Free delivery from 250 zł
Added on July 28, 2023
5 min read
Added on July 28, 2023
5 min read

Many people wonder how hemp products and CBD, in general, affect us. On the one hand, we see and feel the positive impact of hemp oil on every cell in our body, but you'll probably encounter many people trying to convince you that it's just a placebo effect. However, the truth is that each of us has our own natural endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our body that responds to cannabinoids. Today, we'll take a closer look at how hemp affects our bodies through this system and why you shouldn't fear endocannabinoids.

What Is the Endocannabinoid System and How Does It Work?

The ECS regulates and controls some of the most important mental, physical, physiological, and emotional functions in our brain and body. These include, but are not limited to:
  • Human body movements
  • Pain perception
  • Immune system function
  • Mental health
  • Physical health
  • Sleep
  • Digestive system function
  • Even processes related to brain protection
This system is crucial for us as it's responsible for maintaining homeostasis, the balance between our body and mind. Although this system may be unfamiliar to many and shrouded in mystery, it's just as important for our bodies as the nervous system, immune system, and all other major systems that underpin our daily functioning. The ECS operates on so many fronts simultaneously that some consider it the most important system in our bodies for preventing serious illnesses and maintaining well-being.
The entire endocannabinoid system consists of three parts:
  • Cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are located in nerve cells of the nervous system, while the latter are commonly found in our organs and immune system cells. There is increasing evidence that besides these, we have other ECS receptors as well.
  • Endocannabinoids, which are chemical substances that the aforementioned types of receptors react to. They are naturally produced by our body. Of course, we can also supplement with various cannabinoids, such as CBD oil.
  • Other enzymes whose task is to first synthesize endocannabinoids and, when they have fulfilled their function, break them down into parts so that they can be used again in the future. Our body produces endocannabinoids only when there is a need for them and never stores them.
It's worth mentioning that the ECS in our body is unique (just like a fingerprint), but an interesting fact is that it's not exclusive to humans. It exists in the body of every mammal, which is why there is also a whole range of hemp products designed for your furry friend.

Where Is the Endocannabinoid System Located?

Unlike the central nervous system, the endocannabinoid system is distributed throughout our entire body. Endocannabinoid receptors can be found in places such as the lungs, digestive tract, bones, and even the brain.

Functions of the Endocannabinoid System

The ECS influences various aspects of our body, including:
  • Nutrition — it enhances our appetite, improves the way we metabolize food, and regulates insulin levels.
  • Sleep — it affects our sleep cycles, regulates sleep phases, and has an impact on our "wakefulness" upon waking up.
  • Relaxation — it influences the nervous system's ability to regulate and return to a baseline (calm) state. It protects against excessive excitement, anxiety, and helps cope with chronic stress. It can even induce a sense of well-being that simply eases away all stress.
  • Protection — it regulates the immune system, which protects us from external threats such as bacterial or fungal infections. It also protects our brain from toxins and inflammatory conditions.

Why Is the ECS Important for Our Well-Being and Homeostasis?

The ECS plays a crucial role in regulating our entire body. Its proper functioning ensures that our body operates smoothly, much like a well-oiled machine. This system not only relates to our sense of well-being but also directly affects the better functioning of many internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart. Consequently, if the ECS encounters certain dysfunctions, our entire body suffers as a result.
  • Dysregulation — the loss of balance due to an overactive or underactive ECS can lead to a lack of homeostasis in our body. This, in turn, exposes us to conditions such as mood disorders (including depression and anxiety), migraines, chronic headaches, cardiovascular diseases, premenstrual syndrome, motion sickness, or even serious illnesses such as autism, epilepsy, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.
  • Endocannabinoid deficiency — Dr. Ethan Russo began conducting experiments and publishing scientific research on the possibility of endocannabinoid deficiency syndrome. He noted that there are many diseases and ailments (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, migraines) that appear resistant to conventional pharmacological treatment and almost immediately improve under the influence of cannabis. Dr. Russo claims that many patients come to him after having "tried everything for their ailments," and nothing helped, but after using cannabis therapy rich in various cannabinoids (including CBD, THC, CBG, CBC, CBN), they see significant improvement. Of course, we still need more research to better understand our ECS.

What Are the Two Main Cannabinoids Naturally Produced in the Body?

As mentioned earlier, our body continuously produces two cannabinoids, which are:
  • 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol)
  • AEA (anandamide) - the name comes from the Sanskrit word meaning "bliss."
They are continuously generated in our body, and then, through enzymes, they are broken down inside cells, and a new batch is produced in their place. Our endocannabinoids help in the proper regulation of our body. They are responsible for ensuring that substances such as serotonin, dopamine, or GABA are released in the appropriate amounts.
In many situations, 2-AG and AEA (e.g., chronic stress, anxiety, or PTSD) may have difficulties functioning properly. In such cases, to maintain the homeostasis of our body, it is necessary to turn to products containing CBD and THC.

Can Hemp and CBD Oils Supplement Endocannabinoid Deficiency?

Cannabinoid deficiency is a serious problem because, on one hand, it can be caused by everyday things like excessive stress, and on the other hand, prolonged imbalance in our body will have very negative effects.
There are many ways to replenish its levels:
  • Using hemp products such as CBD oils — this is the quickest way to fill deficiencies, which you can apply anytime and anywhere (regardless of your location). Of course, you can use various products from hemp plants . Remember that if they are approved for sale, they contain no more than 0.2% THC (psychoactive substance), so you don't have to worry about any intoxicating side effects.
  • Aerobics — another good way is aerobic exercise. With exercise, our anandamide levels increase, which, along with endorphins, can be responsible for the so-called "runner's euphoria." If you currently can't exercise, consider going to a dance party. This is further evidence that sports in various forms have a beneficial effect on the human body.
  • Carrots — let's add right away that there is no need for you to switch to eating only carrots now. That won't work. It's a fairly new medical concept, but scientists have found that incorporating carrots into our balanced diet affects the functioning of our endocannabinoid receptors and can have a huge impact on the functioning of our ECS.
  • Diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in omega-6 — preliminary research suggests that the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in our diet affects the functioning of the ECS. It turns out that the diet and eating habits of "Westerners" consist of a very large amount of mixed vegetable oils, eggs, meat, unhealthy snacks, or "diet" foods. All of these products provide our bodies with omega-6 fatty acids. Unfortunately, we often forget about omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish. For the proper functioning of the ECS, the ratio of these acids should be 1:1 (this is the optimal result). Unfortunately, most of us have a ratio of 1:20.
As you can see, there are many natural ways to supply cannabinoids to our body, which will make the ECS work properly. However, most of them are based on long-term healthy and balanced nutrition (which we definitely encourage) and physical effort (which we also recommend). However, if you need to supplement their levels at any moment, it's worth considering buying good CBD oil and having it on hand.