How does CBD interacts with Endocannabinoid System
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
According to Project CBD, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting and publicizing research in CBD, the endocannabinoid system is a “biochemical communication system in the human body…which plays a crucial role in regulating our physiology, mood, and everyday experience.” This intricate system is comprised of cannabinoid receptors that react to the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. In other words–we wouldn’t get high or enjoy the medical benefits of marijuana without our endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system doesn’t just get us high though.
Researchers have determined that the Endocannabinoid System works to regulate processes like:
- Sleep
- Appetite
- Digestion
- Mood
- Motor control
- Immune function
- Reproduction and fertility
- Pleasure and reward
- Memory
- Temperature regulation
- Pain
However, the endocannabinoid system can only regulate these areas when working properly. When this system fails, we see an increase in disease and disorders, like migraines, fibromyalgia, and IBS. Thanks to advances in medical science, we’ve discovered that when the body fails to produce enough of its own endocannabinoids, we may be able to supplement with plant cannabinoids.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating psychoactive cannabinoid that acts as a pleiotropic drug in that it produces many effects through multiple molecular pathways. Pleiotropy refers to the expression of multiple traits by a single gene.
CBD doesn’t directly interact with our two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, that many cannabinoids, such as THC or CBG, interact with. Instead, CBD interacts with our endocannabinoids, Endo meaning endogenous or internal and these receptors are considered “endogenous cannabinoids” because cannabinoids interact with them.
Credits: cobocbd.com