Hemp School

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occuring compound found in agricultural hemp that has been recognized for its benefits on human and animal health. CBD is one of 85 compounds (or cannabinoids) found in hemp. CBD (with 0 THC) is non-intoxicating and is safe for people and animals.

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that either come from outside of the body in plant matter (phytocannabinoids) or produced naturally by the body (endocannabinoid). Cannabinoids interact with the body’s central regulatory system, which is known to manage homeostasis (or balance) while affecting bodily processes such as appetite, mood and sleep. CBD is just one example of a phytocannabinoid.

Our bodies can naturally produce its own endocannabinoids that bind to cannabinoid receptors in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. However, phytocannabinoids, which come from the hemp plant, are known to help to kickstart our central regulatory system and aid in our body doing its job.

Our ECS System

The System that Regulates Homeostasis

In school, we are taught that there are 11 major organ systems in the human body. They include the circulatory, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, lymphatic, and digestive systems. All these systems make up the human body.

But did you know you also have an endocannabinoid system (ECS)? You probably didn’t because unless you are a research scientist or work with medical cannabis, it is unlikely that you will ever hear of it. And yet, the ECS has been called “the most important physiologic system involved in establishing and maintaining human health.”

What exactly does the endocannabinoid system (ECS) do?

We do not have a full and complete picture of what the ECS does but we do know that the ECS helps fine-tune and balance most of our vital physiological functions. It promotes homeostasis affecting everything from sleep, appetite, pain, inflammation, memory, mood, and even reproduction. So in basic terms, the ECS helps modulate the regulation of homeostasis across all major body systems ensuring that all systems work in concert with one another.

1. All animals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS).

As humans beings, we like to think of ourselves as special, but we’re not special for having an ECS. All vertebrates and invertebrates are known to have an ECS. The most primitive animal found to express cannabinoid receptors is the sea-squirts, an animal which evolved over 600 million years ago.

2. Endocannabinoid receptors are the most abundant neuromodulatory receptors in the body.

The total number of endocannabinoid receptors in the body is believed to be greater than all other neuromodulatory receptors found in the body combined, including receptors for the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Anandamide alone has the most receptors in the brain and is critical for maintaining a healthy central nervous system.

3. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been found to play a role in many diseases.

The ECS helps bring balance to the body. As a result, it is no surprise that scientists have observed changes in ECS activity in a number of diseases. Everything from neurodegenerative disorders to rheumatoid arthritis and cancer have shown changes in endocannabinoid levels and greater receptor expression. This suggests that the ECS may be an effective target for restoring balance in the body and promoting good health.

4. Clinical Endocannabinoid System (ECS) Deficiency Syndrome may be a root cause of some diseases.

When the ECS is functioning properly, all our various body systems are maintained in a state of dynamic equilibrium, or homeostasis. But what happens when the ECS is dysfunctional or damaged? Scientists have found that certain conditions which are associated with hypersensitivity to pain or stimulus, such as migraines, fibromyalgia, and IBS, the ECS is dysfunctional. This hypothesis, that the ECS may lie at the root of some disorders, is known as the Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency hypothesis. It is believed that by supplementing the body with naturally occurring cannabinoids from plants, we can correct this deficiency, relieve symptoms, and restore health.

5. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) explains why natural cannabinoids in hemp and other plants have therapeutic effects.

Before cannabis prohibition, hemp and marijuana had been used for thousands of years to treat a number of ailments, including epilepsy, headaches, arthritis, pain, depression, and nausea. Traditional healers may not have known why the plant was effective but their experience demonstrated its effectiveness and provided the basis for later scientific inquiry. The discovery of the ECS revealed a biological basis for the therapeutic effects of plant cannabinoids and has sparked renewed interest in cannabis as medicine.

Research has shown that small doses of natural cannabinoids from hemp and other plants help support the ECS and enhance its signaling. This suggests that small, regular doses of naturally occurring cannabinoids from hemp and other plants might act as a tonic to our most central physiologic healing system.

6. Exercise and diet can also boosts the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Scientists have found that prolonged aerobic exercise increases levels of anandamide, the “feel good” endocannabinoid. Diet is also a useful target. Increasing your intake of the essential fatty acid, omega 3, found in oily fish or healthy seeds like flax or hemp, can help support endocannabinoid brain signalling.

7. Doctors know very little about the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Talking with your doctor about the ECS can be frustrating since the majority of doctors are not trained on it. This is beginning to change but for now it is helpful to come armed with good information about the ECS when speaking with your doctor.

We follow the FDA's guidance regarding health claims: These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.