The Secret No One Knows About CBD

Before we dive into how exactly our bodies make CBD, let’s first look at the endocannabinoid system and how it works.

Our body’s endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is a complex cell-signaling system that plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis. It contributes to the regulation of a variety of functions, including mood, appetite, sleep, immune response, and pain.

The Role of The ECS

The ECS involves three core components:

• Endocannabinoids: These are the body’s naturally occurring cannabinoids.
• Receptors: Located in the nervous system and in the body that endocannabinoids and cannabinoids can bind to.
• Enzymes: These help break down endocannabinoids and cannabinoids.

The goal of the ECS is all about balance. When there is an imbalance in the body due to injury, illness, or stress, the ECS is activated to help return the body to its ideal operation. It’s a kind of internal maintenance system, fine-tuning various bodily functions to keep everything running smoothly.

The ECS has many different receptors, two of which are CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptors are located in your brain and central nervous system, and the CB2 receptors are in your body and immune system. These receptors are responsible for carrying out the primary functions of the ECS.

In short, CB1 receptors deal with anxiety & stress while CB2 receptors deal with inflammation and pain. 

Now that we understand how the ECS works, let’s talk about the interaction between CBD and the ECS when it is introduced to the body and the amazing effects that it has on your health.

CBD and The Endocannabinoid System

CBD behaves almost identically to one of the endocannabinoids our bodies naturally produce. It has a very similar structure, allowing it to interact with the same systems and pathways.

The fascinating part is that CBD can enhance the levels of our body’s own endocannabinoids by stopping the enzymes that break them down. Because of this, CBD can help amplify the effects of the ECS in promoting overall welless.

When CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, it helps in several different ways to improve overall well-being.

1. Pain Relief: CBD’s ability to influence the activity of endocannabinoids and interact with neurotransmitters can lead to a reduction in chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity and reducing inflammation.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: By reducing the production of inflammation and improving the immune response, CBD can help control inflammation within the body.
3. Neuroprotective Properties: CBD has been found to reduce brain inflammation and protect brain cells from oxidative stress, which can help in conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
4. Reduced Anxiety and Depression: Through its interaction with the serotonin receptor, CBD has antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects, helping to regulate mood and social behavior.

Since our bodies already generate endocannabinoids, introducing CBD only amplifies their effects.

The Use of CBD Today

Understanding how CBD interacts with our body and the endocannabinoid system is crucial for furthering research in certain areas such as:

• Cancer Treatment: Researchers are exploring the use of CBD in cancer treatment. Preliminary studies show that it can help reduce cancer symptoms and cancer treatment side effects like nausea, vomiting, and pain. Some test-tube and animal studies have even shown that CBD may have anticancer properties.
• Neurodegenerative Diseases: More research is underway on how CBD can benefit diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. The focus is on the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of CBD, which can help to slow the progression of these diseases.
• Addiction Recovery: Some studies suggest CBD may help individuals recover from substance abuse by reducing withdrawal symptoms and preventing relapse.
• Mental Health Disorders: Besides anxiety and depression, other mental health disorders like schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can also benefit from CBD. The focus is on CBD’s ability to regulate mood and social behavior.

While our bodies are able to produce endocannabinoids, we can benefit from those existing cannabinoids by adding plant-based cannabinoids (called phytocannabinoids) like CBD and CBG.

Current research on CBD is overwhelmingly positive and has already been approved by the FDA as a seizure medication called Epidolex.

The Secret About CBD No One Knows

The secret no one knows about CBD is anandamide.

Anandamide is a molecule that our body produces naturally that is referred to as “the bliss molecule.” This molecule naturally occurs in our bodies and is an endocannabinoid released when our bodies sense that they need to regain their physiological balance. 

When anandamide is produced and released, it binds to specific receptors within the endocannabinoid system, mainly the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Once the anandamide binds to these receptors, it triggers a series of responses that help regulate various functions, such as:

• Mood
• Pain Sensation
• Appetite
• Immune Response

Anandamide and CBD both belong to the same family of cannabinoids, so they both achieve very similar effects when they interact with the endocannabinoid system. 

So anytime we take CBD, our bodies get a dose of the cannabinoid they love to help us feel our best.

Final Thoughts on The Secrets of CBD

CBD and its ability to interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system has opened up new horizons for holistic health. The possibilities of CBD continue to grow from pain management and anxiety relief to potential applications in neurodegenerative diseases and even cancer treatment.

 

CBD’s ability to interact with and enhance the effects of our body’s own endocannabinoids shows the incredible benefits that it has on our body and its natural ability to maintain homeostasis.

 

As we continue to uncover the secrets of CBD, we step closer to fully harnessing the power of this natural cannabinoid and living in a future where traditional medicine is a thing of the past, and cannabinoids are fully embraced as the new frontier in medicine.