Understanding the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and CBD allows you to unlock this mystery compound’s maximum wellness benefits. In this blog post, we’ll do just that. Let’s explore the endocannabinoid system, how CBD engages with it, and why choosing the best-quality CBD products is necessary to access its full potential.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex system that exists in the bodies of all mammals- including you! By sending signals to cells in different body areas, the ECS is essential in regulating various physiological processes that influence your circadian rhythm, including sleep, mood, immune response, appetite, and pain sensations. The ECS consists of:
- Endocannabinoids: Compounds your body naturally produces that bond to your cannabinoid receptors. The two primary types of endocannabinoids are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).
- Cannabinoid receptors: Two main types of cannabinoid receptors service different areas of your body. First are your CB1 receptors, which can be found in the central nervous system. Second, your CB2 receptors are in the immune and peripheral nervous systems.
- Enzymes: Think of enzymes as the recycling system for your endocannabinoids once they have served their purpose. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) breaks down anandamide, and monoacylglycerol acid lipase (MAGL) breaks down 2-AG after the respective functions of each endocannabinoid have been fulfilled.
How does CBD affect the endocannabinoid system?
Unlike its notorious counterpart, THC, which binds itself directly to your CB1 and CB2 receptors, cannabidiol (CBD) connects indirectly with your ECS to influence the following:
- Enzymes: CBD inhibits the FAAH enzyme, which breaks down the anandamide endocannabinoid. As a result, you experience an enhanced mood and noticeable stress reduction.
- Receptors: CBD activates several non-cannabinoid receptors in the ECS, such as the serotonin receptor (5-HT1A) and the vanilloid receptor (TRPV1). These interactions relax your perception of pain, inflammation, and negative emotions.
- Receptor activity: By modulating the activity of your CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD enhances these receptors’ responses to endocannabinoids and other cannabinoids to provide balance to the physiological processes your ECS controls. In doing so, CBD supports overall homeostasis to your circadian rhythm.
In summary, the benefits of CBD on your endocannabinoid system include pain relief, stress reduction, better sleep quality and patterns, and immune support. As such, these therapeutic benefits make CBD a wonderful treatment for common health conditions and concerns like chronic pain and inflammation, arthritis, migraines, and insomnia. Furthermore, CBD also offers a natural alternative to prescription medications for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. And the best part? It doesn’t come with the risk of any unwanted side effects that prescription medications do, which include cardiovascular problems, liver damage, addiction and overdose, hormone dysfunction, chronic constipation, bone fractures, muscle rigidity, and more.
Why quality CBD matters
When shopping for CBD, choosing sustainably sourced products tested by third-party labs for safety and efficacy is crucial. Poor-quality CBD products may contain inappropriate amounts of CBD, or harmful additives that reduce effectiveness and cause adverse effects. To avoid coming into contact with inferior CBD products, shop from a trusted source like Cloud City Supply.
Cloud City Supply was voted the best CBD store in Silicon Valley by Mercury News readers for two consecutive years. It only offers premium CBD products that have passed rigorous lab testing for purity, potency, and safety. Explore a wide range of CBD products, including topical, sublingual, and edible CBD, to find the best fit for your health and wellness needs. Need help? Visit our downtown Campbell store for tailored CBD solutions for your endocannabinoid system concerns.
