“How does CBD and hemp oil interact with your body?”
Too good to be true? Once you’re done reading this and find out for yourself you’ll be wondering “Why am I just finding out about this? Or I should have been taking CBD oil months ago.”. “CBD” otherwise known as cannabidiol, is a phytocannabinoid, which is a molecule synthesized by plants. The cannabis or hemp plant has 113 phytocannabinoids including CBD, and it is to be believed that many of the chronic health problems people face today are due to an underlying endocannabinoid deficiency stated in a Journal of Neuroendocrinology Letters published in 2008. No need to be afraid because CBD oil contains less than 0.03% of THC making it legal in the United States.
With that being said CBD oil is giving access and treatment to millions of people who otherwise thought their chronic conditions were untreatable, but to fully understand how CBD oil works inside the human body we have to first understand our cannabinoid receptors.
Instead of getting too technical or scientific about cannabinoid receptors, I’ll give you a short and sweet version. A perfect analogy would be like a lock and key, when the key (cannabinoid) interacts with the lock (cannabinoid receptor) it unlocks it’s potential with physical interaction by initiating changes in the cells. During this interaction it sends molecular messages throughout the cells, tissue, organs, and the whole body. Therefore opening the door to tremendous relief and benefits of CBD oil to the body and mind. The beauty of it is that these reactions will occur even with cannabinoids from plants rather than your own bodies. Think of it as you adding extra fuel to your brain and body, here’s a list of some of the known benefits of CBD oil, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, it reduces anxiety, helps treat psychotic disorders, relieves muscle spasms and pain, while also reducing inflammation in the body. To go a little more in depth, there are two groups of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. Cannabinoid receptors are classified by the cannabinoids that they bind, for example CBD binds the CB2 receptor. When these two meet the message begins to resonate with the cell ultimately causing a chain reaction with the other cells, tissue, and organs. This is why phytocannabinoids are so beneficial, these receptors are found throughout the human body and CBD helps restore your body to homeostasis that has been agitated by genetics and or certain lifestyle choices.
Do you or know anyone who suffers from chronic pain due to inflammation? Have you tried CBD oil for pain? CBD attacks inflammation through ways different than your “over the counter” anti-inflammatories and while also being typically free from the adverse side effects. Now you may ask, how? Both CB1 and CB2 receptors are found in immune system cells, this suggests that cannabinoids play a part in the regulation of our immune systems. Studies have shown that cannabinoids help lower production of cytokine in the immune system while also elevating T-regulatory cells. A cytokine is a molecule messenger between cells, long story short, overproduction of cytokine can cause increased risk for autoimmune diseases. For example, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where your body mistakenly attacks your cells and tissue. Ok, enough about what could go wrong. By promoting the production and regulation of T-regulatory cells or otherwise known as Tregs, it helps to prevent autoimmune diseases and helps in balancing your immune system. Studies conducted on animals have proven that CBD oil benefits the regulation of Treg cells and treats autoimmune diseases and even cancer. Now CBD oil benefits are known to give relief to the side effects of cancer treatment in patients such as nausea, pain, and lack of sleep but, hold on tight because this news is thrilling. Scientists and doctors are testing cannabinoid treatments on cancer patients and it’s still in the early trials and stages, but the success is undeniable. CBD has significantly exhibited signs of slowing and even stopping the growth of new cancer cells, while a combination of THC and CBD have even been shown to shrink tumors. Cannabinoid research in cancer patients is still fairly new, but the evidence is undeniable and is showing a lot of promise and in the clinical world.
Now if you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering “What are the side effects of CBD oil?”. Unlike most prescription or even over the counter drugs, CBD has no proven or listed side effects. Yes, you’re reading that right. Despite some minor reports of dry mouth, tiredness, change in appetite you can expect virtually no negative reactions. Furthermore with no CBD related deaths, researchers are calling it the least dangerous substance compared to others such as alcohol and nicotine which have very adverse effects on the human body. CBD oil does not produce a euphoric high because there is only 0.03% THC, so no paranoia can follow, but it does produce a very relaxing and peaceful sensation. If you are taking other pharmaceuticals make sure to consult your doctor before taking CBD oil, the only adverse effect could be metabolization in the liver with other pharmaceuticals that produce an enzyme making it slow the breakdown of CBD. Don’t let that scare you off though, CBD is actually very beneficial for the liver. CBD increases an enzyme named CYP1A1, which is able to break down certain cancer-causing substances like one called benzopyrene.
The Root of Life to me is that health is wealth and knowledge is power, it’s important to know and understand what you’re putting inside your body before consuming. I constantly encourage people to question the status quo and to always stay informed by seeking new information, I hope this was enlightening and you walk away understanding more than you did before reading. Think of your body as a government, well your immune system is the military or defense branch and it’s there to fight your battles, CBD could be the extra fuel you need to win the war.
Written by: Cameron Russo