Cannabinoids, which are chemical compounds that naturally occur in the resin of the Cannabis Plant, is not a new thing to a human body.
The human body is full of many complex systems. Among them is the ECS (endogenous cannabinoid system) that is a complex cell-signaling system in charge of homeostasis within the body.
Homeostasis is the ability of an organism to stay in a balance despite all environmental changes — examples of homeostasis in action is when the temperature of your body is above average (37 degrees Celsius or 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) you release extra heat through the skin. If the temperature is below that level, you absorb the warmth around you.
When there is a virus inside of you, the body will activate the immune system to get rid of the virus and bring the balance back in place. Balance, in this case, stands for maintaining the internal stability of the human body.
According to the article, “The Endogenous cannabinoids Your Body Produces & How They Help You” on SOLCBD.com, the ECS evolved over 600 million years ago. The ECS in the human body is a primordial part of our biology and was discovered in the early 1990s by scientists while exploring cannabinoids.
The ECS consists of three main elements: Endogenous cannabinoids, Endogenous cannabinoid receptors, and Enzymes.
Endogenous cannabinoids are molecules crafted by the human body. They’re analogous to cannabinoids that we harvest from the resin of the hemp plant, but our bodies make them. Scientists have discovered two vital endogenous cannabinoids:
- anandamide (AEA)
- 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG)
Their purpose in the human body is to check if internal functions such as maintenance of fluid volume or maintenance of breathing patterns run correctly. Think of them as managers over the human body with specialization in internal functions.
The exciting thing, though, is that there is a healthy level of endogenous cannabinoids produced by the body. Your body produces them as there is a demand for it, which is always flexible.
Endogenous cannabinoid receptors are receptors that are spread all over the human body. Endogenous cannabinoids “insert” themselves in those receptors to draw attention from the ECS. Think of endogenous cannabinoid as a key, an endogenous cannabinoid receptor as a lock. When the lock is open, it sends a signal to the ECS that there is something wrong where that lock is located in the body, and the immediate action is required.
As with Endogenous cannabinoids today there are two known primary endogenous cannabinoid receptors:
- CB1 receptors, in the central nervous system
- CB2 receptors, in the peripheral nervous system
Endogenous cannabinoids (keys) are inserted in both types of receptors. The effects resulted from such “insertion” will depend on the Endogenous cannabinoid receptor’s (lock) location and kind of endogenous cannabinoid (key) used. For example, studies suggest endogenous cannabinoids can hit CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve to calm chronic pain.
Enzymes are biological molecules such as proteins that, significantly speed up the rate of chemical reactions within cells. In the case of the ECS, they play the role of destroyers of the “keys” after the connection between Endogenous cannabinoid (key), and Endogenous cannabinoid receptor (lock) has happened. According to “Healthline” enzymes are in charge of breaking down endogenous cannabinoids once they’ve carried out their function.
As with Endogenous cannabinoid receptors today there are two
main enzymes responsible for the breaking-down job:
- fatty acid amide hydrolase, destroyer of AEA
- monoacylglycerol acid lipase, destroyer of 2-AG
So, these three core elements (Endogenous cannabinoid, Endogenous cannabinoid receptors, Enzymes) forge a team, which is taking care of homeostasis in the human body.
But the ECS is not able to work infinitely with no supply in nutrition. So, what is being used to produce new and support existing endogenous cannabinoids, and endogenous cannabinoid receptors inside the body in the first place?
The body is looking for a significant amount of Omega-3 fatty acids to produce the required number of Endogenous cannabinoids and Endogenous cannabinoid receptors.
Omega-3s are a family of fatty acids that are providing a significant number of health benefits and play a big role in the human body. Among different health benefits are preventing macular degeneration (incurable eye disease), depression, and anxiety. What kind of food is containing Omega-3 fatty acids in excess? According to Daisy Whitbread, the significant amount of Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in chia seeds, fish, walnuts, tofu, shellfish. Essentially, Omega-3 fatty acids are the foundation of endogenous cannabinoids. If the human body doesn’t have enough Omega-3 fatty acids, it will not be able to produce enough endogenous cannabinoids, it needs to keep ECS healthy. As was mentioned earlier, Omega-3 fatty acids are also crucial for Endogenous cannabinoid receptors. For example, the growth and healing of CB1 receptors depend on Omega-3.
