How Does CBD Interact with the Human Body
Our bodies are designed with a biological system made up of endocannabinoids called the endocannabinoid system. Endocannabinoids are internal lipid-based neurotransmitters that have the ability to combine themselves with cannabinoid receptors located throughout our body. The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in helping regulate an array of physiological and cognitive processes, which include:
- Memory
- Mood
- Pregnancy
- Fertility
- Appetite
- Prenatal development
- Postnatal development
These are not the only functions that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in. The system also is involved in exercise too. Anytime an individual engages in voluntary physical exercise, the endocannabinoid system goes to work. The system helps in release of euphoria, while having a controlling element of our locomotor activity. It even has an impact on your motivational salience for rewards, which is our internal meter in our body that decides how much energy and sacrifice you are willing to put into a goal you are trying to achieve.
Receptors of the endocannabinoid system: CB1, CB2 and 2-AG
In the endocannabinoid system, there are two primary receptors. These receptors are called CB1 and CB2. The receptors found in CB1 are generally located throughout the brain, nervous system, peripheral organs, intestines and tissues. These receptors are the main target for the endocannabinoid-binding molecule called a ligand, as well as anandamide (fatty acid neuro-transmitter), THC.
The CB2 receptor has a different set of responsibilities. These receptors are found mostly in white blood cells, tonsils and the spleen. They play an important function in the regulation of cytokine release.
There is one other main endocannabinoid that contributes to the endocannabinoid system. This is the 2-AG. This endocannabinoid is active in the CB1 and the CB2 and has its own mimetic phytocannabinoid, which is CBD. The 2-AG and CBD play an important role in the regulation of the immune system, managing discomfort and supporting in immune system functions.
How CBD interacts with these receptors
CBD has an interesting way of interacting with out bodies. One would think that the interaction is direct, while in fact it is an indirect interaction. It acts upon the CB1 and CB2 receptors, but does not bind with these receptors directly. Instead these indirect actions toward the receptors activate the TRPV1 receptors. These receptors are responsible for regulating body temperature, giving an individual the perception of discomfort and swelling. Not only are these receptors interacted with, but CBD also has an impact on amount of anandamide that is produced in your body. Anandamide is the molecule in your body that contains a part in neural generation of feelings we associate with pleasure and motivation. This molecule is often referred to as the bliss molecule for the outputs it puts into our body making us feel these positive feelings.
CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system, which therefore helps with homeostasis in the body, decreasing swelling and works to reduce discomforts. Some of the benefits that CBD provides when it interacts with the endocannabinoid system are:
- Helping control IBS
- Aiding in decreasing withdrawal symptoms from substance abuse
- Improves concentration
- Decreasing anxious feelings
- Promotes sense of calmness
- Reducing acne
- Fights swelling
- Combats bacterial infections
- Reducing nausea
These are just a few of the mass amount of benefits your body receives when CBD interacts with your bodies endocannabinoid system. When CBD interacts with the CB1 receptors in our bodies it aids in:
- Promoting a sense of calmness
- Maintaining normal blood pressure
- Reducing anxious feelings
- Decreasing fear and paranoia
- Diminishing intestinal swelling
Similar to the array of benefits CBD does for your body as a whole, there is a list of the benefits it provides when interacting with your CB1 receptors, too. CBD has a whole new set of roles it works in when interacting with the CB2 receptors. These are:
- Promoting skin health
- Fighting malignant cell growth
- Promoting good bone health
- Alleviated discomforts
- Aiding in kidney function
CBD will change the way you feel
Although our body produces endocannabinoids already, the production of these can be impaired by things we do to our body on a daily basis. An outside source of CBD can help aid our endocannabinoid system in returning to full function or even working above full functionality, and lead to an all-around healthier and more fulfilled lifestyle.