CBD Oil
An increasing number of people have been coming up to the Wellness desk and asking for CBD oil. Some people don’t even know how to say it (and I’ve heard a few whoppers- PPT, PCB). All they know is that so-and-so tried it and recommended it to them. CBD has brought in a lot of new shoppers too. The most frequently asked question is: Does this stuff really work? Well, under certain laws I can’t say that it will treat anything at all. I can tell you how it works though!
Our CBD oil does not contain THC
and will not interfere with drug tests.
A few posts back, I mentioned the bitter receptor sites. For the bitter taste alone, they are found everywhere in the human body. Bitter receptor sites are found in the lungs, pancreas, and even sperm! The body has many similar functions, and the components of the food we consume, for example, can act like keys in a lock. Each and every cell has its own receptor site. In this post we will look at CBD receptors.
We are not snake oil salesmen here at Healthy Living. Many people come up and ask “What product is good for ____?” This is a loaded question. First of all, we are not doctors, but more importantly, herbs did not evolve to do one task in the human body. CBD has many effects on the body. Search “cannabinoid” on PubMed and you will find over 21,000 entries. “That’s an average of more than two scientific publications per day over the last 20 years!”
CBD falls into a category with two other components, THC and CBN, which make up the endocannabinoid system. They are made up of “lipids, their receptors, and the enzymes that produce and degrade them.” These play a role in physiological effects throughout the body, including immune system response, inflammatory response, and appetite.
There are 3 kinds of cannabinoids that can bind to receptor sites:
- endocannabinoids, produced by the body
- phyto-cannabinoids, plant-derived
- synthetic cannabinoids, like Sativex
“Most phytocannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis sativa, but other medical herbs, such as echinacea purpurea, have been found to contain non-psychoactive cannabinoids as well.”
hemp plant echinacea purpurea
There are two types of receptors within the endocannabinoid system: CB1 and CB2. They each play certain roles in humans and animals.
- CB1 receptors are located mainly in the brain and central nervous system.
- CB2 receptors are located mainly in the peripheral nervous system, affecting the immune system.
- CBD isn’t the perfect key, but many human studies are being conducted to see how CBD indirectly affects the body.
Many people reach for the CBD bottle because their bodies are in a state of imbalance. How does the body balance between CB1 and CB2? Having a healthy balance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, studies suggest.
“Keep in mind that “balance” is critical, as research has shown if we tip the scales too heavily in the direction of CB1 inhibition, there may be an associated decrease in fertility, with increased risk of depression, mood disturbance, and immunosuppression. An overabundance of CB1 signaling has been associated with increased psychoactivity, systemic inflammation, cardiovascular risk, diabetes, and obesity. In contrast, CB2 over-activation and dominance could lead to decreased immune function and diminished wound healing.”
Hopefully this explains how a bottle of CBD oil is good for _____. The body is a complex system and CBD cannot have an impact on just one part. “Cannabinoids promote homeostasis at every level of biological life, from the sub-cellular, to the organism.”
Safe for pets too!
Green Mountain CBD is a Vermont product. It is the most affordable CBD oil on the market. Each serving contains 20mg of CBD oil. Available in salve form too!
Sources:
Introduction to the Endocannabinoid System
Is Your Endocannabinoid System In Balance