What is CBD? How does CBD work?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. It belongs to the class of chemical compounds called cannabinoids. It is the cannabinoids that are responsible for the medicinal, therapeutic and recreational effects of the cannabis plant.

The cannabis plant contains a large number of cannabinoids. However, THC and CBD are the most important and popular ones.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the chemical compound responsible for the feeling of high on smoking marijuana. Marijuana is one of several species of cannabis. Since it has high THC content, it is mainly used to get high.

Different species of cannabis contain different cannabinoids, each with its own dedicated function. For example, another species of cannabis, hemp has a higher concentration of CBD which makes it more of a therapeutic plant than a recreational plant.

CBD is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid. That means it doesn't elevate you. In fact, research suggests that it may even be able to reduce the psychoactive effects of THC.

What is the source of CBD?

The best source of CBD is industrial hemp plants. This cannabis species naturally contains high amounts of CBD in its leaves, buds and flowers.

Not all cannabis plants contain the same amount of CBD. It varies from plant to plant. So in a general sense, any cannabis plant that is rich in CBD and contains less than 0.3% of THC is considered cannabis.

CBD is extracted from hemp using several different extraction processes. Each procedure differs according to several parameters such as the solvent and plant part(s) being used as well as the cannabinoid(s) being targeted.

What is the use of CBD oil?

Research is being done every day to discover new therapeutic benefits of CBD OIL. As we already know, CBD can help reduce and manage the symptoms of a number of medical conditions.

Although the research related to CBD oil is young and fresh, it has been studied to show the following effects:

• Neuroprotective

• Anxious (to reduce anxiety)

• Anti-inflammatory

• Anti-oxidants

• Analgesics (pain relievers)

• anti-psychotic, and

• Antidepressants

Due to such properties of CBD, it has become quite popular in the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions:

• Epilepsy

• Drug Addiction and Withdrawal

• Anxiety, depression and sleep disorders

• Parkinson's, Huntington's, and neurodegenerative diseases

• Chronic pain and muscle cramps

 How does CBD work?

For some time now, the popularity of CBD has been increasing. More and more people are now using CBD because of its many medical benefits. With increasing research, the mysteries surrounding CBD are slowly being revealed. We know about its benefits, but it is equally important to know how they work.

In this article, we understand the relationship between the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant and the receptors in the human body that make this interaction possible.

cannabinoids in the human body

Cannabinoids (such as CBD and THC) are not only present in the cannabis plant. In fact, all vertebrates, including humans, produce cannabinoids. These are known as endocannabinoids, because they are produced within the body.

Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant.

The word endocannabinoid is made up of two words endo and cannabinoids.

Endo is short for endogenous, i.e. an intrinsic cause or origin and cannabinoids are any group of closely related compounds that includes cannabinol and the active compound of cannabis

Like our nervous and endocrine systems, we have a separate system, known as the endocannabinoid system, which is used by these endocannabinoids that communicate with each other and with other neurotransmitters in the body.

Endocannabinoids found in vertebrates are similar in structure to phytocannabinoids found in plants. Therefore, when phytocannabinoids enter the human body, they interact with the human body's cannabinoid receptors to produce their effects.

endocannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a neurotransmitter system that primarily controls many routine functions and emotions in our body. These include motor control, mood, bone development, fertility and reproduction, sleep, appetite, memory, immune function, and the reception of pain.

There are 3 major components of ECS:

1. Endocannabinoids: which are similar to neurons of ECs. Endocannabinoids are made everywhere in our body. The two main endocannabinoids are anandamide (involved in memory and appetite) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (involved in maintaining emotional and cardiovascular health).

2. Cannabinoid Receptors: These are receptors that bind with endocannabinoids. These are present in both the central as well as the peripheral nervous system.

3. Enzymes: are responsible for breaking down endo and phyto-cannabinoids.

Cannabinoid receptors in the human body

There are two cannabinoid receptors in the human body that we know of:

1. CB1: These receptors, although present throughout the body, are mainly found in the brain. CB1 receptors not only deal with all kinds of movement and coordination in our bodies, but are also responsible for memory, thinking, mood, emotions, and pain.

2. CB2: These receptors are usually found in the immune system. Their primary role is to reduce pain and inflammation in the body.

