The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a biological system made up of endocannabinoids and is key to understanding the effectiveness of CBD.
It plays a crucial role in regulating numerous biological processes, including sleep, mood, appetite, memory, reproduction and fertility. These functions contribute to the maintenance of overall health by producing the endocannabinoids needed by the body. However, it is difficult to know the typical levels of these endocannabinoids for each individual.
The endocannabinoid system is active in the human body even without the use of CBD products, and is composed of three basic elements: endocannabinoids, receptors and enzymes. The receptors are distributed throughout the body, and endocannabinoids bind to them to signal activation of the endocannabinoid system. Enzymes are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids once they have done their job.
The functions regulated by the endocannabinoid system contribute to homeostasis, which is the maintenance of the stability of the body's internal environment. For example, if an external force, such as pain from inflammation or fever, disturbs the homeostasis of the body, the endocannabinoid system steps in to help the body return to its optimal function.
That's why CBD is so effective, for both skin and mind. Our bodies are already used to receiving (endo)cannabinoids, and sometimes a cannabinoid deficiency can cause certain problems, while adding cannabinoids can help solve them. Understanding how the endocannabinoid system works allows us to finally unravel the mystery of CBD's effectiveness.
