You can think of the endocannabinoid system as you would any other regulatory system in the human body like the immune system or the central nervous system. CBD, THC, and all other cannabinoids interact with the body through a major biological system known as the endocannabinoid system.
Interestingly, CBC has also been seen to have anti-inflammation properties without activating endocannabinoid receptors. Some reason its benefits can be enhanced when it interacts with other cannabinoids that do bind to receptors. Given this variety, the interactions between cannabinoids themselves are also of great interest. For example, the cannabinoid CBD does not interact with CB-1 brain cell receptors in the same way as THC and actually interferes with THC binding to receptors.
One type, called endocannabinoids, is produced on demand in the human body in response to elevated intracellular calcium levels in neurons. Endocannabinoids might target CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve to relieve aches. As opposed to outside stimuli, which produce more of a responsive reaction out of the receptors that pick up on them, CBD creates more of an underwhelming reaction when the endocannabinoids pick up on it. Basically, your endocannabinoid receptors don’t prefer CBD compounds like anandamide of AG-2. The outside stimulant that your endocannabinoid receptors prefer is THC.
This is why THC creates that very noticeable “stoned” effect CBD definition when you consume it. Whenever a compound is interacting with a receptor anywhere in the body that’s not just specific to the endocannabinoid system, there are steps that create an effective activation of that specific receptor.
Starting out, the compound which is being activated binds to the receptor or the joint between the two nerve cells. This can help the receptor transmit the signal throughout the body from the stimulation. It’s no surprise that Cannabidiol or CBD is taking the world by storm. So many people have reported that CBD has genuinely helped them with a multitude of issues, both mentally and physically.
From reduced anxiety and insomnia to improved movement and less joint pain, CBD has become a very widely used supplement. Due to its popularity, it’s vital that you understand exactly how CBD works within your body. They say that “knowledge is power” and that is especially true when it comes to the endocannabinoid system and CBD. This is the year when it was first discovered by the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Science, that CB receptors are present in most areas of the body. They found that the highest concentrations are present in our organs, central nervous system and immune cells.
The word “anandamide” actually comes from the Sanskrit word "ananda," meaning bliss, and given its role in the human body, the name makes sense. When CBD is introduced into the endocannabinoid system, there can be a wide range of positive effects on the body. CBD helps to maintain a normal inflammatory response and supports normal cardiovascular, immune, and neurological function. CBD is one of the exogenous cannabinoids of the cannabis species and it is known as a phytocannabinoid or a plant cannabinoid. The endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating our mood, physiology, pain, inflammatory response, and other functions throughout the day.
This explains why strains with a high CBD content don’t produce as intense of a psychoactive high. Cannabinoid receptors are the primary targets of the endocannabinoid system, bound by lipid signaling molecules called endocannabinoids.