Failing to meet the required amount of nutrition can lead to failure of ES and, therefore, losing control over homeostasis. Experts call such conditions as EDS (Endogenous cannabinoid Deficiency Syndrome). Possible consequences of EDS are migraines, fibromyalgia (pain, poor sleep, cognitive difficulty), Alzheimer’s disease, and more.
If EDS is the case for a person, the possible treatment could be – setting up a diet based on an increased amount of Omega-3 fatty acids consumed. That will heal one’s CB1 receptors, accelerate the growth of both Endogenous cannabinoid receptors and Endogenous Cannabinoids.
Another suitable treatment would be to take cannabinoids from external sources, like Cannabidiol, from CBD. It will boost the concentration of Endogenous cannabinoids in the body and supply Endogenous cannabinoid receptors with a significant portion of nutrition, therefore providing ECS with all necessary supplements, and thus making ECS work at the most efficient way.
So as you can see, CBD cannabinoid is not something new to the human body. Nature gifted humans a perfect match between the chemical compounds of resin of the hemp plant and chemical compounds of the human endogenous cannabinoid system.
If we think about ECS (endogenous cannabinoid system) as a car, then CBD cannabinoids and cannabinoids, existing in the human body, would be two available fuel options for the “ECS” vehicle.
CBD cannabinoid(plant-based) and Endogenous cannabinoid (grown in the human body).
Different origins, but the same destination.
Studies show that CBD could be an effective treatment for everything from anxiety to epilepsy. However, hemp products vary greatly. You can smoke flowers, ingest edibles, or use oils (either as an edible or absorbed through the skin). Which is the right choice for you? Let’s take a look at the difference between the various CBD products.
CBD Options
Because it is popular in the media, some people think that CBD oil is their only option. However, oil is just one of the many options if you want to try CBD. There are pros and cons of using CBD oil, just as with any CBD product. As with all the products we’re mentioning here, CBD oil is oil extracted from the hemp plant. It does not contain THC or other psychoactive ingredients, so you won’t feel “high” when using it. Yes, this is the same cannabis plant responsible for hemp fibers used in clothing, paper, jewelry, and more. It contains less than 0.3% THC, with many varieties containing none at all.
The oil itself comes in multiple forms. You can find it in capsules, lotions, sprays, and more. When more people think of CBD oil, however, they think of an oil dropper. You place a few drops under your tongue. While this can be effective for introducing CBD to the body, many people don’t like the taste of CBD oil. It can also be cumbersome to carry in a purse or pocket since you have to worry about spilling it.
Edibles Made with Hemp Products
CBD oil is typically edible, except when used in products like lotions are absorbed through the skin. However, you can also find ready-made foods with CBD as an ingredient. We offer cookies as part of our product line. Candies such as gummies and lollipops are popular for home use. You can also find CBD added to beverages such as juice, coffee, and even mixed drinks at the bar.
Although you may have less anxiety about using an inconspicuous product like candy, it is not without its problems. With edible CDB products, the chemical takes longer to get to the brain, according to a Vice article. If you are using it for chronic pain, anxiety or acute pain, it might take too long to kick in. Vice’s CBD experts note that the liver also metabolizes some of the CBD. So, a smaller amount will affect your neurons. Additionally, when added to foods that are baked or heated, high temperatures can lower CDB’s potency. Therefore, with edibles, you may find it challenging to get the proper dose.
Keep in mind that hemp products (especially edibles) are sometimes not labeled accurately. Always work with a trusted provider to ensure you know what you are consuming. With our products, you never have to worry about what you’re getting. Our labels are accurate, and we grow all of our own hemp plants, and personally harvest our flowers. We guaranty the use of high-quality hemp products to create our CBD offerings. Because we produce all the plants and harvest them ourselves, we ensure that no pesticides, soil bacteria, or toxic fungus exists in our plants or our process.
Smoking Flowers as a Source of CBD
Because of the negatives to CBD oils and other edibles, many people prefer smoking CBD flowers. SUNY Albany professor Mitch Earleywine, Ph.D., notes that smoking is a fast way to use CBD. It can enter your bloodstream in 30 seconds or less. Again, unlike THC, CBD won’t make you feel “high” even when smoked.
When smoking, it is essential to use high-quality products. That’s where we come in. We have several flower strains, so you can find the option that works best for you. Consult a doctor about adding CBD to your treatment plan for any medical condition. Then, start with a small dose to find the approximate amount that works for you. Here, learn more about our CBD products.