Cannabinoids are a class of over 60 chemical compounds in the cannabis plant. Here are included cannabinol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as the majorly known examples of cannabis chemical compounds. Cannabinoids are agonists that bind the cell receptors in the body. Cannabinoid receptors are preponderant in the central nervous system. They also occur in almost every vital part and organ of the body, including the digestive tract and the reproductive organs.
Cannabinoids interact with these cell receptors in the body system and elicit their effectiveness. All these cannabinoid cell receptors in the various parts and organs of the body make up the endocannabinoid system. ECS is a vast network of receptors with many functions. Hence, it is usually described by many as the greatest system of neurotransmitters in the body.
THE MYSTERY BEHIND CANNABINOIDS: CBD AND THC
CBD and THC are the most known cannabinoids out of the over 60 chemical compounds in the cannabis plant. THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that evokes the feeling of “highness,” and CBD is the medicinal component of cannabis. Both THC and CBD have a molecular shape identical to the naturally produced endocannabinoids in our bodies. As a result, they can effectively access our ECS. This is why THC possesses such great psychoactive ability in humans. This also makes it possible to strengthen the ECS using medicinal cannabinoids such as CBD, which is available for sale in various forms, such as CBD oil and other related therapeutic CBD products.
Effects of CBD vs THC on the endocannabinoid system (ECS)
These cannabinoids obtained from cannabis react in like manner to our natural compounds, affecting homeostasis by communicating with endocannabinoid receptors and helping with system regulation. CBD specifically acts as a controller to switch on the regulative ECS. It reacts to boost the endocannabinoid action as it triggers the ECS receptors to produce their cannabinoids. This boosts the overall effect on the body, maintaining a state of equilibrium.
The endocannabinoid system is in charge of controlling all kinds of bodily functions, such as reproduction, immune metabolism, pain, and mood functions. When plant cannabinoids such as CBD are used to supplement a damaged endocannabinoid system, they restore the ideal functioning of the system. This results in a significant improvement in any health-related condition. Studies have proven that cannabinoids can target impaired cells, ignoring normal cells.
A vast majority of reports have it that CBD and THC influence the signaling role of the ECS positively and negatively in the following ways:
- Metabolism and energy balance: Studies in the past two decades have proven CBD to be a lipid-signaling chemical greatly involved in energy balance regulation. This happens as CBD is ingested into the body to complement the ECS. Thus it regulates every component associated with the exploration, intake, breakdown, and storage of calories. However, THC has been proven by various studies to poorly influence the ECS and manipulate the body’s metabolism, leaving the user feeling loopy.
- Analgesics: CBD has a specific pain-relieving property called palmitoylethanolamide, the most examined endocannabinoid in pain research. It has been declared safe and effective regarding its analgesic effects on multiple pain indications. Contrarily to the use of THC, it can also contribute to alleviating short-term pain but causing damage to the ECS in the long run after prolonged use.
- Memory and learning: The CBD is a crucial player in controlling the memory and learning processes. This is mainly attributed to its capacity to control neural transmission. On the other hand, THC ingestion of the ECS could lead to impaired learning processes.
Some additional benefits:
- Multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative ailments: New avenues for study and research have been opened for the possible treatments of neurodegenerative ailments, including multiple sclerosis. This is due to the existence of positive communication between the ECS and CBD alongside neuronal stimulation. Some medical publications have been recommending the ban of THC to alleviate drug abuse among the youth.
- General digestive function: Numerous benefits of synthetic and herbal cannabinoids such as CBD on gut inflammation and flexibility have been shown, implying massive feasibility in their use for treating gastrointestinal disorders. Their beneficial effects arise from the ECS, a collaborative molecular network for the regulation of body metabolism. In the digestive tract, the ECS reacts swiftly to homeostatic stimuli by de novo synthesis of its elements, maintaining homeostasis. This proffers many likely targets for pharmacological intervention. Non-psychoactive cannabinoids, such as CBD, are of huge therapeutic interest as opposed to the restriction campaign of psychoactive compounds, such as THC, that indirectly target cannabinoid receptors even though they possess cannabinoid-like properties. CBD-related products can hinder endocannabinoid deterioration and hence increase their levels of turning into favorable substitutes for therapeutic mechanisms that alter the ECS.
With close consideration of the many great and almost unbelievable therapeutic benefits non-psychoactive cannabinoids such as CBD have to offer, they have surely come to stay in medicine. For decades, outdated laws have ignorantly banned cannabis intake. That is due to the assumption that THC is the main chemical compound in the cannabis plant, which is scientifically not true — considering CBD as the medicinal compound of the cannabis plant. CBD has a potential therapeutic value that may well become one of the most important medicines for many diseases.
The polypharmacological actions of CBD
They can be increased by the effect it has on multiple pathways in the body. Before the exciting rush to explore this new-found world, it is important to note that the pharmacological effects of CBD vary. And depending on the concentration in each supplement. This information is going to be of immense importance because it will serve as a guide to help you benefit. That is from different kinds of CBD products out there. Getting a reliable brand from a reliable source is therefore of utmost importance. Especially if you want to enjoy the tremendous therapeutic benefits CBD has to offer. Many patients have found immense relief from many ailments due to the effects of cannabinoids.
Here are a few common reasons patients use CBD:
- Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety disorders can take many forms, ranging from social anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People who suffer from different types of anxiety live severely impaired lives. CBD has a profound effect on restoring normalcy in the lives of people who suffer from anxiety. Research has shown that the compound cannabidiol (CBD)f is responsible for the anxiolytic effects of cannabis. There are also many anecdotal reports besides these studies that support the benefits of CBD for treating anxiety.
