The Role of CBD in our Bodies Health and the ECS.
CBD has become very popular since its legalization in the last 2 years, and is helping people overcome many physical and mental issues that would normally require using prescription drugs with often dangerous side effects.
With its low toxicity and lack of side effects, it is fast becoming the first choice for many people looking for a more natural and safer way to deal with many problems they face. Since CBD is not intoxicating or psychoactive, many people who cannot use marijuana for relief either because of the anxiety it can cause, or drug testing on the job, can use CBD and not worry about failing drug tests.
But what about other benefits to health that CBD has been shown to produce?
We have in our bodies a recently discovered Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which is a vast network of receptors (structures that receive and transmit chemical signals) that regulates and controls many of our most critical bodily functions. These receptors are packed throughout our brain and bodies, and consist of the Cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptors outnumber all other receptors in the brain. The CB2 receptors exist mostly in our immune cells. They use endocannabinoids that are produced in small quantities in our bodies. There are at least 65 molecular targets that CBD can react with in the body.
in summary: the ECS has a critical role in maintaining homeostasis throughout the body, and it connects all of the bodies organs and its systems.
CBD’s role in the ECS:
CBD acts on the ECS to help restore the ECS to its proper “set point”, which can move out of its normal functioning range due to things like stress, disease, even aging, The action of endocannabinoids on the receptors, they do not directly attach, but they influence the receptor by modulating several non-cannabinoid receptors and ion channels in the cell membranes, which causes a cascade of events that effect these systems and cause the body to rebalance any system that is out of homeostasis.
CBD can affect hormonal systems as well. These effects begin on the receptors of the hypothalamus, which further react with he Pituitary, Thyroid, Adrenals and Gonads to secrete their own hormones in response.
CBD and Health:
There are many on going studies that are showing promise in many aspects of health. Due to FDA regulation, we are no longer allowed top make claims for the benefits of CBD.
CBD can interact with the TRPV1 receptors.
Lastly, CBD has shown to reduce the psychotropic effects of THC by interacting with the CB1 receptors. Although CBD does not bind with the CB1 receptor, it can change the shape of the receptor that weakens THC’s ability to bind with it. This allows CBD to have such therapeutic benefits without having a euphoric or dysphoric effect.
Although we are still in the infancy of understanding CBD, many studies are underway and showing great promise in all the positive effects that the Hemp plant can provide. As more information is uncovered, we will find more uses and benefits of this amazing plant.