How CBD Works

CBD and Your Body

At this point, you probably already know that CBD can have profound effects on your body, but do you know exactly how? Working with your endocannabinoid system to maintain homeostasis, CBD actually helps regulate everything from your body’s core temperature to the fluctuation of hormones.

In hemp, CBD is one of the most essential cannabinoids that come together to form the plant’s complex molecular structure. In the human body, CBD works synergistically with unique receptors called endocannabinoids to maintain your body’s homeostasis.

Through numerous experiments and clinical trials, CBD has displayed the ability to interact with certain cells in the body that contribute to various health related benefits. In fact, many common medications work in a similar fashion. Their cells mimic the look and function of other naturally produced cells in your body; this is done in an attempt to promote recovery and/or provide other positive effects. Unlike many of these traditional medications, CBD is extracted naturally from plants and not produced synthetically in a lab. This is just one of the many reasons people are looking towards CBD as a possible alternative to current synthetic medications.

______________

The Science Behind CBD

In order to explain exactly what CBD does, we need to first explain the specific system in which it interacts with: the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Your body’s ECS is tasked with one of the most vital responsibilities in the entire body, maintaining homeostasis.

Homeostasis is the body’s innate ability to regulate and stabilize itself from the outside environment. Often described as the “Goldilocks zone,” homeostasis is vital to your body’s optimal performance. Just like Goldilocks wanted a bed that was “not too hard, not too soft, but just right,” your body needs to stay within certain parameters in order to function at its best. Unlike Goldilocks, your body isn’t dealing with just one obstacle at a time; it’s constantly regulating temperature, digestive function, immune system function, hormone levels, etc.

Each type of receptor cell has a unique shape that allows it to interact specifically with certain cells. Think of these cells like a toddler’s shape toy: only the square peg can fit through the square hole, the round peg through the round hole, etc.

CBD has a similar shape to certain cells in your body that allows it to interact with, or activate, receptor cells like vanilloid receptors, serotonin receptors, and adenosine receptors.

Another unique ability of CBD is that it can actually inhibit the function of CB1 cells. Think back to the toddler toy for a minute. Imagine a very determined toddler who, for whatever reason, has decided that the square peg can fit through the round hole. No matter how hard the toddler tries, the peg won’t fit through the hole without getting stuck. CBD interacts with CB1 receptors in the same way. It won’t activate them, but it can block them. This means that other cells can’t interact with the CB1 receptor cells while CBD is in there. This allows CBD to produce a wide range of beneficial effects without harsh adverse effects or dependency.

______________

CBD Chemistry 101:

We mentioned earlier that CBD has the ability to activate a wide range of receptor cells. Through these interactions, CBD is able to have a number of beneficial effects on the human body.

Take vanilloid receptors for example; these receptors are recognized for regulating both pain and inflammation. When activated, you experience less pain and less inflammation. The introduction of CBD has demonstrated the ability to help activate these vanilloid receptors by reducing pain and inflammation.

CBD can activate many other receptors producing all kinds of different health related benefits. For instance, CBD has demonstrated the ability to slow the growth of bacteria. CBD has also been documented to relieve anxiety, lessen pain, and lessen psychosis. CBD’s been shown to keep your nervous system strong and healthy. It can also help you sleep. CBD can help your bones grow and increase your appetite. It can even help to treat skin conditions like psoriasis.

______________

Unlocking the Potential of CBD

CBD’s already been identified to provide numerous beneficial effects on the human body; many more are being discovered each and every day. In fact, CBD doesn’t just help humans. Because the ECS is present in most mammals, CBD has also been proven to improve your pet's health and reduce anxiety levels as well.

At Jugheads, we are hard at work bringing these outstanding benefits to you and your pets. We invite you to learn more about the different symptoms and aliments CBD has already been studied to combat on our HEALTH page.