Tennee | April 18, 2019
I live in Northern California in a coastal town surrounded by vineyards and pot farms. Most people who live in the “Emerald Triangle” have been steeped in the medicinal properties of cannabis for decades now, but truth be told, the medicinal use of cannabis predates recorded history.
I am not a cannabis user; however, I jumped onto the CBD bandwagon after I experienced the profound anti-inflammatory, sleep-inducing, and pain relieving herbal compound for myself. But don’t take my word for it, the CBD industry reported 518 million dollars in 2018 and is projected to reach 22 billion dollars by 2022. It is quite clear that with the legalization of cannabis across the US, this plant is going to continue to grow in its popularity and its medicinal uses are likely to expand exponentially as well.
Properties of Cannabis
The cannabis plant is known to contain over 100 phytocannabinoids or chemical messengers, but scientists believe there are many more waiting in the wings to be uncovered. This complex plant uses its phytocannabinoids (plant cannabinoids) to help maintain its health and vitality. What is so fascinating about these chemical messengers is that they recalibrate our endocannabinoid (endogenous cannabinoid) system in much the same way to produce physiological changes in the human body. Its no wonder Cannabis is such a favored plant! The most renown compounds come from THC which is known best for its euphoric high and CBD which is the non-psychoactive component. In the past five years, CBD has taken the world by storm and is sold in a myriad of forms. Today you can obtain a wide range of CBD products. The diverse products available for consumption reflect the needs of a stressed-out population of people in search of safer alternatives to Xanax and Valium. In the United States today, 45 million people struggle with some form of mental illness and CBD is proving to pack a mighty punch when it comes to mental imbalances such as anxiety, panic attacks, and schizophrenia to name a few!
How CBD works on our natural homeostatic control system
In anatomy and physiology, everyone learned about the 11 main systems in our body.
However, most of us didn’t learn about the endocannabinoid system because it was discovered in1992 by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam. The signaling system between phytocannabinoids (from cannabis) and endocannabinoids (endogenous cannabinoids in our body) make up the ECS or the endocannabinoid system. This research is still in its infancy stage, but researchers have determined without a doubt that our bodies are designed to interact with cannabinoids in a health-promoting way. While the cannabinoid system performs different tasks, the primary goal is to provide homeostasis despite changes in the environment.
The endocannabinoid system is made up of three parts:
- endocannabinoids,- molecules that bind to and activate cannabinoid receptors
- receptors -where the endocannabinoids and the cannabinoids bond
- enzymes -that help break down endocannabinoids and cannabinoids.
The ECS helps to regulate processes like sleep, appetite, digestion, mood, motor control, immune function, reproduction, fertility, memory, temperature regulation, and pain. So if something is off kilter, it is the ECS that works to rebalance the system. This is accomplished via canna receptors.
How does CBD interact with the human body?
CBD has an indirect relationship with our CB1 receptors (concentrated in the brain and CNS) and the CB2 receptors (serving the immune, cardiovascular and muscular system) CBD improves and modifies the capability of the receptor which enhances the receptors capacity to bind to cannabinoids. CBD also improves a condition called a “cannabinoid deficiency”. Cannabinoid deficiency is quite literally a term for those that tend to produce a lower amount of cannabinoids in the body. Examples of cannabinoid deficiencies can result in migraines, fibromyalgia, and depression.
/Source: NCBI
5 Benefits of CBD
Some benefits include but are not limited to:
Lowers systemic Inflammation
Since inflammation is an immune response, compounds that help lower this response work on the CB2 receptor. Since CBD works like a lock and key with the CB2 receptor it plays a special role in reducing inflammation. It is also known that CBD suppresses the inflammatory cytokine production and induces T-regulatory cells to protect the body from attacking itself, which can help autoimmune conditions as well as chronic inflammation.
/Source: NCBI
Supports Brain Health
CBD works directly on the brain receptors to support serotonin which increase "happy states" and GABA, which produce "calming states". Lower levels of these neurotransmitters can contribute to anxiety and depression. CBD also promotes neuroprotection . Studies have shown that cannabidiol (CBD) at a concentration of 10 uM, was neuroprotective against both excitatory transmitter (glutamate) and oxidant (hydroperoxide) induced neurotoxicity.
Decreases Pain
CBD inhibits transmission of neuronal signaling through pain pathways. CBD has been proven to be extremely beneficial for pain relief, and unlike pain medications such as Tylenol, CBD does not cause kidney or liver issues while providing pain relief.
Helps to heal the GI
CBD helps heal the leaky tight junctions that contribute to intestinal permeability and decreases spasmodic activity common in irritable bowel syndrome.
While current medical practices use therapies such as steroids and drugs for bowel flareups, these drugs are harmful to health and come with a myriad of side effects.
CBD is starting to be used in place of these harmful drugs with promising results.
/Source: NCBI
Promotes cardiovascular health
CBD has been found to widen the blood vessels allowing for more blood flow, and as a result, this can lower blood pressure which supports heart health. It also reduces harmful inflammation and reduces vascular damage while reducing vascular permeability.
With movement to decriminalize cannabis in the US, this plant is being mass produced. It is important to do your research before buying either cannabis or hemp products to ensure that the quality of the products are grown, processed and distilled in a manner that is sustainable and healthy for the human body.
May your reality be radiant
Tennee
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