- Depression: Depression is a common mental disorder and affects people of all ages, races, and sex. With more than 300 million people suffering from this mental condition worldwide, depression can cause major changes in mood, thoughts, and behavior. Many studies have supported the growing evidence that CBD can help treat depression. These studies have found that CBD exerts its antidepressant effect by acting on serotonin pathways in the brain. CBD could be especially beneficial for reducing anhedonia. That is a symptom of depression that makes people unable to feel joy or happiness. Studies have found that a reduction in the endocannabinoids produced by the endocannabinoid system may be involved in depression. CBD can, however, reverse the symptoms of depression and improve mood by activating the endocannabinoid system, which will consequently increase the levels of naturally occurring cannabinoids, such as anandamide.
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Nausea: It is an uncomfortable sensation and is usually a side effect of many drugs, including chemotherapy. Or it could be due to other factors such as exposure to bacteria and viruses. And it is a familiar sensation in early pregnancy. Although the study of the effect of CBD against nausea is relatively more recent, it has shown a lot of promise as an antinauseant. CBD may prove to be particularly helpful in treating nausea in patients who are not getting relief. That is from the commonly prescribed anti-nausea drugs.
- Epilepsy: One of the well-known effects of CBD is its effect on certain forms of epilepsy, including Dravet syndrome. Research with human models has shown that CBD has pronounced anticonvulsant effects in humans. It is, therefore, a great option for the management of epilepsy.
- Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic disease that can, with time, cause severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, stroke, and damage to the eyes. As this disease progresses, there tends to be inflammation, which progressively gets worse. Causing chronic pain, which is oftentimes discomforting. As strongly believed by researchers, CBD may offer protection against complications in diabetes, such as diabetic neuropathy, by boosting the immune systems and decreasing inflammation.
- Cancer: It is of great interest to know that not only can cannabinoids reduce nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy used in cancer treatment. Cannabinoids such as CBD may actually fight cancer itself. Current research strongly suggests that non-psychoactive cannabinoids such as CBD can prevent the metastasis of cancer cells and trigger cell death in these cancerous cells. Cancer cells need the nutrients that the blood supply to be able to grow. CBD has been found to slow the formation of new blood vessels in tumors.
Non-psychoactive Cannabinoids:
With all the health benefits that the non-psychoactive cannabinoids have been shown to have, you could actually be walking on your road to freedom if you choose to opt for this type of therapy. The use of cannabis is still controversial simply because of the assumption of the psychoactive THC compound present in cannabis. Despite all the misconceptions, non-psychoactive cannabis, such as CBD, will surely become the future of medicine.
There are various publications that buttress great confidence in the therapeutic benefits of CBD. CBD heals, revitalizes, and gives joy, relief, and happiness. Do you want to live a great and healthy life after wallowing in the mire of depression and other such diseases? Why not try CBD today? Don’t you think it’s more beneficial to switch from THC to CBD?
Probably the best of all reasons to try CBD products is that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. A little can go a long way! CBD products are a more affordable option when you consider all the medical costs for medical relief. Plus, an increased state of health and peace of mind is invaluable.
Price:
Surely, no amount can be too expensive if you want to achieve optimal mental and physical health. Still, CBD doesn’t flash a hefty price tag, even though it is worth it. Most retailers sell it at an affordable price to share its wonderful benefits with an increasing number of people. And to create loyal customers who can afford to come back for more.
Already, you must have heard about the real and incredible benefits of CBD. And why you should switch from THC to CBD. You probably had considered giving it a try. But something held you back. Perhaps you’re unable to cope with the stigma associated with cannabis. Or you fear it could have you feeling dizzy and worn out. We understand!
The use of cannabis remains a controversy, as many misconceptions abound about its abilities and inabilities. And how it affects the way you feel. There is a guarantee on the roles CBD plays in healing, keeping one healthy, and soothing pain.
The effects of switching from THC to CBD:
Well, the first thing you will feel is that you will no longer feel the need to feel high or even high through taking CBD. This is the main benefit of taking CBD, which is aside from the benefits of giving good treatment to the painful ailments one can possibly suffer from. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is a chemical compound that makes us feel high. The strains of cannabis that have THC in high concentrations will essentially make you high. So, if you change to a strain that has more CBD than THC, then that will make you more calm than high. It will also provide treatment for the pain from an ailment you may be suffering from. This is one possible effect you will feel when you convert to CBD.
Another possible aftereffect you might be feeling could be the withdrawal effects from leaving a concentrated strain of Cannabis. It is likely the case because THC has a tendency to hook a user onto it. Therefore making the user addicted to it in the process. Changing to CBD can help ease the whole withdrawal effect by miles. As you are also going to be taking CBD as a replacement for THC, the conversion and withdrawal symptoms will be much less painful than the alternative. As the anti-pain properties of CBD will take charge of the painful elements of the withdrawal process, it will also subdue them in the end.
For many THC or cannabis addicts, CBD has been seen as a non-psychoactive alternative to the highly seductive and sedative THC. Therefore, as a way to come around the withdrawal symptoms more easily, they kind of take it up to CBD to cover them, as this is what CBD does for us humans.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this disclaimer. We collected this information from various sources for the convenience of our customers. The Food and Drug Administration did not evaluate the statements regarding these products. FDA research has not confirmed the efficacy of these products yet. These products are not to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information we present here is not a substitute for information from health care practitioners. It is also not an alternative to information from health care practitioners. Before using any product, you should consult your doctor and ask about the risk of interactions or complications.
