The Science of CBD in the Human Body

While we are now aware of the body’s endocannabinoid system as a group of endogenous cannabinoid receptors located in the brain, central nervous system, and peripheral nervous system, CBD’s, impact on the body at a molecular level is still being meticulously sorted. This endocannabinoid system is responsible for our homeostasis or the body’s ability to maintain itself and function properly. It is also involved in regulating actions and feelings such as appetite, pain sensation, stress, memory and mood. Receptors in all major organ systems in our body, our brain, stomach, nervous system, and other organs have cellular receptors for the ‘cannabinoids’, and while the primary receptors for phytocannabinoids are CB1 and CB2, CBD works by modulating several non-cannabinoid receptors and ion channels.

Our body also produces two main endogenous cannabinoids or ‘endocannabinoids’, 2AG and Anandamide. These endocannabinoids are part of the endocannabinoid system and are named as such due to their similarity to compounds found in the cannabis plant. As humans are all unique and different, individuals have different congenital endocannabinoid levels and sensitivities. And whether from poor diet, lack of exercise, drug abuse, environmental toxins or genetic factors, endocannabinoid deficits place humans in a position of inability to adapt to chronic stress. This in turn, depletes endocannabinoid tone, causing a domino of physiological responses.

Endocannabinoids are the only neurotransmitters that engage in “retrograde signaling,” a form of intracellular communication that inhibits immune response, reduces inflammation, relaxes musculature, lowers blood pressure, dilates bronchial passages, and normalizes overstimulated nerves. Retrograde signaling serves as an inhibitory feedback mechanism that tells other neurotransmitters to cool it when they are firing too fast.

“Endocannabinoids are central players in life’s multidimensional biochemical balancing act known as homeostasis,” says biologist Robert Melamede, who describes the endocannabinoid system as “the Ur-Regulator,” the master modulator, which is constantly multitasking, adjusting and readjusting the complex network of molecular thermostats that control our physiological tempo.

CBD’s impact, whether delaying reuptake, enhancing or inhibiting helps to regulate our cannabinoid tone and this in return has spawned a revolution in science for the plant providing health and healing around the world.