CBD and The ECS ( Endocannabinoid System)
WHAT IS CBD?
Cbd is one of more than 80 compounds called phtyocannabinoids that are present in the Marijuana and hemp, plant both of which are a species of Cannabis. These cannabinoids interact with a system of receptors in our bodies called the Endocannabinoid system or ECS that regulates all the major functions and systems in our body. CBD ,unlike the more popular cannabinoid THC will not get you high and has no psychoactive properties.
CBD has become extremely popular recently because of its numerous and ever expanding list of health benefits.
CBD is what is called an adaptogen. An adaptogen has the job of keeping your body systems in an balance and at homeostasis. It basically functions wherever there is a deficiency to bring that system back into balance. That is why CBD has a positive effect on so many different functions of your body.
WHAT IS THE ECS?
The ECS ( endocannabinoid) system is a group of cell receptors in the human body and the cannabinoid molecules that bind to those receptors. It is the body’s “master regulatory system.” It communicates and interacts with virtually all other bodily systems (CNS, organs, autoimmune system, GI tract, circulatory, respiratory etc.) to keep the body in a healthy state or homeostasis.
The two main receptors identified in the ECS are CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors bind with cannabinoids produced by our own body (Endocannabinoids) and those also produce by plants (Phytocannabinoids). When these cannabinoids bind with the cannabiniod receptors in the body they open pathways that influence The ECS and in turn several systems associated with anxiety, pain, appetite, fear, stress, mood, inflammation, memory, and more.
CB1 Receptors are mainly found on nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), but they are also found in some peripheral organs and tissues like the spleen, testes ,eyes, white blood cells, endocrine gland and parts of the reproductive, gastrointestinal and urinary tracts.
In the brain, the CB1 receptors are found in greatest concentration in the hippocampus (which regulates memory), the cerebral cortex (cognition), the cerebellum (motor coordination), the basal ganglia (movement), the hypothalamus (appetite), and the amygdala (emotions. )They however are found in rather limited amounts in the brain stem which is responsible for regulating your cardiovascular and respiratory system. That is why Cannabis and THC cannot cause death by suppressing the involuntary functions of your lungs and heart like alcohol or Opiods.
CB2 receptors are primarily found in the immune system and also present in the spleen, liver, heart, kidneys, bones, blood vessels, lymph cells, endocrine glands, and reproductive organs. CB2 receptors are largely responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of CBD and other
Cannabinoids.
HOW DOES CBD WORK?
CBD stimulates activity in both CB1 and CB2 receptors without binding to them.Instead it influences the body’s own endocannabinoid system to produce more of its own powerful endocannabinoids called anandamide (The Bliss Molecule) and 2-AG. CBD is show to suppress an enzyme called fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) which rapidly breaks down anandamide, and increases the body’s production of 2-AG. This allows andandiminde and 2-AG to exist in higher circulating concentration and connect to the cb1 and cb2 receptors of our organs or systems producing a wide range of physiological effects, altering everything from blood pressure to pain response to memory to appetite to “consciousness.” These changes happen within any cell that contain either receptor. Because CB1 and CB2 receptors are present throughout the body, the effects of CBD are systemic.
ENDOCANNABINOIDS
- Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids made by our own bodies.
- Our bodies produce 2 endocannabinoids called Anandimide and 2-AG that function in the same way as THC. they bind directly to CB1 and CB2 receptors, and activate the pathways those receptors connect to. Anandimide is often referred to as the “bliss molecule” for its affects that are similar to THC. But where people may have some Negative effects associated with THC, like paranoia and lethargy, annandimide only works to positively affect your mood, memory, brain function, and pain. In addition to acting as agonists for the ECS, anandamide and 2-Ag are also work to suppress a separate receptor, known as the vanilloid receptor, which is responsible for pain regulation.
PHYTOCANNABINOIDS
- More than 80 cannabinoids have been indentified in the Marijuana and Hemp plant
- Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that are made by plants.
- Phytocannabinoids aren’t only in the cannabis plant, they are also found in other plants like clove, black pepper, Echinacea, broccoli, ginseng, and carrots and also bind with the ECS of the human body producing positive effects on the body’s various systems.
THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT
CBD is only one of many cannabinoids that interact with the ECS in our body. There are many other health benefits from all of the cannabinoids and terpenes included in the plant. That being said, cbd works best in synergy with other cannabinoids and terpenes.. Its is something called the entourage effect. The most effective form of CBD will be full spectrum extract made from the whole plant instead of the more inferior CBD isolate. Full spectrum CBD will include all other naturally occurring Cannabinoids and terpenes, all of which have an added benefit on the ECS in bringing our body systems into balance.
MEDICINAL USES OF CBD?
The more researchers delve into understanding the ECS, the clearer it becomes that it plays a role in almost every bodily system: from regulating the nervous system, to influencing reproduction, and supporting the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, recent research has focused on the anticonvulsive properties of cannabinoids in regulating seizure disorders, anti-anxiety effects on people with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and improving brain function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. It appears that science has only discovered the tip of the iceberg. CBD’s true potential is yet unknown.
CBD IS AN ATIOXIDANT
Additionally, CBD is a powerful antioxidant, is capable of increasing the production of 2-Ag (an ECS agonist), and interacts with other receptors in the body beyond the ECS to produce a wide range of beneficial medicinal effects. Studies also suggest that CBD has the potential to modulate the psychoactive properties of THC in certain ratios. Especially important is that current research shows CBD can potentially increase anti-inflammatory effects, reduce levels of anxiety, and catalyze the destruction of certain cancer cells.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CBD FROM HEMP AND MARIJUANA?
The difference between CBD from hemp and CBD from marijuana is the THC level. Hemp and Marijuana are both species of the same cannabis plant but Hemp does not contain high levels of THC. In hemp products you will find only .3% THC, which is not enough to get you high, but enough to add to the entourage effect and boost the power of CBD and the ECS as a whole. You also won’t test positive for THC on drug tests with CBD from Hemp due to the low .3% THC level.. CBD from marijuana will have the same THC % as the Flower it was extracted from and will result in a positive result on a drug test. CBD had no psychoactive properties, It will not get you high.
FULL SPECTRUM CBD OR CBD ISOLATE?
The difference between Full spectrum CBD and CBD isolate is all in the way the hemp is processed. Our Full spectrum CBD is extracted using the C02 extraction method from the whole hemp plant, including leaves, stems, and seeds. This ensures it has a complete cannabinoid and terpene profile.. C
BD isolate is chemically extracted from from Hemp and isolates the CBD molecule alone. Isolate CBD is usually considered inferior because it is less effective due to the lack of other cannabinoids and terpenes and the quality of the crops used cannot be guaranteed or identified. This means isolate can come from lower quality industrial hemp and even Lab created. Always choose a full spectrum CBD product
HOW IS CBD BEING USED MEDICALLY
The more researchers study the ECS, the clearer it becomes that it plays a role in almost every bodily system: from regulating the nervous system, to influencing reproduction, and supporting the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, recent research has focused on the anticonvulsive properties of cannabinoids in regulating seizure disorders, anti-anxiety effects on people with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and improving brain function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. It appears that science has only discovered the tip of the iceberg when it comes to CBD.
CBD has been used to treat a myriad of health concerns and disorders including but not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Diabetes Type 1
- Pain Relief
- Inflammation
- Epilepsy
- Autism
- Arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- PTSD
- Cancer
- Nausea
- Acne
- Alzheimer’s
- High Blood Pressure
- Psychotic Disorders
- Drug Addiction
- Tumors
- Depression
**Sources used to compile this article**
- NCBI — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC53598/
- Beyond Botanicals — https://www.beyondbotanicals.com/cbd-endocannabinoid-system/
- News-Medical.net https://www.news-medical.net/health/Cannabinoid-Receptors.aspx
- Medical News Today — https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317221.php
- VICE.com https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/bnp4bv/how-and-why-your-brian-makes-its-own-cannabinoids
- WholeNewMom — https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/what-are-adaptogens/
- THORNE — https://www.thorne.com/take-5-daily/article/understanding-the-phytocannabinoids
- CBD CENTRAL — https://www.cbdcentral.com/what-is-cbd/