How
CBD Won't Make You High, but it Could Make You Happy
Use of CBD has exploded over the
past few years, going from being viewed with skepticism to being embraced by
the mainstream and legislators alike. Proven effective for a multitude of
ailments without the psychoactive effects of THC, it has enhanced the lives of
millions. But can it actually make you happy? You might be surprised by the
answer.
IT'S ALL ABOUT BALANCE
In order for your body to achieve
optimal performance, it needs to maintain a balance that the medical community
refers to as homeostasis. When your body is in homeostasis, there is
equilibrium between all of the systems that support your body as a whole. In
addition to pain control, it can improve your sleep, appetite, memory, and yes,
even your mood.
WHAT'S CBD GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Back in the early 90s, some
researchers started taking a closer look at THC, one of over a 100 components
or cannabinoids of the cannabis plant that includes CBD. What they
discovered was that your body has its own ecocannabinoid system commonly
referred to as ECS.
Your ECS is a complex system that
signals the cells in your body to regulate it, to maintain its homeostasis. Its
three main components are endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. And it
occurs naturally in the body whether you have ever used cannabis or not.
HOW IT ALL WORKS
Endocannabinoids are to your ECS as
cannabinoids are to the cannabis plant. Endocannabinoid receptors carry the
necessary messages to your ECS to keep things running smoothly.
The two main receptors are CB1,
found in your central nervous system (targeting spinal nerves to relieve pain
for example) and CB2, located in your peripheral nervous system, which happens
to include your autoimmune response (think inflammation).
Enzymes finish the job by breaking
down the endocannabinoids after their mission is completed.
FIND YOUR BLISS WITH CBD'S
One of the endocannabinoids found in
your body is called anandamide. Interestingly, the root word, anana, is from
the ancient Sanskrit language and it translates to "bliss" due to its
mood-enhancing properties.
In addition to promoting
homeostasis, CBD also protects the key endocannabinoid, anandamide, which is a
neurotransmitter that acts as fuel for your ECS to function optimally.
In order to understand how
anandamide fuels our ECS, we need to discuss a specific enzyme called FAAH,
fatty acid amide hydrolase. FAAH is an enemy of bliss, a total buzzkill. It
breaks down anandamide as soon as it enters our cells.
CBD, on the other hand, puts a
roadblock in front of FAAH and this allows our bodies to enjoy the benefits of
anandamide longer and find our homeostatic bliss.
DOING THEIR HOMEWORK
Researchers continue to dig deeper
into the CBD/bliss connection and the results have been stacking up on the
pages of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences on ncbi.nim.nih.gov.
They have been able to establish a healthy connection between CBD and:
- Pain Management
- Cardiovascular Function
- Stress Management
- Muscle Formation
- Bone Growth and Remodeling
- Motor Control
- Metabolism
- Immune System Response
- Liver Function
- Sleep
- Skin Integrity
- Digestion
- Reproduction
- Learning and Memory
While THC adversely affects the
hippocampus, the memory center of the brain, CBD actually enhances it by
binding to CB receptors and encouraging neurogenesis, the key to memory
and learning.
And that "natural high"
after a workout that athletes have been touting for years? You guessed it.
Increased levels of anandamide have been found in the bloodstream.
So while CBD is not going to make
you high, you are likely to feel healthier and happier than you have been
before. Find a reputable CBD distributor near you
210 S Pinellas Ave Suite 112
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
727-942-4249
