Endocannabinoid System – How CBD Works in the Body

First off, our the Endocannabinoid System (ESC) is very complex so we’ll try to explain the core of what it is and how it benefits your health. The ESC in addition to being complex is a newer scientific discovery – meaning if you don’t have a firm understanding on neuroscience it could be quite confusing.

The endocannabinoid system has been recognized as very important to the body’s function of the brain, endocrine, and immune tissues. The two main functions or easiest way to categorize what the endocannabinoid system is responsible for are:

• pleasure and well being
• regulating the body to protect from injury and disease

So What Activates The ECS (Endocannabinoid System)?

The answer is cannabinoids. The ECS exists to receive cannabinoids produced within the body called endocannabinoids. However, nature also can supplement the ECS as plants produce phytocannabinoids. Both are equally effective in activating the ECS.

What Does This Have To Do With CBD Oil, Though?

CBD Oil (Cannabidiol) is one of the many cannabinoids (close to 400 cannabinoids) found in cannabis and hemp. So you can think of CBD as one single Cannabinoid, which is considered the lock and key to unlocking and activating the ECS.

The current trend has been viewing CBD Oil as a healing compound for many ailments and diseases. However, CBD (Cannabidiol) in reality optimizes the endocannabinoid system, which then heals the body on it’s own. So in essence, CBD indirectly activates the benefits of the endocannabinoid system.

A Look At The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a network of cell receptors, molecules and enzymes located in the brain and central nervous system. This network coordinates together to perform specific functions. To distill the concept down to layman’s terms the ECS provides a balanced state or equilibrium (homeostatis) for the body. Because the ECS assists in homeostatis and balance when injury or illness occurs it is critical in regulating disease.

Homeostatis and the Endocannabinoid System

In humans the endocannabinoid system controls energy homeostasis. Simply put, homeostatis is the body’s ability to remain balanced and have a relatively stable equilibrium with a constant internal environment. So you may wonder why is this important?

Homeostatis keeps Enzymes and cell functions optimal throughout the body. Enzymes are proteins that catalyse (increase speed) important chemical reactions inside your body. Enzymes will only function properly under a small range of certain conditions, for example preferred pH and temperature. If any conditions are outside their specific range then the enzymes simply cannot function. This could cause the organism to die.

The Endocannabinoid system and homeostatis is a constant struggle between building the body up (anabolism) & breaking itself down (catabolism) – so a balance is very healthy.

How Does CBD React with The Endocannabinoid System? CB1 and CB2 Receptors

The two primary cannabinoids in the Endocannabinoid System are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Cannabidiol (CBD) does not directly bind to either of these receptors but it indirectly exerts positive effects on the receptors which communicate to the body’s ECS. It’s important to understand before getting too far into detail that in essence a receptor is a protein molecule attached to a cell membrane and it reacts to incoming signals.

CB1 Receptors

Found mostly in the brain, nervous system and tissues CB1 receptors can effect your motor skills, behavior, short term memory, attention span, pain relief, anxiety, well being and pleasure. When CB1 receptors are activated they can also influence the release of other neurotransmitters such as; dopamine, serotonine, norepinephrine & many other endorphins. Although, the endocannabinoid system is comprised mainly of CB1 and CB2 receptors it’s important to note that CBD or Cannabidiol does not directly bind to CB1 receptors. This is one reason you will not feel high or the psychoactive elements when taking CBD. THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol does bind directly to CB1 receptors and this is what gives those whom ingest plants with high percentage THC the “high” or “stoned” feeling.

CB2 Receptors

CB2 Receptors are found more in the peripheral body and tissues, specifically the immune system. CB2 Receptors have a decreased effect on liver inflammation, fibrosis & decreases blood lipids. The Endocannabinoid System has been accredited for new nerve cell formulation in the brain and CB2 is very important in this process. Unlike CB1, CB2 receptors do not provide any pyscho-active or “stoned” feelings when activated.

Cannabinoids – Phytocannabinoids Vs Endocannibinoids

The Endocannabinoid system responds to cannabinoids. Our bodies naturally make cannabinoids called endocannabinoids, where as plants produce phytocannabinoids. Both cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Some examples of phytocannabinoids from the Cannabis plant are:

Cannabidiol – (CBD) – antioxidant, anticonvulsant, assists with reduced anxiety and more.

Cannabinol – (CBN) – sedative, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory and more.

Cannabigerol – (CBG) – antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and more.

Cannabichromene – (CBC) – antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and more.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, induces a euphoric high and more.

It’s important to note that although the body produces endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids can serve just as much benefit. What makes phytocannabinoids unique is the fact that they can offer whole plant benefits or an “entourage effect”. Getting your CBD from the plant versus a synthesized or isolated molecule one can get the full effects of the full plant. As mentioned above if you get whole plant CBD you are also getting CBN, CBG, CBC, etc. in your CBD Oil that is assisting in treating your medical conditions. When you hear the term “Full Spectrum CBD” this is specifically what the term means – all cannabinoids extracted from the whole plant.

The “entourage effect” or “ensemble effect” means for your body or endocannabinoid system to perform optimal various phytocannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN, etc.) should all work in harmony together vs isolating just one cannabinoid alone.

The Entourage Effect

Surely, if you’ve heard about Cannabidiol (CBD) at some point you’ve already heard of the “Entourage Effect”. The “entourage effect” is simply another way of saying the whole plant benefit. If you are going to take Cannabidiol (CBD Oil) it is important that you are getting as much health benefit as possible and CBD works best when it is in concert with other cannabinoids such as: Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabichromene (CBC), Cannabidivarin (CBDv), Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA) & Naturally Present Terpenes.

The total of all active cannabinoids synergistally working together is always much better than just one independent cannabinoid. CBD oil Isolate is just as it sounds “isolated” from the plant and is not considered nearly as beneficial as “broad spectrum”, “full spectrum” and “whole plant” CBD oil.

Health conditions are all specific – so you can’t treat each condition the same. As stated above CBC is anti-fungal where as CBD is not. CBN is a good anti-inflamatory agent which can also block pain transmitters, PPAR gamma. Finally, CBD has shown anti-depressant effects for animal studies where as CBG and CBN have not.

CBD Oil surely can be an intriguing topic. Just remember, we are here to answer any questions and we take pride in offering the best quality CBD Oil that is safe and effective.