Cannabidiol is the most researched compound found in the cannabis plant and has become the center of the latest researches for its relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties. It not only reduces anxiety and pain in humans but also in mammals.
A unique factor about CBD is that, unlike its counterpart THC, it is non-psychoactive and does not have intoxicating effects. But how it interacts with the Endocannabinoid system is more interesting and novel.
The cannabinoid receptors and their cognate lipid ligands are recently identified and triggered significant growth in endocannabinoid related studies exploring its regulatory functions in disease and health. Here, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the endocannabinoid system and how CBD interacts with it to eliminate anxiety and improve overall health and mental condition.
Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex biological system in the human body discovered in the 1990s by researchers exploring THC (a well-known cannabinoid found in cannabis). How the endocannabinoid system works and interacts is a popular topic of research in the twenty-first century, and much is yet to be known about the functionality of ECS.
Though experts have found out that it affects and controls several major processes, many research pieces are still on their way to discover more about the endocannabinoid system.
The ECS has three main components: receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes. The endocannabinoid system naturally exists in your body, and all its components perform their functions actively even if you don't use CBD. It plays an essential part in the regulation of many processes and functions, including:
-Mood regulation
-Sleep
-Memory
-Appetite
-Fertility and reproduction
It is essential to know how the endocannabinoid system works and interacts with cannabis to benefit from it when combined with CBD.
How the Endocannabinoid System works
The Endocannabinoid system contains three primary components; receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes. These components perform different functions to assist our body and have their own particular effects.
Endocannabinoids:
Endocannabinoids are molecules produced by your body and are similar to cannabinoids. They are also called endogenous cannabinoids. Endocannabinoids complement and harmonize the body while ensuring the smooth running of internal functions.
There are two key endocannabinoids identified by experts
-anandamide (AEA)
-2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG)
The most crucial factor about the endocannabinoids is that their progenitors are present in lipid membranes. They help the internal functions to run smoothly. Identifying their standard level is difficult as every individual's body produces them as needed.
Receptors:
Receptors are a substance to which endocannabinoid bind. The ECS signals the receptors when the endocannabinoid system needs to take action. These receptors are present all over the body.
There are two primary endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors, primarily found in the central nervous system, and CB2 receptors present in the peripheral nervous system, particularly in immune cells. The former is responsible for processes movement, memory, appetite, coordination, mood, and other functions, while the latter is associated with pain and inflammation.
Endocannabinoid can bind to any of these two receptors, and the final effects depend on the location of receptors and which endocannabinoid is bound. For instance, some endocannabinoids can target CB1 receptors in the spinal nerve to eliminate pain, while others may bind to CB2 receptors in your immune cells to signal the occurrence of inflammation in your body.
Enzymes:
Enzymes are responsible for endocannabinoids' break down when they have performed their function. Though enzymes develop in many forms, only two types of enzymes are capable of breaking down endocannabinoids;
-Fatty acid amide hydrolase, which is responsible for breaking down AEA, and
-Monoacylglycerol acid lipase, which breaks down 2-AG
Functions of the Endocannabinoid System
Endocannabinoids function as a flow-control machine and assist in regulating every single psychological system in the body. They are produced on demand in each individual and flow back to the presynaptic cell, telling it to slow down or stop releasing neurotransmitters.
However, all potential functions of the endocannabinoid system are not yet determined by the experts, but the research has associated ECS with the following processes:
-Metabolism
-Mood and Appetite
-Sleep and memory
-Chronic pain
-Inflammation and stress
-Cardiovascular system function
-Muscle formation
-Reproductive system function
-Nerve and skin function
All these functions help with homeostasis for stabilizing your internal environment. ECS helps your body perform its function correctly if your body's homeostasis is thrown off due to some external force such as fever or pain from an injury. The primary role of CS is to maintain homeostasis.
How does CBD interact with the ECS?
CBD (cannabidiol) produces a wide range of health and medical benefits when interacting with the receptors in Endocannabinoid systems. Unlike THC, it does not make you "high" as it is a non-psychoactive compound.
CBD include the following therapeutic actions when it interacts with ECS.
-The ECS keeps the body in an equilibrium state and produces endocannabinoids on a regular basis. If ECS is damaged or disrupted, it leads to CEDC (Clinical
Endocannabinoid Deficiency Syndrome). CBD is an effective way to help treat CEDC and restores the body's careful balance while working in the place of natural endocannabinoids.
-It helps relieve pain when it influences the TRPV1 receptors involved in regulating pain, inflammation, and body temperature. It efficiently prevents the pain signals from reaching the rest of the body and provides solace from discomfort and aches.
-Cannabidiol activates the 5-ht1a receptors, which moderates sleep, appetite, anxiety, pain perception, nausea, addiction, and vomiting. Besides, it also potentiates Glycine Receptors, which hopefully reduce chronic pain and inflammation.
-Dopamine D2 receptors are most likely to be targeted by pharmaceutical drugs such as CBD, which help deal with schizophrenia.
-Furthermore, CBD helps turn off GPR55 receptors responsible for the reproduction of cancer cells when turned on. These receptors exist in the brain in excess and help control bone density and blood pressure, which show CBD's role in helping with osteoporosis and high blood pressure.
Conclusion:
It is evident that ECS holds the key to treat several mental and health conditions, and CBD works well when it interacts with the receptors and maintains the body's equilibrium. Besides all these potential benefits of CBD and its way of interacting with the endocannabinoid system, the details of how it works when bind the receptors are still under debate.
However, the available information is more than enough to gain CBD's utmost benefits and add it to your daily routine. At CBD Nutriment, we offer premium quality CBD oils and Cannabis products that can lead to a healthier and longer life with fewer disease chances.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877694/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2874616/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258853/
