What is the Endocannabinoid system?

The endocannabinoid system, or endogenous cannabinoid system, is named after the plant associated with its discovery.

It is arguably the most significant physiologic system known to affect our wellbeing.

Endocannabinoids exist throughout the body: in the brain, the vital organs, connective tissues, immune cells and glands.

The cannabinoid system performs different functions in each body tissue, but always with the same goal of maintaining a consistent internal environment despite external fluctuations, through CBD homeostasis.

What is the Endocannabinoid system?

Cannabinoids like CBD are essential to the process of homeostasis in every sector of biological life, ranging from the cellular, to the organism itself.

An example of the essential functions of cannabinoids is seen in autophagy.

This is a cellular process, assisted by the cannabinoid system, through which a cell separates a portion of its contents to be digested and recycled.

The process forms an important part of a cell’s longevity, enabling it to keep a balance between synthesis and degradation. It fulfils a vital role in the fight against cancer, forcing malignant cells to eat themselves.

The removal of cancer cells is a crucial part of promoting homeostasis and the survival of the organism.

Endocannabinoids and cannabinoids can also be found at the points where the body’s systems come together, facilitating communication between the different types of cells.

For example, around the location of an injury, cannabinoids like CBD perform a role in slowing the release of sensitizers and activators, helping to stabilize nerve cells to prevent their firing, and calming local immune cells to inhibit the release of inflammatory-causing substances.

In this sense, due to its complicated functions in both the immune and nervous systems, the endocannabinoid system is a bridge between the mind and the body.

It is through studying how this system works that we begin to see a real-world mechanism showing how an individual’s state of consciousness can lead to disease or health.

As you can see the endocannabinoid system and CBD are closely connected to many aspects that influence our health and wellbeing.

Cannabinoid receptors

All vertebrate species, along with sea squirts and nematodes, have the endocannabinoid system in common, which is essential to their ability to adapt to dramatic changes in the environment.

Through comparing the genetic changes in the cannabinoid receptors across a range of species, scientists have been able to estimate that the endocannabinoid system first evolved around 600 million years ago.

See this typical search in Google, there have been around 20,000 articles and research papers written on cannabinoids, so you might think we already know all there is to know about them, but in fact, there are large gaps in our knowledge.

In particular, our understanding of the way that cannabinoids, cells and other systems interact is incomplete.

We know that there are cannabinoid receptors in cell membranes throughout the body, and that there may be more of them than any other type of receptor.

When these receptors receive stimulation, a number of physiologic processes are triggered.

Researchers have so far found a pair of cannabinoid receptors: CB1, which is found in glands, connective tissues, nerve structures and organs; and CB2, which is most common in the immune system.

Some researchers have also proposed that there may be a third cannabinoid yet to be discovered.

These receptors are stimulated by substances that our bodies produce naturally, called endocannabinoids.

The most well-known of these chemicals are anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).

These molecules are produced by derivatives of arachidonic acid, and have a localized effect, being dissolved after a relatively short time by the chemicals monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).

What are phytocannabinoids?

Phytocannabinoids are chemicals found in plants known to work on cannabinoid receptors.

The most well-known of these substances is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, but researchers are becoming increasingly interested in others such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) for their potential to promote wellbeing.

Most of these phytocannabinoids have been obtained from the cannabis sativa plant, but non-psychoactive cannabinoids have been found in other herbs, including echinacea purpurea.

It is interesting to note that the cannabis plant itself uses cannabinoids including THC to fight off disease and to maintain its own health.

Cannabinoids possess antioxidant properties and these help to safeguard the plant structures from ultraviolet radiation by neutralizing the free radicals produced in UV rays.

It is well-known that free radicals promote aging, cancer, and poor illness recovery in humans, and the antioxidants found in some plants have long been considered a useful natural supplement in the fight to prevent free radical damage.

It is also possible to produce cannabinoids in a laboratory setting.

