Cannabis is a flowering plant that most people associate with marijuana use. Although it has three subspecies, cannabis sativa is the one most commonly cultivated for recreational and medical use. Although people use the terms “hemp” and “marijuana” to refer to cannabis, neither is the name of a subspecies. In recent years however, the law has defined “hemp” as those cannabis plants with levels of THC below 0.3%, and “marijuana” as cannabis plants with THC levels higher than 0.3%. In all other respects, the plants are the same. (The three subspecies of cannabis are Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis.)
What are the Active Ingredients of Cannabis?
When consuming cannabis, or a cannabis-derived product, the user will experience the effects of certain herbal compounds called cannabinoids. Each cannabis plant contains about 113 different cannabinoids in different amounts, depending on the subspecies and the strain. The most commonly sought and prescribed cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Each cannabinoid affects the human body in different ways, and the most profound and health-positive effects seem to come from CBD and THC.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
Cannabinoids affect the human body primarily by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which serves as a kind of signaling system between cells. Research into this area of human anatomy is still in the preliminary stages. However, we have learned that the endocannabinoid system has two types of receptors, called cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. Our bodies also produce various cannabinoid-like compounds called endocannabinoids, which interact with these receptors in different ways.
CB1 receptors exist primarily in the brain, but to a lesser extent the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Their purpose is to modulate the release of neurotransmitters, and they are stimulated by some cannabinoids and endocannabinoids. CB2 receptors exist primarily in immune system tissues. Their purpose is to modulate immune response, particularly with respect to inflammatory diseases and conditions.
How Does CBD Interact with the Endocannabinoid System?
CBD affects the body via the endocannabinoid system in a different way than THC. THC is an agonist, which means it binds with CB1 and CB2 receptors, stimulating them and spurring action. CBD does not bind with these receptors, and in fact appears to be an antagonist. Not all questions have been answered about how CBD interacts with the ECS, but it seems to produce many of the same effects that THC does, minus the “high.”
Some researchers believe that CBD binds with other ECS receptors that are still undiscovered at present. Some suggest that CBD interacts with the body’s own endocannabinoids, to change which of them bind with CB1 and CB2 receptors, or change how these receptors interact with the endocannabinoids.. In any case, CBD produces many of the same positive health benefits as THC, without the psychoactive effects.
Reducing Inflammation
CBD acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, curtailing inflammation in any and every area of the body, to move your body back toward homeostasis. With a reduced inflammatory response, the body can more effectively address and repair damage, be it from injury, surgery, or a medical condition. If the condition has inflammation as a major component (such as arthritis, diabetes, or asthma), CBD may provide serious long-term relief, and lead to a better way of life.
Relief for Pain and Spastic Activity
Both pain and muscle spasms have something in common: they depend upon the body's ability to send signals to the central nervous system. CBD interferes with this signaling process. Thus, CBD can relieve pain, and help to curtail seizures, muscle spasms, irritable bowel syndrome, and similar problems.
Brain Health
CBD may act as an antioxidant, and can repair damage caused by free radicals. These qualities combine with inflammation reduction to make CBD an ideal product for repairing damaged nerve cells. If you are suffering from a neurodegenerative disease, or if you want to protect your nervous system from developing one, CBD can be very helpful. It may also help your recovery from a stroke, brain surgery, or other damage to nerve tissue caused by trauma.
Psychological Benefits
CBD inhibits the activity of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH), which breaks down a key messenger molecule known as anandamide. By inhibiting FAAH, CBD effectively allows anandamide to increase in prevalence. Also known as the “bliss molecule”, anandamide plays a key role in motivation and pleasure. This can lead to an overall greater sense of well-being and comfort, which can relieve depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and other psychological conditions.
Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
CBD may help regulate cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation, both of which are factors in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Also, by muting neurotransmitter activity and encouraging anandamide activity, CBD can reduce stress, a key factor in controlling blood pressure. Furthermore, by acting indirectly on CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD can allow blood vessels to dilate, thus lowering blood pressure.
How does THC Interact with the Endocannabinoid System?
THC binds directly with CB1 and CB2 receptors, inhibiting neurotransmitter activity in their respective systems. For CB1 receptors, the damping effect acts as a mild anticonvulsant, helping the body mitigate spasms and seizures. The limiting of neurotransmitters also interdicts pain signals on their way to the brain or spinal cord, thus relieving pain.
THC also binds with CB2 receptors, thus abating inflammatory response - just about anywhere in the body. This is a critical component of using THC for medical purposes: Inflammation is a key element in some of the most harmful medical conditions. If it is present in the patient’s system before or during the crisis, it can be a game changer. (Strokes, for example, damage the brain mostly via inflammation. THC can protect the brain against that.)
The body has CB2 receptors in immune system cells, in certain internal organs, and in areas of the brain responsible for reward. For this reason, THC has been considered as a means of abating the effects of withdrawal from highly addictive drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine. CB2 activation can also reduce tolerance to opioids, which is critical both for coming off of the drugs and for avoiding overdose. THC activation of CB2 receptors also can mitigate the inflammatory response caused by opioid use.
The anti-inflammatory effects of THC are numerous. By stimulating CB2 receptors, the right agonists can key responses that repair neurons and slow their degradation, thus abating the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and others. THC can also play a role in recovery from injury, and brain injuries in particular. It can also be a powerful aide in recovering from surgery.
Although THC shows lots of benefits when interacting with the ECS, it does offer a euphoric feeling that gets you “high”. This can affect people differently and does present side effects that could be harmful.
Will Cannabis Products Work in My Body?
In short, yes. Everyone has a nervous system and an endocannabinoid system. However, each person is an individual and responds to cannabis products differently. If you are interested in learning about how cannabis may work for you, or how it may interact with other products or medications you may be taking, consult your doctor. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn just how many benefits cannabis may provide for you.
*The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.