Ah, the million-dollar question! Despite CBD becoming increasingly popular as a supplement for numerous conditions like chronic pain, anxiety and sleep disorders and being the new skincare craze, there’s still some debate about how it all actually works.
And for good reason! The way CBD interacts with the body is incredibly complex and it’s taken a fair bit of research to begin to understand how and why it works to alleviate symptoms of some medical conditions.
To get to grips with the way CBD functions within the body, we first need to look at a snazzy little system we all have in our bodies: the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is, put very simply, a cell-signalling system. It was only discovered in the early 1990s (almost by accident!), but after a couple of years of research, experts now suggest that its primary role is to maintain homeostasis within the body.
That means keeping our internal systems happy and running smoothly. For example, if we have a fever, the endocannabinoid system and all the enzymes and receptors that make it up will signal the body to sweat to cool us down.
It’s thought that the ECS is responsible for maintaining a variety of systems within our bodies, including:
- Pain response
- Sleep
- Mood
- Appetite
- Inflammation
If the similar names weren’t a giveaway, cannabidiol – or CBD, as most of us know it – interacts with the ECS to help maintain homeostasis. But how?
How does CBD interact with the body?
Another million-dollar question!
Because the ECS is such a complex system, it’s difficult to determine exactly how CBD interacts with it to promote homeostasis. Experts believe that it prevents the breakdown of endocannabinoid molecules already present naturally in the body. Of course, the more endocannabinoids floating about, the better your ECS performs, improving symptoms of conditions like chronic pain.
Another theory is that some people suffer from endocannabinoid deficiencies, resulting in the onset of conditions like fibromyalgia, anxiety, or irritable bowel syndrome. Again, CBD tops up your endocannabinoid count, allowing the body to restore homeostasis more effectively.
See what I mean about complex?
While there may not be definitive answers about exactly how CBD interacts with the body, all evidence suggests that it does support overall wellbeing. In several studies, it’s been found to reduce feelings of pain and nausea in patients and is now being used to medically treat some forms of complex neurological conditions like epilepsy.
Experts across the world believe that with more research, CBD and the endocannabinoid system could hold the key to managing a whole host of chronic pain conditions and related symptoms.
Rolling with the Glen – CBD Range
For managing my chronic pain, CBD has been a godsend and I hope that it may be able to do the same for you.
With this in mind, I’m thrilled to offer a range of CBD products, all of which are designed to promote overall wellbeing and help you on your journey to being able to manage your chronic pain effectively.
For more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
