Are you thinking about buying CBD oil? You have probably already heard about this substance, even if you have not yet considered buying it. You may have seen signs in a herbalist’s shop or you may have noticed the products in a store. But what is CBD oil?
CBD oil is something that isn’t talked about much and it’s a fantastic supplement for a healthy lifestyle. If you’ve heard of it before and are wondering what exactly it is and how it works, you’re in the right place.
We present you with a comprehensive guide with all the details to answer all the questions you may have about CBD oil. So sit back and get ready to learn all about cannabidiol oil.
What is CBD oil?
First of all it is necessary to know what CBD is. Cannabidiol, abbreviated as CBD, is a substance found in the hemp plant. It occurs completely naturally along with dozens of other cannabinoids, of which THC is the most well known. Surely when you hear about hemp you think of a drug that “gets you high”. That effect is due to THC, but CBD, on the other hand, is a substance without any psychoactive effect.
Both CBD and THC are important substances in the hemp plant, and both have some effect on the human body. But there are major differences between the two: CBD does not “get high”.
What are the effects of CBD?
Since it is a component that, unlike THC, does not have intoxicating effects, it is legitimate to wonder why people consume it.
The truth is that there are several reasons. It is usually used as a supplement when a healthy lifestyle is desired. Although studies are still being conducted on the effects of CBD on the human body, it is normally used as an antioxidant to relax and improve overall wellness.
It is a natural ingredient that many consider a great addition to their daily routine.
What is the endocannabinoid system?
Before we get into the details of how CBD oil works, a basic understanding of the body’s endocannabinoid system, often referred to as the SEC, is necessary.
The SEC is a naturally functioning biological system that we all have. It is a network of neurotransmitters and receptors found throughout the body and is the reason the body reacts to hemp. Believe it or not, the body produces its own cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids, and they are very similar to those found in hemp.
Endocannabinoids interact with SEC receptors throughout the body and with various types of cells and tissues. SEC is critical for survival because it helps mediate, regulate and control numerous bodily functions, including inflammation, the immune system, neurogenesis (production of new cells), apoptosis (programmed cell death) and even psychological behavior. That means that the SEC plays a vital role in homeostasis, i.e., keeping the body in balance.
Cannabinoid receptors are so widespread in the body that some doctors say of this system that it is perhaps the “central component of human health and healing.”
Wondering why you haven’t heard of it before? The truth is that the SEC was discovered not so long ago, in the 1990s, by Israeli scientist Raphael Mechoulam. So to this day it is still being studied and more is expected to be discovered about this system in the future.
How does CBD oil work?
CBD oil interacts with the endocannabinoid system to produce certain effects. The two key endocannabinoids produced by the body are anandamide and 2-AG (2-arachidonylglycerol). These substances bind to their corresponding receptors in the endocannabinoid system: the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are found mainly in the brain and nervous system, while CB2 receptors are abundant in body tissues and the immune system.
Generally, in a person with a healthy, well-functioning body, a balanced ratio of endocannabinoids to their receptors is maintained, allowing for homeostasis. According to an informative article created by NORML, endocannabinoids are responsible for ensuring homeostatic regulation at “all levels of biological life, from the subcellular to the organism, and perhaps even communities and more.” This article demonstrates how important SEC is for healthy living.
However, it is quite common for the human body to get a little out of balance from time to time. Disturbances in the SEC occur when the body suffers from illness, including physical injury, ailments, inflammation or hormonal imbalances. When this happens, there are not enough endocannabinoids to bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, and so the body has a hard time maintaining homeostasis.
This is where CBD oil comes in. By ingesting this oil it is possible to restore the natural ratio by providing the body with natural plant-derived phytocannabinoids and helping to improve overall well-being.
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