Your Endocannabinoid System (ECS) was only recently discovered in 1992 and was named after the plant that led to its discovery— cannabis. The ECS is your body’s most important balancing system.
The amazing healing stories you’ve heard about CBD happen because of what CBD does for your ECS. Your ECS is the real power behind CBD.
Here’s How Your Endocannabinoid System (ECS) Works
YOUR ECS CONSISTS OF:
- Endocannabinoids which are made by your body from fatty acids and function as neurotransmitters that direct your ECS to perform specific regulating tasks.
- Receptors that are activated by the unique molecular shape of endocannabinoids. Once activated, they relay information at the cellular level.
- Enzymes that breakdown endocannabinoids.
Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout your body: in your brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. Your ECS performs many different tasks all in an effort to restore and maintain homeostasis (a state of balance).
When CBD enters your body, it raises levels of your primary endocannabinoid, anandamide. CBD does this by inhibiting an enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), that breaks down anandamide. Ananda means bliss in Sanskrit, an appropriate name for what anandamide does. Higher levels of anandamide can provide vital support to a depleted or malfunctioning ECS. Many health conditions can be directly related to a malfunctioning or out-of-balance ECS.
When CBD interacts directly with your body’s ECS, it helps bring your body into homeostasis. Supporting your ECS by regularly supplementing with CBD promotes a more balanced body and mind.
