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A Tour of the Endocannabinoid System
It’s been well-established that CBD and other components of hemp can benefit the body and mind – that’s what we’re all about at ICHOR. But even though we know this and accept it as fact, how is it possible?
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what’s inside CBD and what makes it work for the human body. CBD is a cannabinoid (as is CBG and the rest of the laundry list), and endocannabinoids are naturally produced by the human brain – by something called the endocannabinoid system.
WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?
The endocannabinoid system is made to take up these neurotransmitters (sent by cannabinoids) when they’re produced, which triggers a wide range of physiological responses. It does a lot more than you may think – it has control over essential functions such as:
• Sleep
• Mood
• Appetite
• Memory
Even if you don’t consume cannabis, the endocannabinoid system is still active in your body.
Receptors are a big part of the endocannabinoid system, and there are two main ones – the CB1 receptor (connected to the central nervous system) and CB2 (the peripheral nervous system and immune system). Endocannabinoids can bond to either receptor, and the effect from that binding depends on where the receptor is located (and whether it’s CB1 or CB2).
Because these receptors coincide with your nervous system, this means that when endocannabinoids bind with them, they play a big part in pain relief, which is an area that many of us associate with CBD.
Taking CBD from hemp can help provide extra cannabinoids – and this means more positive effects. Using nano CBD – the Premium CBD that ICHOR uses – allows these effects to take hold in your body more quickly because of how small the particles are. They slip into the bloodstream and are immersed within the endocannabinoid system at a much faster rate than that of your average CBD.
Humans aren’t the only ones with endocannabinoid systems either. Animals have them, too, which is why there exists such a thing as CBD for pets. It’s not just cats and dogs – a few other animals with known endocannabinoid systems include horses, rabbits, monkeys, dolphins, and elephants.
Animals’ endocannabinoid systems act much in the same way that those of humans do. They help regulate sleep*, improve mood*, and relieve pain*. It also helps these animals maintain a healthy, well-rounded internal balance. CBD can only assist in these areas.
If all of this hasn’t been interesting enough, take a moment to consider how cannabinoids are produced by both the human brain and the hemp plant. It really makes you think about how interconnected everything in the world is, and by using these connections to our advantage, we can make the human experience that much more enjoyable.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. ICHOR products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.