The Science of the Endocannabinoid System
Your Endocannabinoid System: What it is and How it Works
If you’re considering exploring the world of cannabidiol (CBD) hemp extracts to enhance your overall wellbeing, you're in good company!
With its rapid rise in popularity, CBD hemp extracts are now widely available in oil tinctures, gummies, softgels, capsules, skin balms, and more.
However, before you begin using CBD, it is crucial to understand how it interacts with your body and why, which is primarily due to your endocannabinoid system.
The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) was discovered in the 1990s by research scientists exploring why tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis plants produces a psychoactive effect in the human brain.1
Initially, they identified the structure and function of the cannabinoid receptor CB1, which THC binds with to produce a psychoactive “high.”15
Subsequently, researchers found the cannabinoid receptor CB2, mainly active in the immune and digestive systems. This discovery led them to further investigate why the body would have such receptors, uncovering a complex network of cannabinoid receptors in the cells of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
They officially named this network the endocannabinoid system.2
Decades later, our understanding of the ECS is still evolving, but it is known to aid the body in maintaining essential physiological functions.3
The ECS promotes homeostasis, or the body’s sense of internal balance among its various systems, by regulating sleep, mood, appetite, pain, inflammation, and reproduction.4
By fostering this balance, the ECS plays a vital role in overall wellbeing and many health areas, including healthy aging.5
The ECS consists of three main components: endocannabinoids, receptors (CB1 and CB2) that bond with endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, and cannabinoids; and enzymes that help break down endocannabinoids and cannabinoids, allowing them to bind with the receptors.6
Endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters similar to cannabinoids that the body produces. They are the most abundant molecules in the body that bind to receptors.
The first and most prominent endocannabinoid discovered is anandamide, which affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems by acting on CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Anandamide has the highest concentration of receptors in the brain, which are essential for maintaining the central nervous system.
Scientists have noted that consistent aerobic exercise can increase anandamide production in the body, which then binds to CB1 and induces a calming effect as the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) breaks it down.7
Consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, flax, and hemp, has also been shown to enhance endocannabinoid signaling.8
CBD Hemp Extract & the Endocannabinoid System
Naturally-occurring CBD is the most prominent phytocannabinoid (a cannabinoid from plants) identified to date. Alongside CBD, numerous other cannabinoids like cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN) have been discovered. CBD is simply the most well-known and extensively studied among them.
It is primarily derived from various cannabis species, but hemp notably contains high levels of CBD while maintaining very low (less than .3%) to undetectable levels of THC.
Current research indicates that small doses of phytocannabinoids from hemp and other plants can support the body’s endocannabinoid system and the signals it transmits through the peripheral and central nervous systems.9
Both CBD and THC bind similarly to CB2 receptors, but they elicit opposite responses at CB1 receptors.10
While THC directly binds with CB1, sending a signal that results in a “high,” CBD does not directly bond with CB1.
Instead, CBD disrupts any existing bonds between THC and CB1, maintaining the critical functions of the endocannabinoid system without inducing psychoactive effects.
CBD also inhibits the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) from breaking down anandamide in the brain, thereby enhancing anandamide’s effects.
CBD Sources
As mentioned earlier, the most prevalent source of naturally-occurring CBD today is the hemp plant.
The 2018 Farm Bill officially classified “hemp” as cannabis varieties that, when dried, contain no more than .3% THC.11
Hemp has low to undetectable levels of THC while being rich in beneficial CBD, making it an ideal source for various products promoting wellbeing.
Other non-hemp sources of CBD include the peels of citrus fruits like oranges and the bark of evergreen trees.16
Researchers are also exploring methods to derive CBD from specific types of yeast, similar to processes used in bread leavening and beer brewing.12
3 Hemp-Based CBD Classifications
It is important to understand the different product labels for hemp-derived CBD, which include full spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate:
- Full spectrum CBD hemp extract includes CBD, terpenes, and other cannabinoids (including trace amounts of THC) that were naturally present in the original plant.
- Broad spectrum CBD hemp extract contains various terpenes and cannabinoids but excludes trace amounts of THC.17 Some manufacturers enhance their products by adding isolated forms of terpenes and other cannabinoids to increase potency. Manufacturers should provide detailed information on the terpenes and cannabinoids present in their products through third-party laboratory testing.
- CBD isolate represents the purest form of CBD hemp extract, as it is isolated and purified to achieve the highest concentration of CBD, resulting in a product that is 99% pure and contains little to no THC.
These distinctions are crucial due to varying state laws and the specific needs of different CBD hemp extract consumers.
The classifications also illustrate why farmers and researchers continue to seek new methods for cultivating and extracting CBD from hemp and alternative sources.
If you found this article helpful, you might also enjoy CBD vs THC: Everything You Need to Know and 14 Adaptogenic Herbs for Healthy Stress Support. Be sure to sign up for BubbForest Health Emails to receive expert wellness advice and our best promotions in your inbox.
About Lindsey Toth, MS, RD
Lindsey is a nationally recognized registered dietitian and nutritionist with a soft spot for pie. She empowers people to take charge of their health by finding the balance between the pleasure and nourishment in food. Her philosophy is that you should take care of your body because it’s the only permanent home you have. It’s what inspired her to pursue a career in nutrition.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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2. Endocannabinoid System. National Library of Medicine. Read source
3. The Endocannabinoid System. National Library of Medicine. Read source
4. Endocannabinoid Signaling. National Library of Medicine. Read source
5. The Endocannabinoid System. ScienceDirect. Read source
6. The Endocannabinoid System. National Library of Medicine. Read source
7. Cannabinoid Receptors. National Library of Medicine. Read source
8. Nutritional Omega-3. National Library of Medicine. Read source
9. Neurological Benefits of Phytocannabinoids. National Library of Medicine. Read source
10. Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Health. National Library of Medicine. Read source
11. Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill. FDA. Read source
12. CBD and THC. WIRED. Read source
13. Marinol. FDA. Read source
14. Epidiolex. FDA. Read source
15. Cannabinoids and Pain. Frontiers in Pharmacology. Read source
16. An Alt CBD. Source Weekly. Read source
17. Briad-Spectrum CBD. Medical News Today. Read source
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