CBD is a natural therapeutic compound found in the cannabis plant alongside THC, but it doesn’t make you high; instead, it makes you relaxed and balanced.
CBD has many healing properties to help you with:
Despite CBD’s benefits, many people don’t realise how CBD works inside the body.
How does CBD work inside the body – The science of CBD
CBD benefits the body by interacting with a certain system.
The Endocannabinoid System
Your body has a cell signalling system called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS responds to compounds like CBD and THC to bring the body to balance.
The ECS is responsible for many important functions in the body:
- Mood
- Memory
- Inflammation
- Reproductive system function
It manages appetite, digestion, and the maintenance of sleep-wake cycles among other functions.
When the ECS is not balanced, many problems may occur, such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, epilepsy, and chronic headaches.
The ECS consists of:
- Endocannabinoids
- Receptors
- Enzymes.
Let’s break down how each part of the ECS functions.
Endocannabinoids
Endo means within.
Cannabinoids are compounds.
Endocannabinoids are compounds that are created within the body.
There are two natural compounds that our bodies produce, which function similarly to Phyto-cannabinoids, CBD and THC. They are:
2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)
This endocannabinoid manages appetite, pain response and immune system functions.
Anandamide (AEA)
Anandamide is responsible for feelings of bliss, euphoria during meditation and exercise (runner’s high).
Receptors
The human body has many cannabinoid receptors. These receptors work as a communication channel; cannabinoids like CBD and THC interact with these stations to bring balance to the body.
Two main cannabinoid receptors found in the body are:
CB1
The CB1 receptors are present throughout the brain and spine. It manages appetite, memory, and pain.
CB2
They are present in the immune system and manage inflammation throughout the body.
Enzymes
The Enzymes speed up reactions and break down endocannabinoids after the endocannabinoids have done their job.
There are two types of enzymes: The enzymes that stimulate and break down the endocannabinoids.
Enzymes that stimulate the cannabinoids are:
- 1,2-diacylglycerol lipase
- phospholipase A
Enzymes that break down cannabinoids are:
- fatty acid amide hydrolase, which breaks down AEA
- monoacylglycerol acid lipase, which typically breaks down 2-AG
Now you know about the ECS.
So how does CBD actually work in your body?
When CBD enters your body, it interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors and helps modulate chemical processes that influence your natural endocannabinoids.
When the endocannabinoids are produced, they start to balance the body by reducing pain and inflammation.
The full benefits of CBD can be accessed by consuming high-quality products.
Refer to the points below to get high-quality CBD products.
3 ways to choose good quality CBD Products
CBD comes in different forms. It’s in capsules, oils, gummies, gels and many more formats.
You need to know what format suits your situation. Explore genuine CBD products and consult with a medical professional.
To get high-quality CBD products, make sure they have the following:
- Labelling
- Licenses
- Certificate of Analysis
Labelling
Genuine CBD products state they are made from hemp. They also mention the type of product they are, whether it is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum or isolate.
Licenses
The product must have a licence to be in the market. For Indian Cannabis products, the license is given by the Ayush Ministry.
Certificate of Analysis
The product must have a Certificate of Analysis (COA). The COA helps verify the authenticity of the product because it states the CBD and THC levels within the products.
Conclusion
CBD works in the body by interacting with the Endocannabinoid system. This consists of endocannabinoids, receptors and enzymes. When the endocannabinoids 2-AG and Anandamide are produced, they help your body to return to a state of homeostasis (balance).
The homeostasis induced by CBD and the endocannabinoids gives a calm state of mind and ease within the body. When the endocannabinoids have done their work, enzymes present in the ECS break them down.
To get real mental and physical benefits of CBD, choose high-quality CBD products with accurate labelling, a government license and a valid Certificate of Analysis.
Make CBD work in your body with quality products.
