The human body is generally a complex machine. Even worse, how it will interact with compounds, including CBD, is more complex. It was only recently when we learned about the body system that hosts cannabinoids. This, therefore, means that is just so much to learn. So, how does CBD work in the body? We have compiled and also broken down some basics that you need to know. Here, you will learn the relationship between CBD and the central nervous system and many other things.
What is CBD?
CBD is the short form for cannabidiol. It is one of the many compounds that are found in cannabis plants. Currently, there are 113 known cannabinoids in this plant where each one of them plays a role in your endocannabinoid system. Other known cannabinoids are THC and CBN. You will not feel high after using CBD since it is non-psychoactive. Proponents like this compound for its medical benefits. Even though the FDA has not yet regulated the safety or purity of the substance, it is regarded safe. Having learned that, let us now proceed to learn how CBD works in the body.
How CBD Works in The Human Body?
CBD oil could work to reduce stress, calm you down, offer pain relief and generally treat physical health issues. You must be wondering how this substance affects the brain and the other part of the body to produce all these effects. Well, the working of CBD is quite complex since it affects your brain in distinct ways. CBD affects several parts of your brain, which includes cannabinoid receptors. The working of CBD can be best described as mimicking serotonin effects.
Serotonin is a very powerful chemical that helps to stabilize the mood. Products made of CBD oil serve as an effective alternative for serotonin. It, therefore, helps those individuals who are suffering from serotonin deficiency. When all these things come together, they make CBD a very powerful anti-anxiety medication, a painkiller, and a natural sleep aid. You ought to know that CBD will not affect your brain as THC does, meaning that it will never get you high. It is yet to be known how CBD works, but we are aware that it works in different ways:
- CBD will affect serotonin receptors- to make things simple; serotonin is a chemical that makes one happy. CBD will mimic serotonin’s effects which brings it the anti-anxiety effects.
- CBD has anti-inflammatory effects- it normally activates the ECS, which has every type of advantage, including treatment of arthritis through topical application.
- Cannabidiol will similarly deactivate or block the GPR55 receptor indirectly. This is the receptor that is associated with bone loss and cancerous cell growth.
- CBD will also make you much sensitive to GABA, which is a calming neurotransmitter. It is this sensitivity that helps to treat anxiety.
- Cannabidiol will also interact with the TRPV1 receptor that affects the body temperature, pain perception and inflammation. Most other plant medications normally interact with other PRPV receptors that are present in abundance.
- CBD will prevent the reuptake of particular neurotransmitters. This makes the neurotransmitters accumulate in the brain. That will help to treat different mental health issues.
How Does CBD Oil Work in the Body?
The common physiological system in humans has a unique automated system which is called the endocannabinoid system. This is the system responsible for controlling and regulating some of the main aspects of the human physiological system. Among the aspects include immune response, sleep and pain. Your body produces compounds known as endocannabinoids that will naturally hold on receptors in your nervous system. This mechanism can be changed therapeutically, and this is where CBD oil comes in.
CBD oil binds with the receptors in the body and helps to suppress pain. Among the main effects of healthspan cbd capsules is alleviating chronic pain. CBD oil will directly impact endocannabinoid activity and is, therefore, a long-term and useful analgesic. CBD is used in combating inflammation too.
How Does CBD Enter the Human Cell?
Like any other substance, full-spectrum CBD will largely impact the body by binding to receptors or proteins on the cells’ surface. This, in turn, initiates certain physiological responses. Your nervous system has cannabinoid receptors which are CB1 and CB2 receptors. As opposed to THC that interacts extensively with cannabinoid receptors, CBD doesn’t necessarily bind to the receptors. What it does is that it seems to achieve effects by binding to other receptor types. These include serotonin receptors known for influencing things such as pain, sleep and mood.
As far as the working of CBD is concerned, research around epilepsy is an eye-opener providing the most information. This is because the health issue has been investigated to the extent that the FDA has agreed to approve CBD as a treatment drug for epilepsy. One important finding in the epilepsy case is CBD’s impact on the sodium channels of nerve cells. In epilepsy, sodium movement in and out of the cells is always abnormal. That makes the brain cells fire inappropriately and causes seizures. According to scientists, they have shown that CBD inhibits problematic sodium flow and reduces seizures.
CBD and Your Endocannabinoid System
The body produces its endocannabinoids naturally to support the endocannabinoid system. However, as with any other nutrient, we could have some deficiency which calls for extra support. Well, this is where cannabis will come in. Cannabis plants will produce phytocannabinoids that also interact with your endocannabinoid system. CBD is one of the phytocannabinoids that comes from the hemp and cannabis plants. Currently, hemp-derived CBD happens to be the sole cannabinoid that is accessible all over the US. As opposed to other cannabinoids, CBD will not bind to receptors in your endocannabinoid system.
Having that in mind, how does CBD work in the body? The basic way that CBD works in the body is by preventing the breakdown of your endocannabinoids. This allows the body to use more of what it produces naturally. CBD also modulates the non-cannabinoid receptors. It will directly activate the 5hTand binds directly to TRPV1. CBD will also change the shape of CB1, which prevents THC from binding to it directly. It is also responsible for blocking GPR55 which through several events prevents the growth of cancer cells.
Final Thoughts
CBD is among the many cannabinoids that you will find in cannabis plants. It has a wide range of benefits, particularly in managing stress, anxiety, pain, depression, and inflammation. Understanding how CBD works in the body will be the first step towards responsible usage. The endocannabinoid system is a huge network of receptors that signals your body to remain in a functional balance known as homeostasis. The ECS helps us to benefit from endocannabinoids as well as phytocannabinoids like CBD. This is both for recreational and therapeutic reasons.
Even though cannabinoids will directly bind to CB receptors, CBD will not do that. What it does is affect other receptors like GPR55 and PPARs. It may also alter endocannabinoid receptors. These alterations and interactions change how we absorb different cannabinoids or prevent the effects altogether. The effect of CBD on the non-ECS receptors will provide so many therapeutic benefits.