Cannabinoids in the Human Body
Cannabinoids have many positive benefits for the human body. But how does this work?
The body naturally creates a compound similar to the cannabinoids from a plant, these are called endo-cannabinoids. To process these ‘endo-cannabinoids’, the human body created a system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex cell-signaling system that helps to maintain balance of the operating systems in the body. Its contains lipid-based neurotransmitters that can bind with cannabinoids. These neurotransmitters can be found in the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The endocannabinoid system plays a significant role in cognitive processes, pregnancy, appetite, the sensation of pain, memory, etc.
Not only can this system bind with cannabinoids that are made within the body, it can also make formations with cannabinoids that are found in plants, like Cannabis. If we consume certain cannabinoids from plants, we can effectively raise the effectiveness of the system. Different cannabinoids have different effects on the endocannabinoid system. By purposely taking certain cannabinoids, we can improve certain aspects within our body according to our needs.
While cannabinoid research is on-going, scientists already have an extended amount of knowledge about the plant’s compounds and how they can positively affect humans.
Cannabinoids are extracted from the Cannabis plant. In contrary to what one might think; the cannabinoids that we produce will not make you high and are allowed by the (Dutch) law. We do not sell THC, also a cannabinoid, or THC-related products. Our cannabinoids will help to improve your endocannabinoid system (which influences your peripheral and central nervous system) in a natural manner. We have developed several products which can, for example, relieve pain in your life or improve your memory, appetite, cognitive abilities as well as sexual drives. We have come a long way in researching cannabinoids but we believe they have so much more to offer. That is what makes us so enthusiastic about cannabinoids and why we started CBGold.
We should dive into the endocannabinoid system (ECS) before we start explaining what Cannabinoids are. The ECS was discovered in the early 90s by researchers exploring THC, the most well-known Cannabinoid. The ECS is a complex cell-signalling system in the human body. Medical experts are still trying to fully understand the ECS but they already discovered that the ECS influences a range of bodily functions that affects us on a day to day basis. For example: sleep, mood, appetite, memory, reproduction and fertility.
The ECS consists of three main elements: endocannabinoids, receptors and enzymes.
Endocannabinoids, ‘endo’ stands for endogenous, are molecules which are naturally produced by your body. There are two key endocannabinoids: anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglyerol. These two endocannabinoids keep your internal functions running smoothly on a daily basis. The
receptors are found throughout your peripheral and central nervous system. They will bind with endocannabinoids if the ECS needs to take action. The enzymes will break the endocannabinoids once they carried out their purpose.
“Okay cool all that science stuff,” you might think. “But what do have Cannabinoids to do with it?” To answer that question we have to explain what Cannabinoids are.
Cannabinoids are naturally produced by the Cannabis plant. However, in order to extract cannabinoids, a chemical process is needed. The extraction is carried out by using organic solvents, such as hydrocarbons and alcohol. One could say that cannabinoids are an extremely distinct plant based compound. The eight main types cannabinoids are: Cannabidiol, Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabigerol, Tetrahydrocannabivarin, Cannabicyclol, Cannabidivarin, Cannabichromene and Cannabinol. As said before, we do not focus on, or produce, THC. Our cannabinoids will not make you high because they bind in a different manner to the receptors of the ECS.
This plant based compound, the cannabinoid, connects to the complex signalling system (ECS)
and helps the human system to improve physical functions. Thus, connecting the dots, endocannabinoids are human-made and cannabinoids are plant-made but as we, humans, take cannabinoids, they connect to the receptors of our endocannabinoid system and help them improve our physical functions in many ways.
The eight main types of cannabinoids are mainly being used as pain-relieving drugs at the moment. However, we strongly believe that cannabinoids can replace several chemically produced medicine and can improve the human body in much more ways than just pain relieve. You can think of increasing your memory, appetite, cognitive abilities as well as sexual drives. Therefore we started producing Cannabinoids which can help improve several functions in our lives.
Resuming, cannabinoids can be used to influence the endocannabinoids system in our body, a system that is critical for a proper functioning throughout the day. Cannabinoids are organic, natural and will only help the ECS where it needs the support. We believe Cannabinoids can bring relieve in our lives without needing chemically produced medicine with its many unwanted side
effects.
We have listed the benefits, which are already known, per cannabinoid for you. However, we would like to stress that a lot of research still is going on and we foresee a positive future in the medical world for Cannabinoids.
- Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, reduces: anxiety or stress, inflammation, seizures and acne. It also improves the level of your sleep.
- Cannabigerol, also known as CBG, helps with battling bacterial infections and skin conditions such as psoriasis. It can also better your appetite, attention and focus.
- Cannabychromene, also known as CBC, has potential to target and reduce cancer cells. There are current studies in which is researched if CBC might be able to stop the growth of cancer cells.
- Tetrahydrocannabivarin, also known as THCv, is a psychoactive cannabinoid but it does not provide the same high as THC. THCv reduces a persons appetite and is currently researched in order to help people with diabetes and obesity. Other potential diseases it can help with are PTSD, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.
- Cannabinol, also known as CBN, is mildly intoxicating. It has more a sedating effect and helps people sleep better and might reduce pain and seizures.