What the Pharmaceutical Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know
3 min read
You’ve heard of CBD – the chemical compound that naturally occurs in hemp and cannabis plants. It’s been around for a long time, and it’s helped a lot of people. As CBD becomes more widespread, the medical community has been forced to accept the incredible benefits that come from regularly taking CBD.
In fact, research shows that 42% of people who take CBD stop relying on medications like pain relievers and prescription drugs.
That number sounds incredible, but it’s no surprise to people who incorporate CBD into their daily routine. CBD possesses a lot of incredible properties that make it an effective solution for so many of the ailments we face.
How is this possible? Because CBD oil can help with relief from pain, anxiety, insomnia and stress.
And those aren’t just big claims. The secret to CBD’s amazing abilities lies within the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is a network within the human body that plays an important role in its well-being and functioning. It helps maintain your mental health, mood, appetite, nutrient transport, energy storage, immune function and the regulation of stress and pain perception.
The endocannabinoid system is home to CB1 receptors, and CB1 receptors play an important role in the way you react to stress and trauma.
CB1 receptors are located in the parts of your brain that control memories, fear-regulation and award-related cognition. Why do they matter when it comes to CBD? Because CBD ultimately increases the levels of anandamide that hit the CB1 receptors, and that stimulation works to lessen the impact of traumatic memories.
CBD also plays a huge role in working with CB1 receptors to decrease anxiety. That’s because CB1 receptors localize on the nerve cells that specialize in releasing the chemicals that make us feel excited or calm. When these receptors are hit with a concentrated amount of cannabinoids, they have an increased ability to help to regulate the amount of those chemicals that are released.
CB1 receptors moderate sensitivity to pain in a similar way. Several CB1 receptors are located on the nerve cells of the spinal cord, and activation of these receptors can help inhibit incoming pain cells.
When it comes to decreasing inflammation, CB2 receptors play a critical role. CB2 receptors can be found in the immune cells of the spleen, bone marrow, tonsils, and digestive tract. And how each cluster of those receptors functions depends on their location in the body.
CB2 receptors do their part to stimulate cells in the immune system, which creates the potential to fight inflammation throughout the body. Because pain is often related to inflammation, many people turn to CBD for relief.
So, what’s the takeaway? That while CBD may not be able to replace the medications you’re currently taking, it could play a powerful role in helping you take control of what’s ailing you. And if you’re like 42% of people who take CBD regularly, you may find yourself leaving the prescription stuff behind.
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