Nabilone, a THC analog, and Dronabinol, a form of synthetic THC, have both been approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of nausea.

A wide range of synthetic cannabinoids are currently employed in animal research, some of which have a potency 600 times greater than THC.

The endocannabinoid system and CBDand good health

The science of cannabinoids continues to make fascinating discoveries, but one thing is clear: an effective cannabinoid system is an essential component to our wellbeing.

So is it possible for us to enhance or boost our cannabinoid system through cannabis or cannabinoid supplements?

Can cannabis help us to ward off disease and ensure good health through the stimulation of an ancient, hard-wired human system?

There is research to show that the small doses of cannabinoids that we get from cannabis can trigger the body’s endocannabinoid production and lead to the creation of more cannabinoid receptors.

This may help to explain why cannabis users often don’t experience any effects until their second or third time, as the body takes time to build sufficient cannabinoid receptors.

An increase in receptors heightens the individual’s sensitivity to cannabinoids; giving the individual a higher baseline for endocannabinoid stimulation.

It is my belief that regular, small cannabis doses can work as a supporting tonic for this essential healing system.

Unlike synthetic cannabis derivatives, the herbal version may contain well over 100 cannabinoids, which interact synergistically, producing fewer side effects than isolated THC alone.

The evidence provided by science and by users clearly indicates that herbal cannabis boasts superior qualities to the laboratory-produced synthetic alternative.

The Benefits of supplementing your diet with CBD oil support

CBD can improve our health in many ways, and when we take this beneficial compound daily, these benefits multiply.

But what exactly are the supporting benefits of taking CBD oil?

  • supports mood
  • supports protection from all forms of illness
  • supports homeostasis or balance within the body
  • supports fitness results
  • supports cognitive function
  • supports protection from the damaging effects of stress
  • CBD oil also provide a supporting source of essential nutrients
  • Can support the combat of clinical endocannabinoid deficiency

5 effective ways to take CBD

The great news is, it’s easy to support your endocannabinoid system, and boost your body’s natural defenses just by adding CBD food supplement to your supplement routine.

There are many effective ways to take CBD.

At Love Hemp we offer a wide selection of high quality CBD products, because we know everyone is unique.

This choice gives our customers flexibility so they can find a CBD product that is not only effective, but also fits into their lifestyle.

Which method will you choose? Here are a few options;

  1. CBD oil.
    CBD oil is probably the most popular way of consuming CBD. It is taken by placing drops under the tongue (Sublingual administration). CBD oils come in many strengths and variations, so it offers a wide choice when it comes to your dosing needs.
  2. CBD capsules.
    Another common way to take CBD is to ingest it orally in the form of a capsule. Capsules are probably the easiest way to add CBD to your life as a daily supplement. Although, when you ingest CBD, it passes through the digestive system first and is metabolised by the liver, meaning it takes longer for the beneficial effects of CBD to noticed.
  3. CBD E-liquids (vaping)
    Vaping CBD is favoured by many as it offers a quick and efficient method of consuming CBD. During vaping, CBD enters your lungs and diffuses directly into your bloodstream. Because it doesn’t have to make its way through the digestive system or liver, the CBD enters your circulation faster. This means you can achieve the same effects with a much smaller amount of CBD. 
  4. CBD edibles
    CBD can also be ingested in the form of gummy sweets, chocolates, and even CBD beverages. They are a perfect choice for anyone that struggles with the taste of CBD oil.
  5. CBD topical balms or salves
    CBD topical salves offer another effective way to administer CBD. When CBD is applied topically, it is absorbed directly through the skin. Cannabinoid receptors are located throughout the skin, the body’s largest organ, making CBD a potential therapy for a range of conditions. Because it is applied right on trouble areas, the CBD works directly where it is needed the most.

The bottom line is that feeding your endocannabinoid system is a good way to support wellbeing and everyday health! Is it time to start focusing on your endocannabinoid system and CBD?

The best investment you will ever make is in your health.


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