Overview
Table of Contents
The increasing popularity of CBD and the growth of the CBD trend on health worldwide have made the greater population curious about CBD. Many studies and surveys have proved the many benefits of different CBD products, and many people have declared how they were able to achieve better health and a better sense of well-being. The use of CBD also helped many people address specific issues such as chronic pain and other discomforts may it be physically or mentally.
Although CBD benefits have gained so much fame, a significant portion of the population is still not very aware of the fantastic mechanics behind CBD and the intricate endocannabinoid system itself. Both cannabinoids and terpenes systems make up the essential compounds of how the human anatomy interacts with CBDs. Cannabinoids, in particular, react with various receptors in the human body, eventually producing reactions that benefit the body and mind. CBD has bonding properties with CB1 and CB2 receptors that can improve your over-all health and mental status.
This post will be a lot of help for those who are staring and still want to know more about Cannabinoids and Terpenes. This will take you through the Cannabis plant compounds, including the not very popular but equally essential terpenes.
Compounds in Cannabis plants
The significant compounds making up the Cannabis plants are Terpenes and Cannabinoids. Thanks to the discovery of these compounds, we now have a better understanding of how Cannabis works.
Terpenes Explained
Terpenes, although not very much discussed, exist alongside Cannabinoids and are equally significant. Terpenes are basically the organic hydrocarbons that naturally exist in plants and can be produced by certain insects. Terpenes are excreted in the same glands that form cannabinoids, but these hydrocarbon oils are found on the trichomes of the cannabis plants. Terpenes are found in the essential oils in Cannabis plants, and they are responsible for the distinct characteristic smell produced by the plant. Terpenes aid us in perceiving cannabis plants through our sense of smell.
Common terpenes produced by Cannabis plants are those named as alphapinene and betacaryophyllene. Terpenes are present in full-spectrum Cannabidiol products and are mainly found in cannabis and hemp plants. Terpenes and cannabinoids are surely partners. Since terpenes are important for plants’ survival, they are also extracted from the resinous oil that are produced by cannabinoid plants. Terpenes also significantly contribute to several benefits that CBD products bring to consumers.
Since terpenes aid in perceiving cannabis plants through smell, merely enjoying terpenes’ aroma will trigger specific dormant receptors in the brain. When activated, these receptors will then produce results that will be of great help to your well-being as a whole. Specific receptors in the brain’s olfactory system will react when you use your sense of smell, and these receptors will then bind with the receptors in the limbic system. The effects of terpenes will be amplified with the combination of essential oils.
The limbic system, which consists of the hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala, and hypothalamus, is responsible for the more complex brain functions. This system is responsible for emotional experiences such as stress, reactivity, and recalling memories. When these dormant receptors get activated, this results in giving your brain a positive effect.
Terpenes generally help different CBD products are able to reach what is called the entourage effect. This entourage effect means that the CBD indeed works to better aid stress management and relaxation. Numerous studies also show that terpenes effectively allow CBD to smoothly pass through the bloodstream a lot easier. Therefore, terpenes act as an effective facilitating agent that aids in allowing CBD to reach both CB receptors effectively and efficiently.
Good to know that hemp has the highest concentration of terpenes, each having a unique scent and flavor with tons of positive effects on the human body.
Cannabinoids Explained
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds in the Cannabis sativa plant that can be received by endocannabinoid receptors. Although there are at least a hundred different cannabinoids, the most famous and major ones are cannabidiol or CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
THC is the compound in cannabis plants that is responsible for increasing psychoactivity in our brains and bodies. On the other hand, CBD will never have psychoactive results as side effects and is generally inclined to have a number of therapeutic benefits without having to worry about the adverse effects on the brain.
CBD is generally found on all strains of cannabis but is most abundant in hemp, thus making hemp a source of a wide variety and the vast majority of CBD products. CBD products are praised for being generally safe and beneficial for your health. They are sourced from industrial hemp, which is sustainably grown and tested in laboratories to ensure that they are free of contaminants and other harmful chemicals as pesticides and herbicides.
Although there is still too much to discover when it comes to CBD’s effectiveness in the overall improvement of our health and the treatment of particular medical concerns, research has proved promising aspects when it comes to CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties.
It was stated in a particular study by Harvard Medical School that one of the most exciting effects of CBD is aiding the treatment of people with epilepsy and effectively reducing seizures. When used in combination with seizure medication, CBD has been much more useful than seizure medications alone.
Remarkable Benefits of CBD
CBD can be straightforward to use; it can even be incorporated into skincare products. That is why many people tend to enjoy the benefits of CBS because of its ease of use. One of the most common benefits of CBD products is for stress management and relieving anxiety. Some studies showed how CBD could help people sleep easier by allowing uninterrupted sleeping patterns.
