How CBD Interacts With The Human Body And The Endocannabinoid System

"What the heck is an endocannabinoid system?" If you've come across this term when researching medical marijuana and asked the same question, you're not alone.

At A Glance

• The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a cell-signaling system that regulates a variety of bodily functions
• The ECS is comprised of endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and metabolic enzymes
• Endocannabinoids are produced by the body and are similar to the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant
• Endocannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors which signal to the ECS that it's time to take action
• Metabolic enzymes in the ECS break down endocannabinoids after their purpose has been served
• Extensive research has shown how THC binds to both cannabinoid receptors
• But researchers still remain unclear as to how CBD interacts with either cannabinoid receptor
• Many believe that CBD may prevent the breakdown of endocannabinoids, offering the body more time to benefit from their functions

CBD is growing in popularity. But not many people understand how CBD interacts with their bodies. Plus, many people don't even realize they have an endocannabinoid system.

So if you're looking to explore CBD and become more informed on how CBD interacts with the human body, then you've come to the right place. Because at Clean Remedies, we firmly believe that knowledge is power.

See Related: 7 Best CBD Creams For Pain Relief 2023

What Is The Endocannabinoid System?

We get that you're interested in learning about CBD. But first, we need to fully understand what the endocannabinoid system is before we dive into how CBD interacts with it.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a cell-signaling system that plays a major role in a variety of bodily functions. Most notably, the endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating:

• Learning and memory
• Emotional processing
• Sleep
• Pain control
• Temperature control
• Inflammatory and immune responses
• Appetite and eating
• Stress response
• Reproductive system function
• And more

Of all the functions listed above, each contributes to the body's overall state of homeostasis. This refers to the stability of your internal environment.

In essence, if anything from your outside environment attempts to throw off your body's homeostasis, your ECS will kick into high gear to help your body return to its natural ideal operation.

Suffice it to say that the endocannabinoid system is in charge of a lot. So let's break it down further and look at the three core components that make up the endocannabinoid system as a whole.

Bonus: Psychedelic Mushroom Gummies: What Are They & How Do They Work?

Key Components Of The Endocannabinoid System

Within the ECS, there are three main components to be aware of:

Endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoids, or endogenous cannabinoids, are molecules that are made by the human body. They are similar to the plant cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but endocannabinoids are native to your body.

So far, researchers have identified two key endocannabinoids: anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG). Yeah, that's a lot of syllables.

Each endogenous cannabinoid is integral for helping your internal functions run smoothly. Your body will actually produce these endocannabinoids as needed.

Cannabinoid Receptors

Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body. And endocannabinoids end up binding to these cannabinoid receptors to produce endocannabinoid signaling, AKA telling the endocannabinoid system it's time to take action.

There are two main cannabinoid receptors to be aware of: CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are found mostly within the central nervous system whereas CB2 receptors are found mostly within the peripheral nervous system. In fact, CB2 receptors are most commonly found in your immune system cells.

Endocannabinoids interact with both CB1 and CB2 receptors but in different ways. 

For example, endocannabinoids may target the CB1 receptors in order to relieve pain while other endocannabinoids may target the CB2 cannabinoid receptor to signal that your body is experiencing inflammation.

Metabolic Enzymes

Once these cannabinoid receptors have carried out their functions, metabolic enzymes step in to break down the endocannabinoids.

There are two main enzymes responsible for these breakdowns: fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoaclyglyerol acid lipase. The former breaks down AEA while the latter breaks down 2-AG.

So now that you understand how the endocannabinoid receptor system works, let's take a look at how the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant play into all of this.

The Endocannabinoid System and THC

We know you came to this blog post to learn about how the endocannabinoid system interacts with CBD. But first, let's take a look at how THC navigates the cannabinoid system.

THC binds to both endocannabinoid receptors and produces various effects on both your body and your mind. While research on how THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system is extensive, the same can't necessarily be said for CBD.

The Endocannabinoid System and CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the major cannabinoids found in the plant Cannabis Sativa. Unlike THC, another major cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, CBD does not contain a psychoactive component.

As we said, research is limited on how exactly CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system. But a majority of researchers believe that CBD actually prevents endocannabinoids from breaking down.

This gives the endocannabinoids more time to have an effect on your body. Even still, research on CBD's therapeutic potential has been extensive, suggesting that CBD may even be able to help with pain, nausea, and more.

What To Expect From Your CBD Products

You might not be thinking about the ECS every time you smoke CBD or chew on a CBD gummy. And you don't need to!

But knowing how CBD plays a role within your body's regulating functions is important for understanding what to expect from your CBD products.

At Clean Remedies, all of our products are made from USDA Organic Certified Hemp so you can get the most out of your CBD and THC products. With each product tested by a third-party lab, you can also rest assured that each batch is made with your safety in mind. 

Keep Reading: CBD vs. THC: What's The Difference And Which One Is Best For Me?

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Clean Remedies is a woman-owned, independent family business that uses USDA Certified Organic Hemp Extract to create products that are free from harmful chemicals, cruelty-free, and made in the USA, meant to benefit your well being and meet our own high standards of efficacy. For CBD facts, product discounts, and more, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.