Hany Salem

What is CBD? Cannabis plants contain 60+, naturally occurring, active compounds called cannabinoids. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of these compounds found in all cannabis plants. CBD oil is a natural plant-based oil that contains phyto (plant) chemicals called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are “feel good” molecules naturally made by the body when we are feeling relaxed and secure or involved in something that makes us happy, like hugging someone we care about or sitting down to a meal we are looking forward to. Cannabinoids are also released when we sleep well and exercise. Cannabinoids bind to little docking stations in our bodies called cannabinoid receptors that help stimulate those feel good responses. Discovered in 1992, the main cannabinoid molecule is called anandamide, which is translated from the Sanskrit as "bliss molecule." The cannabinoid system is key to helping the body keep itself in balance. This system ensures our stomach and intestines run well, keeps inflammation down, and modulates pain while helping to maintain our mood in a good place. Research suggests the cannabinoids from CBD can stop the breakdown of anandamide. When we retain more anandamide in our body, there’s more bliss. Many cannabis users smoke marijuana to find more bliss from via the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compound because of its psychoactive properties. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a “high or stoned” effect and can offer relief and benefits without the “high” feeling. This means that daily tasks, like driving, take care of children and working, will not be affected or put at risk by using CBD. There are no dulled senses to inhibit consumers of CBD. REMEMBER, CBD is NOT psychoactive, meaning it does NOT give you a “high” but it has significant health benefits. While this makes CBD is a poor choice for recreational users, it gives a significant advantage as a supplement or super food, since it has minimal side effects. This makes CBD an appealing option for people looking for relief from various conditions such as inflammation, pain, anxiety, psychosis, seizures, spasms, insomia, etc -- without feelings of lethargy. Cannabis plants are separated into two different types of crops, known as hemp and marijuana. These two plants differ in their cannabinoid ratios but both hemp and marijuana can be used to produce cannabidiol products. CBD rich hemp oil, the essential oil of the hemp plant, has over 480 natural compounds including 100 or so cannabinoids (CBD and THC are two) and over 120 terpenes (part of a plants essential oils which contribute to a plant’s scent, flavour and colour) along with amino acids, proteins, enzymes, ketones, fatty acids, flavonoids, vitamins and more. “Hemp” is classified as plants bred to exhibit less than 0.3% THC. In contrast, medical and recreational cannabis plants contain a large amount of THC and various amounts of CBD, CBN, THVC and other cannabinoids. HEMP: HIGH CBD, LOW THC Cannabis: High THC, Low CBD Is CBD Safe? This questions come up for allot of people, and yes CBD seems to be exceedingly safe. In fact, the FDA-approved use of CBD in epilepsy was studied in children, which suggests both kids and adults can use it safely. While it has effects on relaxing the body and helping with pain, CBD does not suppress the breathing centers of the brain the way opioid drugs do, which is why there is not the concern, even in overdose, that you would have for pain-killing drugs. Since the 1960’s, medical research has collected research supporting the safety of CBD. Typical doses of 10mg to 100mg a day show no negative effects. Even one study where patients took 1,280 mg a day did not see a problem. The director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse has stated that CBD oil is safe, and recently the FDA approved CBD oil for use in children with epilepsy. Please note that, because of the way the liver works, CBD may affect the clearance of other drugs you are taking. As always, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before starting any new herbal supports, especially if you are taking prescription medications. How does CBD work? The body actually contains an entire network called the endocannabinoid system, which is composed of receptors in the brain and the body where cannabinoids bind to. The endocannabinoid system was found to be directly involved in the processes that keep our bodies balanced day to day, including: appetite, pain sensation, mood, memory, immune system functions, and inflammation control. Essentially, the system helps to manage homeostasis, balancing our body’s natural conditions. CBD supplements these naturally created endocannabinoids to keep the receptors working at optimal capacity. Similar to how we use vitamin C to kick start our immune system, CBD acts as a kick starter to help the functions of the body’s central regulatory system. The Endocannabinoid System: Regardless of the type, cannabinoids act as neuromodulators and help regulate every physiological system such as our nervous system, digestive system, reproductive system, immune system, endocrine system and muscular system. These receptors are specifically designed to work with both the endocannabinoids that our bodies naturally produce (such as after exercise), and also