How does CBD work?
The effects of CBD – How does CBD work and what benefits does it offer?
The popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) has grown in recent years. CBD oil, in particular, has become a daily staple for many people, as many benefit from cannabidiol as a therapeutic option. This compound found in the hemp plant has numerous properties that have a positive effect on human well-being. Unlike its ‘big brother’ THC, the substance is not psychoactive, meaning it has no mind-altering effects. It is classified as a cannabinoid, i.e. an active compound of the hemp plant that has antipsychotic effects and can naturally help alleviate a wide range of ailments. In the following article, we would like to examine the effects of CBD in more detail: What do we know about the effects of CBD? How can they be explained? And for which diseases or conditions has the use of CBD shown improvements in studies?
The endocannabinoid system – why CBD works
As researchers began to study cannabis and its components in detail, they soon turned their attention to cannabinoids. According to various studies, it is precisely these compounds that make cannabis such a useful plant. Eventually, the researchers discovered a previously unknown part of the human body. The so-called endocannabinoid system, a smaller subsystem of our nervous system, is the part that not only regulates pain in the body but also ‘manages’ our immune system. It therefore plays a role in how we perceive pain, what fears we harbour and how we feel. And this is precisely where CBD comes in. In 1987, US professor Allyn Howlett from Saint Louis University in Missouri succeeded in demonstrating how CBD works in the body: the endocannabinoid system has specific receptors that respond to the intake of CBD. This occurs mainly via the CB1 and CB2 receptors, to which CBD binds and exerts its effect.
What are the benefits of CBD?
CBD acts in a variety of ways when cannabidiol comes into contact with the numerous cannabinoid receptors. This has already been established in numerous studies. As these receptors are found not only in the central nervous system but also in the enteric nervous system, CBD exerts its effects in various parts of the body. When CBD interacts with these receptors, it primarily has a pain-relieving effect. The endocannabinoid system transmits this effect to the body through its antispasmodic and antiepileptic properties. Its antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects can also have a lasting positive impact on our well-being. Another major benefit is that CBD has an antibacterial effect against certain germs. It therefore helps to maintain and strengthen our immune system. Incidentally: Cannabidiol interacts not only with cannabinoid receptors, but also with other receptors in the body. For example, CBD binds to the opioid receptors that regulate stress in the body. This also explains the stress-relieving effect of CBD. As CBD also interacts with the so-called 5-HT1A receptor, this explains its anxiolytic effect.
This receptor is located in the central nervous system and also responds to serotonin – the neurotransmitter responsible for our cognitive functions and information processing in the brain. When CBD influences serotonin metabolism, this leads to the alleviation of anxiety and ensures that our brain can function properly, thereby suppressing anxiety. Due to all these promising properties and modes of action of CBD, the cannabinoid is increasingly becoming a beacon of hope for the natural treatment of various conditions, such as chronic pain, disorders of the nervous system or epilepsy, various anxiety disorders, and even schizophrenia. Researchers are particularly interested in investigating the effect of CBD on diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease – all conditions for which no truly effective treatment has yet been found. However, the neuroprotective potential of CBD could be capable of reducing the harmful effects of such diseases.
Studies on CBD and its effects
As mentioned earlier, numerous studies – both animal trials and clinical trials – have already been conducted to analyse the effects of CBD. An interesting example from New Zealand recently demonstrated which conditions can benefit from CBD therapy. Cannabis expert Graham Gulbransen and two of his colleagues divided the 400 study participants into four groups based on their conditions: pain, cancer, mental health issues and neurological disorders. The patients suffered from conditions such as migraines, bowel disorders, anxiety, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and others. The results showed that 250 out of 400 patients were very satisfied with the CBD treatment. In particular, CBD significantly improved various types of pain, sleep problems, depression and anxiety. No significant progress was observed in neurological conditions. However, the researchers suspected that the varying low to high doses administered were the reason why some patients did not experience significant improvement, whilst many others had very positive experiences with CBD therapy.
CBD oil works best in the body
In summary, it can be said that CBD shows very promising signs of having therapeutic and medicinal effects. CBD oil of the highest quality and purest form can bring about significant improvements in health and well-being. The effects of CBD oil can be optimally realised in the body through simple oral intake. CBD oil binds to various receptors and supports the body’s natural mechanisms in managing pain, moods and much more.
