These compounds interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors to help to maintain physiological homeostasis. The Endocannabinoid System is now known to CBD oil products be a system of receptors and neurotransmitters . The existence of the ECS, though speculated earlier, was only confirmed by researchers in the 1990s.
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This collection of neurotransmitters acts as a vast regulating system for various crucial physiological functions and bodily systems. Including the immune response, cardiovascular function, appetite, sleep, mood, pain, cognition, respiration, metabolism, libido and energy level. When taken alone, CBD has anxiolytic properties, meaning it helps decrease anxiety. It should be noted that THC does not have anxiolytic properties, so taking a combination of the two may not have any anxiety-reducing effects. These compounds have been an important area of social and medical research for thousands of years.
A range of studies has found that phytocannabinoids may have potential in the treatment of a variety of conditions. They may be useful in pain management, anxiety and stress relief, spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis, and seizures in Epilepsy.
- They down-regulate the release of other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and glutamate.
- This process distinguishes endocannabinoids from many other molecular signals in the body, such as hormones or classical neurotransmitters, which can persist for many seconds or minutes, or get packaged and stored for later use.
- CB1 receptors are one of the most abundant receptor types in the brain.
- The third piece of the endocannabinoid triad includes the metabolic enzymes that quickly destroy endocannabinoids within the ECS once they are used.
Currently, studies indicate there are different types of interactions between the ECS and different phytocannabinoids. An easy example is CBD, whose use does not activate receptors in the same way as, for example, THC.
CB1, the first receptor to be discovered, has been under the microscope for much longer so we have a lot more information. The human body needs a precisely tuned environment to function optimally. Our body temperature, for instance, is closely monitored and regulated through behavior. If that temperature fluctuates by one degree, we feel that imbalance by shivering or sweating. Falling out of balance can lead to many negative repercussions, including disease.
Other core homeostatic processes include cell counts and size, blood sugar, oxygen and sleep. Homeostasis is defined by the OED as “the tendency towards a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.” Let’s break that down. When your body is healthy, it means that your internal environment is balanced. The meaning of homeostasis is when your biological systems are stable despite disturbances from external factors.
Phytocannabinoids are chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants. While phytocannabinoids can be found in hundreds of different plant species, they are present in the highest concentration in the cannabis plant. Though THC and CBD are the most well-known ones, there are over 100 phytocannabinoids, including CBN, CBG and CBC.
They are lipid-based neurotransmitters that are produced naturally inside our bodies. The most common and researched of these compounds are Anandamide and 2-AG.
Phytocannabinoids found within the cannabis plant, such as CBD and THC, are able to interact with our Endocannabinoid System. These interactions are thought to support many of the same processes as those produced by Anandamide and 2-AG. Endocannabinoids are compounds with similar structures to those of phytocannabinoids.