Cannabinoids and the ECS

Cannabinoids and the ECS 

Hello again, and welcome to Friday! We hope that this week has been better for you than the last. It feels like we’re finally starting to move forward again as normalcy slowly 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. 

It all begins with CBG. CBG is often called the mother of all cannabinoids, and is recognized as the first cannabinoid to appear in the plant during its growth. It is believed that all other cannabinoids are derived from it. 

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 complicated legal attitude towards cannabis, but in the 1980s it was revealed that cannabinoids interact directly with a system of receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous systems. 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 and is responsible for keeping the body in a state of balance called homeostasis. 

This discovery made it easier to understand how the cannabinoids worked with the body and what areas of the body were targeted through the ECS receptors. Cannabinoids were found to have a positive impact on both neurological and physiological functions within the body, depending on which receptor they are attracted to. A few of the major cannabinoids that have been shown to have beneficial effects on the body include: 

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. It has also been shown to have 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, as well as acting as neuroprotectant, and can be a powerful antibiotic shown to help 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. We look forward to a future where cannabinoids are recognized as a fundamental tool in achieving sovereignty over our own wellness and general well-being. 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.