Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is a cannabinoid that has been shown to have many benefits for the human brain. CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not produce the "high" associated with marijuana.
In this blog post, we will explore the science behind how CBD affects the brain and discuss some potential benefits of this cannabinoid.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its more famous cousin THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects. In other words, it won't make you feel high. Instead, it has various potential health benefits, including reducing anxiety and pain.
For this reason, CBD has become increasingly popular in recent years as a possible remedy for various ailments. Scientists are still studying CBD, but there is already promising evidence that it could effectively help with certain conditions.
How does CBD work?
CBD works by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system. This system regulates many vital functions, including mood, appetite, and sleep. When CBD binds to receptors in the endocannabinoid system, it can help to regulate these functions and improve overall health.
The Endocannabinoid System
This system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. In other words, it helps to keep the body in balance. When something upsets this balance, the endocannabinoid system kicks into gear to restore it. CBD has many potential health benefits - interacting with the endocannabinoid system. It can help to restore balance in the body.
The endocannabinoid system consists of two key cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. CBD binds to both of these receptors but has different effects depending on which receptor it binds to.
- CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain and regulate mood and pain perception.
- CB2 receptors are found primarily in the immune system and are involved in inflammation and pain relief.
Some research suggests that CBD may help reduce anxiety by binding to CB1 receptors and reducing their activity. It may also help relieve pain by binding to CB2 receptors and modulating the body's inflammatory response.
The Science Behind CBD and the Brain
CBD interacts with the brain in several ways.
- It binds to cannabinoid receptors responsible for anxiety and pain perfection in the brain.
- CBD also inhibits the uptake of certain neurotransmitters, such as anandamide. Anandamide is an important brain chemical that helps to regulate mood and pain. CBD can help improve mood and reduce pain by inhibiting its uptake.
- CBD also has anti-inflammatory effects. This is because it inhibits the activity of inflammatory cytokines. These are proteins that contribute to inflammation in the brain. Inhibiting their activity can help to reduce brain inflammation and improve brain health.
- CBD can help to regulate the body's stress response. By reducing stress and anxiety, CBD can indirectly improve brain function.
5 Ways CBD Affects Your Brain
- CBD may possibly help relieve anxiety and depression
CBD may help in reducing anxiety in people with anxiety disorders. In one study, for example, scientists found that CBD cuts blood flow to parts of the brain linked to anxiety, like the hypothalamus.
The action helps to reduce the amount of anxiety a person feels. In addition, CBD may help people feel less anxious overall.
CBD also gained popularity probable treatment for depression. While more research needs to be done, CBD may help by restoring balance to the endocannabinoid system, which is out of whack in people with depression. CBD has also been shown to work on a serotonin receptor linked to depression.
Because CBD works differently than antidepressants, it might be a promising solution for people who haven't responded well to traditional medications. But more study is needed to support this claim.
Antidepressants can take weeks to start working and can cause side effects. CBD, on the other hand, works right away and doesn't cause many side effects. This makes it an appealing option for people looking for relief from their depression.
SOURCE: Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders - NCBI
- CBD may help protect brain cells
While it's true that marijuana has been linked with some negative side effects, like memory problems and difficulty concentrating, it's important to remember that not all parts of the cannabis plant are equal. CBD found in marijuana revealed in some studies to protect brain cells from damage.
In 1999, the United States Department of Health and Human Services even received a patent for using CBD to treat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other forms of dementia.
CBD may possibly protect nerve cells. CBD works on CB2 receptors to make immune cells in the brain respond in a way that reduces inflammation. This cuts down on the damage that inflammation does to the brain.
Oxidation can contribute to tissue damage among the many biochemical processes that occur in the brain. This is partly responsible for the brain damage seen in individuals with conditions like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Recent research also has indicated that CBD may help to decrease oxidative damage. CBD acts on CB2 receptors, which are found in the brain and peripheral nervous system. The action is thought to reduce inflammation and protect neurons from oxidative stress.
SOURCE: Cannabidiol for neurodegenerative disorders - NCBI
- CBD may provide relief issues associated with normal daily exercise and activity
Studies indicate that CBD can possibly help relieve pain. CBD helps manage pain by acting on CB2 receptors on immune cells. The CB2 receptors are responsible for managing some cellular functions, one of which is suppressing the inflammation response created by immune cells.
CBD may help decrease the amount of inflammatory molecules, such as chemokines and cytokines, present at inflammation sites. CBD's action is to reduce inflammation peripherally by helping block the pain signals from going to the brain.
SOURCE: Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Chronic Pain - NCBI
- CBD may help control seizures
CBD may be helpful in managing epilepsy. CBD may seem to be beneficial in decreasing the frequency of seizures by lowering the degree of excitation of cells in the brain that play a part in seizures. CBD can possibly decrease certain brain mechanisms that contribute to episodes by enhancing the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.
This effect is achieved by binding to a particular site on the GABA receptor. CBD has also shown to reduce the activity of Glutamate, another neurotransmitter that plays a role in seizure activity. These effects together make CBD probable treatment for epilepsy.
SOURCE: Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Epilepsy - NCBI
- CBD has antipsychotic effects
Recent studies have shown that CBD can have antipsychotic effects. CBD increases anandamide levels in the brain. Anandamide is a cannabinoid that is produced naturally by the body. Increased levels of anandamide in the brain have been associated with decreased psychotic symptoms.
SOURCE: A critical review of the antipsychotic effects of cannabidiol - Pubmed NCBI
Other Health Benefits of CBD
CBD has also been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties.
CBD is being studied for its potential use in the management of other variety of conditions, including:
- substance abuse and addiction
- cancer
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Huntington's disease
CBD is a promising area of research with a wide range of potential health benefits. As more studies are conducted, we will continue learning more about CBD's effects in the brain.
If you're interested in trying CBD, speak with your healthcare provider first. CBD is available in various forms, including oils, tinctures, capsules, edibles, creams, and more. You can also find CBD products for pets! Shop around to find a product that's right for you.
The Bottomline
CBD has a variety of potential brain-related benefits. CBD may help protect brain cells, reduce inflammation, and provide relief from pain and seizures. CBD also has antipsychotic effects. These potential benefits make CBD appealing to those looking for natural ways to improve their brain health.
If you're considering using CBD to help improve brain health, it's important to remember that not all CBD products are created equal. Be sure to research and purchase a high-quality product from a reputable source.
New Season Wellness is dedicated to providing high-quality CBD products to our customers. We only sell US-grown hemp-derived products from trusted brands that you can trust. Our mission is to enhance our community's health and wellness by bringing awareness to cannabinoids and their benefits.
We do this by communicating the knowledge we have acquired so that people are well informed of available options. Securing high-quality, responsibly sourced CBD products from trusted brands is our priority.