The Endocannabinoid System With CBD

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has been said to do wonders in managing different conditions. Most websites are writing about its benefits, methods of use, and the different conditions it treats. It might have left you in awe of how CBD plays a role in managing these ailments. This article highlights more about the endocannabinoid system and how CBD works with it for different beneficial properties.

Researchers first identified it in the early 1990s. According to Battista et al. (2012), it is a complex cell-signaling network in the body as the endocannabinoid system is a new topic for researchers. Studies are still ongoing on its usefulness in the body. However, it has been confirmed that this system is responsible for regulating various activities and processes—for example, moods, appetite, memory, and sleep. Experts believe there is a link between chronic conditions and a lack of enough endocannabinoids in one's body as a theory in researching how CBD might help. Learn more about is cbd beneficial for athletes?

The Role of the Endocannabinoid System

According to Keramati & Gutkin (2014), the primary role of the endocannabinoid system is homeostasis or maintaining the stability of the body’s internal environment. This system is made up of three main parts. These are endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids help with different body functions. The body produces them as needed making it difficult to understand what are normal levels. There are two main endocannabinoids. They include anandamide and 2-archidonoyl glycerol. Anandamide is sometimes known as the bliss molecule. It is believed to play a role in working memory and early-stage embryo development. Currently, experts have information on two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are found mainly in the brain but are believed in the kidneys, lungs, and liver.

The huge amount of CB1 receptors in the regions of the brain best explains why cannabinoids influence different functions in the body. CB2 receptors mainly exist in the immune tissues. It plays an important role in helping to control the immune system. Lastly, the enzymes are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids after carrying out different needed responses. The main enzymes that carry out this function are the fatty acid amide hydrolase and the monoacylglycerol acid lipase. Endocannabinoids inhibit or suppress the immune system’s inflammatory signals. Therefore, any interventions that manipulate the production of endocannabinoids may help in inflammatory diseases.

How Does CBD Interact with the Endocannabinoid System?

Experts believe that CBD attaches itself to the endocannabinoid receptors or suppresses the breaking down of endocannabinoids, allowing them to be more effective in their role. Different ways work with the endocannabinoid system for different therapeutic actions. For example, it increases dopamine. Dopamine is mainly referred to as the happy hormone. It directly affects feelings of pleasure and reward. Increasing the production of dopamine promotes the feeling of happiness and satisfaction. Beyond its role in producing dopamine, it acts on TRPV1 receptors to help regulate general body temperature and relieve inflammation and pain.

According to Di Marzo & Piscitelli (2015), through the endocannabinoid system in the brain, CBD also works with the anandamide cannabinoid. This molecule works to help enhance moods by bringing waves of euphoria and happiness. CBD, as one of cannabis's cannabinoids, works similarly to the anandamide molecule. When consumed, it travels throughout the body, letting the body know where it needs more help. By promoting a feeling of happiness, a boost in the production of the anandamide help alleviate symptoms that relate to the overall mood and psychiatric disorders. Scientists have also found that CBD interacts with several immune-regulating receptors. These are CB, TRPV1, and FAAH, among others.

According to Maurya et al. (2021), CBD reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and soothes tissues in the event of an injury by promoting recovery. This process also weakens the response of the immune. It is needed for people suffering from auto-immune disorders. The endocannabinoid system is also responsible for the regulation of sleeping cycles. When one suffers from insomnia and takes CBD, it promotes better sleep.

Additionally, CBD helps relieve anxiety and stress through interaction with CB1, CB2, and 5HTIA receptors. These help people dealing with anxiety or stress to feel calmer and relaxed. Glycine receptors play a major role in pain proprioception through the spinal cord. After ingesting CBD, it combines with these receptors to reduce inflammation and chronic pain.

Are There Any Possible Side Effects?

Averagely, CBD is said to interact well with its users, but some have reported various side effects. These are dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea, and lightheadedness. CBD also reduces saliva production in the mouth, thus producing a feeling of stickiness once consumed. According to Fleury-Teixeira et al. (2019), blood pressure can drop as CBD tends to relax your blood vessels. Another concern is that CBD is a new product introduced to one’s system, and it has carrier oils that might necessitate the body to need time before getting used to it. It increases the chances of vomiting and diarrhea once ingested.

Conclusion

CBD works with the endocannabinoid system through the interaction of cannabinoid receptors distributed in the various parts of your body. CBD also interacts with different receptors, for instance, those in the immune system, to activate or weaken immune response and reduce pain response. The different ways CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system enable the product to help alleviate symptoms of different conditions. In the future, there is an aspiration that CBD will not only manage but cure some of these conditions. Learn more about storing cbd products

References

Battista, N., Di Tommaso, M., Bari, M., & Maccarrone, M. (2012). The endocannabinoid system: an overview. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 6, 9.

Di Marzo, V., & Piscitelli, F. (2015). The endocannabinoid system and its modulation by phytocannabinoids. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 692-698.

Keramati, M., & Gutkin, B. (2014). Homeostatic reinforcement learning for integrating reward collection and physiological stability. Life, 3.

Maurya, S. K., Bhattacharya, N., Mishra, S., Bhattacharya, A., Banerjee, P., Senapati, S., & Mishra, R. (2021). Microglia-specific drug targeting using natural products to regulate redox imbalance in neurodegeneration. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 654489.

Fleury-Teixeira, P., Caixeta, F. V., Ramires da Silva, L. C., Brasil-Neto, J. P., & Malcher-Lopes, R. (2019). Effects of CBD-enriched cannabis sativa extract on autism spectrum disorder symptoms: an observational study of 18 participants undergoing compassionate use—frontiers in neurology, 1145.