When it comes to relieving chronic or acute pain, CBD has already been proven and can even become a substitute for pain reliever medications. CBD may also improve mobility and help you push and recover from the pain and inflammation. When used topically, CBD can also help in reducing soreness and lessen inflammation effectively.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The Endocannabinoid system is complex in that it functions with the involvement of endocannabinoids, receptors, and natural enzymes. Even without the use or intake of cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system is still at work. Although much is still unknown when it comes to natural ECS, it is already proven that it plays a role in the regulation of certain functions. This includes sleeping, mood changes, appetite, ability to recall memories, and even immune cell response.
The ECS basically reacts to signals from endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are different from regular cannabinoids because endocannabinoids are made exclusively by the human body and are not produced by plants. Endocannabinoids act by binding two kinds of receptors to aid the ECS’s needed reactions inside the body. The receptors are known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. Both receptors are evenly distributed in the body. However, the peripheral nervous system holds the vast majority of the CB2 receptors, while the CB1 receptors are distribute in clusters in the central nervous system.
Proteins or enzymes are responsible for the breakdown of endocannabinoids inside the body after it has served its purpose. If an endocannabinoid has been paired with a receptor to power up the ECS response, it is then considered as waste and broken down by enzymes.
THC, CBD, and ECS
Both THC and CBD has many similar applications when it comes to binding with the endocannabinoid system. Unlike THC, CBD is not a psychoactive compound and does not result to side effects like paranoia and confusion. THC binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors, which is why it has strong and potent effects. CBD and THC are both proven to effectively manage inflammation, pains, and discomfort when bonding to the ECS.
CBD does not bind to receptors in the brain the same way THC does, but it has bonding and binding properties with CB1 and CB2 receptors. It is said the role of CBD inclines to the reduction of the rate of speed of the breakdown of endocannabinoids in the human body.
Both cannabinoids and terpenes matter not just because they are found in cannabinoids but also because they are closely intertwined in how they react inside the human body.
Additional information regarding the subject:
- Terpenes and Terpenoids: Terpenes and terpenoids, both found in cannabis and other plants, differ in their chemical structure. Terpenes are simple hydrocarbons, whereas terpenoids are oxygenated hydrocarbons. They contribute to the plant’s flavor and smell, and while they don’t directly interact with the endocannabinoid system, they affect how cannabinoids are absorbed in our bodies.
- Medicinal Benefits of Terpenes: Terpenes have shown potential in preclinical studies for their antiviral, anticancer, antidepressant, antimicrobial, and pain-relieving properties. They interact with various biological systems, suggesting a range of therapeutic uses.
- Cannabinoids – THC and CBD: THC, known for its psychoactive properties, interacts with CB1 receptors in the brain, affecting mood, perception, and cognition. CBD, in contrast, is non-psychoactive and can counteract the cognitive effects of THC. It is usually extracted from hemp plants and has a variety of medicinal applications.
- Other Cannabinoids – CBG and CBN: CBG, the “mother cannabinoid,” can convert into THC and CBD and shows promise in medical research for treating conditions like cancer and inflammatory diseases. CBN, derived from the degradation of THC, is known for its potential sedative properties and applications in treating pain and glaucoma.
- The Entourage Effect: This concept suggests a synergistic interaction between cannabinoids and terpenes, enhancing the overall effects when consumed together. Full-spectrum CBD extracts, which include both cannabinoids and terpenes, have been found more effective for certain treatments than CBD alone.
- Preserving Terpenes in Cannabis: Terpenes are sensitive to environmental conditions and can be lost during the drying, curing, and processing of cannabis. Proper storage is crucial to maintain terpene content, involving protection from excessive moisture, light, or air.
- Common Cannabis Terpenes: Key terpenes in cannabis include myrcene, known for its relaxing effects; limonene, which has a citrusy scent and potential mood-enhancing properties; and beta-caryophyllene, unique for its interaction with the endocannabinoid system and possible relaxation benefits.
Conclusion
Cannabinoids and terpenes have a positive interaction inside our bodies, and this positive interaction is known as the entourage effect. And even with still more studies to be conducted, there are already enough points to prove how CBDs being beneficial, cannabinoids benefit the ECS, promoting better health and overall well-being.
Many producers recommend the use of products that were meticulously processed to preserve cannabinoids and terpenes. With preserved cannabinoids and terpenes, users will be able to enjoy the benefits of the entourage effect. There are many excellent and remarkable benefits of Cannabidiols to the ECS. If you are planning to add CBD to your wellness and health regimen, you may read here‘, or you may consult your physician about the best and recommended ways to incorporate different CBD products into your daily routine.