How does ECS work (without cannabis)?

Before diving deeper into the interaction between cannabinoids and the ECS, let's first understand how the ECS function in general.

The endocannabinoid system is just like any other signaling system in the body. But it works in the backward direction.

In a normal signaling system, neurons in the body communicate with each other and with the rest of the body through the use of chemical messages. Typically, a neuron (presynaptic cell) releases neurotransmitters that travel across the synapse and attach themselves to specific receptors (postsynaptic cells).

This activates the postsynaptic cell and triggers a set of events that allow the message to be passed along.

But it is different in ECS. Here, the postsynaptic neuron is the first to activate. This results in the activation of cannabinoids (ie messengers of ECs) from fat cells already present in the postsynaptic neuron. They then travel back to the presynaptic neuron and attach themselves to cannabinoid receptors.

what does this mean?

This basically means that the messengers of ECs i.e. cannabinoids act on presynaptic cells. Therefore, they work with the amount available instead of producing the actual required amount of neurotransmitters. It affects the way messages are sent, received and processed in the body.

CBD and ECS

Cannabinoids have a structure similar to endocannabinoids, which allows them to bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body. These bring about some changes in body functions resulting in the effects that CBD is famous for.

Most cannabinoids can bind to both of these receptors. THC has a tendency to quickly and directly bind to CB1 receptors throughout the body. This action suddenly unbalances the system. This imbalance in the system is considered high.

On the other hand, there are some cannabinoids like CBD that have low affinity for binding with both CB1 and CB2 receptors. It does not trigger any receptors directly but works indirectly.

Since CBD has such a low binding affinity, it works inversely. It blocks the breakdown of certain cannabinoids at a particular receptor.

For example, CBD reduces the action of enzymes that will break down anandamide in the body. This, in turn, would lead to higher concentrations of anandamide. Anandamide has a calming effect on the brain, so the high concentration allows the use of CBD to relieve stress and anxiety.

Foods and Activities that Promote ECS

In addition to CBD, several factors influence the functions of the ECS. These mainly include the food that we eat and the activities that we do in our daily life. The ECS is not only responsible for life-sustaining but also for life-enhancing activities, so even a minute imbalance in the system can lead to a number of medical conditions.

In addition to CBD, some exercises and foods can be adopted to keep the ECS in balance.

running and workout

Running and/or a good cardio workout releases anandamide in our body, which makes us feel better after a workout. There is a misconception that endorphins cause this. But in reality, it is caused by the endocannabinoid system.

essential fatty acids

Good omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids contain high amounts of precursors to endocannabinoids (precursors are chemical compounds that help produce another chemical compound). This means that we have to ingest fatty acids so that our body can produce endocannabinoids regularly.

The most common sources of essential fatty acids are walnuts, beef, flax seeds, poultry and sunflower oil. But we have to pick a favorite, it has to be hemp! Hemp seeds and hemp oil both contain omega-6 and omega-3 in an optimal ratio of 3:1, along with other essential nutrients and minerals.

Hemp seeds and/or oil are a great addition to your diet and everyday life and can play a major role in keeping your endocannabinoid system healthy.

Herb

OK, this may be shocking but cannabis isn't the only plant that contains cannabinoids. Black pepper, turmeric, echinacea, liverwort and coneflower are also good sources of anandamide. These are easily available herbs and I am sure at least one of them can be found in your kitchen.

things that damage the ecs

Now that we are clear about the things that are good for our ECS, it is time to shed some light on the things that are not.

high pesticide foods

It is a common practice to use an excessive amount of pesticides to make the product look healthy. But these products are not only bad for the ECS but our body in general. Organic foods are your body's best friend. To keep not only your ECS, but your entire body in good health, avoid inorganic, chemical-based foods as much as possible.

Liquor

A little too much of everything is harmful. Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol leads to a decline in the sensitivity of CB1 which alters the number of endocannabinoids present in the body.

chronic stress

Stress is a part of our life. There is no avoiding it. The general word is to rest and take life according to the day. But here it also considers the other side of the tension. For example, highly stressful exercise can have a negative effect on the ECS.

Now, that doesn't mean you should avoid exercise altogether. Instead, you can combine your daily exercise with a little meditation, creative processes, and/or structured breathing.