Until recently, scientists could not tell us how exactly CBD works, but it was clear that it stimulated many biochemical processes. However, the rapidly growing interest of people around the world has forced scientists to roll up their sleeves and answer this important question. And voila! The basic principle of how CBD works has been discovered, and the short answer is through our endocannabinoid system!
Have you ever heard of the endocannabinoid system? It turns out that every person has it. In fact, even animals have it!
The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in regulating our mood, physiological functions and well-being. It’s a complex network of neurons that helps balance the various body functions and is the main reason why you finally relax with CBD oil.
MY ENDOCANNABI... WHAT? WHY HAVEN’T I HEARD OF THIS?
You are probably thinking: ‘Well, if it’s so important, why isn’t it taught in school and why is it so little talked about?’
The answer is simple – the endocannabinoid system was only discovered in the 1990s.
So, everyone should ask these questions, and teaching it should be mandatory. Especially now that scientists have conducted multiple studies, finding the significant role the ECS plays in regulating your body functions! This is definitely an important missing part of what we learn about our nervous system when we are young.
HOW DOES THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM WORK?
While there is a lack of thorough research to say exactly how the endocannabinoid system works, based on the latest research findings, we know that it helps to regulate various vital functions of the body. It interacts with other body systems and helps regulate their functioning, including how you feel, move and react to the environment. Simply put, the endocannabinoid system is like a general manager who is responsible for the productivity and quality of work performed by workers (other body systems).
The endocannabinoid system is a biological system. It consists of cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids. The activity of this system manifests throughout the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
It means that endocannabinoids and their cannabinoid receptors are found throughout your body: in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells.
The endocannabinoid system performs different tasks in each type of tissue, but, as we now know, the goal is always the same – homoeostasis, maintaining the stable functioning of internal functions despite fluctuations in the external environment.
It’s very important!
This is why the endocannabinoid system has been found to benefit many people and animals. It restores balance to your body and promotes good physical and psychological well-being. According to scientists, a disturbed or damaged endocannabinoid system is directly related to the increased sensitivity of your body to various external factors.
HOW DOES CBD INTERACT WITH THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?
An article about the endocannabinoid system would not be complete without discussing the interactions with CBD and the benefits it provides. The endocannabinoid system answers the question of why the natural cannabinoids found in hemp and other plants have a therapeutic effect.
The system consists of cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoid receptors are like a lock. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that stimulate cannabinoid receptors. These are the chemical keys to the cannabinoid receptors – they tell your body when to start various processes and when to stop them.
CBD is a cannabinoid!
Some endocannabinoids are produced by your body, but most of them come from food and supplements.
There are many different cannabinoids, CBD being just one of them.
In simple terms, CBD binds to the ECS receptors in your body, strengthening your endocannabinoid system. Don’t forget it – it’s very important. The goal is always the same – homoeostasis, maintaining the stable functioning of internal functions despite fluctuations in the external environment.
While there are many cannabinoids, CBD is a favourite among them because it is extremely effective in restoring a weakened endocannabinoid system and because it does not have a psychoactive effect. It doesn’t make you feel intoxicated, on the contrary, it helps you relax and calm your mind, not ‘go out of your mind’.
Scientists are still figuring out the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and CBD, but one thing we know for sure is that CBD is a powerful plant compound with immense potential to bring balance to your body, mind and soul.
