If you’ve ever taken CBD, you know what a great product it is. However, if you’ve ever wondered how CBD works, it’s a lot trickier than you think. It involves the endocannabinoid system that regulates certain bodily functions. In this guide, we will guide you through some important information on how CBD works in your body.
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system
We now know a lot about how the endocannabinoid system (ECS) works. But that has not always been the case. The discovery of ECS is attributed to 2 chemists named Lumit Hanus and William Devane. In 1992 these 2 chemicals isolated the endocannabinoid in the brain. They found that the brain naturally produces cannabinoids by itself, which plays an important role in certain bodily functions.
This in turn helped identify the different roles it plays in the function of our brain. In addition, this paved the way for helping to identify the impact of cannabinoids that bind slightly to receptors. The three main key components of ECS are cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and metabolic enzymes. Each has a unique role in how we process CBD, but the component we will focus on is cannabinoid receptors.
Cannabinoid receptors
The two main cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2. However, they are not the only cannabinoid receptors we have, but they are the ones that have been most investigated. The most abundant receptors in ECS are CB1 receptors, which are the ones that interact most with THC and CBD.
Cannabinoids like CBD interact with many of the CB1 and CB2 receptors in our brain like THC does. However, the biggest difference is that CBD binds slightly to these receptors while THC actually binds to the receptors. This is what produces the high THC content, but also what does not produce the high CBD.
Related article: What are cannabinoids
CBD and increase
A lesser known fact CBD is that it can make the paranoid feeling that some people have when consuming THC is less. We’re not claiming that CBD will make you feel less high, but it may be able to help balance it. When some people take too much THC, they may suddenly feel out of control or become paranoid. So more and more people are turning to CBD to help soften the high.
The follow-up effect
When 2 cannabinoids interact with each other it is known as the environment effect. In addition, this may include certain terpenes that may enhance the user experience. For example, when a person takes too much THC it can make them feel paranoid or anxious. However, taking CBD can produce the entourage effect that can make for a better experience. Much remains to be discovered about the entourage effect, but try it for yourself. The next time you take too much THC, try to balance it with a little CBD and notice the entourage effect that takes place.
Final thought
Much of what we know today about CBD is credited with the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This includes how CBD interacts with certain receptors and with the other components that make up this system. With this, we were able to discover how CBD can help produce a better balanced increase. Now that you know a little more about how CBD works, you should think about trying some of it!