What Is CBD And How Does It Affect Our Body?
You may be surprised to learn that within us is a system specially designed to interact with cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD)!
When you first get started with any cannabinoid products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), it’s easy to become a little bit overwhelmed about the whole thing. After all, there are a bunch of new words and phrases to learn, and it can all be a little intimidating.
With so many different CBD products entering the market, including CBD oils and CBD Vapes in Australia, it’s important to understand how they work and how they interact with our bodies. So, to make your CBD journey a little easier, in the following article, we’re going to take a closer look at how cannabinoids such as CBD interact with our bodies.
What Is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the two dominant cannabinoids found in the cannabis sativa plant. However, unlike the other dominant cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD has no psychoactive properties and won’t result in you experiencing that ‘euphoric’ high.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) ‘CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile. However, reported adverse effects may be as a result of drug-drug interactions between CBD and patients’ existing medications.’
CBD is found in both hemp and marijuana plants. However, marijuana plants are high in THC and extremely low in CBD, while hemp plants are the opposite. Therefore, almost all CBD products that you purchase in Australia are made using CBD that was sourced from Australian grown hemp plants.
Hemp plants are defined as having less than 0.3% THC. More than 0.3% THC and they are considered marijuana plants. Here at Australian CBD Oil, we use CBD, which has been sourced from organically grown hemp plants that are grown right here in Byron Bay, Australia.
What Is The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?
Inside all of us, regardless of whether or not we have ever tried a cannabis product, is something known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Research suggests that the ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis within our internal systems. The ECS does this by regulating different bodily functions such as appetite, sleep, mood, reproduction, fertility, and mood.
The ECS is made up of a series of receptors that are all linked together and spread throughout the body. It’s this linked receptor design that makes CBD products so versatile. Different delivery methods can still allow your body to absorb CBD and other cannabinoids.
Your ECS produces endocannabinoids which are similar to phytocannabinoids such as CBD but produced within the body rather than from plants. The two main endocannabinoids are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG).
Our bodies produce these endocannabinoids as required. However, what happens if our body isn’t producing enough endocannabinoids to adequately regulate our internal systems?
The ECS is an extremely complicated system, and researchers are only just scratching the surface when it comes to fully understanding it. Still, extensive research has linked the Endocannabinoid System to the following bodily processes:
- Appetite, Digestion, & Metabolism
- Chronic Pain
- Inflammation & Other Immune System Responses
- Mood
- Learning & Memory
- Motor Control
- Sleep
- Cardiovascular System Function
- Muscle Formation
- Bone Remodeling & Growth
- Liver Function
- Reproductive System Function
- Stress
- Skin And Nerve Function
CBD doesn’t bind with the two main receptors (CB1 and CB2) as THC does. Researchers believe instead that CBD prevents endocannabinoids from being broken down by the body. By not being broken down as quickly, endocannabinoids such as AEA and 2-AG can have more of an effect on your bodily functions.
Although we are slowly unlocking all the secrets which the ECS holds, we still have a long way to go, and more clinical studies are needed before we can make any specific medical claims.
What Is CBD and How Does It Interact with Our Body? – Conclusion
We have had a long and often complicated history with cannabinoids over the last thousand years but understanding how CBD interacts with our body is an important part of using any CBD oils or lotions.
If you have any further questions about how CBD interacts with our bodies or would like to learn more about how you can incorporate CBD into your daily health and wellness routine, don’t hesitate to contact us at Australian CBD Oil. Our friendly and professional team will get back to you ASAP!