The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is one of the body’s largest neurotransmitter networks but only discovered in the early 1990’s.
The ECS is always working to achieve balance, or homeostasis, which means maintaining a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment.
Our brain naturally produces endocannabinoid molecules (like anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, or 2-AG), which are home-grown messengers found in your brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells.
Anandamide from the Sanskrit word for “bliss”, is the body’s natural “blissful” molecule.
The ECS is as a balancing system (or homeostatic regulator): it sends neurotransmitters (messenger + communication molecules) to all your bodily parts to check that everything is working smoothly and rebalance functions if necessary.
The endocannabinoid system plays a role in many vital systems in the human body, including:
- fertility, pregnancy, and reproductive systems
- appetite, hunger, and digestive systems
- sleep
- motor control
- pain and pleasure
- immune function
- effects of other cannabinoids
- temperature
- mood
- memory
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What conditions are showing benefits from CBD supplementing?
Being deficient in endogenous cannabinoids (a condition referred to as Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency or CECD) is believed by scientists to play a role in many common medical conditions including:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Migraines
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Crohn's disease
- Acne
- Parkinson’s disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Neuropathy
- Huntington’s disease
- Autism
Supplementing with CBD oil drops may help address the cannabinoid deficiency.
How can CBD nourish and supplement the endocannabinoid system?
The human body produces certain cannabinoids on its own. All cannabinoids, including CBD, produce effects in the body by interacting with certain receptors, called the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
CBD does not directly bind with these receptors, instead it activates and directs the body to use more of its own cannabinoids. This prevents the immune system attacking itself and serves as a neuro-protectant.
CB1 receptors are present throughout the body, but many are in the brain. The receptors in the brain affect coordination and movement, pain, emotions, mood, thinking, appetite, and memory, and other functions.
CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system and affect inflammation and pain.
CBD allows the body to bring balance and order by supplementing the endocannabinoid system to regulate the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
For more information see https://www.researchgate.net/