Everything you Wanted to know about CBD but just did not know where to start.
Updated: Oct 6, 2020
Everything you Wanted to know about CBD but just did not know where to start.
It is important to understand the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in conjunction with CBD because of the great contribution CBD provides for our Health and our goal of Homeostasis.
In reviewing the Endocannabinoid System and seeing the Phytocannabinoids like CBG’s impact and influence on Homeostasis it reminds us of the opportunity we have to assist our Endocannabinoid system in obtaining its homeostasis goal.
How to strengthen your ECS System
To understand the connections of our ECS system to the receptors and enzymes that influence our state of homeostasis
Understanding of CBD’s Influence on our Endocannabinoid System
Learn the difference between CBD Oil and Hemp Oil
Learn why absorption of CBD product is more significant than the mg dose. “It’s not what you take in, it is what you absorb.”
Learn why CBD has different results for different individuals.
Let us start with the Endocannabinoid system and work our way in to additional information that will give you a clearer understanding of your endocannabinoid system that has just been recently discovered and the phytocannabinoids that supplement your endocannabinoid system with a focus on homeostasis.
It is key to look at CBD because of its great contribution to so many aspects of our Health. In looking at the testimonials of people taking CBD it is amazing how CBD has changed so much for so many people in so many ways. Let uss main first go through the Endocannabinoid System and then work our way in to the features and benefits and receptors that CBD contributes to the replenishing of our Endocannabinoid system.
Endocannabinoid System is our internal system with cannabis-like substances that naturally incur inside of us. These natural type cannabis-like molecules which make up our endocannabinoid systems main role is to maintain homeostasis within our bodies. Endocannabinoids are made by our bodies and phytocannabinoids can supplement your Internal cannabinoids. Phyto meaning that the cannabinoids come from plants.
Endocannabinoid receptors are found through- out our bodies which includes our brain, skin, immune cells, bone, fat tissue, liver, pancreas, skeletal muscle, heart, blood vessels, kidney and gastrointestinal tract.
Scientists have also shown that the endocannabinoid system is involved in pain, memory, mood, appetite, stress, sleep, metabolism, immune function, and reproductive function.
Researchers have discovered two Cannabinoid receptors.
Receptors:
CB1 which is mainly in the central nervous system, connective tissue, gona, and ds, glands and organ
CB2 receptors are mainly in the immune system and the peripheral system.
Many tissues contain both CB1 and CB2 receptors. Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor
Endocannabinoids:
There are two key endocannabinoids Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG)
Anandamide which is also known as arachidonoylethanolamides is a fatty acid neurotransmitter derived from the non-oxidative metabolism of eicosatetraenoic acid (arachidonic acid) and essential omega-6 fatty acid. The name is taken from the Sanskrit word Ananda, which means joy, bliss, delight, and amide. It is degraded primarily by the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme, which converts anandamide into ethanolamine and arachidonic acid. As such, inhibitors of FAAH lead to elevated anandamide levels and are being researched for therapeutic use. Anandamide’s effects can occur in either the central or peripheral nervous system. These distinct effects are mediated primarily by CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system, and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the periphery. The CB2 receptors are involved in the immune system. The discovery of anandamide came from research into CB! and CB2 Anandamide is synthesized enzymatically in the area of the brain that are important in memory, thought processes and control of movement. Research suggests that anandamide plays a role in the making and breaking of short-term connections between nerve cells and this is related to learning and memory Anandamide has been called the ‘bliss molecule” for its role in activating cannabinoid receptors in brain cells to heighten motivation and happiness.
2-Arachidonoylglyerol is a molecular species of monoacylglycerol isolated in 1995 from rat brain and canine gut as and endogenous ligand for the cannabinoid receptors. 2-AG is rapidly formed from arachidonic acid containing phospholipids through increased phospholipid metabolism, such as enhanced inositol phospholipid turnover, in various tissues and cells upon stimulation. 2AG binds to the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) and exhibits a variety of cannabimetic activities in vitro and in vivo. 2Arachidonylglycerol is an endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid). Endocannabinoids are a class of fatty acid derivatives defined by their ability to interact with the specific cannabinoid receptors that were originally identified as the targets of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis.
Enzymes
There are two main enzymes that break down endocannabinoids once they have carried out their function.
The two main enzymes are Monoacylglycerol acid lipase, which typically breaks down 2-AG and Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase, which breaks down AEA.
There are still many unknowns of all the functions our ECS system performs and all the processes it impacts but Research has connected the following processes to our ECS system and many to CBG that is a contributor to the ECS system and our goal of homeostasis.
