CBD Oil, Marijuana, and Cannabis, Oh My!
It’s 2020, and cannabis products are shooting up everywhere. They can help reduce anxiety, stop seizures, obliterate inflammation, and a mile long list of other conditions that affect our health.
Today, we are talking about the main way they do this. Introducing cannabinoids, they’re chemicals that interact with cells in our body and release chemical messages that strengthen and balance the systems they are involved in.
That’s pretty cool, but why and how are they doing this?
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is an extract of cannabis plants. It’s usually derived hemp — a variety of cannabis plants that can’t get you high. Industrial hemp farm will be a great option for good quality hemp.
There are two main forms of CBD extracts. The first and most common is full spectrum CBD, which contains hundreds of different phytocompounds called cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Most people prefer this form, as a lot of people like terpenes to be included because several studies have shown that terpenes help cannabinoids like CBD to pass through the bloodstream easier. Terpenes can, however, be bought separately. You can find the best terpene company by searching online.
The other form of CBD is just one single compound, cannabidiol (CBD) in extremely high amounts. This form is less popular because it’s a little harder to dose with, but if you notice that full spectrum CBD is making you feel tired, off, etc., CBD isolate is a nice alternative because these side effects aren’t seen.
Need to know which PurCBD Isolate is right for you? Go for one that is formulated for improved absorption in the body.
So why all the focus on cannabinoids, well, they happen to play a pretty key role in the health of organisms far-and-wide.
What are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are molecules, both plants and mammals create, to protect, regulate, and repair their internal systems.
Plants, notably cannabis, creates over a hundred variations of phytocannabinoids that it uses for different purposes.
For example, cannabis produces the phytocannabinoid Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) to protect against UV light that can damage its DNA. It creates cannabigerolic acid (CBGa) to use as a natural insecticide.
We are slowly coming to unlocking the answer to how cannabis uses each phytocannabinoid to benefit itself.
Unlike cannabis, mammals only create two types of cannabinoids: anandamide and 2-AG. While there are only two types, these endocannabinoids play a plethora of vital roles in the body.
Anandamide plays a key role in our lives before we are even born as it regulates fertility. After we’re born, mothers pass the same endocannabinoid on to their children through their breast milk. Anandamide can increase appetite and this helps baby learn to suckle.
This is just two of several ways endocannabinoids play an important role in our health.
While both called cannabinoids, endo- and phytocannabinoids look quite different in structure. But just because phytocannabinoids look different doesn’t mean they aren’t compatible with us.
When a phytocannabinoid is ingested, it has the ability to mimic an endocannabinoid’s behavior, as well, it can boost their numbers.
Cannabinoids roles within the Endocannabinoid System
Endocannabinoids are special neurotransmitters our brain create to communicate with and control different system in our body. They do this by interacting with several different receptors found on cells. These receptors release chemical signals that tell the cells to carry out a certain action — usually, this action has to do with protecting, repairing, and regulating the location they’re located in.
There are two main receptors endocannabinoids activate: CB1 and CB2 receptors. And collectively they all come together to form the endocannabinoid system.
Phytocannabinoids in cannabis also interact with both endocannabinoids and their receptors.
First, certain phytocannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) can temporarily inhibit enzymes in the body that recycle endocannabinoids. By doing this, endocannabinoids levels can build up, allowing them to attach to more receptors. So far, research shows that this is always a good thing.
The second thing phytocannabinoids can do is activate the receptors themselves.
For instance, THC binds to CB1 receptors predominantly found in the brain, and this causes the psychoactive high we associate marijuana with. THC can bind to CB1 receptor stronger than any other endocannabinoid can, and this creates the high.
However, the extreme majority of phytocannabinoids have no affinity for CB1 receptors and instead interact with CB2 receptors found predominantly in the immune and nervous systems.
Cannabinoids Roles Outside the Endocannabinoid System
Both endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids can interact with receptors found in other systems such as the serotonergic system.
These receptors include 5-HT1A, TRPV1, GRP55, and PPAR receptors.
And unlike THC binding to CB1 receptors to a greater degree than endocannabinoids can, the receptors outside the ECS can’t tell the difference between the cannabinoids. Essentially, that means phytocannabinoids can’t attach to these receptors and a cause a high or over-activate them.
We don’t necessarily call them cannabinoid receptors because other molecules can interact with them, but you wouldn’t be incorrect doing so either.
They, along with CB1 and CB2 receptors, are all classified as G protein-coupled receptors.
The Many Functions Of Cannabinoid Receptors
Cells are covered in receptors that tell them to carry out certain functions when either activated or deactivated. The body uses different neurotransmitters to tell the cells which functions it should carry out and when.
So what are the functions cells carry out when their CB1, CB2, and the other receptors sites are activated by cannabinoids? Let’s take a look!
- CB1 receptors: CB1 receptors mainly help regulate memory, sleep, pain sensation, and increase appetite.
- CB2 receptors: CB2 receptors mainly help regulate the nervous, Immune, and gastrointestinal systems. To a smaller degree, it can regulate appetite by decreasing it and modulate dopamine activity weakening addiction to certain drugs.
- 5-HT1A: When activated, these receptors release chemical messages that help regulate sleep, as well, they help regulate pain perception, nausea, addiction, and most of all anxiety by decreasing them.
- TRPV1: Also activated by eugenol in vanilla and capsaicin in chili peppers. Helps unclog blood vessels and mediates inflammation, body temperature, and most significantly, pain perception.
- GRP55: Cannabinoids actually helps deactivate this receptor when they become overactive. Overactive GRP55 receptors can lead to bone reabsorption, and this is associated with osteoporosis.
- PPAR: Upon activation, PPAR receptors release signals that promote anti-proliferative effects that can stop the growth and spread of malignant cells that can turn into cancer. It also helps degrade amyloid-beta plaque, which is tied to Alzheimer’s disease.
