Introduction to The Endocannabinoid System
Endocannabinoid systems are found in all mammals, including humans. The “high” that is felt when smoking cannabis would not even be possible without already having an endocannabinoid system in place. The endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the entire body. The endocannabinoid system includes the brain, organs, connective tissues, immune cells, and glands. The endocannabinoid system has one purpose – to keep homeostasis. Homeostasis is achieving balance within your body so that everything works well together. The endocannabinoid system is involved with regulating many basic functions of the human body in order to achieve homeostasis. These include:
- Appetite
- Metabolism
- Pain
- Sleep
- Mood
- Movement
- Memory
- Learning
- Temperature
- Reproduction
- Digestion
- Cardiovascular function
- Neuroprotection
- Neural development
- Inflammation
- Immune Function
The endocannabinoid system affects nearly every part of your body on a cellular level. There are two different receptors that have been discovered in our endocannabinoid system. CB1 and CB2 receptors are found in a multitude of cells throughout our bodies. When these receptors are activated a wide range of psychological processes occur that help us achieve balance. For instance, when an injury occurs, the endocannabinoid system helps to decrease the release of sensitizers from the injury site, stabilizes the nerve cells and calming immune cells to reduce inflammation. The endocannabinoid system promotes communication and cooperation between our cells to minimize the pain and damage of an injury.
Your Body’s Very Own Cannabinoids
Without ever touching cannabis or CBD, your body is flooded with cannabinoids. The cannabinoids that are made within your body are called endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are responsible for the feeling of euphoria after a hard work out or long run. This feeling is often described as a “runner’s high” but is actually just our body creating its own cannabinoid, Anandamide. Anandamide is found predominately in our brains and plays a huge role in controlling pain, mood, appetite and memory. Anandamide is the most prevalent endocannabinoid we produce and is also the most widely studied. We know of two other endocannabinoids created by our bodies, 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and Virodhamine (OAE). Studies suggest that 2-AG is responsible for the neuroprotection, however it also found predominately in white blood cells. This suggests that 2-AG also has a hand in regulating the heart and circulatory system. OAE is the least studied of all the endocannabinoids, in fact it wasn’t discovered until 2002. As medical cannabis is more intensely studied, more and more studies are done about our own endocannabinoid systems. They are still discovering new endocannabinoids and their function to help regulate essentially all physiological processes.
Phytocannabinoids
So, if our bodies make endocannabinoids, what kind of cannabinoids come from cannabis? Cannabinoids from cannabis as called Phytocannabinoids. These cannabinoids include: THC, THCv, CBD, CBN, CBC and CBG. You can read more about the difference between them HERE. Phytocannabinoids are naturally occurring in both medical cannabis and in hemp. These cannabinoids work on the same receptors, CB1 and CB2, as the endocannabinoids that our body makes naturally.
Dosing Cannabinoids
Because everyone’s endocannabinoid system is different, that makes dosing of cannabinoids a little bit tricky. Dosing isn’t based on weight, age or health issue and phytocannabinoids effect everyone in a slightly different way. That can make it hard to find the right dose of CBD when first starting out. Most adults start off with a dose of about 25mg per day. Parents tend to start off their children with about 7mg CBD. Pet dosing is more varied with people giving their pets anywhere from 2mg all the way up to 20+mg. You cannot overdose on CBD. If you take more CBD then your body can use, the rest is expelled as waste. If you want more information on dosing, you can send your questions to melinda@discovercbd.com and we would be happy to help you.
Synthetic Cannabinoids
We have discussed endocannabinoids, the cannabinoids produced within your body, and phytocannabinoids, cannabinoids naturally found in cannabis. However, there is a third kind of cannabinoid. Synthetic Cannabinoids go by a lot of different names such as Spice and K2.
These cannabinoids are not natural and not plant derived, but are made in a laboratory to mimic the effects of the phytocannabinoid, THC. Synthetic cannabinoids activate the same CB1 and CB2 receptors. These synthetic chemicals strongly bind to the receptors causing unpredictable results. More and more synthetic cannabinoids are being made illegal. So, they continue to create worse and worse formulas in order to continue to sell the products. Many people will experience high levels of anxiety, confusion, paranoia and hallucinations. In severe cases, synthetic cannabinoids can cause nausea, violent behavior, suicidal thoughts and kidney failure. It goes without saying that synthetic cannabinoids do not have any medical benefits and can actually damage your body. The endocannabinoid system’s main purpose is to keep your body in balance. It is impossible for your endocannabinoid system to work properly under the influence of these synthetic chemicals.
Entourage Effect
The entourage effect refers to the combination of phytocannabinoids working together to maximize their effectiveness. This effect is created by creating products that use whole plant extraction, like our Active CBD Oil - Gold 25%. The entourage effect can aid in effecting multiple parts of your body at once, improving the absorption of all cannabinoids, and minimizing any unwanted side effects.
Do you have a question or comment about CBD or any of our products? Let us know, and we will respond right away. In the meantime, sign up for our newsletters and visit our website DiscoverCBD.com regularly for the latest updates on research, legislation, and other news impacting you and cannabidiol.
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