Our endocannabinoid system also called ECS is quite a complex system that was identified by medical researchers during the early 1990s when they were exploring THC, another well-known cannabinoid.
Although still, experts are trying to understand fully the ECS, however, we now know that it can play a role to regulate many functions and processes like our:
- Mood
- Sleep
- Appetite
- Memory
- Reproduction
- Fertility
Even if we do not use cannabis, the ECS still exists and is quite active in our bodies. If you are looking for a CBD website, visit JUSTCBD store.
CBD has got a few known targets in our brain and body that are outside of our internal ECS system. Let us explore them here.
Glycine receptors
These are responsible for getting messages from our bodies and sending to our brain. In neuropathic pain, our body will decrease inflammation through all these receptors. CBD can upregulate all these receptors.
GABA
CBD will work to increase the GABA levels in the body. The job of GABA is turning down excitatory pathways and through this route, our body can produce anticonvulsant and anti-stress effects.
5HT1A and 2A
All these receptors are related to
- Appetite
- Anxiety
- Sleep
- Pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Addiction
CBD can directly bind to these receptors and increase the efficacy of all these receptors and will help our own serotonin to work more effectively.
GPRSS
All these receptors are connected with:
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Pain
- Obesity
- Bone health
- Diabetes
- GI motility
It can do this by decreasing glutamate and increasing GABA that increases neuronal calming.
PPARy
CBD can activate these receptors. They are related to:
- Lipid storage
- Cell differentiation
- Energy/glucose metabolism
- Inflammation
These receptors are studied also for their neuroprotective, anti-cancer, and also anti-gut inflammation effects. Also, these receptors can reduce insulin resistance and also degrade amyloid plaque present in Alzheimer’s patient’s brains.
Adenosine receptors
All these receptors are involved in
- Cardiac rhythm/circulation
- Immune function
- Renal blood flow
- Sleep regulation
- Neurodegenerative disorders
- Inflammatory disease
By binding with adenosine A1 receptors, CBD can stimulate anti-arrhythmic effects and with A2 receptors, CBD will support anti-inflammatory effects.
Opioid receptors
CBD can stimulate opioid pathways by enhancing endorphins.
GPR18
It is important especially to microglia and immune function. Microglia will act as the key defense of our immune system for our brain and also the spinal cord.
Ion channels
CBD can target 10 different ion channels that sit on our cell membranes and can facilitate ion movement through the membrane. Calcium, sodium, and potassium ion channels are responsible to regulate our
- Heartbeat
- Muscle contractions
- Neuron function
This process will be implicated in thermoregulation, anti-inflammation, pain, anti-cancer, and also anticonvulsant effects.
Transporters
CBD can bind for transporting proteins and also block all the reuptake of our endocannabinoids, therefore it will stop the breakdown of all the cannabinoids that are produced by our body. This will allow more cannabinoids in circulating throughout our body, and enhance the signaling of our cannabinoid receptors, thus creating a state of peace.