The human body is an extraordinarily complex system, and to this day still baffles some of the most experienced scientists. Although experts are still researching to fully understand what the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is, and it has been under scrutiny since it was first discovered in the early 90s, it is widely accepted that it is a system in the human body that signals cells to perform certain tasks to keep your internal body in balance. This condition is known as ‘homeostasis’ and it controls the internal, physical, and chemical conditions of an organism that are deemed best for its survival.
After many years of research, it is believed that the ECS has an influence in controlling:
Appetite
Digestion
Stress
Chronic Pain
Inflammation
Metabolism
Sleep
Mood
Formation of Muscle
Liver Function
Cardiovascular System
Motor Control
Reproductive System
Bone Growth
Skin
Nerve Function
Receptors are found in many places inside the human body and endocannabinoids attach to them, creating a signal to the brain that there is an imbalance and the ECS must kick into action. There are two receptors to focus on which are:
CB1 Receptors: Found in the central nervous system
CB2 Receptors: Found in immune cells and other areas of your peripheral nervous system.
Enzymes are present to ‘break down’ the endocannabinoids when their task is complete.
CBD has been used to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as epilepsy, strokes, and heart conditions. There is an abundance of research to back up these claims.
It is also thought that increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids may help boost your body’s ability to produce ECBs.
CBD has an effect on other systems in the body and it’s believed that this is why CBD has a broad spectrum of beneficial effects.
So, we know that CBD is a weak antagonist of CB1 receptors, and this is believed to be associated with pain relief. Also, CBD is a weak inverse antagonist of the CB2 receptor, and this is believed to be responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects.
Endocannabinoid Deficiency
We all know how frustrating it can be to be suffering from an ailment that seems to have no underlying cause. When this happens stress levels can increase, and the situation gets worse. It is thought that a deficiency in the endocannabinoid system could be responsible for things such as migraine, IBS and other symptoms such as Fibromyalgia. These are often resistant to traditional treatment but patients suffering from these conditions have reported alleviated symptoms after using CBD.
It is widely accepted that the Endocannabinoid System needs more research, and now that consumer demand is rising for CBD products, perhaps the pressure will be increased for experts to look more into the subject. What we do know and so do the experts, is that CBD and the Endocannabinoid System could be the key to unlocking more treatments for patients.
