoid receptors helping to stimulate your ECS to help your body and its functions reach an optimum state.
What’s truly amazing about the ECS is that the cells that express these specialized endocannabinoid receptors are located in all of the most important parts of our body, including the brain & heart.
There are actually hundreds of case studies supporting CBD as an effective treatment for dozens of conditions (review the full list of CBD case studies here
Read on to learn more about how CBD works in union with your bodies ECS and see some visuals that break down this amazing process!
Healing Without the “High”
Many plants contain cannabinoids, but people most commonly link them to cannabis.CBD is one of more than 120 compounds called cannabinoids.Unlike other cannabinoids — such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — CBD does not produce a “high”. It is non psychoactive.
This is because CBD does not affect the same receptors as THC. CBD is an entirely different compound from THC, and its effects are very complex. It is not psychoactive, but it influences the body to use its own endocannabinoids more effectively.
How CBD Works With Your ECS
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A Breakdown of Receptors
Specifically, CBD interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors. to produce a variety of potentially positive outcomes. CBD does not bind directly to either of these receptors but instead impacts them indirectly.
It’s important to know that CB1 and CB2 receptors are only able to be activated by cannabinoids, not any other type of agonist — this is known as the “key and lock” analogy with the cannabinoids being the “keys” and the receptors, “locks.”
A Visual Guide of CBD Receptors
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Your Body’s Receptors
Not only is the endocannabinoid system is a natural part of our bodies, but it’s also a crucial one.
If you imagine the body like a machine, each system works together to keep the machine moving. Today, experts believe that maintaining homeostasis if the primary role of the ECS.
Homeostasis is your body’s efforts to constantly keep everything in the right zone. Your body strives to keep your internal environment stable and optimal no matter what’s going on inside the environment around you.
When something is operating outside of the ideal range, your body knows. Your ECS is activated to help correct it. For example, if an outside force, such as pain from an injury throws off your body’s homeostasis, your ECS will kick in to help your body return to its optimal state.
The ECS consists of three core components, endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.
Endocannabinoids: Also called endogenous cannabinoids, these are molecules created by your body. Similar to cannabinoids, but they’re produced naturally in your body.
Their role is to aid in keeping your internal functions running smoothly. Because your body produces them as they are needed, it is difficult to know what the typical levels are for each.
Endocannabinoid Receptors: These receptors are found throughout your body. Endocannabinoids will bind to them in order to signal that the ECS needs to take action.
Endocannabinoids can bind to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The benefits they give the body depends on which endocannabinoid it binds to and where the receptor is located.
Enzymes: These are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids once they’ve carried out their function.
Because CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system, it helps to promote homeostasis in the body, reducing the sensation of pain and inhibiting inflammation.
The list of conditions CBD may help with is ever-expanding!