Are you wondering what the connection between CBD and CB1 receptors is?
CBD, also widely known as cannabidiol, is a substance that people use to treat different kinds of diseases. The fact that we don’t know much about this substance is caused by the prohibitions and legal boundaries that accrued in the last century. But in recent years, it has been the subject of studies, and finally, we have an idea of how cannabidiol interacts with the body’s ECS and how CB1 and CB2 receptors function.
Interestingly, many of the health advantages of cannabinoids like THC and CBD are derived from their interactions with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It is essential to our well-being and is involved in a variety of processes.
Let’s take a look at this informative guide from Happy Garden to learn more about the ultimate benefits CBD suggests through interacting with ECS.
There is an endocannabinoid system in our body that is responsible for balancing and maintaining homeostasis, and this system uses two types of endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2, which are located in the central and peripheral neurological systems, as well as the immune system.
How do these receptors work? When the endocannabinoid system (ECS) detects an imbalance in the body that needs to be addressed, it produces cannabinoids that interact with receptors. This process of releasing cannabinoids helps to resolve the imbalance and puts the body back in a state of homeostasis.
CB1 receptors represent G protein-coupled cannabinoids. These receptors are located in the brain areas and spinal nerve cells. In the brain, CB1 receptors play essential roles in the regulation of memory and emotions. They are also responsible for regulating neurotransmitter release. Memory, pain, and motor control are influenced by these cannabinoids.
According to a 2020 study published in iScience, CBD can interact with ECS using CB1 receptors and can help achieve some desirable results that the body can’t have independently. This explains the positive effects cannabidiol has on the human body.
CB2 receptors are found in the nervous system and are responsible for regulating inflammation and immune response processes in the body. The gastrointestinal tract and the spleen have a significant concentration of them, but while there are many CB1 receptors in the brain, CB2 receptors aren’t located in the brain that much. Their main responsibility is to look after proper immune function and appetite, manage pain, and take care of the inflammation.
Because CB2 receptors control dopamine synthesis, they also control addiction-related behaviors. These anti-inflammatory properties are useful in the treatment of a variety of inflammation-related disorders.
The ECS, also known as the endocannabinoid system, is a cell-signaling system, responsible for controlling memory, mood, sleep, hunger, reproduction, and many more important functions of our everyday life.
Three main components in ECS are involved in controlling all these traits and helping it fulfill its responsibilities:
With all these three components, the endocannabinoid system controls the body’s most crucial cognitive functions and balances our health conditions. While the ECS and its operations appear to be complicated for us, their consequences turn out to be simple.
An interesting thing is that to attain and maintain homeostasis, which will promote optimal health, the ECS collaborates with naturally occurring endocannabinoids as well as cannabinoids present in cannabis, like CBD.
The human body is full of surprises, and an endocannabinoid system study is still underway. Since more study is needed to fully comprehend the system and its significance for our mental and physical well-being, one thing is certain: the ECS is a vital mechanism. When it is balanced and works properly, it aids in keeping us happy, healthy, and balanced in our daily lives.
Even though the endocannabinoid system is pretty complicated and still needs more time to determine all the functions it has in our body, we already have enough ideas about the main functions that it controls.
In particular, based on the results of the study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, ECS has been connected to functions, including:
This means that CB1 receptors take part in almost all processes that take place in our bodies and minds on a daily basis. Whether it’s about cognitive functions, motor abilities, emotional health, or mood, the ECS system has the potential to change a lot in our bodies.
All of these functions are important for good health and need to be balanced constantly since all of them contribute to homeostasis. When an external factor disrupts your body’s homeostasis, the ECS is responsible for getting your health back to normal.
Experts now assume that the ECS’ principal function is to preserve homeostasis. That’s how the functions mainly stay in control, but sometimes this system also requires the external help of substances like CBD.
Cannabinoid receptors have already proved to be important for ECS, but consuming cannabinoids like THC and CBD also takes part in activating receptors in the body. When someone takes cannabis or any other drug that has the ability to connect to this system, it controls different body functions. This unnatural interference may be beneficial, but it is sometimes dangerous as well.
THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, is one of the most famous members of the cannabinoid family, found in cannabis. Unlike CBD, it has a psychoactive influence, meaning it will get you high. That’s why cannabidiol oil should contain less than 0.3% of this substance.
How does it affect ECS?
Once THC is in your body, it contacts your endocannabinoid system in the same way regular endocannabinoids do. THC can connect to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, and this makes it a powerful cannabis compound.
This enables it to have a variety of physiological and psychological effects, some of which are more favorable than others. It can help with pain relief and hunger stimulation, but it can also cause undesirable reactions. That’s why experts are trying to find better ways for THC and ECS interactions to get desirable, beneficial results.
Understanding the way CB1 receptors affect cannabidiol is only possible if you first find out how this substance actually works. CBD is another important cannabinoid that can be found in cannabis. How is it different from THC? First of all, it does not get you “high” and has no drastic side effects that can seriously harm you. However, it’s still unclear how cannabidiol interacts with the ECS.
Since CBD doesn’t bind to the CB1 or CB2 receptors like THC does, this is also a reason why cannabidiol is considered less effective than THC at reducing pain in certain people. But the fact that this substance is safer and, on the other hand, is a powerful anti-inflammatory, can also be very beneficial.
Many researchers believe that CBD is more like a mechanic that prevents endocannabinoids from being damaged or broken down, allowing them to have a positive influence on the human body. According to another theory, this substance interacts with receptors that have yet to be discovered.
While the exact mechanism of action is yet unknown, evidence shows that cannabidiol can assist with pain, nausea, and other symptoms linked to a variety of illnesses. That is why it is actively used to help with symptoms such as stress, pain, and even depression.
The two key receptors – CB1 and CB2 – play an important role in our mental and physical functioning. More research into cannabis and the endocannabinoid system will give us a chance to find better solutions for living a healthier life, but until then, our understanding of how this incredible plant impacts our ECS can also be very helpful.
Here are some research-based facts about the interaction of CBD and ECS receptors:
Different studies have demonstrated the benefits of interacting CBD with CB1 and CB2 receptors, but there is still more to be discovered about their interactions. More studies in the future will give us a chance to better analyze and understand the therapeutic potential of CB1 and CB2 receptors.
However, according to present research, we won’t be disappointed if we trust CBD products since it’s clear that they have a lot of potentials when interacting with our ECS.
What does it mean?
Purchasing CBD products and using them for various types of conditions, such as sleep enhancement, osteoporosis, or PTSD, can improve your physical and mental health and lead to better psychological well-being. But if you’re considering buying cannabidiol oil to improve your overall health, keep in mind that you must get high-quality products to get the maximum possible efficiency from this substance. That’s why you should purchase CBD products from Happy Garden. We provide a wide range of organically derived goods and, as an added benefit, we follow GMP-ISO 7 production standards which ensure quality and safety.