with plant-based cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. The two primary endocannabinoid receptors are CB1 (found mainly in the brain and central and peripheral nervous system, and also in the liver, kidneys and lungs). They work to regulate appetite, memory, and to reduce pain. CB2 receptors (found mainly in the immune system, but exist through many other areas of the body, including the gut, spleen, liver, heart, kidneys, bones, blood vessels, lymph cells, endocrine glands, and reproductive organs. CB2 receptors are also plentiful on the skin, which allows topicals to influence the endocannabinoid syste. CB2 receptor primary role is reducing inflammation throughout the body. CBD does not directly act on the CB1 and CB2 receptors but instead interacts and enhances other signaling systems. It acts indirectly by stimulating endogenous cannabinoid signaling and activating the release of other endocannabinoids, that work on both CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBD also works indirectly on other receptors besides CB1 and CB2 mainly affecting receptors such as serotonin, adenosine and vanilloid. Recent studies have shown how CBD is involved in the stimulation of 5-HT1a serotonin receptor, which is known to produce the anti-depressant effect. This receptor is common to a huge range of other processes such as appetite, pain perception, nausea, anxiety and addiction mechanisms. CBD is non-psychoactive because it does not act on the same pathways as THC. One of the effects of CBD is that it moderates the effects of THC. It actually knocks THC off the CB1 receptor, so if someone is experiencing THC intoxication, a strong dose of CBD can counteract those effects. Researchers are finding out that by modulating the endocannabinoid system, the symptoms of a number of diseases and pathological conditions may be alleviated. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, stroke, obesity/metabolic syndrome, anxiety disorders, neuropathic pain, Huntington’s disease, glaucoma, seizure disorders, Parkinson’s and osteoporosis are just a sampling of the disease symptoms helped. The endocannabinoid system supports a healthy nervous system, immune system, digestive system, endocrine system, and more. Supporting your body’s ability to reach homeostasis, the healthier you are, so when the endocannabinoid system gets out of balance, all aspects of your health can suffer. A healthy endocannabinoid system leads to a healthy mental state, a great state of mind, and a quality physical life. It’s interesting to note that human breast milk and the cannabis plants have something in common. They have the same cannabinoids, breast milk is abundant in cannabinoids. These similar cannabinoids protect the infant against disease, stimulate the suckling response and help to regulate the appetite. Even in infants the endocannabinoid system is hard at work. There are numerous and complex ways in which the endocannabinoid system exists and functions within the body. Despite humanity’s long history with the hemp plant, the discovery of cannabinoids like CBD and the endocannabinoid system is relatively new to the scientific community. The endocannabinoid system holds tremendous potential for new discoveries in health and medicine in the years ahead. Foods and Activities to boost your Endocannabinoid System: The body actually contains an entire network called the endocannabinoid system, which is composed of receptors in the brain and the body where cannabinoids bind. The endocannabinoid system is important to all levels of health, from life sustaining to life enhancing. CBD remains the most direct way to heighten this system; it is not the only option for supplementing this system in your body. Many factors influence the endocannabinoid system, from the foods we eat to the activities we do. Subsequently, the health of our endocannabinoid system, much like the rest of bodily health, is as much a result of our way of being as an influence on it. How to stimulate the Endocannabinoid System? The endocannabinoid system can be improved when it is not functioning optimally, resulting in better overall health. When this system is unbalanced it can lead to many diseases and ailments. By boosting or toning the ECS, we are able to maintain a better health balance in our body. We can assist in improving the health of our endocannabinoid system in a numerous ways. Here are a few ways you can tone and foster your endocannabinoid system. RUNNING & PHYSICAL EXERCISE Have you ever experienced a “runner’s high?” You know that feeling you get in the middle of a long run where you body becomes light and free? That’s your endocannabinoid system at work. One of the most prelevant endocannabinoids produced in your body is called Anandamide, its responsible for that “runner’s high” feeling. Scientists believe anandamide creates the blissful feeling associated with runner’s high, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and unstructured playtime. CHOCOLATE Anandamide is also present in chocolate. The great feelings people get when eating chocolate is not just from a sugar rush, but also from enjoying the supplementation of our body’s own bliss molecule. Dark chocolate also contains a high level of flavonoids, which help the body retain more anandamide by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down.