CBD and the Endocannabinoid System
With the rise in legality of medical marijuana and CBD oil, I’ve been receiving many questions about its therapeutic benefits and whether certain patients should try it. I have been using full-spectrum CBD oil as a treatment for various conditions and am surprised to find how many different applications it has. Here’s some interesting information.
The human body has a complex internal-regulating mechanism known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). It helps balance a ton of different hormonal, sensory, motor, and organ processes. When the body is healthy and functioning properly and there’s no pain, fatigue, fever, digestive issues, illness, etc. we are in homeostasis (i.e. balance). We want to maintain this homeostasis, so when something knocks us off kilter, like a virus, the body fights back to regain balance. The ECS plays a profound role in helping rebalance us. It helps us relax, eat, sleep, forget, and protect.
Endocannabinoids are natural chemicals that our body produces. The two main ones are Anandamide (AEA) and 2-AG. They act on certain parts of our brain and body that control memory, pain, emotion, hunger, and feelings of well-being. When functioning properly, we experience good energy, easy digestion, lack of pain, and a happy mental state. Conversely, metabolic dysfunction, like obesity, diabetes, and other inflammatory conditions, are often associated with an ECS that is imbalanced. Other conditions classically associated with a deficient ECS are: Migraines, Fibromyalgia, IBS, Depression, PTSD, Neuropathic Pain (Diabetes, Shingles, Multiple Sclerosis), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Interstitial Cystitis, and even Infertility.
AEA and 2-AG exert effects by attaching to specific receptors scattered throughout the body. These are known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 is more concentrated in the brain, whereas CB2 is distributed throughout the body and immune system. When binding to these receptors, AEA and 2-AG control the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain and body. For example, an excess release of glutamate is often associated with pain. Increased levels of glutamate are found in those suffering from neuropathic pain, like multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Endocannabinoids reduce this release of glutamate, thereby relieving pain and reducing cell-death.
Just like AEA and 2-AG, which are natural cannabinoid molecules that our body produces; we can get plant-derived cannabinoids from the Cannabis plant. While the most popular cannabinoid from Cannabis is the psychoactive component, THC, more and more research has been conducted analyzing the many health benefits of CBD, the non-psychoactive component. Cannabidiol (CBD) acts to help regulate our internal ECS and has been shown to improve a myriad of different conditions, ranging form anxiety and depression to pain and muscle spasms. Refer to the associated photo.
Think of CBD like an audio-technician controlling the volume of a stereo. There are a ton of different dials that need to be adjusted: the master volume, treble, bass, balance, equalizer, fader, etc. CBD acts by fine-tuning these nobs so that the proper signals are transmitted at just the right intensity without burning out the system.
Additionally, it is important to use a full-spectrum CBD oil. In our body, AEA and 2-AG are needed together to exert the proper effects. This is known as the “Entourage Effect.” Similarly, CBD needs other cannabinoids to function synergistically and as intended. THC, THCV, CBN, CBG, and CBC are just a few others of hundreds of cannabindoids found in Cannabis. Futher, terpenoids are other chemicals that are very important for exerting the intended benefits. Limonene is a terpenoid that aids digestion and helps relieve depression. Myrcene helps act as a muscle relaxant and improves insomnia. Pinene acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps with breathing problems, like asthma. A full-spectrum CBD oil that has all the cannabinoids and terpenoids is the one to use. However, it is important to dose CBD slowly and according to the condition it is intended to treat. Treating pain with CBD is very different from treating anxiety; so make sure to speak with an educated medical professional before using CBD to self-medicate.
