CBD Effects, How CBD Interacts With our Body and the Therapeutic Benefits

Table of Contents

CBD stands for Cannabidiol which is one of the 80-100 naturally occurring plant compounds found in the cannabis or hemp plant and is most recently known for its therapeutic effects on the body. CBD comes in many forms these days, with CBD oil being the most popular choice.

While cannabis has been used for generations, recent studies have only found that the power of CBD extraction has come to light. CBD was initially identified back in the 1940s where it was assumed that it had little to no effect on the human body, with the primary research being around THC (tetrahydrocannabinol ).

During the 1990’s Professor Raphael Mechoulam led a research team that made a revolutionary discovery around CBD and how it interacts with the human body that would have changed everything - The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The Endocannabinoid System

The Endocannabinoid System plays a role in the human body affecting functions such as;

Appetite

Mood

Immune Response

Pain

Sleep Patterns

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) already exists in our bodies and what has been discovered is that CBD directly interacts with the ECS.

There have been two key endocannabinoids identified so far;

anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol.

These endocannabinoids assist in homeostasis - keeping stable internal functioning with an ever-changing external environment.

Cannabinoid Receptors

There are two main types of endocannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. These receptors are found throughout the body, and endocannabinoids bind to them, setting off a signal for the ECS to react.

CB1 receptors are primarily found in the central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are mainly found in the peripheral nervous system and are most prevalent in immune cells.

According to Healthline.com, “Experts aren’t completely sure how CBD interacts with the ECS. But they do know that it doesn’t bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors the way THC does.”

Many believe that CBD prevents endocannabinoids from being broken down, allowing them to have more of an effect on your body. Others believe that CBD binds to a receptor that has not yet been discovered.

While we still don’t fully understand the above, there is still plenty of research that suggests CBD can help with multiple conditions.

Benefits of Using CBD

There have been many benefits linked to the use of CBD products, here are just some of the potential benefits listed below:

Anxiety Relief

Some research has shown that CBD can give anxiety relief. It has been thought that it may alter the way our brain receptors respond to serotonin. Early animal studies have shown that CBD may relieve anxiety symptoms by reducing stress, decreasing the psychological effects of anxiety, improving symptoms of PTSD, and assisting in sleep with insomnia.

Anti-seizure

A popular subject in CBD use has been around treatment for epilepsy. More research needs to be done around this topic; however, it has been stated by healthline.com that The American Epilepsy Societies’ study offers hope in this area.

Neuroprotective

Researchers are studying the use of CBD for treating multiple neurodegenerative disorders - Disorders that cause deterioration of the brain and nerves over time. Researchers are mainly looking at one receptor CB1 the receptor responsible for this nerve deterioration.

Specific diseases being studied for the use of CBD are:

Pain Relief

Studies have shown that CBD can help to manage pain in cases such as:

Researchers believe that it’s the anti-inflammatory benefits in CBD that provide pain relief; however, more research needs to be done in this area.

Anti-acne

CBD has been found to have anti-inflammatory benefits, and it’s thought that the inflammatory

benefits may help acne sufferers. It was also found that CBD had a positive effect on sebaceous gland activity - the glands responsible for producing sebum, an oily substance, can lead to acne when overproduced.

Cancer Treatment

It’s been known for a long time that CBD effectively treats symptoms associated with chemotherapy and pain. There have also been studies that have investigated the role of CBD in preventing cancer cell growth. More research is needed in this area, but this is a step in the right direction in using CBD in cancer treatment.

CBD interacts with the Cannabinoid Receptors

The Most Common Side-Effects Of CBD

Some people may experience mild side effects from CBD however they are limited. Below is a list and explanation of what some people could experience.

Dry Mouth

“This side-effect is known as a “cottonmouth,” and it’s common with all cannabis products, including CBD. People who use CBD products may experience dry mouth due to the cannabinoids found in the plant, that act as an inhibitor of the human saliva.” - CBD Common Side Effects.

To prevent this from happening, consume a lot of water before, during, and after consuming CBD products.

Low Blood Pressure

“If you consume a higher dosage of CBD, you may find yourself more sleepy and lightheaded than usual. That’s because CBD tends to lower your blood pressure significantly”. CBD Common Side Effects

It’s not a severe side-effect, except in two situations.

The first one is if you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure, so the effect of CBD may intervene with the effect of your pills, and it may be a bit of a shock for the body.

The same may happen if you’re diagnosed with low pressure too.

If you’re worried about the potential effects of CBD on your blood pressure, consult with your doctor before using it, make sure you’re safe to consume it.

Drowsiness

One of the more common side-effects of CBD is drowsiness. In higher doses, CBD has been found to make you sleepy than usual, and some people may feel the desire to sleep more than usual.

“A lot of research has to be done on this side-effect, but for now, avoid using CBD products before having an important thing: a car drive, a task from your job, or anything else related to being concentrated or wide awake.” CBD Common Side Effects

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is another potential side-effect of using CBD, but usually, it’s not related to CBD at all.

As such, CBD has gastroprotective properties - it helps with your digestive tract, increases the flow of blood to your stomach and generally, has a positive effect on the digestive system.

But, after the first usage, it’s not uncommon for people to experience diarrhea, and that’s usually due to other ingredients in the CBD oil or the manufacturing process.

“CBD is mostly used with MCT oil (short for medium chain triglycerides which helps CBD to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly), emu oil, hemp oil, etc., that can irritate the stomach and cause diarrhea to happen. To prevent this, always check the ingredients on the CBD oil and the CBD concentration - higher CBD concentration may irritate your digestive system as well”.CBD Common Side Effects

Skin Allergies

CBD has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, and it can help you treat acne, psoriasis, or dermatitis.

“However, it may be the cause for skin allergies to appear - itching or rash over the body where you placed the CBD products. This is not always the case, but if you’re having a strong reaction to CBD skin products, stop using them immediately and consult with your doctor”.CBD Common Side Effects

Final Thoughts

CBD has come a long way from when it was first discovered in the 1940s. With the progression of science, we have managed to uncover more about how CBD interacts with the human body. As a result, there are many potential therapeutic benefits to using CBD. However, consumers always need to do their research before taking any CBD products to ensure they consume the highest quality product. A great place to start is Enacta.com. Enecta not only has a great range of high-quality CBD products they also have an array of articles with a multitude of information to keep you informed.