Category: Medical Research

CBD’s Incredible Effect On Homeostasis

The human body is, in a way, like Goldilocks – consciously and unconsciously we want things to be “just right”.

The market has exploded with interest in CBD, and for good reason. This post explores its incredible influence on our bodies’ desire for things to be “just right”, aka homeostasis.

Before we dive into CBD’s effect, let’s briefly explore the body’s physiology. What does homeostasis mean, anyway?

Generally speaking, human physiology is first and foremost a balance between polar opposites, the yin and yang, so to speak. This balance between all the bodies’ systems creates homeostasis. For example, in looking at the immune system, the opposites are inflammation and anti-inflammation. When these two are balanced, your immune system functions as it should.

Essentially, all our bodies’ systems are connected, as you may have experienced with your own health. This maintenance of homeostasis for all systems is a complex balancing act. So how does your body maintain homeostasis?

Patricia Ramos lists the 5 different ways:

  1. Maintaining normal fluctuations in body temperature
  2. Maintaining normal blood pressure range
  3. Regulating glucose levels
  4. Excrete toxins (through the urinary system)
  5. Maintaining a normal pH scale

Let’s now introduce CBD and the Endocannabinoid System, a fundamental communication system in your body. In conjunction with the above ways the body maintains homeostasis, the endocannabinoid system regulates all your body’s systems through receptors.

Ever since the endocannabinoid system was discovered 30 years ago, it has been found that CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the most potent natural mediators of this system.

Ramos states that CBD has demonstrated incredible power to “interact with, support, and unlock the healing potential of your endocannabinoid system.”

In essence, the endocannabinoid system helps to maintain homeostasis by using cannabinoid receptors to monitor the body’s reactions. Cannabinoids create chemical responses to address issues of imbalance in the body.

So is CBD for you? The benefits of this natural compound are difficult to ignore. Do your research, monitor your body after taking CBD, and see for yourself 🙂

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How To Utilize CBD To Improve Your Health

In case you have been hiding under a rock, we’re in the midst of a CBD boom.

We are seeing companies, who don’t want to miss out on this gold mine, add it into everything. From beauty products to fast food cheeseburgers, skin care and more. The markets are saturated, and with an overwhelming array of options available the question is, what’s the best and most effective way to experience the effects of CBD?

Cory Stieg, with Refinery 29 wrote in an article titled, The Most Effective Ways To Use CBD

“The key to understanding the effectiveness of the delivery mechanism for CBD is recognizing that each person is different, explains Rick Weissman, president of High Falls Hemp, a New York-based CBD company. “There are clinical studies which suggest that inhalation and sublingual transmission are the most effective,” he adds. Vapes and sublingual (aka under the tongue) tinctures tend to be the most effective methods because they put CBD right into your bloodstream, he says. A CBD gummy or even a supplement, on the other hand, would have to be absorbed through the digestive tract, which may take longer or result in a less potent effect. And a CBD cream or lotion would be absorbed topically through your skin.”

Nikul Patel with Medium wrote on how CBD can Improving Mental Health here,

“Cannabis has always been a questionable treatment for mental health, as the psychoactive effects are notorious for causing unpredictability. Some find that an altered state of mind allows them to look inwards, take new perspectives on problematic matters and remove mental blockages, while others experience heightened levels of anxiety that just makes them feel worse.

For example, the most significant chemical effect CBD has is connecting with fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) to prevent anandamide reuptake. Anandamide is the body’s naturally generated THC and stopping degradation of this endocannabinoid helps to boost mood. Anandamide is not as potent as THC but binding to CB1 receptors produces an uplifting effect while increasing motivation.

All CBD products — except for creams which are not ingested into the bloodstream — can be used for mood enhancement purposes. The fastest but shortest improvements can be derived from CBD concentrates, tinctures and Veedverks e-liquids, while a slower, but more extended mood boost can be obtained with edibles, concentrates and syrups.

CBD also helps to reduce fear response and relieve symptoms of anxiety, by acting outside of the ECS. A recent study found that CBD — and the endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor. The investigation, published in the peer-reviewed Pharmacological Research, suggested this could explain CBD’s anxiolytic and anticonvulsant properties.

Boosting Immune System Defences, and Reducing Inflammation

A well-functioning immune system serves to protect the body from dangerous viruses and bacteria, but when out of control, can sabotage our health with high levels of inflammation. Treating inflammation and moderating immune system response is tricky, but ECS research is providing us with fresh solutions. Studies have shown that CB2 receptors are present on white blood cells and in immune tissues, and that activating these can have an immunomodulatory effect.

CBD is an antagonist of the CB2 receptor but instigates an anti-inflammatory effect via anandamide-mediated activation. 2-AG is also noted for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Managing inflammation with CBD could potentially help to treat arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. THC is an agonist of the CB2 receptor and therefore can reduce inflammation directly, but the emergence of a non-psychoactive, cannabis-based anti-inflammatory means that many more patients could benefit.

The most effective method of managing arthritis may be with a pain cream or muscle rub, as this engages the most relevant CB2 receptors. For more internal inflammation and autoimmune diseases, capsules and edibles should deliver more potent and sustained relief.”

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