CBD has been gaining traction in the health and wellness industries rather quickly. You have probably heard a lot about CBD and wondering if it’s all true. It is difficult to know what’s true or not, especially with a drug that faces too much controversy. Experimental models show that CBD has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antiemetic, anticonvulsant, and antipsychotic properties. The evidence indicates that CBD could have therapeutic benefits for conditions such as neuroinflammation, oxidative injury, epilepsy, anxiety, schizophrenia, and vomiting and nausea.
With the increasing presence of lifestyle diseases, a drug that can manage the related symptoms would be much welcome. As people age, the risk of getting conditions such as chronic pain increases. But CBD gummies help in pain relief, and you can buy them from your local gas station. CBD can also alleviate depression and anxiety. So, if you suffer from anxiety, chewing some Sunday scaries can help you feel relaxed.
CBD has many benefits to health and general well-being. Most of its benefits are not fully understood, but there is promising potential.
1. Can Promote Brain Health
CBD has a neuroprotective function, which benefits overall brain health and could also help people with neurodegenerative disorders. These disorders cause nerve and brain deterioration over time, leading to Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS).
The neuroprotective benefits of CBD come from its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. While CBD has a low affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, it exerts its action by inhibiting or activating specific channels in the endocannabinoid system. Moreover, CBD can activate, directly or indirectly, metabotropic receptors for adenosine and serotonin. The two hormones, adenosine, and serotonin play a critical role in neuronal function and behavior.
Image source: unsplash.com
Adenosine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning that it can suppress specific central nervous system responses. Adenosine, therefore, functions as a neuromodulator and can reduce excessive dopamine signaling. Serotonin plays a different function and controls mood, happiness, and feelings of well-being. This hormone promotes effective communication between other brain cells, improving brain health.
Low serotonin levels can cause several psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties. CBD can increase response to both serotonin and adenosine through its effects on the endocannabinoid system, thereby acting as a modulator.
Image source: unsplash.com
CBD also targets ion channels and nuclear receptors of the PPAR family, particularly PPAR-γ. PPAR family receptors inhibit the action of NFκB, a transcription factor that controls cytokine production, inflammatory responses, cellular growth, and apoptosis.
Through its effects on NFκB, CBD influences inflammatory cytokines, pro-inflammatory enzymes, and metalloproteases. These effects improve brain health and alleviate the symptoms of various neurological disorders.
2. Pain Relief
The effects of CBD on the brain also help with pain perception by exerting its influence simultaneously on multiple pain targets in the peripheral and central nervous system. Many people rely on exercising daily to help with chronic pain from arthritis, spinal cord injuries, and muscle pain use CBD to manage their pain.
Scientific studies show that CBD is effective in treating both inflammatory pain and neuropathic (nerve-based) pain. CBD has a significant influence in modulating various functions of the endocannabinoid system. CBD acts on CB1 and CB2 receptors, modulating their actions.
Image source: unsplash.com
In case of injury or irritation, the cells send stimuli transmitted through the endocannabinoid system. CBD can exert an inhibitory or activating response on CB1 and CB2 receptors to cause anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. CBD also interacts with cannabinoid G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) 55 N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) receptor and opioid or serotonin (5-HT) receptors. These receptors modulate pain perception in different ways and present ways in which CBD can modulate pain.
CBD also exhibits anti-hyperalgesic and antinociceptive effects. So, CBD can inhibit pain perception through the neurons. CBD targets various neurons in the brain and can modulate communication between different brain cells. If specific cells send pain perception, CBD can block that message from reaching its target cells.
3. May Relieve Mental Health Issues
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders in modern times. CBD can help with both stress and anxiety by influencing brain actions in different ways. First, CBD promotes relaxation, which will help you relax and avoid stress.
Image source: unsplash.com
Serotonin is a crucial neurotransmitter and hormone that modulates many signals that influence general health and well-being. As a neurotransmitter, serotonin affects many cell responses modulated by CB1 and CB2 receptors. You have probably heard of the “happiness molecule” when serotonin is mentioned. This is due to its effects on mood and happiness. When its levels are high, it induces a feeling of pleasure, which counteracts stress, anxiety, and even depression.
If your serotonin levels are low, you will feel stressed and depressed. But taking CBD can affect your brain’s response to serotonin and reverse your symptoms. CBD does not necessarily increase serotonin levels but affects brain response to the available serotonin.
Scientists believe that CBD interacts with the serotonin (5-HT)1A receptor, leading to anxiolytic effects. Studies show that CBD increases the firing of 5-HT neurons. So, when you take CBD, your brain’s response to serotonin will increase, thereby evoking antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects.
Conclusion
People use CBD for both its therapeutic and recreational benefits. Whatever your reasons for taking CBD, you can be sure that it will improve your overall health.
References
