How Is CBD So Effective?

It’s interesting to ponder the other types of medicines and herbs we take, do we really know what they’re doing in our bodies? Not really! For instance, do we question ibuprofen when we have a headache or do we just pop the lid to and trust that it will quell our headache? 

CBD can be your go-to for headaches, but let’s build the trust in this herb a little further.  

Okay, we’re going to try and break this down so it’s easily digested information, but things may get a bit science-y for a moment!

We have what is known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS) within our bodies — it’s in there, it already exists! It’s a highly-functioning system just like our nervous and immune system.

The endocannabinoid system is responsible for how we experience the effects of the cannabis plant, so lucky for us, it exists! But it goes beyond how we just experience a certain strain — it plays one of the most vital roles a system can — it’s largely responsible for our body’s natural balancing scale: homeostasis. 

Homeostasis is the range in which everything within us and about us operates by a finite set of conditions — the cosmos have to align — for us to feel and perform our best. 

What you need to know about the ECS:

Cannabinoid Receptors – The Hot Gossips

These are the gossips of the ECS! They sit on the surface of the cells and listen to the conditions outside the cell and report back everything in great detail. 

CB1 and CB2 are the sizable cannabinoid receptors that interact with both CBD and THC. 

Most notably, THC connects with CB1 receptors and CBD connects CB2 receptors. 

Endocannabinoids – Our In-House Therapeutic Compounds

Endocannabinoids — “endo”= within — can be attributed to plant cannabinoids such as CBD and THC, but we produce them in-house and all on our own! 

The two major players include:

Anandamide – Acts on CB1 receptors

2-AG – Acts on CB2 receptors

Both are made and packaged for exactly when they are needed. 

Metabolic Enzymes – The Destroyers

The metabolic enzymes go to work in our ECS to destroy the endocannabinoids once they are used, and they include FAAH and MAGL. Their function is to ensure we get our endocannabinoids when we need them, but absorb and keep the balance when they’re no longer needed. 

Why does any of this matter?

Because the fact that our ECS exists makes it largely possible for us to experience the therapeutic effects of other cannabinoids such as CBD and THC. As we know, THC and CBD interact largely with the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2.

Not only do these cannabis compounds interact with the ECS, but rarely do constituents only interact with one type of receptor. This is the beauty of CBD in that it interacts with a myriad of receptors to elicit many healing and therapeutic effects. 

So, when we say it supports sleep, immune health, the nervous system, and inflammation balance, we know this is true because it acts upon a broad range of receptors in our bodies.