These chemical compounds are known as cannabinoids, or substrates that bind to special receptors on your cells. These cell receptors make up a larger endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is a vast network of cell receptor proteins with many functions. Certain receptors are heavily concentrated in the central nervous system. But, others are found all over the body. They’re in your skin, digestive tract, and even in your reproductive organs. The endocannabinoid system helps control everything from mood, cognition, movement, appetite, immune response, sleep, ovulation, and sperm development.
The human body produces compounds similar to those in the cannabis plant, called endocannabinoids. Molecules found on cannabis are technically called phytocannabinoids. Like CBD’s more famous relative, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol is just one of 85+ phytocannabinoids found in the marijuana plant. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive.
Here’s a simple summary of what we currently know about CBD. The cannabinoid activates receptors such as vanilloid, adenosine, and serotonin receptors.
CBD also regulates the endocannabinoids that occur naturally in your body. It blocks a particular fatty acid known as fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). This enzyme that’s responsible for breaking down the naturally occurring endocannabinoid anandamide in your body.
Anandamide helps regulate basic functions like pleasure and reward, appetite, ovulation, memory, sleep, and pain. With nothing to break anandamide into smaller parts, CBD boosts the amount of this chemical in your system. Cannabidiol has also been shown to engage with receptors that help modulate body temperature and immune function, reducing inflammation.
Another interesting aspect of CBD is what biochemists refer to as a negative modulator for THC. Meaning, CBD actually negates some of the psychoactive effects of THC. CBD may have an extremely low affinity for the CB1 receptors in the central nervous system, but the compound still can affect them. Consuming CBD actually blocks some of your brain’s CB1 receptors, meaning that THC cannot have an effect on them.
Another difference between the two main cannabinoids found in cannabis is their effect on metabolism. You’ve probably heard of the munchies. THC is to blame for all of those late night snacks after consuming a little cannabis. CBD actually has the opposite effect. Studies have shown that CBD decreases appetite and increases satiety.
The therapeutic value of CBD is almost unbelievable. For decades, we have outlawed a plant that produces what may become one of the most important medicines of the century. The pharmacological nature of CBD means that it has an effect on a wide range of different ailments.
Looking to treat a specific condition? Visit our Treatment Guidelines, where we explain which recomended products are right for a wide range of ailments.
Medical Cannabis Dispensary South Africa endorses cannabidiol (CBD) oil products that are high in CBD made from a medical cannabis strain (not hemp or hemp seed) that is high in CBD with enough THC to render it effective. The CBD oil is made from bud/flowers only and does not contain enough THC to get one high making it child friendly. The CBD tinctures MCDSA endorses contains 1000mg of active CBD and is made using a 20-to-1 (CBD-to-THC) strain. The CBD tinctures are solventless, alcohol-free, medical-grade Co2 extractions and contain all the essential terpenes.
The typical CBD products (oil) found on health shops and pharmacy’s shelves are often made using whole industrial hemp plant extraction, seed, stalks, leaves and flowers. These products contain less than 0,05% THC making them legal but rendering than less effective. Please refer to the entourage effect for a more detailed explanation. These CBD hemp oils typically contain 300mg of CBD.
Medical-grade cannabis oil is available in South Africa, including oils high in CBD. Before making any purchases we strongly advise reading Cannabis Oil in South Africa. Find out how to separate the real thing (our recommended products) from the imposters (hemp oils) in CBD Oil.
Please feel free to contact us with your questions below or visit our Product Guide for more information on the most-trusted, healthiest and highest-quality products on the market.
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