The Endocannabinoid System
We human beings have a number of amazing, regulatory systems in our bodies, such as digestive, neurological, endocrine and more. We’ve known about those systems for a much longer time than we have the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) which wasn’t discovered till the late 1980’s/early 1990’s.
It is fascinating that this system has the ability to impact so many of our physical and emotional issues. We actually produce our own endogenous cannabinoids (e.g. 2-AG and Anandamide) but our bodies do not always produce enough to keep us in homeostasis. That may mean that we have inflammation or anxiety or depression or pain. All of these are indicators that something is not working well.
That is where hemp-sourced CBD comes into the picture. When our ability to produce our own cannabinoids is compromised in some way due to stress, poor eating, lack of sleep, auto-immune issues or some kind of trauma then it is time to consider shoring up the ECS by taking exogenous cannabinoids, aka CBD.
CBD comes in four main delivery systems: vaping, liquids, capsules/tablets or topicals. Within each of these categories come a wide variety of options and dosages. Each person needs to choose, with some guidance from a knowledgeable health practitioner, which delivery system and what dose may work best for their issue.
Supplementing with CBD is all about stimulating the ECS receptors in one’s body to make more of the endogenous cannabinoids. We have CB1 receptors that are in our brain, nervous system and spread around our body. Our CB2 receptors are mostly around organs, in tissues and a part of our immune system.
The goal is always the same. Let the CBD help your ECS do the job that it is meant to do – get you back in balance.
