Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is one of the 80+ cannabinoids found in cannabis plants and is part of the larger cannabinoid family. Known as the cannabinoid system or endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS plays an important role in regulating many physiological processes such as appetite, sleep, mood, and pain perception by acting as a bridge. Between the body’s native systems and the cannabinoids found in cannabis.
In this way, it plays a crucial role in helping to keep your body balanced and functioning properly at all times.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is one of our most important physiological systems.
Responsible for maintaining homeostasis, it’s what allows us to experience joy and happiness, reduce stress and anxiety, get sick less often, heal quicker, sleep better at night and manage pain—among many other functions.
This intricate network of interconnected systems is involved in many physiological functions, such as digestion and hunger regulation.
And while cannabis has been used medicinally for thousands of years. We are only now beginning to understand how these compounds interact with our bodies.
Fortunately, we have seen an explosion of research into cannabis and its effects on human health over recent years.
And today there are countless studies that demonstrate how effective cannabinoids can be when treating certain conditions.
But before we look at some specific examples, let’s first take a closer look at how CBD works within your body…
What are Phytocannabinoids?
These are compounds derived from plants. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid that belongs to a class of compounds known as cannabinoids.
It’s unique among them due to its high safety profile and lack of psychoactive properties. CBD is extracted from hemp. Which is a variety of cannabis sativa.
Both hemp and cannabis come in different varieties, with some containing higher concentrations of CBD than others.
Hemp oil, which contains tiny levels of THC, the compound that gives marijuana its high, is legal for sale in all 50 states.
What does CBD do?
CBD has a wide range of advantages, including anti-inflammatory properties, pain relief, less anxiety, and depressive symptoms, better sleep, and lowering blood pressure.
A 2015 study published in Neurotherapeutics found that treatment with CBD significantly reduced chronic inflammation and pain in individuals suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS).
Other studies have shown similar results when treating patients who suffer from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Some people use CBD as an alternative medicine for autoimmune illnesses like MS.
Before we can determine if these treatments are efficient and secure for extended periods of time, more research is required.
What do CB1 and CB2 receptors do?
CB1 receptors are primarily in your brain, spinal cord, and nerve endings while CB2 receptors are found mostly in your immune system.
Together they help regulate everything from pain to appetite to sleep. When you ingest cannabinoids like CBD through oils, topicals, vaporizers, or edibles. Your body also produces its own cannabinoids called endocannabinoids.
This triggers these receptors which provide a positive effect on whatever is going on in that particular part of your body.
For example, if you have severe arthritis in your knee, using CBD oil will reduce inflammation and bring relief.
If you’re having trouble sleeping because of stress, using CBD oil can make it easier for you to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
While it’s not guaranteed, some people do experience relief from their symptoms when taking CBD.
And finally, your body makes its own cannabinoid molecules after taking CBD (or any other cannabinoid).
There’s no need to worry about getting high—and putting yourself at risk of legal troubles. Because you’ll be able to tell how much THC is in what you’re consuming.
Instead, just focus on enjoying your cannabis-infused foods and beverages!
How does CBD work in the human body?
Cannabidiol is one of over 60 compounds found in cannabis that belong to a class of ingredients called cannabinoids. CBD.
Along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN), are all classified as cannabinoids.
These chemical compounds interact with receptors throughout your body to produce their effects.
There are two types of receptors in your body: CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors can be found primarily in your brain and nervous system. While CB2 receptors can be found mostly in your immune system.
These cannabinoid receptor sites play an important role when it comes to how you feel both physically and mentally from using CBD products.
What can we use to activate these receptors?
As it turns out, one of these phytocannabinoids is CBD. One of the several cannabinoids present in cannabis plants is cannabidiol (CBD).
They are chemical compounds that work alongside endo-cannabinoids within our body’s natural systems.
So how exactly does CBD work within our bodies? Read on to find out more about CBD and how it might work for you…
What Are Cannabinoids?
The term cannabinoid refers to a diverse group of complex chemical compounds that naturally occur in certain plant species.
These chemicals interact with receptors throughout our body—called cannabinoid receptors—which play an important role in maintaining health and homeostasis.
There are two main types of cannabinoids: endocannabinoids, which are produced naturally by our bodies; and phytocannabinoids, which come from plants.
Phytocannabinoids like CBD and THC bind to these same receptors but produce different effects because they come from different sources.
Although there are hundreds of known cannabinoids, only a handful have been studied extensively so far. Phytocannabinoids.
THC and CBD are both phytocannabinoids, meaning they originate in plants rather than humans or animals.
Other common phytocannabinoids include CBG, CBC, CBN, CBL, and others.
Why should you care about terpenes?
Terpenes are what give cannabis its unique flavor and aroma, but they also have unique effects on our bodies. Like cannabinoids, terpenes interact with our endocannabinoid system.
While there hasn’t been as much research done on terpenes as cannabinoids. We’re just starting to scratch the surface of how much terpenes can impact human health.
This is why it’s important to understand terpenes if you’re a medical marijuana patient—it could help you figure out which strains work best for your needs.
If you’re not a medical marijuana patient, it could help you learn more about which strains will suit your tastes best.
And when in doubt, remember that while some people swear by CBD oil, other people swear by high-THC strains. Experimentation is key!
There’s no way to know which strain will be right for you until you try them all.
So don’t be afraid to experiment, ask questions, and discover new strains!