The following processes have been researched and our continuing to be researched as they find more and more evidence the ECS system has on the following: Appetite and Digestion, Metabolism, Chronic Pain, Inflammation and other Immune System responses, mood, learning and memory, motor control, sleep, cardiovascular system function, muscle formation, bone remodeling and growth, liver function, reproductive system function, stress, and skin and nerve function.
All the above processes contribute to your homeostasis, which is the stability of your internal environment.:
How to strengthen our Endocannabinoid System
Decrease your stress and anxiety
Cold exposure: Research has found that cold exposure significantly increases the density of CB1 neurons and cold exposure stimulates the vagus nerve which connects the gut and brain
Extra Virgin Oil because of its strong anti-inflammatory effects with oleic acid and oleic acid reduces blood pressure and it also increases fat burning to help with weight loss. It has also been shown to up regulate CB1 receptors.
CBD oil: Research shows that CBD enhances the expression of CB1 receptors in the brain. It also increases levels of 2-AG by preventing it from breaking down.
Fruits and Vegetables
Tea: Teas contain catechins, which are antioxidant compounds that have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Tea can also lower cortisol.
Probiotics: Probiotics have been shown to stimulate the vagus nerve which again links your gut and brain
Dark Chocolate is rich in antioxidants, such as flavanols and polyphenols which in turn reduce oxidative stress.
Exercise
Omega 3 fatty acids
Nuts and Seeds
Herbs and Spices
Echinacea
Cruciferous Vegetables.
Now on to CBD and before we go into detail on this it is important to understand the difference between CBD and THC and Hemp as well.
First Hemp comes from the Hemp seeds only
CBD comes from the Flower, the Stems and the Leaves of the Cannabis Plant
THC and CBD are both cannabinoids derived from the Cannabis plant. The differences is that you will not get the euphoric effect with CBD that you get from THC, CBD will not get you “high”. CBD will block some of euphoric effects of THC.
Both THC and CBD claim to provide pain relief and reduction of inflammation in the muscles.
CBD rich cannabis is harvested from the Cannabis Sativa Strain. This strain is mostly used for medicinal purposes. Also, the Santiva strains contain a high concentration of CBD.
CBD is short for cannabidiol. It is a dominant phytocannabinoids found in hemp and known for supporting body and mind in many ways. CBD as mentioned comes from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. Hemp oil comes from the hemp seeds and does not contain any cannabinoids. CBD does not produce intoxication; marijuana’s euphoria is caused by THC.
CBD has been stated for a wide variety of health issues, the strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the toughest childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravert syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome which typically don’t respond to antiseizure medications, and in numerous studies, CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures, and in some cases was able to stop them all together.
CBD is commonly used to address anxiety, and for patients challenged with insomnia, studies suggest CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep.
CBD may also offer an alternative to treating chronic pain. A study from the European Journal of Pain showed, using an animal model, CBD applied on the skin could help lower pain and inflammation fue to arthritis. Another study showed CBD inhibiting inflammatory and neuropathic pain, two of the most difficult types of paint to treat.
CBD as mentioned is used for its ability to benefit health in many areas. Health benefits can include pain relief, Insomnia, inflammation, anxiety, and depression.
CBD has different results for different people, because all of us have different deficiencies that need to be attended to so that we can continue our journey to homeostasis.
Hemp Oil
Although Hemp oil does not contain any cannabinoids it does contain healthy fats and minerals. Hemp seeds are rich in essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6. They are also great source of Vitamin E, Protein, and many additional minerals. Hemp seeds contain 30% fat. The gamma-linolenic acid found in hemp seeds has been linked to reducing inflammation.
With the discovery of the endocannabinoid system and supplementing your ECS System with Phytocannabinoids like CBG, it is important for you to know the details of the product you choose to buy.
Look for a QR code on your product that allows you to see where it was 3rd party tested and their findings. You should be able to see from this code the exact amount of THC in your product. It should not contain more than .3% THC. It is also important as mentioned earlier to understand what the absorption rate is and what the bioavailability of the product is as well. The bioavailability will tell you how long it stays in your body and at what level. The absorption rate tells you what your body absorbs of the dose you have taken.
In conclusion it is amazing that the Endocannabinoid system was just discovered in the 90’s, and how much contribution it makes to the homeostasis of our bodies. There is a lot of research ongoing with the ECS System which is exciting for its potential contribution to longevity for all of us.
