Cannabinoids and the ECS

Hello again, and welcome to another week. We hope that this week will be better for you than the last. It feels like we’re finally starting to move forward again as normalcy returns to our day-to-day lives. And although we must remain vigilant and behave in a socially responsible manner, the best thing that we can do for ourselves right now is to keep up our physical, emotional and spiritual health. We do this not only for our own benefit, but for the benefit of those around us – our families, our loved ones, our neighbors and the people that we meet in our daily interactions. In the spirit of the times, let’s continue on with our exploration of cannabinoids and their beneficial effects on our bodies.

In the Beginning

It all begins with CBG. CBG, or the mother of all cannabinoids, the first cannabinoid to appear in the plant during its growth. All other cannabinoids are derived from CBG.

The first cannabinoid to be isolated was CBN in the 19th century, but detailed studies of cannabinoids did not occur until the mid-20th century. Research was slow due to the negative legal view of cannabis. In the 1980s researchers discovereed that cannabinoids interact directly with a system of receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Introducing the Endocannabinoid System

This system became known as the Endocannabinoid System, or the ECS. We have since learned that the ECS has a direct effect on the regulatory functions of the body. It is responsible for keeping the body in a state of balance called homeostasis. Homeostasis controls basic functions like core temperature and breath and heart rates.

This discovery made it easier to understand how the cannabinoids worked with the body. We now understand what areas of the body the ECS receptors target. Cannabinoids have a positive impact on both neurological and physiological functions within the body. The ECS receptor is the deciding factor.

Enter the Cannabinoids

There are over 115 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Here is a list of the major ones that have been shown in clinical studies to have a positive benefit on the body.

CBG

Good for pain relief, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotectant/neurogenesis, skin conditions, cancer (prostate, oral colorectal), and glaucoma (intraocular pressure).

CBD

Good for treating pain, muscular spasticity, and epilepsy. CBD also has a positive effect on the immune system, stress related disorders, sleep and appetite.

CBC

Has shown to be effective in the area of neurogenesis with specific regard to memory and learning. CBC is a neuroprotectant, and can be a powerful antibiotic with infections that are resistant to other treatments.

As research continues and clinical studies reveal more information about how cannabinoids interact with our bodies, we are realizing that their effects are far more beneficial than previously imagined. Their interaction with the ECS unlocks the body’s full potential to self-regulate and to heal itself from the inside out.

Next week, we’ll take a closer look at  the ECS and its influence on the body. Until then, be well – and remember, health is wealth.